Continued fighting in the Middle East is pushing crude oil and gasoline prices higher, including here in Southern Illinois.
CountryMark Refinery in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, is paying $89.05 per barrel for locally produced crude oil. That price is based on the settled daily price for West Texas Intermediate crude, minus $7 per barrel.
Higher crude prices are also showing up at the gas pump.
Most Fairfield stations Thursday were charging $4.44 per gallon for regular unleaded, while Citgo was at $4.49. Gas prices in Albion were also reported at $4.49 per gallon.
Prices vary considerably across Illinois. GasBuddy reported the state’s lowest price at $3.67 per gallon in Calumet City, while gas in nearby Dieterich was selling for about $3.90 per gallon Thursday morning.