Illinois’ economy measured at 104-point-6 on the Flash Index for February. The monthly economic gauge from the University of Illinois rose one-fifth of a point from the previous month.
Economist Fred Giertz says the Flash Index is at its highest level since last May.
“The Illinois economy is doing very well, especially compared to years ago, when we had the recession and major slow-down. But we’re not doing as well as the rest of the country.”
For instance, Giertz says Illinois’ unemployment rate of 4-point-9 percent is very low for the state --- but still higher than the national unemployment rate of 4-point-1 percent.
The Flash Index is based on state sales, corporate and individual income tax receipts. All of those were up in February, compared to a year ago.