AAA Chicago Says Gasoline Price Average Up Since Mid-January

AURORA, Ill., Feb. 18, 2005 -- The statewide average for gasoline in Illinois and Northern Indiana has increased in the past month. Illinois motorists will pay an average of $1.90 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, according to AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report. That's up 5 cents from a month ago and 22 cents higher than gas prices for this time last year. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $1.85, which is up 5 cents from January and up 19 cents from February 2004.

"Retail gasoline prices typically rise between February and May," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago spokeswoman. "February is a transitional period in the oil industry as focus shifts from heating oil to gasoline production."

In Cook County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.99, which is up 5 cents compared to last month and 18 cents higher than last year's price-per-gallon.

In DuPage County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.89 per gallon, which is a 3-cent increase from January and 15 cents higher than last year.

In Kane County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.89 per gallon, which is up by 5 cents compared to last month and 17 cents higher than February 2004's price.

In Lake County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.88 per gallon, which is up by 5 cents in the last month and up by 16 cents compared to this time last year.

In McHenry County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.90 per gallon, which is up six cents from January's average and 16 cents higher than February 2004's price.

In Will County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.87 per gallon, which is 5 cents higher compared to last month and 18 cents higher compared to last year.

"Prices have come up during the past month because crude oil prices have also risen," Niemi said.

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.