Former mayoral candidate and millionaire Dr. Willie Wilson donated $200,000 in free gas at several locations for residents.
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The generous giveaway started around 7 a.m. after people stood in line for almost two hours at a local gas station on Pulaski Road and Montrose Avenue. According to CBS Chicago, police became involved after people tried to cut the line. Wilson also told the outlet that he decided to do the giveaway after gas prices skyrocketed across the country and he plans to do a second one at the end of the month. Each resident received a $50 gas card at the ten locations.
“People are desperate for money to get gas to get to work, these are peoples’ livelihoods. The soaring price of gas has caused a hardship for too many of our citizens. The average price of regular gas 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. The war in Ukraine, a ban on Russian oil, and high taxes are contributing to rising fuel price.”
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One woman told the news outlet that she was unable to take her children to school due to the gas prices. A man added that he waited online since midnight after hearing about the giveaway.
The giveaway also took place at several other locations where 70 volunteers assisted in helping those in need with gas.