AAA Chicago Releases Monthly Fuel Gauge Report Data

AURORA, Ill., June 17 -- The statewide average for gasoline in Illinois and Northern Indiana has dropped for the second straight month. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that for June 2005, Illinois motorists will pay an average of $2.14 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. That's down one cent from last month but is 15 cents higher than gas prices for this time last year. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $2.08, which is up 3 cents from May and up 20 cents from June 2004.

"The month of June is winding to a close which means the summer driving season is in full swing," says Kris Lathan, spokeswoman for AAA Chicago. "This situation, coupled with the present premium for crude oil, is attributing to the continued high cost of gasoline."

  -- In Cook County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.24, which is down four cents compared to last month and 10 cents
     higher than last year's price-per-gallon.
  -- In DuPage County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.13 per gallon, which is a 10-cent decrease from May and 7 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Kane County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.14 per gallon, which is down 6 cents compared to last month and 11
     cents higher than June 2004's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.13 per gallon, which is down 4 cents in the last month and up by 10
     cents compared to this time last year.
  -- In McHenry County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.16 per gallon, which is unchanged from May's average and 11 cents
     higher than June 2004's price.
  -- In Will County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.12 per gallon, which is 8 cents lower compared to last month and 7
     cents higher compared to last year.
  -- In Allen County, Ind. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.12 per gallon, which is an increase of 13 cents from last month and
     21 cents lower than June 2004's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ind. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.11 per gallon, a 7 cent increase from May's average and a 20 cent
     increase from a year ago.
  -- In St. Joseph County, Ind. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.10 per gallon, which is up 11 cents compared to last month
     and an increase of 16 cents from June 2004.

For more than 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation's motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.