Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Salvi addressed Illinois' rising gas prices in a tweet published on Wednesday.

"Gas prices are on the rise again," Salvi wrote. "Illinois has some of the highest gas prices in the nation, and our prices are rising at a faster rate than almost every other state."

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average cost of gas in DuPage County is currently $4.46 per gallon, 55 cents more than the national average and 9 cents more than the state's average. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics published data in September reporting that consumer prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area are up 0.2% more than the prior month and 8.7% more than the prior year. The BLS also reported that the index for "all items less food and energy" rose 6% in the area over the past year. Within the category, prices were higher over the month for shelter, medical care, and other goods and services. Furthermore, the food index rose 0.3% during September and 9.5% over the past year.

The Illinois Policy reported that the state's residents pay the country's second-highest gas taxes since Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill raising the state gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents a gallon during his first year in office. State residents now pay about $1 per gallon in taxes alone. According to the Policy, Illinois drivers were searching for cheaper gas in Missouri in April.

“We've seen how higher gas pricing impacts sales; demand decreases and driver behaviors change, including where they fill up and what they buy,” MotoMart President Robert Forsyth said. “This year, sales are up in Missouri and down in Illinois. The percentage increase in sales at our stores in Missouri is actually bigger than the decrease in sales at our Illinois locations.”