Memorial Day gas prices likely to spike

May 22-Gas prices in west-central Illinois are averaging just under $5 a gallon going into Memorial Day weekend, though the soaring prices aren't necessarily slowing people's travel plans.

Dave Monroe put $189 in gas in his 35-gallon tank on Friday, an investment he said will last him three days in his travel-heavy job.

While he can't cut out driving entirely, he's doing what he can to ease pressure at the gas pump.

"As soon as they raise (the price of) fuel, I just start parking" other work vehicles, Monroe said.

Monroe isn't alone in continuing to fill his tank when it's empty. Or in continuing to drive, even though high demand for gasoline as people travel for the three-day holiday weekend likely will cause gas prices to tick up even more, according to experts.

Increases still coming

Gas prices have climbed as a U.S.- and Israeli- military conflict with Iran led Iran to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, a small channel through which most of the world's oil tankers pass on their way to distribute oil worldwide. The resulting disruption to the global market has caused related prices to soar.

President Donald Trump has given mixed messages about ending the conflict, though he has said the temporary pain of higher gas prices will be worth it in the long run.

On a state level, Illinois collects 48.3 cents in taxes on every gallon of motor fuel. That is set to increase on July 1 by 1.3 cents, to 49.6 cents a gallon.

Gov. JB Pritzker has said a pause of the motor fuel tax has some merit.

"I really believe that it's worthy of contemplation, but that is not something that we have front and center here," Pritzker said April 30.

The legislative session ends May 31 and no significant effort to enact such a pause has happened.

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