AAA Chicago Says Fuel Prices Rise Sharply Since Mid-June

AURORA, Ill., July 21 -- The statewide average for gasoline in Illinois and Northern Indiana has gone up since this time last month. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that for July 2005, Illinois motorists will pay an average of $2.36 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. That's up 22 cents from last month and 42 cents higher than gas prices for this time last year. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $2.26, which is up 18 cents from June and up 38 cents from July 2004.

"Hurricanes Dennis and Emily were a factor in the price increase because production and shipping along the Gulf coast were reduced before and during the storms," says Kris Lathan, spokeswoman for AAA Chicago. "The cost of crude oil has also increased during the past month which is reflected in the price at the pump."

  -- In Cook County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.48, which is up 24 cents compared to last month and 44 cents higher
     than last year's price-per-gallon.
  -- In DuPage County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.39 per gallon, which is a 26-cent increase from June and 44 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Kane County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.37 per gallon, which is up 23 cents compared to last month and 43
     cents higher than July 2004's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.38 per gallon, which is up 25 cents in the last month and up by 42
     cents compared to this time last year.
  -- In McHenry County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.39 per gallon, which up 23 cents from June's average and 46 cents
     higher than July 2004's price.
  -- In Will County, Ill. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.34 per gallon, which is 22 cents higher compared to last month and
     41 cents higher compared to last year.
  -- In Allen County, Ind. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.30 per gallon, which is an increase of 18 cents from last month and
     43 cents higher than July 2004's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ind. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.30 per gallon, a 19 cent increase from June's average and a 43 cent
     increase from a year ago.
  -- In St. Joseph County, Ind. self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.27 per gallon, which is up 17 cents compared to last month
     and an increase of 41 cents from July 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. For more information about AAA Chicago please call 1-866-YOUR-AAA or visit http://www.aaa.com/ .

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 48 million members in the United States and Canada.