PLEASANT PRAIRIE — People planning on driving through Illinois might want to make sure they get their gas before they cross over the state line. Gas prices recently shot up in Illinois because of a new tax.
A lot of people look at the gas prices in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and kept on driving.
"That's insane," said John Guziec, an Illinois driver who saw the price of gas.
He did not stop for gas until he was over the state line in Wisconsin, and he was not the only one.
"It's cheaper, of course," said Illinois driver Kimberly Young.
Illinois just passed an increase that doubles the gas tax by 19 cents. TODAY'S TMJ4 found nearly empty gas stations in Winthrop Harbor with gas selling for $3.10 a gallon. In Pleasant Prairie, just a mile away, the gas was $2.69.
Store manager Lisa Candelaria of the Stateline BP in Pleasant Prairie said business could not be better.
"We have been selling like crazy. As you can see, we have the lines going. It is non-stop," said Candelaria.
Illinois put in the increase to help pay mostly for road and bridge construction. For some Illinois drivers, they said they will skip filling up in their state if they can help it.
"I work in Illinois and Wisconsin. It's a no-brainer. I won't buy in Illinois for a while," said Guziec.
