Mayor Tim Baldermann of New Lenox is so sick of rising gas prices, he's asking local residents to take action.
Baldermann on Monday called for a boycott of gasoline purchases from his town's stations, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
He told the board Monday that it pains him to take such measures, but he said the only way to reduce skyrocketing prices might be to not buy New Lenox gas at all.
Residents could get it cheaper just down the road anyway. For the past few weeks, New Lenox has seen higher gas prices than its neighboring towns.
In the past, Frankfort and Manhattan have paid the most for gas in Will County. This changed drastically, though, with New Lenox gas prices hovering around $4.14 per gallon – a price that dropped from $4.21 last week, according to IllinoisGasPrices.com.
Surrounding towns have significantly lower gas prices: Mokena and Frankfort range from $4.07 to $4.09 per gallon, and Manhattan pays $3.89 a gallon. Even bigger towns in the area have gas prices as low as $3.85 in Homer Glen and $3.93 in Joliet.
Mayor Baldermann told the Sun-Times he spoke with local Speedway officials, who told him their gas prices compete within municipal limits. He plans to continue to advise residents to fill up outside of New Lenox.
Baldermann told the Chicago Tribune, “If you take advantage of our residents, we cease to be here for you.”
