Illinois Gas Prices Are on the Rise

Gas prices across Illinois and Indiana are on the rise heading into April with drivers paying significantly more than they did both last month and last year.

So, we've got that going for us.

According to a new report out by AAA Chicago, Illinois drivers are paying on average $2.68 for an unleaded gallon of gasoline, an increase of $.14 from a month ago, and up from $2.39 a year ago. Indiana drivers are paying on average $2.63, up $.14 from a month ago and considerably higher than the $2.31 price per gallon they paid a year ago.

“Right now we are starting to see refineries purge winter-blend gasoline to make room for the switch to summer-blend. Coupled with this is a drop in gasoline inventories, which is also pushing prices higher,” said Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA "This rise in prices will continue throughout the spring and into the summer driving season.”

Here are AAAs March monthly averages for our area:

• In Winnebago County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.53 per gallon, a decrease of $.03 from February and $.27 higher than last year’s prices.
• In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.79, which was up $.03 from last month and $.24 higher than last year’s price-per-gallon.
• In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.65 per gallon, which was an $.11 increase from February and up $.27 from last year.
• In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.64 per gallon, which was up $.09 compared to last month and $.27 higher than last year’s price.
• In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.61 per gallon, which was $.07 higher than last month and up by $.27 compared to this time last year.
• In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.56 per gallon, which was $.05 higher than last month’s average and $.25 higher than last year.
• In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.62 per gallon, which was $.12 higher compared to last month and $.28 higher compared to last year.

For the video below, keep in mind that a gallon of gas equals 3.75 liters: