Illinois Gas Prices Have Hit the Highest Average Pump Price of the Year

After watching the disaster in Houston unfold over the last week, I'm really trying to avoid complaining about the little annoyances of my life--but I'm willing to make an exception when it comes to gas prices. We have something to complain about.

According to a new report out from AAA Chicago, heading into September, gas prices averages for both Illinois and Indiana are the highest recorded for the year. The average price in Illinois for an unleaded gallon of gasoline is $2.50, up from $2.37 a month ago and up from $2.33 a year ago. In Indiana, the gas price average is currently $2.49, up from $2.38 last month and $2.26 last year. Nationally, the average is $2.45, also the highest recorded price for 2017.

Hurricane Harvey's intrusion into Texas is helping to cause the rise in prices, says Beth Mosher of AAA Chicago:

The combinations of numerous Gulf Coast refinery and pipeline shut downs, including one that directly supplies the Midwest region, tightened access to supply levels in the Gulf and anticipated high gasoline demand surrounding Labor Day weekend, means motorists may not have seen the full impact of Harvey at the pump.

“Drivers in Illinois and Indiana will see a short-term spike in the coming weeks, but quickly dropping by mid to late September,” said Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA. “While we don’t yet know the full effects of the hurricane on refineries, we do not expect a supply shortage."

The average price for August in Illinois was $2.41, an increase of $.10 from the previous month and $.16 higher from last year’s prices. In northern Indiana in August, the average price was $2.38 which was $.08 higher than last month and $.19 higher than last year.

Here's what prices look like around our area:

Winnebago County- self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.33 per gallon, an increase of $.12 from July and $.20 higher than August 2016.

Cook County- self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.62, which is up $.06 from last month and $.14 higher than last year’s price-per-gallon.

DuPage County- self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.49 per gallon, which is a $.10 increase from July and up $.15 from last year.

Kane County- self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.47 per gallon, which is up $.09 compared to last month and $.16 higher than August 2016’s price.

Lake County- self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.47 per gallon, which is $.11 higher than last month and $.16 higher than last year’s price.

McHenry County- self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.44 per gallon, which is $.11 higher than last month’s average and $.15 higher than last year’s price per gallon.

Will County- self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.42 per gallon, which is $.06 higher compared to last month and $.14 higher compared to last year.