Why Chicago Gas Prices Are So High Now

From the August 19, 2015,Chicago Tribune by Alejandra Cancino.

Picture of Shell Station on Division Street in Chicago with prices: Regular $3.99.9, Plus $4.39.9 and V-Power$4.59.9.  In other words: $4, $4.40 and $460.)

In Ft. Lauderdale gas is an average of $2.556.  Nationally, it is $2.66.  So, why so expensive in Chicago and the Midwest?  My brother said it was $2.38 in Goldsboro, North Carolina.  Gas Buddy shows gas at $2.30 in Wytheville, Virginia.

We were at the Marathon Station at Ill-173 and Wilmot Road in Spring Grove last Wednesday, August 12th.  We filled up for $2.70 and as we pulled out the price was $3.40!!  gas in Fox Lake stayed at $3.40 until yesterday when it dropped to $3.36.  It can jump up 70 cents in a second, but for some reason takes a REAL long time to go down.  makes you wonder.

Here in Chicago metro area, a gallon of gas costs an average of $3.46, up 70 cents from last week.

Chicago area stations depend on gas from British Petroleum's refinery in Whiting, Indiana, and it suddenly sgut down the largest of its three crude distillation units for repairs on August 8.

They won't say what the problem was or when it will go back on line.

My opinion was that this was not necessary and done as a way to increase profits.  It will be a long time before I go to a BP station.

Rip Me Off.  --RoadDog

Not funny, so no Redneck Computer term today.

Thanks a Lot BP

First british Petroleum gave us the Gulf of mexico mess, now this.  And, if you ask me, they very well might have done this on purpose to boost profits.  At the very least they could have warned me in advance of what they were going to do so I could have filled up everything that needed it.

Gas around Fox lake is $3.20 (down a big 20 cents).  But gas in Spring Grove and at Rock Corner (where i got gas Thursday at $2.70 and saw it jump to $3.40) are both still at $3.40.

Gouge Me, Eh!!?  --RoadDog

Super Gas Gouge Yesterday: 70 Cent Jump!!! Gas Now As High As $3.40!!!

Yesterday, August 12th, I was in for a shock.

On the 11th, gas in Fox Lake, Illinois was at $2.70 a gallon, ($2.69.9) and had been dropping a few cents every several days.

On the way to the theater yesterday, I saw gas was at $2.80, a ten cent jump, which often happens around here because of all the traffic coming up to the Chain of Lakes for boating on on their way to Lake Geneva and other points in Wisconsin.  However, the BP was, for some reason, at $3.40.  Someone sure must have goofed.

After the movie, I met Liz at the boat and told her about the $3.40 a gallon at BP.  She told me something about she heard that the BP in Whiting, Indiana, had had some sort of a problem yesterday and gas prices in the Midwest were expected to go up soon.

On the way back home, I saw that gas was still $2.80 at Thornton's, but gas at Phillips 66 was up to $3.00.  Gas at BP was still $3.40 and, believe it or not, there were some people there getting gas.

We were going to go up to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, which is generally cheaper than Fox Lake, but when we got there both stations were at $3.00.  Liz had seen that gas at Rock Corner, Il-173 and Wilmot Road,  was at $2.70 so went by there and it still was.  I filled up as we were below 1/4 full.  As we pulled out, I saw gas was repriced to $3.40!!

We just made it!!!

That Was 70 Cents in Less Than a Minute!!  Thanks A lot BP!!!   --RoadDog

It's Them, Not Me: What the Academy Awards Should Do

I think we should have two different Academy Awards Shows with two different slates of nominations.

One will be for movies people didn't see and the other for those that they did.  That was sure make for a more interesting watching.

I also think that the multiplexes should set aside a screen deserved for the showings of the snob movies for the months between nominations and the awards.  I'd sure go see them.  As I already said, I generally like those nominated movies that I didn't get the chance to see.

Just My Idea.  --RoadDog

While On the Subject of Annoying: Now We Know About the "Wilting Rose"

We are so lucky here in Chicago to have two of the most overpaid annoying athletes ever.  I'm talking about the Bears' "Scary Jay" and the Bulls' "Wilting Rose."

No one goes through the motions of being a "MVP qb (Trestman's words, not mine) better than Jay.

But our wonderful Rose is maddening because he so rarely plays, yet still gets that huge paycheck.  It's hard for the Bulls to rise to the top while pulled down by his anchor (not to mention the salary cap which so much of his money takes up).

But now we know exactly why he is unable to play so much.  The Rose is simply "Unable to Breathe" as his tee shirt says.  I would have to imagine it is quite difficult to play such an intensive game as basketball when you can't breathe.

