Illinois Gas Prices Stabilize as Winter Driving Season Draws Near

AURORA, Ill., Sept. 17 -- According to AAA Chicago's most recent fuel gauge report, gas prices have remained relatively stable for the past month, with an average price of $1.46 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline throughout Illinois. Prices in northern Indiana are relatively stable as well, with only a slight 3-cent increase over last month's prices. Prices in Illinois are up .008 cents from last month's average of $1.45 per gallon, although many Illinois counties are showing slight decreases.

In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.563 per gallon, which is down .01 cents from last month.

In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.511 per gallon, .01 cent lower than August prices.

In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.457 per gallon, which is the same as last month's prices.

In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.454 per gallon, 4 cents lower than August prices.

In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.456 per gallon, 1 cent lower than August prices.

In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.473 per gallon, .005 cents higher than August prices.

In northern Indiana, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.387 per gallon, 3 cents higher than last month.

"Motorists should begin to see prices slowly decrease as we move closer to the winter driving season as more expensive summer-grade fuels are phased out of production," said Steve Nolan, spokesman for AAA Chicago. "Additionally, Iraq's decision to let UN inspectors inside the Middle Eastern country has helped ease the price of crude oil futures."