Gas Prices Continue Upward Trend

AURORA, Ill., March 12 -- Gas prices continue upward in Illinois and northern Indiana as the nation prepares for war with Iraq. Illinois and northern Indiana motorists find themselves paying an average of $1.74 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.

According to AAA Chicago's most recent fuel gauge report, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois now averages $1.74 per gallon, which is up 9 cents from this time last month and up 48 cents from last year. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $1.73, which also is up 12 cents from last month and is up 51 cents from last year.

In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.84 per gallon, which is up 14 cents from last month.

In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.77 per gallon, 15 cents higher than February prices.

In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.76 per gallon, 14 cents higher than February prices.

In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.75 per gallon, 12 cents higher than February prices.

In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.765 per gallon, 13 cents higher than February prices.

In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.77 per gallon, 14 cents higher than February prices.

"The unusually high prices for gasoline can be attributed to the continued fear of a war with Iraq, which has driven crude oil prices past $37 a barrel," said AAA Chicago spokesman Steve Nolan.

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.