AAA Chicago: 2007 Starts with Lower Fuel Prices

AURORA, Ill., Jan. 18, 2007 -- Statewide averages for the price of gasoline in Illinois and northern Indiana have decreased substantially since last month. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has decreased 12 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $2.19 per gallon for the month of January, which is 20 cents lower per gallon from last year.

"Crude oil prices have fallen more than $10 per barrel during the last month, which translates to relief for motorists with lower gasoline prices," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson. "The recent unseasonably warm weather has helped keep oil inventories high and gas prices on the decline."

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $2.09, which is down 19 cents from December and down 31 cents from January 2006.

   -- In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.29, which is down 29 cents compared to last month and 19 cents
      lower than last year's price-per-gallon.
   -- In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.24 per gallon, which is a 21-cent decrease from January and 13
      cents lower than last year.
   -- In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.18 per gallon, which is 25 cents lower compared to last month and
      20 cents lower than January 2006's price.
   -- In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.15 per gallon, which is 26 cents lower than last month and down by
      25 cents compared to this time last year.
   -- In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.17 per gallon, which is down 25 cents from December's average and
      21 cents lower than January 2006's price.
   -- In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.22 per gallon, which is 22 cents lower compared to last month and
      15 cents lower compared to last year.
   -- In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $2.09 per gallon, a decrease of 12 cents from December and a
      decrease of 23 cents from last year.
   -- In McClean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.07 per gallon, which is 17 cents lower than last month and 16 cents
      lower than last year.
   -- In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.09 per gallon, which is a 14-cent decrease compared to last month
      and a 24-cent decrease from January 2006.
   -- In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $2.08 per gallon, which is 17 cents lower than last month and
      15 cents lower than last year.
   -- In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $2.16 per gallon, a decrease of 25 cents from December and a
      decrease of 15 cents from January 2006.
   -- In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $1.97 per gallon, which is a decrease of 26 cents from last month and
      47 cents lower than January 2006's price.
   -- In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.11 per gallon, an 11-cent decrease from December's average and a
      26-cent decrease from a year ago.
   -- In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.04 per gallon, which is 23 cents lower than last month and 26 cents
      lower than last year.
   -- In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $2.11 per gallon, which is 10 cents lower compared to last
      month and 30 cents lower compared to last year.

AAA Chicago has represented roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues for more than a century.

For more information on any aspect of AAA Chicago's breadth of service including AAA's home, auto and life insurance products; travel-related services, AAA's Show Your Card & Save program; and/or any AAA membership service including emergency roadside assistance, please visit our Web site at http://www.aaa.com/ or call us toll-free at 1-877-YOUR-AAA (968-7222).