Midwest Economy Features

Information about the Seventh Federal Reserve District states—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. Economic indicators, articles on Midwest issues, and information about conferences and projects.

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Bill Testa on the Midwest Economy

Research Vice President Bill Testa and special guest commentators offer unique perspectives on the Midwest economy through this blog.

Recently, experts at a symposium held at our Detroit Branch delved into the problems of the auto industry. In the most recent posting, guest blogger Thomas Klier discusses how vehicles might be designed to meet the 2011 corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) standards.

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Should the Federal Government Bail Out the States?

In the most recent Chicago Fed Letter, Rick Mattoon takes a look at the challenges for state governments in balancing their budgets. He considers what role the federal government can play, in comparison to their effors in past recessions.

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Midwest Manufacturing Output Declined in May

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) was down 3.1% in May, to a seasonally adjusted level of 78.2 (2002 = 100).

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May Employment for States & 2008 Real Output Released

Check out our data page to see the most recent employment and unemployment numbers. Most recently released are the employment numbers for May. Real output for 2008 is now available as well. You can check out our interactive charts to what's happening in the U.S. and in the states. Or, you can take a look at your industry and compare it to others.

Solid Growth Ahead in 2010 Say Analysts

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosted its Sixteenth Annual Automotive Outlook Symposium on June 4–5 at the Fed's Detroit Branch Office. Experts from various segments of the economy shared their thoughts on the current state and the future for autos and the economy. A press release with their consensus outlook is now available. We also have a number of presentations from the symposium on our website that offer the views of individual experts.

Michigan Retail Sales Inch up in May

The Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, resulted in a seasonally adjusted performance index of 35.2 for May, up from 32.8 in April. Looking ahead, the seasonally adjusted outlook index is 45.6, down from 52.2 in April.

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Farmland Values Drop in First Quarter

According to David Oppedahl in the latest AgLetter, there was a 6 percent quarterly decrease in Seventh District farmland in the first quarter of 2009. The year-over-year increase in the value of "good" agricultural land for the District was only 2 percent.

Last updated: July 1, 2009