Perhaps Rose Should See a Doctor About This Malady.  --RoadDog

It's Them Not Me: Income Inequality Gap Grows As Does the College Gap

From the May 28, 2014, Chicago Tribune "Income equality: College Gap Grows" by Jim Tankersley, Washington Post.

This growing gap bothers me tremendously.  It certainly does not bode well for the country's future.

"One of the striking stories in the American economy over the last several decades is how much the incomes of the super rich have grown compared with the incomes of everybody else."

But, what is even more troubling is the incomes of the super-rich, that 1 percent of top earners is an even bigger gap between what college and high school educated.  Author David Autor now figures that the average college grad's income is now $28,000 higher while high school is$7,100.

I do know that i am also very upset that the cost of going to college has risen so much, taking away the opportunity for so many to attend.

And, then, I look at how much the coaches in football and basketball are getting paid in the upper echelons of college sportsdom.

It Just Doesn't Equte.  --GreGen

Murderer Awarded $450,000 By Jury: The Palatine Brown's Chicken Massacre (We Are NOT HAPPY!!!)

From the March 10, 2014, DeKalb (Il.) Chronicle "Jury awards $450K to man convicted in 1993 slayings" by AP. //// And believe me, people around here are plenty riled by this news. Murderer James Degorski and another person stabbed and shot seven people to death at Brown's Chicken in Palatine, Illinois, in 1993 and then were able to avoid arrest until 2002 when the girlfriend of one of them turned them in after they bragged about what they had done. //// The murderer accused a Cook County jail guard of punching him and breaking his cheekbone and eye socket at the time of his arrest. //// A three-day trial was held and the jury ruled for the murderer. The murderer's attorney said "...we are all entitled to our civil rights." I have to wonder what she would have said if one of the seven had been a friend or relative? //// Sure, like the murderer was worried about the civil rights of the seven whose lives he ended. //// I personally have to wonder about those people on the jury. //// Now, Let's Figure Out How Much the Murderer Owes for the Seven Lives He Took That Night. --RoadDog

The Pre-Summer Driving Season Gas Gouge Has Begun

We've already been through the Pre-Pre-Pre-Pre, the Pre-Pre-Pre-Pre, the Pre-Pre-Pre and Pre-Pre Summer Driving Season Gas Gouges. Now it appears our annual Pre-Summer Driving Season Gas Gouge is underway around here (ne Illinois). Gas at stations is now $3.86. //// Less than two months ago, it was $3.20, so that's a 66 cent gouge. //// Why the Gouge? It doesn't matter. Big Oil does not have to say and don't bother to anymore. //// Go Ahead and Hurt the Country. --RoadDog

Pre-Pre Summer Driving Season Gas Gouge Underway!!!!

We've already had the Pre-Pre-Pre-Pre and Pre-Pre-Pre Summer Driving Season Gas Gouges (since January), and as of this last week, the Pre-Pre Summer Driving Season Gas Gouge struck with a vengeance around here (northeast Illinois near the Wisconsin state line). //// Gas in Fox Lake, Illinois, is now $3.76 (a jump of 26 cents). Gas at the rip-off Marathon here in Spring Grove and at Rock Corner are at $3.80. //// Why did it go up? //// The GRBs at Big Oil don't say, but really don't need to because of all the politicians in pocket. I was looking at a local magazine with jokes and one was that the recession is so bad that Exxon-Mobil had to lay off twenty politicians. I laughed through my tears. //// Of course, in a few weeks, we'll have the infamous Pre-Summer Driving Season Gas Gouge when price of gas will jump over the $4 mark (with a lot of stations hanging at the $3.99.9 price so people won't know they're charging $4.) //// Making Money All the Time With B.O. --RoadDog

What's Wrong With College Football?

From the November 23, 2013, Business Insider "Top 25 Highest-paid Coaches in College Football." //// And, this was before Saban's new contract with Alabama. //// In these days of colleges being so short on money and raising tuitions like they are, these figures are hard to understand. College football and basketball coaches are on the upper levels are the highest-paid "faculty" members. //// I will give some names and salary figures and list schools when I don't: //// #25. Steve Sakiason, Washington $2.575,000 // #24. West Virginia // #23. Mississippi State // #22. Florida // #21. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State, $2,750,000 //// #20. Missouri // #19. Kansas State // #18. Nebraska // #17 Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M //// #16. Texas Christian // #15. Cincinnati // #14. Penn State //// #13. Mark Richt, Georgia, $3.31 million // #12. South Carolina // #11. Oklahoma State //// #10. Charlie Strong, Louisville, $3.74 million // #9. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $3.99 million // #8. Brady Hoke, Michigan, $4.15 million // #7. Les Miles, LSU, $4.46 million // #6. Urban Meyer, Ohio State, $4.61 million //// #5. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma, $4.77 million // 4. Butch Jones, Tennessee, $4.86 million // #3. Bret Bielema, Arkansas, $5.16 million // #2. Mack Brown, Texas (since retired) $5.45 million and #1. Nick Saban, Alabama, $5.5 million. //// I wonder how much Bear Bryant or Woody Hayes were paid? //// Not Saying...But.... Wow. --RoadDog

Big Oil Gouges Up for Christmas 2013: $3.17 to $3.47!!!!

