Illinois economic index hits high in April

URBANA — An index of the state’s economy maintained by the University of Illinois reached its second-highest point last month since the recession.

The university’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs said Friday that its Flash Index hit 107.1 in April. The only higher reading since the recession started in 2007 was 107.2 in January 2014.

The monthly index uses corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income to gauge the state’s economy. Any reading of more than 100 indicates growth while a figure below 100 shows contraction.

Economist Fred Giertz compiles the index. He said in a news release that many economic indicators are mixed right now, but added lower energy prices have helped the economy over the year’s first few months.