Gas prices in Illinois soar 18 cents in a week

Illinoisans saw gas prices jump nearly 18 cents a gallon in the past week, the second-largest increase nationwide, according to GasBuddy.com.

The cost of a gallon of regular gas in Illinois averaged $2.06 on Monday, up from $1.88 a gallon statewide a week ago. A year ago, a gallon cost $2.37, GasBuddy.com reported.

“The cheapest gas prices of the year are now solidly behind us as the national average will soon again hit $2,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “The current upward trend is an unfortunate one that we witness every year, but the sudden jolt this time around has been enhanced by a 45% jump in the price of crude oil in the last month.”

Here are the biggest weekly increases:

1. Missouri, 18.7 cents
2. Illinois, 17.9 cents
3. Arizona, 17.7 cents
4. Kentucky, 17.5 cents
5. Virginia, 17.3 cents

GasBuddy said all 50 states had higher gas prices compared with a week ago.

The national average, which was $1.94 a gallon on Monday, is likely to rise another 20 to 55 cents before peaking in April or May, GasBuddy said.