BENLD, Ill. (AP) — A proposed tax on fossil fuels extracted from Illinois soils that would in part help fund the financially strapped state’s general revenue coffers is getting renewed attention.

An environmental group called Community Futures Initiative is going to current and former coal communities throughout the state to garner support for such a tax, with the idea to persuade lawmakers to introduce legislation next year — after the critical election cycle.

Research done for the group suggests the tax could have raised $141 million last year alone.

Coal officials counter that a new tax could cripple an already-reeling industry and wouldn’t make much of a difference when it comes to the state’s budget impasse.

Illinois is one of three coal-producing states that don’t collect excise taxes on fossil fuels.

 

 

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