J. Fred Giertz
J. Fred Giertz
Professor Emeritus
Department of Economics
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
J. Fred 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. 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. Giertz compiles the U of I Flash Index, a monthly indicator of the Illinois economy. Several recent articles have appeared in the National Tax Journal.
Associated IGPA Projects
Former Experience
Giertz served as Executive Director from 2000-2014 of the National Tax Association, a 1,200 member organization of tax professionals located in Washington, DC. Giertz served as interim director of IGPA twice, most recently during the 2012-13 academic year.
Professional Appointments
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 $18.0 billion retirement fund for Illinois public university and college employees.
Education
PhD: Northwestern University, 1970
IGPA Research By J. Fred Giertz
October 1, 2020U of I Flash Index continues to climb, but remains below pre-pandemic level
September 1, 2020Flash Index continues gradual comeback but remains below growth level
August 3, 2020 Flash Index continues slow recovery from COVID-19 crash
July 1, 2020Flash Index makes first increase since COVID-19 triggered an economic downturn
June 1, 2020Flash Index decline slows in May, after crash spurred by COVID-19 pandemic
May 1, 2020COVID-19 pandemic brings Flash Index crashing down from February high
April 1, 2020U of I Flash Index falls victim to the coronavirus shutdown
March 2, 2020 U of I Flash Index up in February
February 3, 2020U of I Flash Index down after year-end increase
January 2, 2020U of I Flash Index up at the end of 2019
December 2, 2019U of I Flash Index up in November
November 1, 2019U of I Flash Index drops slightly in October after unexpected spike
October 1, 2019U of I Flash Index makes unexpected increase in September
September 3, 2019U of I Flash Index at lowest level so far in 2019
August 1, 2019U of I Flash Index up in July
July 1, 2019U of I Flash Index falls in June
June 3, 2019 U of I Flash Index falls in May
May 1, 2019Flash Index up to 105.6 in April
April 1, 2019U of I Flash Index up in March
March 1, 2019U of I Flash Index slips slightly for second straight month
February 1, 2019U of I Flash Index ticks down in January
January 2, 2019U of I Flash Index rises again in December
December 3, 2018U of I Flash Index up in November; reaches May 2016 high
November 1, 2018U of I Flash Index holds steady in October
October 1, 2018Flash Index continues upward climb
September 4, 2018U of I Flash Index reaches highest level since May 2016
August 1, 2018U of I Flash Index back to 104.9 in July
July 2, 2018U of I Flash Index dips to 104.8 in June
June 1, 2018U of I Flash Index climbs to 104.9 in May
April 2, 2018Illinois economic growth remains stable; Flash Index off slightly in March
March 1, 2018U of I Flash Index up to 104.6 in February
February 5, 2018U of I Flash Index climbs to 104.4 for January
January 2, 2018U of I Flash Index ticks down slightly in December
December 1, 2017U of I Flash Index climb to 104.2 in November
November 1, 2017U of I Flash Index dips to 5-year low
October 2, 2017U of I Flash Index slips in September
September 1, 2017U of I Flash Index climbs in August
August 1, 2017University of Illinois Flash Index dips in July
July 3, 2017U of I Flash Index retreats in June
June 1, 2017U of I Flash Index reaches highest level in nine months
May 1, 2017Flash Index remains in narrow growth range for April
April 3, 2017U of I Flash Index rebounds in March
March 1, 2017Flash Index slips to 104.1 in February
February 1, 2017U of I Flash Index up for second consecutive month
January 3, 2017U of I Flash Index rises in December
December 1, 2016U of I Flash Index falls in November
November 1, 2016U of I Flash Index falls for second consecutive month
October 3, 2016Flash Index: September 2016
September 1, 2016Flash Index: August 2016
August 1, 2016Flash Index: July 2016
July 1, 2016Flash Index: June 2016
June 1, 2016Flash Index: May 2016
May 2, 2016Flash Index: April 2016
April 1, 2016Flash Index: March 2016
March 1, 2016Flash Index: February 2016
February 1, 2016Flash Index: January 2016
February 20, 2014The Illinois Report 2014
February 20, 2014Can slow and steady win the race?
February 18, 2014The sales tax
February 18, 2014The "do nothing" option
February 20, 2013The Illinois Report 2013
February 3, 2012The painfully slow recovery continues
February 3, 2012The Illinois Report 2012
April 8, 2011Public pensions in Illinois
January 20, 2011The Illinois Report 2011
January 20, 2010Illinois and the national economy in 2010
January 20, 2010The Illinois Report 2010
January 21, 2009The national economic crisis and the Illinois economy
January 21, 2009The Illinois Report 2009