Kane County Reporter

During a news conference on March 10, Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) spoke about how rising gas prices have reached a point where it is devastating families and hurting businesses.

"Motor fuel prices continue to rise. Yesterday when I filled up here in Springfield it was a little over $4.60 a gallon. Prices are now at a point where they are devastating families, devasting those who are trying to get to work and these costs have increased and also hurting businesses that rely a lot on transportation," said Syverson. "If we do nothing consumers are going to be devastated by this increasing tax. These increased revenues just become a windfall for politicians and government and we don't believe that that's fair. So with that in mind, again this is an opportunity for us to do something to help taxpayers in Illinois without having it negatively affect the budget and the state."

Gas prices in Illinois are the highest they have been since 2008. "I think here in Chicago, obviously I think we're going to see a similar with over $5 a gallon gasoline and the sad part is one of the things that may slow it down is that people just can't afford to drive," said financial analyst Phil Flynn.

According to Fox 32, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the state as of March 7 was $4.30. In Cook County it is $4.50. 

ABC7 Eyewitness news reports drivers are taking a 10-minute longer drive to Wisconsin or Indiana for cheaper fill-ups. "Now that the price is super high, I drive 10 minutes to Wisconsin," Illinois resident Fran Meza said. "It's 50 cents cheaper. It makes a difference."

Prices are up more than $1.30 since one year ago.