Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Flash Index of Illinois economy down in September

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In a surprising development, the University of Illinois Flash Economic Index dropped in September, indicating no apparent pickup in the Illinois economy.

The September reading of 96.2 – down from 96.7 in August – is at odds with generally positive signs about the national economy. This was the lowest Index reading since last April.

“While the September downturn may be an aberration since one month is never significant by itself, the information is disquieting,” said J. Fred Giertz, the University of Illinois economist who released the Flash reading today.

“It seems that every time the economy is poised for a break out of its recent slow recovery mode, it stumbles,” Giertz said. “Time will tell whether this is a minor stumble or a more serious spill.”

The Index has been below 100, the break-even mark between economic growth and contraction, since May 2001.

Sales-tax receipts in Illinois were up from September a year ago, but individual and corporate income taxes were both down.

The Flash Index is a weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income. Tax receipts from corporate income, personal income and retail sales are adjusted for inflation before growth rates are calculated. The growth rate for each component is then calculated for the 12-month period using data through Sept. 30.

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010