SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Attorney General's office has begun investigating the drastically increased prices of road salt in some areas of the state, an issue that could lead to some more slippery roads when winter storms hit.

A handful of cities and groups asked the office for a review, and they hope to have a preliminary answer available at a meeting next week.

Attorney General spokeswoman Natalie Bauer said Monday it's too early to tell why the cost of salt has spiked for some counties, but not for others. And she wouldn't speculate on whether the investigation could lead to legal action.

Moline general manager for municipal services Doug House is among those looking for an answer. Moline's salt prices rose 300 percent over last year. That means, House said, the city won't be buying as much salt to melt snow and ice on roadways.

House plans to attend Monday's meeting with the Attorney General's staff, saying taxpayers should know why some side streets might be less salted this winter.

"The public deserves a plausible explanation," he said.

Rock Island County has also asked the state for some answers, as has several communities in the Chicago area.