Business & Tech
The High Price of Gas Has Lincoln-Way Motorists Up in Arms
The price at the pump can be found for at least 20 cents less per gallon in towns no more than 15 minutes away from the Lincoln-Way communities.
Gas prices in the Lincoln-Way communities have been persistently high. At $4.37 and $4.38 for a gallon of regular, the villages of New Lenox, Mokena and Frankfort are among the highest in the Southwest suburbs for a gallon regular.
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann Monday said he has been in conversation with at least two gas station companies, looking to attract them to the village to help draw down the price of gas.
According to GasBuddy.com, the Lincoln-Way communities, including Manhattan, are at the top of the list in the Southland for price per gallon of gas. In New Lenox, each of the gas stations is charging $4.37. In Frankfort, Mokena and Manhattan, the price per gallon is $4.37 or $4.38.
Already, Baldermann has filed a complaint with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, complaining of excessively high prices in New Lenox. The prices at the present time match stations in Mokena and Frankfort.
"It's ridiculous," he said. "If you drive 15 minutes in any direction, the price is 20 cents or more cheaper."
In neighboring Orland Park, the price per gallon of gas ranges from $4.19-$4.49; Tinley Park $4.23-$4.29; Matteson $4.09-$4.39, according to GasBuddy.com.
Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland pointed out that a community's sales tax rate affects the price of gas too. Frankfort's rate is 7 percent compared to 8.5 percent in New Lenox and about 7.5 percent in Mokena.
Frankfort has the lowest sales tax rate around, but still the price per gallon of gas hovers at $4.37 and $4.38. Speaking of the price at the pumps, Holland said, "they're all unpleasantly high in the Chicagoland area."
All of Chicagoland is experiencing significantly higher prices at the pumps when compared to the rest of the nation, Holland said.
Baldermann said, "We're out there actively seeking other gas stations to come to drive down the price.
"It's absolutely ridiculous. They'll tell you now that the issue is the refineries. I don't believe that. The oil companies are making billions."
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