A couple days ago, we here in the Midwest outside of Chicago, were shocked, well, not really, when we found that local gas stations raised prices by THIRTY CENTS in a matter of minutes. Yep! From $3.17 to $3.47 (not that ANYTHING over $2.50 is a great deal). //// Why? We never heard. Of course, I think Big Oil is now exempt from having to explain price fluctuations, something about government being in hip-pocket, or profits (something I'd really love to see). //// And, as an added bonus, in a few weeks we will be in the "Pre-Pre-Pre-Pre-Pre Summer Driving Season" where they raise prices in anticiapation of you-know-what. //// Big Oil to Americans: "Merry Christmas...Screw You!!!" --RoadDog

Time for Next Gas Gouge: Gas "Down" to $3.90

Best get over and fill up the cars today as yesterday I saw gas down to $3.90 in Fox Lake, Illinois.  Time  for Big Oil to "pop" it back up to $4.20 (or more).

And, then there was the platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday.  I heard it was natural gas, but they will figure out some reason to use it as an additional excuse.

And, after all, it is still Summer Driving Season.  And, the refineries have cut production.  And, we're shipping oil overseas.

By the way, isn't it time for quarterly reports.  I SURE would like to know how much Big Oil made this last 3 months.  For the most part, these huge profits are kept secret.  Or, at least I don't come across the figures.

Come on, Guys.  --RoadDog


NOT FUNNY.

And, a Welcome Back to the "Summer Driving Season" Gas Gouge: A Guide to Big Oil's Gas Gouges

Part of Big Oil's EXCUSE for this new gouging is that we now have the infamous "Summer Driving Season."  It hasn't been around for several years because gas prices have actually dropped throughout the summer.

The reason for no "Summer Driving Season" (where people hit the road for vacations) is that we had other special gouging seasons.  Let me recap these other "Driving Seasons" as an explanation for the dazed and confused:

First, there was the Pre-Pre-Pre Summer driving Season where Big Oil, started thinking about the summer and reflected that it was time to get a head start on the gouge and raise prices in late January.

Then, there was the Pre-Pre Summer Driving Season around early March when they remembered they hadn't found reasons to raise gas for several weeks.

Next was the Pre-Summer Driving Season in early April when they remembered it had been several weeks since the Pre-Pre Summer Drive Gouge.

Then, we have the annual closing of plants for the Fix-It Gouge.

Then, around Chicago, we have the switch to the summer gas formulas for cleaner air (the Clean Gouge)which is always good for another 30-40 cents in profit.

Ya Just Gotta Love Those Big Oil Dudes.  --RoadDog

Outsmarted and Gouged All At the Same Time: Gas Up to $4.20!!

Drove over to Fox Lake for some boating this morning and received a shock.  Last night, I noticed gas prices "down" to $3.87 after jumping 46 cents last Thursday from $3.54 to $4 (and they did that price increase in the space of a minute).  Dropping 13 whole cents in three days is tantamount to something amazing. 

I thought about filling up the '03 Malibu as we're going over to Libertyville tonight to see Mr. Myers do their trop rock/steel drum thing, but decided to wait and fill up today.

That was a BIG MISTAKE.

Gas this morning was now up to $4.20, a 33 cents jump!!

As I turned onto Holly Street to get to the boat, I saw the Citgo station on Grand Avenue had evidently not noticed and still had gas at $3.87 so did a quick turn-around in Hello Folks' parking lot and filled up before they too went to $4.20.

Somewhere, that terrorist's smile just got bigger.

Got to Move Fast In These Gas Gouging Days.  --RoadDog

It's Them, Not Me: The Latest Gas Gouge

You still have to wonder how we went from having plenty of gas a few weeks ago to not enough gas a few days ago. Chicago, as usual, is at the top of gas prices in the United States. Our stations here in northeast Illinois JUMPED from $3.54 to $4 in ONE MINUTE!! 

Since then, they have come down to $3.90. Somewhere, there is a terrorist smiling as money is pouring into his coffers for more horrible things. Sadly, that money comes in large part because of American investors out to make their ill-got profits, regardless of who gets hurt.

Thanks a lot, GRBs, Big Oil, DTs and HFS's. Too Bad the Govt. Won't Do Anything. 

