Gas Prices at Unusually High Levels for January, According to AAA Chicago

AURORA, Ill., Jan. 14, 2004 -- At a time of year when motorists historically receive a break at the pumps, gas prices are on the rise. According to AAA Chicago's most recent fuel gauge report, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois now averages $1.59 per gallon, which is up 7 cents from this time last month and up 10 cents from last year's prices. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $1.55, which is up 12 cents from last month and up 9 cents from last year's prices.

In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.69 per gallon, which is up 5 cents from last month and up 13 cents from last year.

In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.62 per gallon, 9 cents higher than December prices and 12 cents higher than last year.

In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.59 per gallon, 9 cents higher than December prices and 10 cents higher than last year's prices.

In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.60 per gallon, 7 cents higher than December prices and 12 cents higher than last year.

In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.64 per gallon, 7 cents higher than December prices and 12 cents higher than last year.

In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.57 per gallon, 10 cents higher than December prices and 8 cents higher than last year.

"The main driver of these unusually high gas prices is the continued escalation of crude oil prices," said AAA Chicago spokesman Steve Nolan. "Crude oil prices continue to spiral up, reaching the $35 a barrel mark the other day before settling back to $34 a barrel."

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.