2023

Illinois First Steps Program Launched This Year SPRINGFIELD — If you had a baby or adopted this year, don’t forget to open a Bright Start or Bright Directions college savings account and claim your $50 seed deposit from the Illinois First Steps program, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs reminded new parents today. “We launched the Illinois First Steps program this year to help put families on a path to saving early for their child’s education,” Frerichs said. “Saving now means money will be available when your child is ready to attend…

Partnered with Good Morning America and Christkindlmarket for an ABC Missing Money Segment CHICAGO — An early holiday gift surprised The Salvation Army of Illinois and will help thousands of people in need. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned $64,500 in I-CASH missing money to The Salvation Army, the charitable organization with a global reach widely known for its iconic Red Kettle Christmas fundraising campaign. The Salvation Army is the largest non-government provider of social services in the United States. “We place a special emphasis on returning missing money to…

$891 million earned for cities, school districts through Illinois Funds SPRINGFIELD — The State Treasurer’s Office has made more than $1.2 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio in 2023, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. That amount includes the $115 million earned in November. Another $891 million in gross investment earnings was earned for cities, villages, school districts, counties and other units of government that take part in the highly rated Illinois Funds local government investment pool operated by the State Treasurer’s Office. That amount includes $86.6…

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs congratulates Rep. Mike Marron, R-Fithian, on concluding his tenure in the Illinois House of Representatives and wishes him well in his new career as president and CEO of Vermilion Advantage. “I have enjoyed working with Representative Marron during his time in the General Assembly, as I did with Representatives Black and Hays before him. Like them, he tried to be a problem solver,” said Frerichs, who served in the state Senate before becoming State Treasurer. “I’m proud that he and I have been…

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned nearly $47 million in missing money during November, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. The total includes more than $45.9 million in cash and interest and more than $1 million in stock value. All told, 81,906 claims were paid in November. “Returning missing money is even more special during the holiday season,” Frerichs said. “Putting money into people’s hands will help them during the holidays and make the season a little brighter.” Illinois’ missing money program — also known as I-CASH…