Willie Wilson's $1 million gas giveaway proves more organized than last week's chaotic effort
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Long lines of cars turned out Thursday morning across the city and suburbs, as businessman and philanthropist Dr. Willie Wilson gave away $1 million of free gas at more than 40 stations.
The giveaway started at 7 a.m., and wrapped up at 11 a.m., with more than 400 cars able to fill up their pumps with up to $50 of gas at each of the participating stations -- including 20 in the city and 28 in the suburbs.
Tickets were handed out to cars at each station to avoid having people cut the line, and each station was assigned one entry point and one exit point to help minimize traffic disruptions.
In the North Center neighborhood, many cars parked, waiting for the giveaway a few hours early, despite pleas from Wilson and other organizers not to line up any earlier than 6 a.m.
In south suburban Harvey, Jerry Walls was second in line when he showed up at 3:30 a.m.
"I knew this was going to happen. I knew it was going to be like this because people are hurting, they need it, they need this help," he said. "I'm on a fixed income. It'll help me more than probably some of the younger people. But, like I said, it was a decent gesture, and I like it."
Carrie Bardwell showed up an hour and a half after Walls and was number 24 in line. She said it has cost her a lot of money to fill up her large SUV in recent weeks, with gas prices well above $4 per gallon across the Chicago area.
"It's like $100. I am so thankful and I am so blessed. We all are and I just want to thank the person that's donated all of this gasoline to people that need it," she said.
At the last gas giveaway in Chicago on Thursday, March 17 – at which Wilson gave $200,000 worth of gas away – the lines of cars waiting created a chaotic scene.
The sheer number of cars that waited in line for hours caused aldermen to complain it was preventing kids in the area from getting to school and even ambulances from getting through.
Today's giveaway was much different, and more organized, thanks to plans in place both in the city of Chicago and the suburbs.
The goal was to keep traffic moving, and gas pumps flowing, a feat that wouldn't be possible without volunteers like Glenn Scott.
"We out here, having a nice time giving back to the community," he said.
A community that's overwhelmed with gratitude thanks to one man's generous gesture.
Safety measures in the city and suburbs were put in place to prevent the same chaos of the first giveaway, with Wilson and his team making sure they had improved coordination with local police at each gas station.
Suburbs reported long lines and traffic congestion. Evanston police reported long lines just before 5:45 a.m.
Rosemont Public Safety is warning residents of "heavy traffic" at River and Higgins roads due to the giveaway at the Mobil gas station.
Oak Lawn prepared with street closures. Oak Lawn police confirmed 109th and 110th streets will be closed at Pulaski Road and Keeler Avenue and Tripp Ave will be closed at 111th Street.
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications issued the following full list guidelines:
- There will be one entry and exit point at each station with 12-15 volunteers from Dr. Wilson's staff along with a site leader providing direction.
- Locations will close normal operations at 6:30 a.m. to prepare for the event.
- Motorists are advised to line up no more than 30 minutes prior to the event start at 7 a.m. Instructions for lining up will be provided at each site.
- Each vehicle will receive a sticker indicating position in line. Note: vehicles will not be allowed to line-up overnight, and all must have a sticker in order to receive the free gas.
- Each station will be allotted $50 per car and can expect up to 400 cars per location. Estimated time is 4-5 hours. Note: this could differ per station.
- 2 Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at each location to assist with flow and impacts from heavy traffic.
- CPD will also assist TCAs at each location within the district it's located to ensure public safety and the free flow of traffic.
- No gas cans or other containers allowed.
