2023

Businesses with 5-15 employees must act by Nov. 1 SPRINGFIELD — Nearly 129,000 Illinois workers already are saving for retirement courtesy of the Illinois Secure Choice program, and now a key deadline is approaching for small employers to help even more employees do the same. Under state law, businesses that had between 5 and 15 employees last year have until Nov. 1, 2023 to help their workers access a retirement savings option by either signing up for Illinois Secure Choice or offering a private retirement plan. “There is a growing…

$91.7 million earned for cities, school districts through Illinois Funds SPRINGFIELD — The State Treasurer’s Office made a record $124.6 million in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio in August, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Another $91.7 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. “Every dollar we make through smart, safe investing is a dollar that does not…

SPRINGFIELD — I had the privilege of knowing and working with Bill Black and the honor to call him a friend. My heart goes out to Sharon and all of Bill’s family on his passing. I was blessed to have Bill as a mentor when I was elected to the State Senate. The Republican Representative from Danville and the Democratic Senator from Champaign were able to get a lot done for our constituents in Champaign and Vermillion counties. Bill was a loyal Republican, who frequently served as a floor leader…

Unclaimed Property Live Auction Generated Record Results SPRINGFIELD — State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today that almost $800,000 in unclaimed property –more than $515,000 in cash payments and $273,000 in stock value –are on the way to the rightful owners because of his office’s outreach efforts at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs. “This level of success reflects the hard work we do in my office,” Frerichs said. “A key part of my job as Treasurer is to do whatever we can to return unclaimed property to the proper owners…

New law requires Illinois public schools to share information in Individualized Education Plan packets SPRINGFIELD — As students head back to school, parents of children with Individualized Education Plans will receive information about a State Treasurer’s Office program that helps families save money for disability-related expenses. For the first time, Illinois school districts are required by law to include material about the Illinois ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program as part of a student’s IEP review meeting. “We want more families to be aware of an important program that…