State's economy continues to see steady growth

A University of Illinois index that tracks the state's economy indicates steady growth since early this year.
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the university said Monday that its Flash Index was at 106.6 in November. Any reading over 100 indicates economic growth and the index has been in the 106-107 range since February.
Institute economist Fred Giertzalso pointed to strong improvement in the state's unemployment rate as a sign the economy is growing. The jobless rate was 6.6 percent in October. That's down from 9.1 percent a year earlier.
The institute releases the Flash Index every month. It uses corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income to track Illinois' economy.