South Cook News

As people across Illinois continue to struggle with the rising costs associated with record inflation, one GOP congressional candidate believes high costs are forcing people in Illinois to make tough decisions.

Keith Pekau, who currently serves the citizens of Orland Park as mayor, took to Facebook where he stressed the importance of political leaders taking action in an effort to tackle the current situation.

"I remember once deciding between buying food and repairing my car; I didn't have enough money to do both," Pekau said on Facebook. "These are the decisions people are making right now with inflation and gas prices through the roof. It's time for the government to do something about our economy."

The average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Illinois was recorded at $5.49 as of Wednesday, AAA reported. That's up by more than $2 from a year ago, when the average cost was $3.32 per gallon. In Cook County, gas prices averaged even higher at $5.92 per gallon.

The latest consumer price index released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier this month reported that the inflation rate was at 8.6% for the last 12-month period, which was the largest increase since 1981. Energy costs rose 3.9% in May and 34.6% in the past year. Food also saw a double-digit spike in the past year and was recorded at 10.1%.

A survey conducted by Toluna in March showed that high inflation has caused almost two-thirds of Americans to start feeling worried about their financial situation, CNBC reported. Approximately 25% of the survey's participants have already started purchasing different brands of food and other products in an effort to save money.