WASHINGTON (25News Now) – Despite peace talks and ceasefires, the war between the U.S. and Israel with Iran is still ongoing. Americans are feeling the impact through rising costs at home.
From gas to groceries, to fertilizer costs for farmers, some Central Illinois representatives said the conflict in Iran is impacting prices here.
Members of Congress from the area agreed national security comes with a cost, but remained divided on how the war is being handled and do not see an end to the war soon.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), said the closing of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up global oil prices, including here in Illinois.
She said families are feeling the impact when they fill up their vehicles to take their children to school, and commuters who use public transportation may see rising costs in their fares.
Duckworth said farmers are also hurting because of an increase in diesel prices, which have more than doubled since the war in Iran began in late February.
“And what's important about that, you're like, why do I care about gas prices for farmers? Well, you and I are gonna care about it, because it's planting season right now, and everything that they need is more expensive,†said Duckworth.
“So that come harvest time, come this fall, even if Trump ends his war of choice today, were gonna see increased prices for groceries at the grocery store in the fall because of what he did this spring.â€
Duckworth blamed the Trump Administration for the rising costs and said the president does not have a clear plan for the conflict.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, gasoline prices are up more than 28% compared with a year ago, while the consumer price index rose 3.8% since April 2025.
During a visit to Normal, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), also criticized the Trump Administration's approach to the conflict in Iran, pointing to the U.S. exit from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.
“He'll be lucky to get us back into a position in the future where we would return to the standards,†said Durbin.
“I don't want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, but I certainly look at what's happening in the Middle East and other countries involved- and I don't think we should have done this the way that we did.â€
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said any long-term peace agreement must include the removal of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) said the conflict has led to higher energy costs, but argues the U.S. response is necessary for national security and stability in the region.
“What we've done to Iran is going to be better for the U.S., it's going to be better for the Middle East, it's going to be better for the world in terms of taking out their nuclear capabilities, taking out their hyper sonic abilities, taking out their ballistic missiles, taking out their navy,†said LaHood.
LaHood says lowering costs will require continued negotiations with Iran, re-opening the Strait of Hormuz and passing the year-round E15 fuel bill in the senate.
“Is there consequences to that in terms of energy prices? Of course there is and were seeing that, and I don't like high energy prices- it's costing our farmers, it's costing our farmers more for fertilizer, for diesel fuel, for filling up your car, or your minivan- and that's unfortunate,†said LaHood.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Moline), said the Trump Administration still has not provided a clear strategy for ending the conflict.
“We're seeing what's happening with the price of groceries, people getting priced out of healthcare, and now gas is nearing $5 a gallon in Central Illinois?†said Sorensen.
“That's not appropriate. and we're not just going to allow it to happen. So, show me how that is going to end, show me your plan for ending the war in Iran.â€
As of Wednesday, the U.S. and Iran have not reached a peace agreement.
Although a final agreement has not been reached, Iran is reviewing the latest U.S. proposal to end the nearly three-month conflict. President Trump said he expects a response within the next few days.
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