Despite Recent Declines, Gas Prices Remain Seasonally High

AURORA, Ill., Sept. 17 -- According to AAA Chicago's most recent fuel gauge report, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois now averages $1.73 per gallon, which is up 11 cents from this time last month and 27 cents from last year's prices. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $1.66, which is up 10 cents from last month an up 27 cents from last year's prices.

In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.88 per gallon, which is up 17 cents from last month and up 31 cents from last year.

In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.81 per gallon, 18 cents higher than August prices and 30 cents higher than last year.

In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.78 per gallon, 17 cents higher than August prices and 32 cents higher than last year.

In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.79 per gallon, 18 cents higher than August prices and 34 cents higher than last year.

In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.79 per gallon, 16 cents higher than August prices and 33 cents higher than last year.

In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.79 per gallon, 19 cents higher than August prices and 32 cents higher than last year.

"The bad news is that gas prices are still high. The good news is that they have come down an average of four cents a gallon in the last two weeks," said AAA Chicago spokesman Steve Nolan. "With crude oil prices retreating and the resolution of myriad supply issues resulting from several refinery outages, all indications are that we should see price decrease continue as we head further into October."

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 45 million members in the United States and Canada.