Gas remaining fairly steady

Average retail gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen 1 cent per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.93 per gallon Sunday. This compares with the national average that has increased 0.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.80 per gallon, according to gasoline price website IllinoisGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Illinois during the past week, prices yesterday were 46.3 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 17.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 1.3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 37.2 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

"Thanks largely due to the situation in California, the national average rose slightly in the last week," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "The good news for Californians is to expect relief this week. Around the rest of the nation I expect a mixed bag, with prices not moving significantly in either direction from what I can see at this time. Nationally, prices remain much higher than last year, especially in California, where the average now stands 88 cents per gallon higher than a year ago," DeHaan said.