Major Traffic Backlog Caused by $200K Gas Giveaway

Parts of Chicago experienced a major traffic backlog on Thursday as vehicles lined up in the streets to get free gas as part of a $200,000 fuel giveaway.

Several photos and videos posted on social media showed cars lined up waiting for free gas after Chicago businessman Willie Wilson announced that he was donating $200,000 in gas to several fuel stations across the city as gas prices have continued to rise in Chicago and other areas across the nation.

"Drivers have flooded the streets, backing up traffic, arguing with each other and honking. But those waiting in line said it was worth it because gas has gotten so expensive," Book Club Chicago's Twitter account wrote.

George Mycyk of NBC Chicago shared a video of the traffic jams where cars can be seen lined up in the streets.

"Traffic gridlock at Grand and Pulaski as people wait in line for $50 of free gas courtesy of Willie Wilson," Mycyk wrote.

WGN TV News also shared a video of the traffic jams seen across the city.

"Traffic is backed up near 91st and Stony Island as people try to get to the CITGO gas station to get free fuel courtesy of Willie Wilson," WGN TV News wrote in a tweet.

The giveaway allowed customers to get up to $50 worth of free gas at ten different gas stations until the $200,000 donation was exhausted. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), gas prices in Cook County, Illinois, were around $4.71 and the average across the state was $4.53.

"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 prices," Wilson said in a Facebook post.

Another video posted on Twitter showed Wilson at one of the gas stations included in the giveaway pumping fuel for a customer.

"Wilson is doing it because 'people are struggling,'" Joanie Lum of Fox 32 Chicago wrote in a tweet showing Wilson pumping gas.

While speaking with Book Club Chicago, Wilson said that he plans to hold another gas giveaway on March 31.

"And we're going to come with much more than $200,000," Wilson told Book Club Chicago. "There's a need."

Newsweek reached out to the Chicago Police Department for comment on the traffic jams but did not receive a response in time for publication.