AAA Chicago: January Fuel Prices Continue to Climb.

AURORA, Ill. -- Fuel prices have increased for the second month after decreasing in the Fall of 2008 in Illinois and northern Indiana. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased 26 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $1.92 per gallon for the month of January, which is $1.27 lower per gallon than last year.

"Gasoline prices are on the upswing despite the lower prices of crude oil," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson.

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $1.92, which is up 37 cents from December and down $1.22 from January 2008.

* In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.02, which is up 28 cents compared to last month and $1.25 cents lower than last year's price-per-gallon.

* In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.95 per gallon, which is a 30-cent increase from December and $1.25 cents lower than last year.

* In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.94 per gallon, which is 30 cents higher compared to last month and $1.24 lower than January 2008's price.

* In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.93 per gallon, which is 33 cents higher than last month and down by $1.24 cents compared to this time last year.

* In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.94 per gallon, which is 27 cents higher than December's average and $1.23 lower than January 2008's price.

* In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.23 per gallon, which is 34 cents higher compared to last month and $1.26 lower compared to last year.

* In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.86 per gallon, an increase of 20 cents from December and a decrease of $1.22 from last year.

* In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.88 per gallon, which is 25 cents higher than last month and $1.26 lower than last year.

* In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.88 per gallon, which is a 27-cent increase compared to last month and a $1.26 decrease from January 2008.

* In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.86 per gallon, which is 25 cents higher than last month and $1.25 lower than last year.

* In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.95 per gallon, an increase of 24 cents from December and a decrease of $1.31 cents from January 2008.

* In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.94 per gallon, which is an increase of 40 cents from last month and $1.22 lower than January 2008's price.

* In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.92 per gallon, a 36-cent increase from December's average and a $1.22 decrease from a year ago.

* In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.91 per gallon, which is 37 cents higher than last month and $1.23 lower than last year.

* In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.91 per gallon, which is 35 cents higher compared to last month and $1.25 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.

AAA Chicago has represented roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues for more than a century.

For more information on any aspect of AAA Chicago's breadth of service including AAA's home, auto and life insurance products; travel-related services, AAA's Show Your Card & Save program; and/or any AAA membership service including emergency roadside assistance, please visit our Web site at www.AAA.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-YOUR-AAA (968-7222).