U of I economics professor says state’s economy shows Illinois remains in a tailspin

Posted on June 1, 2020
The Illinois economy continues downward. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A monthly measure of the state’s economic activity shows Illinois remains in a tailspin. The Flash index, compiled by University of Illinois economics professor Fred Giertz, has slipped from 94.2 a month ago to 92.8 today.

Where’s the bottom? When will the economy bounce back?

“It depends on two things: the procreation of the virus itself, if it is going to get worse or have a second set of instances,” said Giertz. “The other thing is, how fast the economy is going to recover, and we really don’t know at this point.”

Giertz uses weighted averages of consumer spending, corporate earnings, and personal income to arrive at his Flash number. February was the highest in years, 105.7. Anything above 100 means growth.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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