Well-Paid I Reckon. --RoadDog

Did We Ever Get Gas Gouged Yesterday!!! Jumped 46 Cents!!!!!

We really are going to have to find a way to deal with these GRBs who are willing to make everyone suffer so they can put more money in their pockets.

Gas had finally "Gotten" down to $3.54 (well, $3.53.9) in Fox Lake, Illinois. Still high, but better than the $4 it was three weeks ago. Yesterday, I notcied the Phillips 66 on US-12 had jumped their price to $3.70. Since they are usually the first to raise prices, I immediately went to Shell on Grand Avenue and filled up at $3.56.

Yesterday, we were more than a bit shocked to see BP and 66 both at $4 (well, $3.99.9). Count it, that's a 46 cent jump in one day. The new Thornton's on Grand and 12 was still, however, at $3.54. I see that gas prices are expected to spike 15 cents around here, well two of our stations have done "much" better than that.

Part of the problem is that there are problems in Egypt (which doesn't produce oil). Go figure. They'll use any old excuse to jack the prices. Government needs to do something, but doesn't. In Big Oil hip pocket. 

Needin' Some Gas...Relief. --RoadDog

It's Them, Not Me: I Can't Get No Interest

Well, the Rolling Stones sure couldn't get "no" satisfaction, and I can't get "no" interest these days.  I tell you, it's enough to make Rodney Dangerfield come out with a whole bunch of "no" respects.

Have interest rates ever been lower?

At my bank here in Spring Grove, Illinois, (I won't say the name for embarrassment), things are low.  How low can you go, well, lower.

Here are the rates for April 30th to May 6th, 2013.

Savings--  .08%
Passbook (less than $10,000)--  .08%
Passbook (more than $10,000)--  .12%30, 60 and 90-day CDs--  .01%
180 Day CD--  .15%
1 Year to 2 year CDs--  .20%
3 year CD--  .30%
5 year CD--  .70%

And why are interest rates so low.  Thank our good folks in the government who believe that the economy will recover faster if the GRBs have plenty of money to invest at cheap interest rates..  You remember the GRBs, these are the same folk that caused the Great Recession.

So, the government is really helping out the GRBs and really sticking it to the regular folks who don't have to have huge returns and get CD investments.  But, at least I'd like to see 2-3%.

In my mind, anything below 1% is just not worth it.

Hey, Obama, How About Helping Out the Little Guys for a Change?  --RoadDog


No Pun intended. 

It's Them, Not Me: As the Gas Gouge Turns

I still consider any gas above $2.50 as being way too expensive and unnecessary.  Of course, I doubt that we'll ever see it below $3 again.  The powers that be shall see to that.  The GRBs at BO (Big Oil) must have some sort of control on our government.

Gas was slowly dropping after the GRBs raised it to $4 in the winter during their annual pre-pre-pre Summer-Driving Gouge.  It had gotten to around $3.64 around here and $3.54 in Springfield.  However, in Springfield, April 23rd, gas rose to $3.80 overnight.  Gas all the way back was 26 cents higher.

In Fox Lake, Illinois, it was $3.90, then went to $4, then back to $3.94 and yesterday $4.10.

And, we no longer get reasons for this and I haven't seen a quarterly profit for BO in years.  I know they don't want us to see their profits, even after they find ways to "bury" much of it.

Hey, the government needs money.  How about taxing indecent profits like BO is getting 90-95%?  Maybe that would put a stop to all this money-grubbing.

Plus, the Government Could get the Needed Money.  --RoadDog


No Pun Intended Here.

It's Them, Not Me: Gas Gouge at Full Speed: $4 Here

That Gas Gouge I saw coming back in January is here in full force.  When we got back to Illinois January 18th, the price of gas was $3.22 in Fox Lake (northeast Illinois).  By the end of January, I was predicting $4 by the end of February.

Yesterday, we saw gas at $3.90 at several places in Fox Lake, $3.96 at one, and even the big 4, $4 a gallon at another place.  Well, it was $3.99.9, and most people we talked to called it $3.99, but we know better. Did you know that if you bought ten gallons at $3.99.9, it would cost you $39.99?  A whole penny's savings!!  What a deal!!!  Let's start calling $3.99.9 what it really is.

Considering we got to $4.30 here last year, I figure the GRBs are thinking $4.50 this year.  Thus, the Pre-Pre-Pre Summer Driving Price Spike begins.

Feels So Right to Make Them Richer.  --RoadDog


Not Funny At All.

It's Them, Not Me: Gas Gouge Well Underway

January 18th, gas here in the Fox Lake, Illinois, area was $3.22.  Last night it was anywhere from $3.66 to $3.86.  That's in just three weeks!!!

I really HATE those guys!!!

And, they're not through getting richer yet.

Dadburn GRBs.  --RoadDog