UI Flash Index Rises but Still Puts IL in Recession Category

The author of the University of Illinois' Flash Economic Index says any noticeable recovery in unemployment may happen well after the statistics point to economic recovery.

In November the index measured 91, sell below the threshold for economic growth, but it's improved one whole percentage point in the last two months.

But U of I economist Fred Giertz says the state may not have seen its highest unemployment rate in the current recession just yet. Giertz says unemployment often lags behind economic improvement.