News Releases from November 2026

Treasurer Frerichs speaks alongside others about the relaunched Able UP program

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces Lower Fees for Able UP Accounts, Formerly Illinois ABLE

Archived video to be posted here : Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced lower fees, a new mobile app, updated investment options and improved online tools for Able UP accounts , the disability savings program formerly known as Illinois ABLE . Able UP is an ABLE savings account program for eligible people with disabilities and qualifying medical conditions. Although administered by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, people nationwide can open an Able UP account; residency in Illinois is not required. “Every day, I am asked what I can…

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Disabled student in classroom.

How to Claim an Able UP Account

For Account Owners/Beneficiaries and Authorized Legal Representatives It’s official! All IL ABLE accounts have transitioned to the new Able UP account management platform, powered by Vestwell. Account owners and authorized legal representatives (previously called Authorized Individuals) can now retrieve their account on the new Able UP portal. Follow these steps to access your Able UP account. How to claim your account: Explore Your Able UP Account Dashboard Now that you’ve accessed your account, you can explore your new dashboard. Check that your information is up to date. You can also…

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Treasurer Frerichs smiles as he speaks from a podium. Backdrop has the Bright Start logo

Treasurer Frerichs Clinches 8th Gold Rating For Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan

CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced that the Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan has earned its eighth Gold rating from independent investment analyst Morningstar, once again placing Illinois’ direct-sold college savings plan among the best in the nation. Bright Start 529 is one of only nine Gold-rated 529 college savings plans in the country. “For the eighth time under my watch, Morningstar has recognized Bright Start 529 as one of the nation’s best college savings plans,” Frerichs said. “That independent recognition confirms what Illinois families deserve:…

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Welcome to Able UP!

The IL ABLE program is now called Able UP If you had an IL ABLE account, it is now an Able UP account. Accounts in Able UP help people with disabilities and qualifying medical conditions live a life of Unlimited Possibilities and Unlimited Potential: now you can Able UP for today, tomorrow, and your future. Able UP offers more than a new name and a new website for the Illinois ABLE program. Able UP gives you: Some things will stay the same. Able UP accounts continue to offer tax advantages. Earnings…

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cats as pets

What My Cats Taught Me About Independence

My video about returning more than $28,000 in missing money to an animal shelter generated a lot of discussion.     I heard from many dog owners about their adoption stories and the animals that quickly became a part of their families.     I also heard from a few cat lovers asking why I didn’t more prominently showcase their feline friends.     First, we returned the money on National Dog Day, so it made sense to focus on canines.     Second, I have no anti-feline bias. True,…

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