Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Flash Index of Illinois economy up slightly in December, latest data show

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The University of Illinois Flash Economic Index rose slightly in December to 106.6 from its 106.4 level in November.

The Index has remained in a tight range (from 106.4 to 106.9) since last June, which indicates that the state economy is growing at a moderate to strong rate, J. Fred Giertz, the University of Illinois economist who released the data, said today.

Despite a number of concerns in 2005, including high oil prices and the loss of manufacturing jobs, the Illinois economy performed well, operating well above the 100 mark, the dividing line between economic growth and contraction, during the year.

For December, corporate tax receipts were up strongly in “real” (inflation-adjusted) terms compared with December 2004. Individual income-tax receipts were virtually unchanged, while sales-tax receipts were down slightly.

The Flash Index is a weighted average of state growth rates in consumer spending, corporate earnings and personal income. Tax receipts from corporate income, retail sales and personal income 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 Dec. 31.

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