Adolpho of Belvidere | Provided Photo from Mike Koolidge
Adolpho of Belvidere | Provided Photo from Mike Koolidge
Gas prices in Illinois remained above the national average through July after peaking at record high levels over the month of June.
Over the last two weeks, even as the national gas price average fell to $4.327 per gallon and AAA reports demand over the first week of July dropped by 9.7% to 8.73 million barrels per day, prices still remained 37% higher than they were a year ago.
“Not good," Adolpho of Belvidere told PBR Pac when asked about this summer's gas prices. "I use $150 for the week. I pay around $6 per gallon. Last year was better."
According to NBC Chicago, in Illinois, motorists continue to grapple with prices that force them to pay more than the national average, even after the state saw a 7.5% decrease in price compared to the nationwide 6.5% decrease over July.
The Journal Star talked to American Petroleum Institute researchers who said one of the reasons for prices continuing to trend the way they have across the state has to do with lawmakers in Springfield last year raising the state gas tax, making Illinois home to the second highest gas taxes in the country at 78 cents before any local taxes.
In addition, based on its EPA standards, drivers in Illinois must burn a cleaner blend of gasoline throughout the summer months.
As of July 11, the average cost for a gallon of gas in Illinois stood at $5.148, with Cook County being home to the highest gas prices in the state at an average of $5.613 per gallon.
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