2026

Treasurer Frerichs poses with the recipients of Black History Month awards for 2026

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Presents Awards to Downstate Leaders in Honor of Black History Month

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Black History Month and honor leaders in the African American community. The event, held at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office in the Marine Bank Building in downtown Springfield, was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of Black leaders. The eight Downstate Illinois honorees included a Springfield dentist, the CEO and President of the Springfield Urban League, the superintendent of Decatur Public Schools, the mayor of Carbondale, a labor leader from Belleville, the head girls basketball…

Read MoreState Treasurer Michael Frerichs Presents Awards to Downstate Leaders in Honor of Black History Month
a group of men and women dressed in professional clothes standing at a table of memorabilia

Got a Question at 3 a.m.? Abe Can Lend a Hand

Last fall, I had the honor of attending an event for the 150th anniversary of a family-owned business. Oswald’s Pharmacy in Naperville has been in the same family for six generations. At an event marking the milestone, a family member said the business used to be open 365 days a year. He calculated that it was open 22,000 straight days before a later generation finally decided to close on Christmas. That tale of dedication got me thinking about my family. For many years, they operated a dairy farm. Cows don’t…

Read MoreGot a Question at 3 a.m.? Abe Can Lend a Hand
Illinois State Flag featured next to a white Spanish Colonial Revival style building

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Makes $1.5 Billion in Investment Earnings for State Portfolio During 2025

The State Treasurer’s Office made $1.5 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during 2025, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Treasurer Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. He is responsible for investing state revenue in the state investment portfolio . “We are trying to maximize earnings for our state at a time when President Trump is illegally yanking away federal money from Illinois to give his billionaire cronies another tax cut,” Frerichs said. “Every dollar we earn in interest for the people of Illinois…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Makes $1.5 Billion in Investment Earnings for State Portfolio During 2025
Treasurer Frerichs poses with recipients of Black History Month Awards and with Jesse white

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Presents Awards to Chicago Leaders in Honor of Black History Month

CHICAGO – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Black History Month and honor leaders in the African American community. The event, held in the Illinois Room at 555 W. Monroe St., was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of Black leaders. The eight Chicago-area honorees included a MacArthur “genius grant” recipient and artist who cofounded a neighborhood association, the CEO and president of a statewide economic development group, a longtime pastor, a college president, a state senator, a labor leader, a high school…

Read MoreState Treasurer Michael Frerichs Presents Awards to Chicago Leaders in Honor of Black History Month
Treasurer Frerichs gives giant ICash checks to about 5 people

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs Reminds People to Check for Missing Money During National Unclaimed Property Day

National Unclaimed Property Day is this weekend, and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging people to visit the ICash missing money website to see if they have money or other unclaimed property waiting for them. “This Sunday, February 1, is National Unclaimed Property Day, and I hope people will celebrate by checking our ICash website to see if they or any loved ones have missing money to claim,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “If you want to celebrate early, that’s OK, too. The ICash site is available anytime, 24 hours a…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Frerichs Reminds People to Check for Missing Money During National Unclaimed Property Day