Traffic & Transit
Gas Giveaway Expected To Snarl Evanston Traffic
Police anticipate heavy traffic Thursday as the Green Bay Road Mobil gas station participates in Willie Wilson's $1 million gas giveaway.
EVANSTON, IL — In anticipation of heavy congestion from drivers looking for free gasoline Thursday morning, Evanston city officials announced changes to traffic patterns around the Mobil, 1950 Green Bay Road, which is participating in businessman Willie Wilson's $1 million free gas giveaway.
The free gas promotion begins at 7 a.m. and it ends once the approximately 50 participating gas stations have exhausted the $1 million, which is expected to be sometime between about 10 a.m. and noon. Each car is eligible for up to $50 in free gas, organizers said.
In Evanston, all motorists headed to the Mobil station during the promotion must do so heading south from the intersection of Green Bay Road and Simpson Street, according to police, who will be assigned to assist drivers at the event.
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Police said drivers headed north on Green Bay Road from Emerson Street will not be permitted to turn left on Asbury Avenue, which will be closed off to northbound traffic from Emerson. And Foster Street headed toward the station will be closed off at the alley east of Wesley Avenue, according to police.
Wilson's March 24 gas giveaway comes a week after he gave away $200,000 in free gas at 10 participating station.
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"Soaring gas prices have caused a hardship for too many of our citizens," Wilson said, in a statement announcing the million-dollar donation.
"The average price of regular fuel has gone well over $4 a gallon for the first time in nearly 14 years and is now up nearly 50 percent from last year," said the philanthropist and past political candidate. "The war in Ukraine, a ban on Russian oil, and high taxes are contributing to rising fuel prices."
At participating stations in Chicago, city officials said vehicles will be allowed to begin to line up at 7 a.m.. They will receive stickers showing their place in line and only those with stickers will be permitted to receive the free gas.
Those who are not planning to participate in the promotion were asked to avoid the area and use any possible alternate routes.
Wilson provided an updated list of stations on social media Wednesday evening:
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