Illinoisans will see the state gas tax double starting July 1. But that’s not all: the tax will be tied to inflation, meaning it will automatically rise in future years so lawmakers are shielded from motorists’ ire.

Based on current inflation projections, the gas tax will rise almost a penny a year. Lawmakers bumped it from 19 to 38 cents starting in July. Their inflation mechanism is expected to drive the gas tax to 43.5 cents by 2025 — almost 25 cents per gallon more than now.