With motor fuel prices on the rise throughout the United States, Governor Blagojevich is concerned about the negative impact on Illinois' consumers, tourism industry, and the overall health of the states' economy.

Governor Blagojevich announced a comprehensive plan and issued an Executive Order in response to dramatic increases in motor fuel prices over the past year. His plan addresses change at both state and federal levels to protect against price gouging and to reduce the country's reliance on foreign oil supplies. The Governor's plan includes:

• requiring state employees to use renewable fuels in state-owned vehicles
• encouraging state employees to use mass transit by allowing them to use pre-tax earnings to pay for commuting costs
• tracking statewide gas prices and disseminating information to consumers
• directing research on the economics of the gas industry and possible implications for the state of Illinois

The Governor is also urging the Bush administration to increase the use of ethanol - a corn-based renewable fuel additive that burns cleaner than gasoline and is made domestically. A Renewable Fuel Standard would increase ethanol consumption two-fold totaling 5 billion gallons by 2012.

EXECUTIVE ORDER TO MONITOR MOTOR FUEL RETAIL AND WHOLESALE PRICES THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

WHEREAS, motor fuel prices are on the rise throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, high motor fuel prices negatively impact Illinois consumers, the state's tourism industry, transportation, and the overall health of Illinois' economy; and

WHEREAS, consumers of motor fuel in Illinois are entitled to a fair and competitive market for motor fuel and to information that will allow them to pay the lowest possible price for motor fuel; and

WHEREAS, healthy, vigorous competition among motor fuel refiners, marketers, and retailers may be encouraged by increased awareness among Illinois consumers about motor fuel prices; and

WHEREAS, lawmakers and decision makers can use information about the motor fuel market to create appropriate policy responses to increased motor fuel prices.

THEREFORE, I hereby order the following:

1. In order to regularly inform the Governor and Illinois consumers of current retail and wholesale motor fuel prices in Illinois, the Department of Revenue, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, shall conduct regular surveys of motor fuel retail outlets as well as collect industry data on wholesale prices of motor fuel.
   
2. The Department of Revenue, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, shall establish a system to disseminate information to the public as to motor fuel prices based upon their survey results and industry data.
   
3. The Department of Revenue, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, shall research the issue of zone pricing of motor fuel and the possible implications for the state.
   
4. The Department of Revenue, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, shall research the issue of single source distribution of motor fuel and the possible implications for the state.
   
5. SAVINGS CLAUSE
   Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any state or federal law.
   
6. SEVERABILITY
   If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid in a court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Executive Order which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are declared to be severable.
7. EFFECTIVE DATE
   This Executive Order shall be in full force and effect upon its filing with the Secretary of State.
   

Issued by Governor:
Filed with Secretary of State:

Executive Order Number 8