Volunteer Marissa Medina pumps gas at a BP station at Irving Park Road and Western Avenue during a giveaway, March 24, 2022. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

In a repeat of last week’s giveaway, thousands of motorists lined up at gas stations across Chicago on Thursday morning for free fill-ups courtesy of businessman and sometime political candidate Willie Wilson. This time, the city was better prepared.

With Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Chicago Police Department directing traffic flow, the scene appeared to play out far less chaotically than the initial free for all last week.

Early Thursday, Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward) was eyeing the situation at the BP station at Irving Park Road and Western Avenue, one of the sites chosen for the giveaway. This week’s effort was increased to a total of $1 million, at $50 per car. Though Martin said he hadn’t been confident Wilson’s team would deliver on its promise of a more orderly process, he acknowledged that things appeared to be moving smoothly at the station.

“My phone isn’t blowing up” with complaints, Martin said, which he took as a good sign.

Police officers were stationed at intersections on Western Avenue to keep them from being blocked, and officers were also positioned on side streets to keep cut-through traffic from snarling neighborhoods, particularly around schools.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., police cut off the line, which by then stretched south of Addison Street. “All done. All over. No more gas,” officers announced once the cap of 400 cars had been reached.

Back at the BP, volunteers worked two pumps at a time. Drivers told WTTW News they had waited two to three hours for the freebie.

“This 50 bucks helps me a lot,” said Jose, who opted not to give his last name, having called in late to work.

“It’s worth it to me,” echoed retiree William Anthony, who’d been in line since 6:30 a.m. “Every bit helps out a little.”

Though there has been backlash from some about the traffic jams and use of city resources to manage the lines, as well as environmental concerns related to so many vehicles idling for hours, Wilson told WGN News he might consider another giveaway.

The line of cars waiting for free gas, March 24, 2022, on Western Avenue, stretching from Irving Park Road south past Addison Street. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

As part of improved logistics, motorists were funneled to a single entrance and exit. Police officers help direct traffic and kept intersections from being blocked. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Efficiency at the pumps: Volunteers filled two cars at once to keep the line moving. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]