Gas prices in Illinois average a dollar per gallon less than they did a year ago at this time.
AAA Chicago’s “Fuel Gauge Survey” shows an average price in the state of $2.60 for a gallon of unleaded fuel.
Illinois’ $2.60 is a penny more than the national average and 32 cents below the July 2015 average. Downstate prices range from Decatur’s $2.17 to East St Louis’ $2.67. The city of Chicago is still $2.99, and the “Chicago metro” (Cook and collar counties) average is $2.76.
In other state news, Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan announced yesterday the House’s plan to make sure that programs serving children with disabilities and life-saving cancer screenings are included in a plan to spend federal dollars while lawmakers continue to push for a balanced approach to the state budget.
Madigan’s amendment to the $4.8 billion measure approved by the Senate last Tuesday adds funding for disaster relief, breast and cervical cancer screenings, funding for assistance to children with disabilities, and Meals on Wheels for homebound elderly residents, among other items. The amendment adds $1.56 billion in spending authority to the spending plan under Senate Bill 2042.
The current version of the federal funds spending plan passed with bipartisan support in the Senate, and Gov. Rauner announced his support for the plan. Madigan expressed optimism the bill would have not only wide bipartisan support when the House passes the bill Wednesday, but support from Rauner, as well.
