J. Fred Giertz

J. Fred Giertz has been on the faculty of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois and professor in the UIUC Department of Economics since 1980. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Northwestern University in 1970.

Giertz's major research interests are in the areas of public finance and regional economic development. He specializes in state and local taxation and expenditure analysis and in regional economic development issues. "I follow the Illinois state economy very closely, and compare it to the national economy," Giertz said.

He has consulted with a number of state agencies and writes frequently on the Illinois budget and general economic issues in publications such as State Tax Notes and the Central Illinois Business Magazine and compiles the U of I Flash Index, a monthly indicator of the Illinois economy. Several recent articles have appeared in the National Tax Journal.

Giertz served 10 years (1995-2005) as a member of the board of trustees of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS), including terms as chair the board's investment committee. The board oversees the $14.0 billion retirement fund for Illinois public university and college employees. Since 2000, he has served as the Executive Director of the National Tax Association, a 1,200 member organization of tax professionals located in Washington, D. C.

Dr. Giertz was drawn to IGPA by the combination of research and public policy. "This is a very good range for that to happen," he says. "I feel the Institute is very important as an aspect of outreach from the university to the people of the state of Illinois," says Giertz.

Institute of Government and Public Affairs
University of Illinois
1007 W. Nevada
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-333-3340