Evanston Police Anticipate Snarled Traffic For Saturday Gas Giveaway

EVANSTON, IL — Local residents can expect some heavy traffic Saturday morning after an Evanston gas station is among those who will be participating in the latest gasoline giveaway by Chicago philanthropist Willie Wilson.

Evanston city officials said Thursday that the Mobil station at 1950 Green Bay Road will be one of the participating stations as part of Wilson’s latest $1 million gasoline giveaway. Saturday marks the third time that Wilson has donated funds to pay for the gasoline of local residents. Including Saturday's giveaway, Wilson will have donated $2.2 million in free gasoline.

Evanston Police said that traffic in the area of Green Bay Road and Foster Street is expected to be congested between 7-10 a.m. as the station will be involved in the giveaway. The Evanston station is one of 35 Chicago area gas stations involved in the giveaway.

Police are encouraging drivers who are not participating in the gas giveaway to avoid the area and use alternate routes if possible. The giveaway will last until 10 a.m. or until funds have been exhausted, police said.

Drivers will not be permitted to begin lining up at the gas station prior to 5:30 a.m., police said Thursday.

Wilson has already given away $1.2 million in gasoline since prices at the pump have skyrocketed due in part to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His act of charity came with a challenge to Illinois elected officials who he has called on to provide additional relief to drivers.

On Tuesday, Wilson said people should be "accountable to our next-door neighbor, for those of us who can afford to do so. We will continue to give. This is not a political thing."