Illinois Bill Wouldn’t Allow You To Pump Your Own Gas

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ILLINOIS – There is a bill that is working its way through the Illinois legislature that would do away with the self-serve pumps at gas stations.

Democrat Representative Camille Lilly represents the Oak Park area near Chicago.

Illinois Rep. Camille Y Lilly

She introduced House Bill 4571 earlier this month which is known at the Gas Station Attendant Act. If passed, only gas station attendants would be able to pump gas in the state.

New Jersey is the only state in the nation with a law like this on the books. Oregon loosened its rules a couple years ago.

In New Jersey the reason for the law is fire safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association there are more than 5,000 gas station fires reported in the United States every year. This law is supposed to cut down on that.  Those in support of the law say that gas station attendants can remind drivers to shut off their engines, reduce static electricity and eliminates the opportunity for drivers to smoke while pumping gas.

Those of you who are old enough to remember gas station attendants remember that there was a separate price for “full-serve” and a price for “self-serve” and that has some drivers worried.

The bill is now going to the Rules Committee.

If it should pass it would take effect January 1, 2021.

 

Cover Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay