Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ninth District, IL

NBC5.com

Illinois Democrats Seek White House Action To Lower Gas Prices

Durbin, Schakowsky Offer Suggestions For Lowering Prices

April 5, 2004

CHICAGO -- Chicago area gasoline prices are on their way up again, only a week before the Easter travel holiday, and that has attracted the attention of legislators who say it's up to the White House to bring those prices down.

Last week, OPEC announced it would be cutting output, a move likely to drive our gas prices even higher. Now, two Illinois democrats say this is the time for the president to act, and act quickly, before many of us take our summer driving vacations.

As gas prices edge up to well over $2 a gallon at some Chicago pumps, customers are venting their frustration, reported NBC5's Charlie Wojciechowski.

"We're paying for all the SUV guzzlers, and we're blaming it on the Arabs, but it's not their fault," said motorist Joan. "We are guzzling at a humongous rate."

Colleen Keenan said it takes $50 to fill her sport utility vehicle.

"It's been too much for a while, about a year or so, so you don't really notice it," she said. "But when they start talking about $3, that would be a lot."

Motorist Mary Dudley said that's not enough to get people to change their driving habits.

"I guess that all we can say is when it gets up to $10 we'll give it up," she said.

Gas station owner Eric Morris insists he's not making more money off the high prices.

"We work off the same margins no matter what the price is," Morris said. "It hurts our business when the gas prices go so high people stop driving. It hurts our repair business, and who do you blame?"

Many blame President George W. Bush, including two Illinois Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin are calling on the White House to play a greater role in bringing gas prices down.

"I think the president ought to get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say, 'We expect you to open your spigots,'" Schakowsky said.

Durbin had another idea.

"The president can withhold supplying the strategic petroleum reserve, and in so doing, put more oil in the market in the United States and bring the prices down," he said.

So far Bush has done neither. The White House says it is disappointed with OPEC's decision to cut production. OPEC, on the other hand, says high gas prices in the United States aren't its fault. The cartel blames environmental regulations here as well as a lack of refineries in the United States.

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price per gallon for gas in the Chicago area Monday is $1.88 for regular, $2.02 for mid-grade and $2.08 for premium.