Property tax revenues from the top 15 oil and natural gas-producing counties in southeastern Illinois total in the millions, averaging over $7.1 million annually.
According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the oil and gas industry generated $121.1 million in ad valorem tax revenue between 2007 and 2023.
White County remains the region’s top oil-producing county, with operators contributing $28.22 million in property taxes over the 16-year period. Other counties also saw significant tax contributions:
Wayne County: $6.82 million
Wabash County: $5.87 million
Hamilton County: $4.2 million
Jefferson County: $2.4 million
Clay County: $6.26 million
Crawford County: $6.81 million
Gallatin County: $5.26 million
Franklin County: $6.08 million
Marion County: $16.22 million
Richland County: $4.43 million
Revenue Department figures indicate that approximately $72.6 million of the $121.1 million collected went to funding K-12 public schools in these oil-producing counties. Current data shows that more than 50% of the ad valorem taxes paid by the oil industry directly support local school districts.
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