BP NEGOTIATIONS RESUME AS ILLINOIS GAS PRICES REMAIN HIGH

Talks are underway between BP’s Whiting refinery in Indiana and United Steelworkers Local 7-1, as both sides returned to the bargaining table Monday. The labor dispute, paired with a recent power outage at the plant and continued conflict in the Middle East, has been cited as a factor behind soaring gasoline prices in the Midwest. AAA reports that Illinois drivers are now paying an average of $5.05 per gallon for regular unleaded, while Indiana’s average hit $4.13. Many in the region are keeping a close eye on the negotiations, hoping for relief at the pump.