CHICAGO (WLS) — If you’re planning to fill up your tank this Friday, brace yourself for a noticeable increase in gas prices compared to Thursday.
In the Chicago region, prices have seen a significant rise overnight. According to Triple A in Illinois, the average cost for regular gas now stands at $4.85, marking a $0.19 increase from Thursday. In Indiana, the average price has surged to $4.79, reflecting a $0.38 jump.
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As fuel costs climb, many are feeling the financial strain at the pump. Among them is bricklayer Aaron Duggins.
“Oh yeah, they’re killing me, killing me. I’ve got to get off to work now. Have a good morning,” remarked Duggins.
Triple A reports that the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Chicago is about $5.17.
In the city’s South Loop area, prices are even steeper. Jackie Torres, who works at Northwestern Hospital, noted that her cost to fill up her SUV has risen from $70 to nearly $100.
“It’s just ridiculous, almost $7, and I do put premium, so it’s just, yeah, I’m about to put my baby in a scooter and we’re going to go to work like that,” Torres said.
According to GasBuddy, the average prices nationwide are at their highest level in nearly four years. In the city, drivers have seen prices climb $0.47 in just the past week.
Some analysts say a weekend power loss at BP’s Whiting, Indiana refinery, along with the war in Iran keeping shipping lanes closed, are only making things worse.
And people like David Adenekan, who drive to make their living, are having a rough time. The veteran cabbie says his fuel costs have doubled.
“You have to work more, work more time to pay bills, pay the lease,” Adenekan said.
So, with everyone looking to save money, experts offer these tips:
- Avoid hard acceleration and braking. Drivers use more fuel the harder they accelerate.
- Sign up for loyalty programs.
- And stay on top of car maintenance, especially tire pressure. Low tire pressure can actually make the engine work harder and burn more gas.
The increases come with the Memorial Day travel weekend just weeks away and as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker resists calls to suspend the gas tax increase that takes effect this summer. It is very little concern to one man whose only reason to be at the gas station is to put air in the tires of his electric car.
“It’s very, very, very great as far as like saving on gas, for sure,” he said.
BP Whiting Refinery issued a statement, saying, “We do not speculate on market pricing, nor do we set oil prices.
On the night of April 26, 2026, some units within the Whiting Refinery experienced a brief loss of electric power. Power to those units was quickly restored and operations were returned to normal. The power interruption was electrical system-related and not the result of operator actions.”
And gas prices are not just impacting drivers.
Potash Markets is seeing their costs going up with just about each delivery.
“Everything is getting more expensive. We aren’t seeing anything slow down,” said Potash Markets President Max Potash.
Potash says an example of the increase is tomatoes. They have doubled in prices in recent months, partly due to tariffs, weather, and most recently, high gas prices.
“It’s typical to have some sort of a fuel surcharge, they call it, but we are seeing an increase in the percentage they charge us, and we are seeing more and more of our vendors add on to those charges,” Potash said.
Economist Julían Diaz is a professor at Loyola University Quinlan School of Business.
“It very difficult to find what we want to buy in our neighborhood, so everything needs to be transported, and when things need to be transported, we are using oil, and that’s translating into higher prices,” Diaz said. “The longer that this continues, the more painful it’s going to be for consumers and for producers, too.”
At the local toy store chain PLAY, the owner, Ann Kienzle, is already placing orders for the holidays.
“It’s always difficult when this happens, when gas prices go up, because not only are the vendors raising up, but when we ship out to our customers, those shipping costs go up,” Kienzle said.
ABC7 met Kienzle at the newest PLAY in Hyde Park.
“I think the constant flux and the unknowing has become a part of doing business,” Kienzle said.
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