Illinois Gas Prices Are Rising Steeply This Spring

With the unofficial start to summer just weeks away, Illinois and Indiana gas prices have risen steadily throughout the last month.

Don't worry, it's only gasoline. I mean, who uses much of that stuff? Oh yeah--everyone.

According to the folks at AAA Chicago,

“Many motorists may have been surprised by the steady increases in prices at the pump this past month,” said Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA Chicago. “April brings a switchover to the summer blend of gasoline, which causes prices to rise. We expect prices to stabilize now leading into summer travel season.”

The Illinois average price for an unleaded gallon of gasoline is $2.89, up $.19 from a month ago and up from $2.37 – the price a year ago. The average across the Chicago metro region is $3.06, up from $2.87 a month ago and $2.51 a year ago. In Indiana, the average price is $2.84, up $.18 from a month ago and up $.66 from last year’s price. Indiana’s unleaded price marks the largest year-over-year increases across the US, with Illinois’ price increases being the fifth largest.

April 2018 monthly averages across the region:

• In Winnebago County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.66 per gallon, an increase of $.13 from March and $.28 higher than April 2017.
• In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.99, which is up $.20 from last month and $.29 higher than last year’s price-per-gallon
• In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.86 per gallon, which is a $.20 increase from March and up $.34 from last year.
• In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.84 per gallon, which is up $.20 compared to last month and $.34 higher than April 2017’s price.
• In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.82 per gallon, which is $.20 higher than last month and $.34 higher than last year’s price.
• In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.78 per gallon, which is $.21 higher than last month’s average and $.31 higher than last year’s price per gallon.
• In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.83 per gallon, which is $.19 higher compared to last month and $.33 higher compared to last year.

What if every liquid we use was priced by the gallon? Well, frankly, it would totally suck: