STORY: Motorists lined up outside a Chicago gas station Saturday (April 4) morning as part of a promotional gas giveaway initiative announced by local philanthropist Willie Wilson, providing relief from surging fuel prices.

The event, which began at 7 a.m on a first-come, first-served basis, offered $35 worth of free gasoline to each participant.

"The gas prices are horrific," said Rick Bartow, a Chicago resident waiting in the queue of cars. "So we see that they're giving free gas. We've been waiting here for about an hour and a half."

Another Chicago resident, identified only as Tom, expressed his frustration at current fuel costs. "Oh, the price is terrible. It's terrible. Trump was supposed to get down the prices and everything, but he jacked them up and it's terrible,” he said.

Fellow resident Smith expressed frustration and said the prices were overwhelming. "We blame Trump for this," he said while waiting in line.

Wilson has organised similar giveaways in the past, which have reportedly created extensive traffic jams in affected areas, highlighting the demand for relief from rising prices.

The U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, entering its second month, has driven up global oil prices by more than 50%, and boosting domestic gasoline prices.

Just 36% of Americans approve of Trump's overall job performance, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos survey, the lowest figure of his current term. The war with Iran is particularly unpopular, with 60% of respondents disapproving of the U.S.-Israeli decision to start the conflict.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (APRIL 4, 2026) (STRINGR.COM - Access All)

1. CARS PUMPING FUEL AT GAS STATION

2. FUEL PRICES DISPLAYED ON BOARD AT GAS STATION

3. POLICE CAR PARKED AT GAS STATION

4. CARS IN QUEUE FOR FREE GAS GIVEAWAY

5. CAR PULLING UP AT FUEL PUMP

6. PERSON HOLDING "GAS GIVEAWAY" COUPON

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHICAGO RESIDENT, RICK BARTOW, SAYING:

"The gas prices are horrific. So we see that they're giving free gas. We've been waiting here for about an hour and a half. Not too bad. Things are rolling, so we're kind of happy. So God bless."

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHICAGO RESIDENT, SMITH, SAYING:

"I hate it. You know what I'm saying? They need to do something about it. It's just overwhelming. You know what I'm saying? Church!"

(REPORTER OFF-CAMERA: "Who can we blame for this?")

"We blame Trump for this."

9. CARS WAITING IN QUEUE FOR FREE GAS GIVEAWAY

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHICAGO RESIDENT, TOM (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"Oh, the price is terrible. It's terrible. Trump was supposed to get down the prices and everything, but he jacked them up and it's terrible. I don't know when they're going to come down, but hopefully they'll come down one of these days and soon enough because it's hurting us, you know. We drive a lot of trucks and everything and our cars and everything and what happens is we don't have... We don't have enough money. You know, we got to charge the customers more money and that's bad. They don't want to pay."

11. CUSTOMER SELECTING FUEL AT PUMP

12. NOZZLE INSERTED INTO CAR FUEL TANK

13. DISPLAY INDICATING PRICE OF FUEL

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHICAGO RESIDENT, RENE HERRERA, SAYING:

"I mean, it's high. It's been the highest it's been in a minute, you know, but I mean, luckily someone's doing something right now, you know."

(REPORTER OFF-CAMERA: "Who can we blame for the price?")

"Who else? I don't want to say any names, but you know."

15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHICAGO RESIDENT, JENNA GUNA, SAYING:

"I've been waiting in this line for at least like three hours. And I just want everyone to know that people are really good out there and there will definitely be good things and I just want everyone to share the love."

16. WOMAN PUMPING FUEL

17. DISPLAY INDICATING PRICE OF FUEL

18. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHICAGO RESIDENT, EMIL SABADO, SAYING:

"I'm at the Dr. Wilson free gas giveaway this Saturday morning. We're going to start at 7 a.m. and hopefully it'll run an hour and a half, maybe two hours. We're expecting over a hundred cars to participate. Dr. Wilson's giving away $35 of gas for each car. And right now we have a really long line of cars waiting. And so hopefully the rain stops and we'll have a good outing."

19. PERSON HOLDING "GAS GIVEAWAY" COUPONS

20. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GAS STATION EMPLOYEE, ERICA DUARTE, SAYING:

"We're doing the Dr. Wilson's free gas giveaway of $35 each car. We're expecting about 100 or more cars. We've been having customers since 3 a.m. We'll see how it goes, even this rain is not stopping them and wish us good luck."

21. VARIOUS OF CARS WAITING IN LINE