Illinois Gas Prices Continue to Rise

It's not your imagination. You actually are paying more for a gallon of gas today than you did last month, and almost 25 cents more than you did last year at this time. And yes, the rise in prices is continuing.

According to a report from AAA Chicago, Illinois drivers are paying $2.37 on average, an increase of $.08 from a month ago, and up $.23 from a year ago. Indiana drivers are paying on average $2.35, up $.11 from a month ago and considerably higher than the $2.09 price per gallon they paid a year ago.

In July in Illinois, gas prices averaged $2.23, which was down $.02 from June but still $.05 higher than a year ago. In northern Indiana, gas prices averaged $2.30 in July, which was up $.08 from June and $.17 higher than July 2016. Indiana saw the highest month-over-month increases for July with a $.26 rise in prices over June 2016. This was largely due to an increase in the gas tax that took effect July 1, coupled with a drop in gasoline inventories in the Midwest.

Here are some of AAA Chicago's July gas price averages from around our region:

Winnebago County: self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.22 per gallon, a decrease of $.07 from June and even with last year’s prices.

Cook County: self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.56, which was down $.02 from last month and $.04 higher than last year’s price-per-gallon.

DuPage County: self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.39 per gallon, which was a $.03 increase from June and up $.12 from last year.

Kane County: self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.38 per gallon, which was up $.01 compared to last month and $.12 higher than last year’s price.

Lake County: self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.37 per gallon, which was $.04 higher than last month and up by $.12 compared to this time last year.

McHenry County: self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.33 per gallon, which was $.01 higher than last month’s average and $.06 higher than last year.

Will County: self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.36 per gallon, which was $.06 higher compared to last month and $.09 higher compared to last year.