2021

SPRINGFIELD — Tens of thousands of letters informing Illinois residents that they have unclaimed cash or property ready to claim are hitting mailboxes this month, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. “Our office uses many methods, including U.S. mail, events, and print and digital advertising, to connect unclaimed cash and property with its rightful owners,” Frerichs said. “We are proud to say that we have returned more than $1.2 billion in unclaimed property in the past five years, but there are billions more available to claim.” Frerichs said 25,715…

CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs intensified his call for all companies in the Russell 3000 index to disclose racial, ethnic and gender data for their board of directors. According to Frerichs, publicly reporting the demographics of board directors by race, ethnicity and gender provides valuable information for shareowners to better assess board effectiveness and company performance. “Insular corporate boards make too many decisions in an echo chamber and miss opportunities for growth and leadership,” Frerichs said. “Providing racial, ethnic and gender data for all board directors will allow…

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today reminded small non-profit organizations in Illinois that the current application cycle for up to $20,000 each in Charitable Trust grant funding ends Sept. 30. The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund will accept applications through Sept. 30 to assist organizations with annual budgets of $1 million or less that support individuals with food, housing, workforce, and economic programs. A total of $200,000 is available in this grant cycle. Visit ilcharitabletrust.com to complete an application online or contact the treasurer’s office at (217) 836-4590. “This…

9/17/21 – Pontiac, IL – On Thursday, September 16, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs visited Special Olympics Illinois athletes Brandy Stowers and Brian Antczak, who compete with Team AIR Pontiac in Pontiac, IL. During his surprise visit, Treasurer Frerichs revealed to the two athletes that they would be a part of Team Illinois, a group of athletes, coaches, and Unified Partners that will represent Special Olympics Illinois at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games next June in Orlando, FL. Brandy and Brian also learned that the IL ABLE Program will…

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced another program management fee reduction for all Bright Start 529 college savers – the third reduction in five years. Effective July 3, 2021, Bright Start dropped its program management fee – the fee charged by Union Bank & Trust, the program manager for Bright Start – from 0.075% to 0.07%, a reduction that will save college savers a combined $500,000 every year. The lower fees will help every Bright Start investor save for college at a lower cost. “Six years after…