AAA: May Fuel Prices at Record High

AURORA, Ill., May 16, 2007 -- Statewide averages for the price of gasoline in Illinois and northern Indiana have set record high prices in the past month. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased 39 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $3.32 per gallon for the month of May, which is 39 cents higher per gallon from last year.

"Demand for fuel is at an all-time high, which is contributing to the record gas prices," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson.

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $3.37, which is up 48 cents from April and up 46 cents from May 2006.

  -- In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.50, which is up 45 cents compared to last month and 46 cents higher
     than last year's price-per-gallon.
  -- In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.38 per gallon, which is a 43-cent increase from April and 45 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.38 per gallon, which is 45 cents higher compared to last month and
     45 cents higher than May 2006's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.37 per gallon, which is 43 cents higher than last month and up by 45
     cents compared to this time last year.
  -- In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.37 per gallon, which is up 41 cents from April's average and 43
     cents higher than May 2006's price.
  -- In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.39 per gallon, which is 46 cents higher compared to last month and
     45 cents higher compared to last year.
  -- In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $3.20 per gallon, an increase of 37 cents from April and an
     increase of 26 cents from last year.
  -- In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.21 per gallon, which is 36 cents higher than last month and 32 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.29 per gallon, which is a 42-cent increase compared to last month
     and a 33-cent increase from April 2006.
  -- In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.24 per gallon, which is 46 cents higher than last month and 29 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $3.26 per gallon, an increase of 40 cents from April and an
     increase of 31 cents from May 2006.
  -- In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.19 per gallon, which is an increase of 35 cents from last month and
     29 cents higher than May 2006's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.36 per gallon, a 48-cent increase from April's average and a 43-cent
     increase from a year ago.
  -- In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.37 per gallon, which is 50 cents higher than last month and 44 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $3.18 per gallon, which is 37 cents higher compared to last
     month and 26 cents higher compared to last year.