$5 Gasoline

Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting:

Average gas prices in Chicago are now higher than anywhere in the United States, driven higher by a combination of refinery issues and the annual transition to a more costly summer blend.

Drivers in the city are now paying an average of $4.55 a gallon, according to AAA, which is 20 cents higher than a week ago. On this day last year, drivers were paying $4.12 per gallon.

The city still hasn’t reached the record per-gallon price of $4.68 a gallon, a mark set on March 27 of last year.

The average price in the greater metro area is closer to a record. Drivers are paying $4.42 a gallon on average; the record hit last March was $4.51.

The reason for the increase in price will surprise you, especially considering all the gasoline the US exports. Cue up Connie Francis.