AURORA, Ill., March. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The statewide average for gasoline
in Illinois and Northern Indiana has increased in the past month. Illinois
motorists will pay an average of $2.08 per gallon for regular unleaded
gasoline, according to AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report. That's up
18 cents from a month ago and 46 cents higher than gas prices for this time
last year. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $2.09, which is up
24 cents from February and up 45 cents from March 2004.
"There has been a significant increase in the price of gasoline during the
past month due to price of crude oil," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago
spokeswoman. "Crude oil prices are nearly $20 per barrel more than last month.
In addition, the refineries are preparing to switch to the production of
reformulated gasoline, which could provide some upward pressure on the
gasoline prices heading into the summer travel season."
In Cook County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.19, which
is up 20 cents compared to last month and 38 cents higher than last year's
price-per-gallon.
In DuPage County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.12 per
gallon, which is a 23-cent increase from February and 39 cents higher than
last year.
In Kane County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.09 per
gallon, which is up by 20 cents compared to last month and 39 cents higher
than March 2004's price.
In Lake County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.09 per
gallon, which is up by 21 cents in the last month and up by 39 cents compared
to this time last year.
In McHenry County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.09 per
gallon, which is up 19 cents from February's average and 35 cents higher than
March 2004's price.
In Will County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.08 per
gallon, which is 21 cents higher compared to last month and 40 cents higher
compared to last year.
For more than 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation's
motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel
related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its
founding in 1906.
AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services.
It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs
in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to
the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than
46 million members in the United States and Canada.
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