SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Federal District Court Judge Sue Myerscough denied a preliminary injunction last Friday regarding the recently passed law requiring gas stations to post signs on gas pumps touting the suspension of scheduled tax increases set for July 1st. Judge Myerscough made a decision on this case without hearing any oral arguments from either party.
“Obviously, we are very disappointed by Judge Myerscough’s decision. She issued her ruling before we were even allowed to argue the merits of our case in court. Her ruling contradicts common sense, basic economic principles and most importantly, the Constitution. The Association continues to believe government does not have the authority to compel private businesses to post what is essentially election year propaganda,” said Josh Sharp, CEO of the IL Fuel and Retail Association.
He continued, “The idea that businesses now have to serve as a courier for state sponsored speech or face criminal sanctions and a $500 per-day fine should be deeply troubling to all Illinoisan’s, unfortunately Judge Myerscough disagrees.”
While the Association and its leadership discuss the next steps involved with the legal process, Sharp encourages all of its members to follow the law beginning July 1 and post the required signage that IFRA distributed last week. He said, “While an appeal could be in the works, it is doubtful that we could get our case in front of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals before the July 1 deadline.”
Sharp said, “It is critical that we help voters understand what lengths the Governor and the Legislature have gone to raise their taxes and increase the price of fuel in Illinois.”
For more information about the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, visit www.fuelingillinois.com.