Joliet resident can’t downsize or stop driving
JOLIET — Artis Thompson has limited options regarding the vehicle she drives. She says her minivan is a necessity, even though gas prices remain well above last year's levels.
Thompson's daughter has cerebral palsy, and the family needs a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
(Liz Wilkinson Allen/Staff photographer)
"I had to get this van to transport her. Otherwise I would have purchased a smaller car," Thompson said while pumping gas on West Jefferson Street.
Gas prices have exceeded $4 a gallon during this election year, and are still well more than $3 as the Nov. 4 presidential election approaches.
Given these economic pressures at the gas pump, who is the best choice for Thompson on Election Day?
"I believe the Democratic Party would be — because we've given the Republicans eight years to solve the problem, and they haven't," said Thompson, of Joliet.
Gas prices have fallen recently — one of the only positives of a troubled economy. Nevertheless, 2008 has been a difficult year for Thompson.
"At the beginning of the year, I could fill my tank up and run all the week off of $30, and now it's up to $45 or more, and I can't fill it up," she said of her large white minivan.
