A group of gas stations in Chicago, Illinois, is offering motorists free gas on March 17, 2022.
Where are the locations?
Below, you can find a list of all of the stations with the free gas. Dr. Willie Wilson, a former mayoral candidate, describes himself on Facebook as, “Humanitarian. Businessman. Bold, Ambitious Leader. #CommunityKeeper.” He’s behind the gas giveaway. ABC Chicago describes him as, “Millionaire businessman and ex-mayoral candidate Willie Wilson.”
According to Block Club Chicago, Wilson previously gave out 1 million free masks. The news site reported that Wilson made his fortune selling medical supplies.
Here’s what you need to know:
Wilson Is Donating $200,000 Worth of Free Gas to ‘Alleviate Some of the Pain’
Wilson wrote about the free gas on Facebook and provided a list of stations:
Tomorrow, Thursday, March 17, 2022, we are donating $200,000 worth of gas to alleviate some of the pain that Chicagoans are experiencing because of the highest fuel prices in 14 years. Additionally, participating gas stations will be lowering their per gallon prices to serve more vehicles.
Participating gas stations will be giving away free gas on March 17th at starting at 7:00am until the $200,000 is exhausted.
Here is the list of participating gas stations, according to Wilson’s post:
Amstar
368 E Garfield Blvd
Chicago, IL 60615
Citgo
9155 S Stony Island
Chicago, IL 60617
Marathon
1839 E 95th Street
Chicago, IL 60617
Citgo
1345 N Pulaski
Chicago, IL 60651
Gulf
9901 S Halsted St
Chicago IL 60628
Mobil
2800 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago. IL 60623
Amoco
7201 N Clark St
Chicago. IL 60626
BP
4359 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60641
Marathon
340 Sacramento Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
Falcon
43 North Homan
Chicago, IL 60624
According to ABC7, Gas station owners Khalil Abdullah and Amin Ibrahim are planning to lower their prices during the same time frame.
“As gas station owners we decided to lower our gasoline prices during Dr. Wilson’s gas giveaway in an effort to allow more cars to benefit from Dr. Wilson’s generosity,” Abdullah said to the television station.
Block Club Chicago reported that each driver will get $50 of gas.
People Appreciated the Gesture
Here are some of the comments that people left on Wilson’s Facebook thread:
“Great gesture, hope many Chicagoans can benefit, can sure be a relief for those who drive far distances to work, schools, doctors apt.”
“Thank you for being such a blessing to others!”
“God bless you Dr. Wilson.”
But some people expressed concern about safety at the gas stations.
Rising gas prices have been a growing concern in Illinois and also across the nation.
Chicago’s average gas price was $4.68 on March 16, 2022, according to GasBuddy.
Wilson ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Chicago in 2019, according to WGN-TV.
According to Fox32, Wilson is hoping to give gas to between 3,000 and 4,000 cars, and he may do other gas giveaways in the future. The free gas will go to the first to arrive, and it will run out when the $200,000 amount is reached.
According to the History Makers,
Philanthropist, entrepreneur, and recording artist Willie Lee Wilson, grew up in impoverished conditions and rose to found multiple successful enterprises including Singsation!, the first nationally syndicated African-American owned and produced Gospel program on commercial television that broadcasts internationally on WGN-TV. Wilson is also one of the first black owners of a McDonald’s restaurant.
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