2020

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today reminded small non-profit organizations that provide food and housing assistance to apply for funding through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program. “Applications are rolling in, but we want to make sure all eligible non-profits have a chance to apply for this grant funding,” Frerichs said. “We want to do our part to help provide the resources for these non- profits to do what they do best, help people, especially during these tough economic times.” The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund assists small non-profits with…

Los Angeles — September 3, 2020 – The Milken Institute today released a new report finding that a significant number of student loan borrowers have been left in worse financial condition than before they enrolled. Published in collaboration with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, the report uses Illinois as a case study to examine the state of higher education across the country and offers a series of financing options to address this trend. “Nearly 45 million student loan borrowers owe on average $32,721, for a total of $1.56 trillion,” explained…

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the winners of the 2020 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. The annual contest encourages young photographers to explore and take photos that share their vision of agriculture in our state. “Illinois is a proud leader in agriculture serving people all around the world,” Frerichs said. “Thank you to all the children and young adults who participated in this contest, giving us a glimpse of Illinois farms, animals, and rich culture through your eyes.” Winning photo entries can be viewed here.…

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Midwest Investor Diversity Initiative (“MIDI”), a 14-member alliance of institutional investors with more than $810 billion in assets under management and advisement, reported progress today on its efforts to increase board diversity at Midwest- based companies. During the 2019-2020 engagement season, MIDI engaged 12 companies, six of which committed to adopt diverse director policies and two appointed women board directors. MIDI focuses on board diversity by identifying companies that met the following three criteria: lack of racial or ethnic directors, lag peers on gender diversity, and…

SPRINGFIELD — A record-shattering $1 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Illinoisans and their families in the past five years, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. It is the most that has been returned in any five-year period in the program’s 58-year history. “Government needs to work smarter. The numbers show our improvements to the unclaimed property program created a faster, better, and more efficient service,” Frerichs said. Unclaimed property refers to property or accounts within financial institutions or companies in which there typically has been no…