Gas taxes are set to increase next week in Illinois, which has the highest average gas prices in the Midwest and the tenth-highest in the United States. On July 1, the tax will increase by around half a cent per gallon, depending on the blend, according to Illinois authorities. The tax on gasoline will rise to 39.2 cents per gallon and on diesel to 46.7 cents per gallon, in line with amended legislation passed in 2019 that doubled Illinois’ motor fuel tax and made future annual increases automatic by pegging them to consumer price inflation, which has surged in recent months. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the June 25 average national retail price for regular gasoline stood at $3.086 per gallon. California took top spot for the highest prices, at $4.258 per gallon, while Illinois was in tenth spot, at $3.303 per gallon. Mississippi, at $2.727 per gallon of …