CHICAGO — Willie Wilson will give away $1 million more worth of gas next week — despite a similar stunt leading to hours-long traffic snarls in Chicago this week.
Drivers will be able to head to 50 gas stations in Chicago and the suburbs to get $50 worth of gas starting 7 a.m. Thursday. The event will run until $1 million worth of gas has been given away, according to a Wilson news release.
Scroll down for the full list of participating gas stations.
The philanthropist, who made millions selling medical supplies, held a similar giveaway this week, providing $200,000 worth of free gas at 10 stations in the city.
The event quickly turned controversial: Drivers backed up streets for blocks around the stations, some residents couldn’t travel and long lines trapped commuters. Some said the giveaway was disorganized, while others questioned the environmental impact of having people idling their cars for hours. Police officers had to go to the stations as arguments erupted among drivers.
But drivers who got the free gas said they were grateful.
Richard Boykin, a former Cook County Board commissioner who is helping Wilson with the giveaways, said the first giveaway went “exceedingly well” — but they’re working with officials to avoid problems.
“We don’t want this good deed to get messed up or marred down by people complaining about they can’t get to where they need to go, so we’re working with the requisite agencies to make sure we have a better flow of traffic next Thursday and not that much disruption,” Boykin said.
About $20,000 worth of gas will be doled out at each participating station, Boykin said.
Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) said Thursday’s giveaway at a station in her ward “caused a traffic disaster,” with people unable to leave for work, emergency vehicles unable to get through the streets, the local fire station “compromised,” police spread thin and students “endangered.”
“This was irresponsible and reckless of Dr. Wilson and the gas station owners,” Hadden wrote on Twitter.
On Friday, Hadden said she heard about the gas giveaway through the news and reached out to the participating station in her ward so they can better coordinate with city agencies. She said she’s “not sure” yet if there is enough time to organize it smoothly.
“I’m very supportive of people getting aid with gas. I’m supportive of the positive impact to a local business,” Hadden said. “I don’t want to get in the way of this happening, but we need to coordinate it with the different city departments to ensure it’s as safe as possible.”
Hadden said she’s heard from some residents in her ward that they were “really happy this is happening.”
Wilson has dismissed criticism over the chaos from the first giveaway, saying alderpeople and other officials should put up money and pass policies to help residents.
“People don’t say nothing when you got gridlock and traffic when they’re going to the Bulls game or the Sox game,” Wilson said. “You good, they’re going to talk about you; you do bad, they’re going to talk about you. Let me do good, and let them talk about it.”
Gas prices have hit record highs recently in Chicago and across the United States. Russia invading Ukraine led to the increase, leaving some without a way of affordably traveling for work, school and other needs.
In all, Wilson will have donated $1.2 million in gas with the events. Participating stations have lowered their prices so more people can get fuel, according to the news release.
Here’s where to find the free gas Thursday:
Washington Park
Super Save at 48 E Garfield Blvd, Chicago, IL
Calumet Heights
Citgo at 9155 S Stony Island, Chicago, IL
Jeffery Manor
Marathon at 1839 E 95th Street, Chicago, IL
Humboldt Park
Citgo at 1345 N Pulaski, Chicago, IL
Little Village
Mobil at 2800 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL
Longwood Manor
Super Save at 9811 S Halsted, Chicago, IL
Albany Park
BP at 4359 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL
East Garfield Park
Marathon at 340 S. Sacramento Blvd, Chicago, IL
Falcon at 43 North Homan, Chicago, IL
Roseland
Super Save at 11100 S State Street, Chicago, IL
Park Manor
Citgo at 6700 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL
Grand Crossing
BP at 7600 South Chicago, Chicago, IL
Bronzeville
BP at 3101 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
North Center
BP at 3955 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL
Fuller Park
BP at 4244 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL
Bridgeport
Shell at 2477 S Archer, Chicago, IL
BP at 3047 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL
Citgo at 501 W 31st St., Chicago, IL
Lawndale
Amoco at 4401 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL
The Gap
BP at 342 E 35th St., Chicago, IL
Garfield Ridge
Shell at 6434 W Archer, Chicago, IL
West Elsdon
BP at 4401 W 55th St., Chicago IL
Gresham
Clark at 1201 w 87th, Chicago, IL
SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY
North Suburbs
Mobil at 1950 Green Bay Rd, Evanston, IL
Phillips at 9340 Irving Park Rd, Schiller Park, IL
Mobil at 9401 W Higgins, Rosemont, IL
Shell at 2474 Thatcher, River Grove, IL
Shell at 4555 N Nagle, Harwood Heights, IL
West Suburbs
Super Save at 101 W Madison, Maywood, IL
BP at 11201 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL
BP at 5201 W Cermak Rd, Cicero, IL
Amoco at 1700 N Mannheim, Stone Park, IL
Mobil at 1101 N LaGrange Park, IL
BP at 17th and Bataan, Broadview, IL
Thornton’s at 1125 25th Ave, Bellwood, IL
South Suburbs
Falcon at 18280 S Pulaski, Country Club Hills, IL
Citgo at 13801 S Halsted, Riverdale, IL
Exxon Mobil at 1421 E Sibley Blvd, Dolton, IL
BP at 15857 S Halsted, Harvey, IL
Citgo at 15221 S Halsted, Phoenix, IL
BP at 5548 W 159th, Oak Forest, IL
Citgo at 11901 S Marshfield, Calumet Park, IL
Shell at 11725 S Pulaski, Alsip, IL
Thornton’s at 147th & Dixie, Dixmoor, IL
Shell at 385 Sauk Trail, Park Forest, IL
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