WBGZ Radio 2/5/2021 | By Kevin Bessler - Illinois Radio Network The Illinois economy continued its slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in January. The University of Illinois Flash Index rose to 96.3 from its 95.9 level in December. This is well below the pre-COVID-19 level, but the highest score since March 2020. The report said January results suggest only modest gains for the economy because of the resurgence of the virus and mandated closures. The author of the index, economist Fred Giertz from the U of I’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs, said all three components of tax receipts used in his analysis – personal income, sales and corporate taxes – were higher in January, after adjusting for inflation.