Hundreds line up to fill tank for $1.99 at Hermosa Shell station

Alyssa Gonzalez waited more than two hours in line to fill up her tank, drawn by gas prices so low they haven’t been seen in the Chicago area in years.

Gonzalez was one of hundreds who lined up at an Hermosa Shell gas station on Tuesday morning to fill their tanks for $1.99 a gallon.

“I recently lost my job, but I still need to to drive my kids around,” said the 29-year-old mom of three. “I can breathe a little now.”

The gas station at 4357 W. Belmont Ave. partnered with T-Mobile for a promotional event aimed at helping drivers save money as gas prices have soared in recent months. Gas prices in Chicago have jumped to over $5 a gallon for the first time in four years.

Gonzalez, of suburban River Grove, said she typically spends nearly $50 each week to fill her gas tank. Thanks to Tuesday’s promotion, she paid nearly half of what she normally would.

Rupert Medina who lives two blocks away from the gas station said the wait “was worth it.” The 67-year-old is retired and said the deal provided relief, even if only temporarily.

“I’m on a fixed income so this helps,” said Medina. “People want to travel or do other things but you can’t because everything is so expensive. Inflation is killing us.”

Medina spent $18 for nine gallons of gas.

Danny Cordero, also of Hermosa, took a break from work to wait in line. He said the hour and a half wait was worth “saving some money.”

Cordero, who spent $14 on 7 gallons of gas, said he wished he would have driven in on an empty tank but was still grateful to save some money.

“What I saved today means I can spend that on lunch for my kids,” said Cordero, 30.

As of 11 a.m., the station still had gas.

The one-day event would be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or until the gas runs out.