AAA Chicago: Steep Increase in Fuel Prices Since March

AURORA, Ill., April 20 -- Statewide averages for the price of gasoline in Illinois and northern Indiana have increased more than 40 cents in the past month. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased 41 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $2.93 per gallon for the month of April, which is 20 cents higher per gallon from last year.

"Fuel prices remain high and continue to climb mainly due to gasoline inventories that remain stressed by refinery mishaps and the seasonal fuel switch over," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson.

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $2.89, which is up 43 cents from March and up 17 cents from April 2006.

  -- In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.05, which is up 45 cents compared to last month and 22 cents higher
     than last year's price-per-gallon.
  -- In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.95 per gallon, which is a 49-cent increase from March and 22 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.93 per gallon, which is 43 cents higher compared to last month and
     21 cents higher than April 2006's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.94 per gallon, which is 47 cents higher than last month and up by
     22 cents compared to this time last year.
  -- In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.96 per gallon, which is up 46 cents from March's average and
     23 cents higher than April 2006's price.
  -- In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.93 per gallon, which is 44 cents higher compared to last month and
     21 cents higher compared to last year.
  -- In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.83 per gallon, an increase of 36 cents from March and an
     increase of 4 cents from last year.
  -- In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.85 per gallon, which is 33 cents higher than last month and 2 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.87 per gallon, which is a 34-cent increase compared to last month
     and a 7-cent increase from April 2006.
  -- In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.78 per gallon, which is 26 cents higher than last month and 2 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.86 per gallon, an increase of 31 cents from March and an
     increase of 12 cents from April 2006.
  -- In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.84 per gallon, which is an increase of 31 cents from last month and
     9 cents higher than April 2006's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.88 per gallon, a 42-cent increase from March's average and a 21-cent
     increase from a year ago.
  -- In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.87 per gallon, which is 42 cents higher than last month and 8 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.81 per gallon, which is 29 cents higher compared to last
     month and 15 cents higher 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 1-866-YOUR-AAA (968-7222).