Posted on 05/19/2008 9:00:06 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Chicago has a dubious distinction: the highest gas prices in the country.
Drivers are experiencing real sticker shock at the pumps. For the first time, the average price of a gallon of gas is more than $4 in Chicago – about $4.07 – and likely to rise even higher.
New numbers show you'll pay more for gas here than even in New York City or Los Angeles.
In Chicago, nearly 80 cents of the price of every gallon of gas goes to city, county, state and federal taxes.
The ever-escalating fuel costs have some Illinois lawmakers and candidates like Peggy Brothman again asking for a suspension of the state gas tax for the summer, similar to a measure OK'd by former Gov. George Ryan in 2000. If the bill passed, proponents estimate it would save drivers about seventeen cents a gallon.
"While it's not going to solve all of their budget problems, I think it will bring a psychological boost of seeing the prices go down a little bit," said Brothman, a Republican candidate for the 44th District.
But a spokesperson for House Speaker Michael Madigan said it's unlikely the bill will ever get out of committee, adding its passage would only hurt the state's cash-strapped coffers.
And AAA spokesperson Beth Mosher says the 2000 suspension didn't really make a difference. "Consumers found very little if any relief, but what's critical about this is the government and local municipalities were hit very, very hard," Mosher said.
In the South Loop, gas stations were selling for $4.25 a gallon. Prices were even higher a few miles north; $4.49 a gallon for regular gas at the intersection of Fullerton, Clybourn and Ashland.
Many motorists there purchased just enough fuel to drive to a location where gas might be cheaper.
Brett Kelly said, "I work out in the suburbs, where it's about 30 or 40 cents cheaper a gallon, so I'm getting at least enough to get me there, then I'll fill up over there."
"I'm definitely not filling my tank today," said motorist Jessica Van Dusen. "It's ridiculous. I'm not sure what to do about it but I've got to keep driving."
Robert Holifield, a driver for the Salvation Army, said, "It's just costing a lot of money, a lot of money, but what can you do about it? I need it to keep working." "What you can do?" said driver Margaret Kubic. "You're not going to put your car in garage and walk."
The Federal Trade Commission, at the request of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, has agreed to investigate the record prices. "We've got to stop the price gauging that's going on. We have to also make sure that the oil companies are held accountable," Durbin said.
Durbin says he sent a letter to the federal trade commission on the matter and the Federal Trade Commission announced it will initiate an investigation into oil companies and profits.
CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports with the cost this high, the state is making sure drivers are getting every precious drop.
Bob Pankala is one of more than 25 inspectors in charge of checking Illinois gas station pumps to make sure they're selling their product as advertised.
His job includes making sure a gallon shown on the pump is a gallon fed into the gas tank.
"We probably reject 4 to 5 percent of gas pumps," Pankala said.
Those pumps are then shut down, often because customers aren't getting what they pay for.
"It might jump before you dispense gasoline or it might be on the short side of our tolerance," Pankala said.
Driver Henrey Coronado says he's often wondered if he's being shorted when he looks at the dollar amount ticking up.
"It's concerning. I wondering, is it right or not," Coronoado said.
And he's not alone in wondering if he's being ripped off. That's why these days customers are pleased to see the state regulators checking the pumps for accuracy.
"I think it's good because they could be shorting us," said driver Martin Zazatzi of Aurora.
The exact number of stations with pumps that were shorting customers was not available, but Pankala says complaints are up.
"They're definitely up with the price," he said.
That has customers like Ellis Bailey calling for even more inspections.
"They need to be checking every day," said Bailey, a truck driver.
AAA estimates that motorists will take road trips this Memorial Day weekend, but they'll drive shorter distances and cut costs in other ways.
Spokeswoman Beth Mosher said, "They're traveling to Indianapolis or Wisconsin or making a weekend out of it in Michigan. What's interesting is they're also going to see family and friends, so that they don't have to pay for the hotel visits."
Mosher said those cutbacks are hurting the overall economy.
Does Chicago require any special formulations of fuel?
You should vote every rat and rino out of office. If people think the price is high now, just wait until cap and trade is fully in place. Be prepared for another 25% to 50% increase. These price increases and reduced consumption will make the rats feel very powerful.
Come November and gas is 10 bucks a gallon, the Windy City denizens will march to the polls and vote straight Democrat as they always do. It soooo gratifying to be flogged over and over again.
Kinky, too.
Leni
Everybody knows that taxes help the poor people -- poor people love to pay those high gasoline taxes. It keeps them from buying lotto tickets or alcohol or other sin items.
Yes Sir... Illinois has such wonderful political leaders -- one might be our next president...
/sarcasm off
Chicago has a unique “boutique blend” for the summer months.
GWB could deflate Obama’s “Change” mantra by ordering the EPA to stop that silliness for this summer. That would probably knock off at least 50cents/gallon.
I’m glad my next drive to the Windy City won’t be until after the “summer driving season” and the special gas formulations.
Durban, Hussein and Emmanuel put a stop to BP's Whiting IN refiney expansion less than a year ago. The refinery is about 10-15 miles from Chicago.
barack hussein country. No pity here.
The future of the United States under Obama, ironically from the Chicago area?
All your concerning are belong to us.
Just think, Chicago has a refinery nearby (Whiting, IN) that is trying to expand its operation,,,,but it is currently being sued by environmentalists!!!.....LOL
Between that, its taxes, its liberal politicians and its boutique blending requirements...
COULDN'T HAPPEN TO A NICER AREA!!!...LMAO
Let's hopes it continues to go up and lead the nation...lol
BUSH’S FAULT! (c)
Wow I sure am glad it is not that high here yet.
I remember the days I could fill my tank for 20 dollars or less *sniff sniff sniff*
Part of the problem is that the EPA requires a special blend of gasoline for Chicago and Milwaukee.
The other part of the problem is that the sales tax in Chicago is 10.25%. The tax is so high because Cook County has a $3 billion budget. You see, the county needs that money to pay for all the patronage jobs given to people who do campaign work for local politicians.
People in Chicago complain, and then they go right ahead and vote for whomever the Democratic ward bosses tell them to vote for.
And Durbin and the rest of the Dimwit Party are going to investigate "BIG OIL" and tax their "windfall profits".
It appears to me the "BIG GOVERNMENT" is making more off a gallon of a gas than the oil compaanies are at $.80gal.
Hussein Obama doesn’t care about black people. < /Kanye West>
Sticker Shock-$3 a gallon gas? Click the picture:
Gas was US $1.45 a gallon... it's now $3.89 around here. Note, and note well, the first reply was snarky- who's laughing now?
I still stand by my vest-pocket summary:
I've been saying for years the way to revive and restore the economy ( and it would have headed off these oil price problems as well ) was to-
1- drill for gas & oil like crazy- onshore, offshore, and in Alaska
2- go nuclear for power
3- convert stationary plants to clean coal technology
4- slash taxes and regulations like crazy
I’m certain Mayor Daily is working on a plan to lower gas prices. I expect that it will be announced the day after the Democratic Party introduces its long promised middle class tax cut.
See my tag line.
Why don’t those reporters do their *#$@ing job and ask Turbin Durbin who makes more on a gallon of gas - the oil companies or the government??
I've come to the conclusion that the folks in Cook County and Chicago always fall into lock-step with the political and union crooks. Honestly, the only hope for Chicago is Mrs. Leary and her cow.
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