BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

J. FRED GIERTZ

J. Fred Giertz is a professor and head of the Department of Economics and member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He has been at the University of Illinois since 1980. He received his Ph. D. in economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 1970. 

Professor Giertz's major research interests are in the areas of public finance, public choice, 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 variety of different governments, firms, and other organizations on tax and economic development issues.  

Professor Giertz follows general macroeconomic issues, especially as they impact Illinois. He also 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.

Professor 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.

Giertz can be reached at the following address:

J. Fred Giertz

Institute of Government and Public Affairs

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

1007 West Nevada Street

Urbana, Illinois  61801 

Direct office number and messages: (217) 244-4822

General IGPA number:  (217) 333-3340

IGPA FAX: (217) 244-4817

e-mail:  jgiertz@uiuc.edu