Good News at the Pump as Illinois Gas Prices are Declining

It's not much, but every little bit helps. After rising at the beginning of January, pump prices are back on the decline in Illinois and northern Indiana heading into February. We're looking at lower prices than last month, but we're still up from this time last year.

According to a report from AAA Chicago, Illinois prices are averaging $2.28, a decrease from $2.48 a month ago but still up considerably from $1.69 a year ago. Indiana drivers are paying on average $2.07, down from $2.40 a month ago but still up from $1.63 a year ago.

“Both Illinois and Indiana drivers saw large weekly declines in pump prices last week.” said Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA – The Auto Club Group, “The low demand and abundant supply should help to continue to push prices even lower as we head into February.” In January in Illinois, gas prices averaged $2.41, which was up $.10 from December and $.54 higher than a year ago. In northern Indiana, gas prices averaged $2.25 in January, which was up $.06 from December and up $.51 from January 2016.

Some of the numbers from our area:

• In Winnebago County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.36 per gallon, an increase of $.11 from December and $.54 higher than January 2016.
• In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.63, which was up $.09 from last month and $.53 higher than last year’s price-per-gallon.
• In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.43 per gallon, which was a $.04 increase from December and up $.52 from last year.
• In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.40 per gallon, which was up $.05 compared to last month and $.53 higher than last year’s price.
• In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.35 per gallon, which was even with last month and up by $.46 compared to this time last year.
• In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.40 per gallon, which was $.07 higher than last month’s average and $.50 higher than last year.
• In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.36 per gallon, which was $.03 higher compared to last month and $.52 higher compared to last year.

Regardless of the gas prices, we can all learn a lesson or two below on what not to do when visiting our favorite gas station: