Illinois Gas Prices Up 50 Cents Since Last Year

Illinois gas prices are up 50 cents compared with a year ago, but still have a ways to go before hitting the all-time high seen in 2011.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded in the Land of Lincoln was $2.386 on Monday, 50 cents higher than the $1.882 average seen in March 2017, according to AAA. The Illinois average is up 7 cents compared with a week ago, but week-over-week increases aren't as bad as those seen in Michigan (12 cents), Indiana (11 cents) and Ohio (9 cents).

Issues at some Illinois refineries could be contributing to the increased prices.

"Last week, Phillips 66 reported problems with an oil-processing unit at its ... Wood River refinery in Roxana, Illinois," AAA reported, while Citgo reported power outages due to severe weather at its refinery in Lemont and ExxonMobile experienced weather-related issues at its Joliet refinery in Channahon.

Although gas is pricier than it was a year ago, Illinoisans are getting a bargain compared with drivers in several other states with the nation's highest prices. Drivers in Hawaii are currently paying about $3.08 per gallon, according to AAA, and Californians are paying an average of $2.79.

Those prices still aren't bad compared with AAA's highest recorded price for regular unleaded, which hit $4.319 on May 5, 2011.

In Chicago, Monday's average was $2.66 per gallon, higher than both the state average and AAA's national average of $2.312 per gallon of regular unleaded.

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