Willie Wilson, the South Side businessman and perennial Chicago mayoral hopeful, is once again turning the gas pump into a public spectacle. He announced he will give away $35 in free gas at 30 participating Chicago stations on Saturday, April 4, 2026, with pumps opening at 7 a.m. and distribution strictly first-come, first-served. Wilson said he will put up roughly $200,000 for the effort and will also hand out $25 grocery cards at churches in the coming weeks.
What Wilson announced
Wilson said the giveaway will roll out at 30 preselected gas stations starting at 7 a.m., with each vehicle eligible for $35 of fuel until the funds are tapped out. He told WGN-TV that the event will be first-come, first-served and that this is roughly his 20th such distribution effort.
"Rising gas and grocery costs have compelled me to help my fellow citizens," Wilson said, adding that he blames recent conflict overseas for pushing prices at the pump higher.
Why now: rising prices
Chicago drivers have been feeling the squeeze in recent weeks as global events have tightened crude oil supplies and local stations adjusted their prices. WBEZ reported that the city average jumped about 17 cents in a single week to roughly $3.51 per gallon. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan told the outlet that prices could climb another 10 to 20 cents as refiners switch over to summer fuel blends.
Wilson cited those same supply shock dynamics when announcing his latest giveaway.
Past giveaways drew long lines
Wilson's gas freebies have never lacked for takers, but they have brought some headaches along with the help. In 2022, ABC7 Chicago documented drivers lining up as early as 2 a.m. at stations like 7201 N. Clark and 2800 S. Kedzie, with gridlock spilling into nearby streets.
Critics and transportation advocates argued that the events strained public safety resources as police and traffic personnel tried to manage the chaos. Streetsblog Chicago and others raised similar concerns, and some suburbs pushed back at the time over worries about disruption.
What to expect on Saturday
If you are planning to join the line this time around, be ready for a wait and for serious traffic near busy stations. Previous giveaways drew people who queued up overnight and clogged surrounding neighborhood streets.
For the full list of participating locations and start times, see WGN-TV. Local police and traffic aides may be on hand at the busiest spots, as municipalities and station owners have coordinated for past events.
