Why are Chicagoland gasoline prices so high? It's the question so many consumers ask when they compare what they're paying at the pump with the national average or to prices in neighboring states. When crude oil prices rocket, Chicago gas prices rocket more. And, sometimes, local prices rise when the price of oil is stable or falling.

On many days recently, Chicagoans have been paying the highest gasoline prices in the U.S. Chicago-area gas prices have been running about 50 cents per gallon more than the national average. Fifty cents doesn't sound like much until you consider a two-car family might buy 1,400 gallons of gas a year, which siphons some $700 more from their pockets than other Americans. … [Click here to read more.]

Be an Ambassador: This is an issue that your independent and even liberal friends are open to discussing, because we’re all feeling the pain at the pump. But they won’t be won by slogans or one-liners. Read this overview by The Heritage Foundation detailing three conservative policies that could make a big impact on gas prices and our economy.

Activism is at an all-time high, from tea party rallies to calls to legislators and grassroots leaders running for office. Patriots across the county are standing up in droves to say “enough!” But how do you, as a concerned citizen, become an ambassador for the conservative cause? You feel passionately that the direction in which your country, state, or county is headed is ruinous. But how do you convince your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors of that fact? Patriots United Ambassador Program is as special, roughly 90-day program designed to educate and activate you as a leader in your community. The program will take you from concerned patriot to conservative ambassador, giving you the tools and skills you will need to represent the conservative cause as a leader within your network.

A former Democratic Congressman disagrees with President Obama's energy policy, and he details why in this Wall Street Journal Editorial. In it he details how even former President Clinton calls the Obama administration's deep water drilling policy "ridiculous." He also provides three commonsense steps that can be taken to increase domestic energy supply and lower gas prices. Take a look here.

Be an Ambassador: Gas prices continue to rise closer to $5 a gallon, a number unheard of just a few years ago. Read this article and educate yourself on what can be done in the short and long term to fix this problem that is devastating already struggling families, then share what you've learned with your friends and neighbors.

Illinois has the highest gas prices in the Midwest thanks to the fact that every gallon of gas we buy is double taxed. First, there's a per-gallon fixed fuel tax rate imposed by the county, state, and federal governments. But, as if that fuel-tax burden wasn't enough, Illinois adds a sales tax on for good measure. Read the whole story in the Southtown Star here

Be an Ambassador: With gas prices rising to $5 a gallon, something must be done to help struggling families. 
Help raise awareness by providing this information to your friends, then contact your legislators and local papers demanding an end to the double-taxing of gas.