The quarterly business and economic indicator Summary Index for the Peoria-Pekin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA; Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark and Marshall counties) rose for a second consecutive quarter, with a 0.5% increase since the fourth quarter of 2013, reaching 96.7 in the first quarter of 2014.

The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) reviews over 30 diverse business indicators in its quarterly assessments. The CBER computes its quarterly Summary Index of key local business and economic indicators for the Peoria-Pekin MSA to reflect business activity in the MSA on a seasonally adjusted basis, with an index score of 100 corresponding to the local business conditions found locally in the first quarter of 2000, following the national economic expansion of the previous decade. The present national economic expansion began after the national recession of December 2007- June 2009.  Impact of the national recession was evident locally in the Summary Index that reached its cyclical low of 93.2 in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The CBER is housed in the Foster College of Business of Bradley University and has compiled a local business and economic data base since 1991. The Peoria Journal Star funds maintenance of this business indicator database.  Data reported are adjusted for normal seasonal variation, other than sales figures of Peoria-Pekin MSA retail sales and Peoria-Pekin MSA number homes sold.