AAA Chicago: August Monthly Fuel Prices Increase.

AURORA, Ill. -- Fuel prices have increased during the last month in Illinois and northern Indiana, but still remain more than a dollar lower than a year ago. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased 11 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $2.71 per gallon for the month of August, which is $1.21 lower per gallon than last year.

"Gasoline prices fluctuated during the past month in accordance with oil prices," says Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago's spokesperson. "Market and retail prices have reflected changes in demand for refined products and investor perception of the economy. The positive news for 2009 is a tame hurricane season."

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $2.64, which is up 18 cents from July and down $1.27 from August 2008.

* In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.82, which is up 6 cents from last month and $1.28 lower than last year's price-per-gallon.

* In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.73 per gallon, which is a 6-cent increase from July and $1.25 lower than last year.

* In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.73 per gallon, which is 9 cents higher compared to last month and $1.25 lower than August 2008's price.

* In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.69 per gallon, which is 12 cents higher than last month and down by $1.27 compared to this time last year.

* In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.71 per gallon, which is 6 cents higher than July's average and $1.25 lower than August 2008's price.

* In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.72 per gallon, which is 6 cents higher compared to last month and $1.24 lower compared to last year.

* In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.67 per gallon, an increase of 14 cents from July and a decrease of $1.15 from last year.

* In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.59 per gallon, which is 12 cents higher than last month and $1.19 lower than last year.

* In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.66 per gallon, which is an 18-cent increase compared to last month and a $1.09 decrease from August 2008.

* In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.68 per gallon, which is 35 cents higher than last month and $1.15 lower than last year.

* In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.67 per gallon, an increase of 13 cents from July and a decrease of $1.19 from August 2008.

* In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.55 per gallon, which is an increase of 16 cents from last month and $1.20 higher than August 2008's price.

* In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.64 per gallon, a 20-cent increase from July's average and a $1.27 decrease from a year ago.

* In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.65 per gallon, which is 16 cents higher than last month and $1.24 lower than last year.

* In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.61 per gallon, which is 15 cents higher compared to last month and $1.18 lower compared to last year.

Fuel prices are posted on-line at www.fuelgaugereport.com, which updates prices daily for unleaded, diesel and E85 blends of fuel.