I enjoy driving through downstate Illinois this time of year when farmers are planting in the fields. It means spring has arrived and reminds me of riding on my grandfather’s tractor as a kid. It gives me a sense of optimism. Farming is an annual gamble. A lot of time and money goes into putting a crop in the field. There could be a drought, or a flood, or tariffs could drive down the price of corn and soybeans, and…
In my last note, I wrote to you about running track, and some people asked if I did the “field” part of track and field. The short answer: Yes, but there was room for improvement. I think I was the tallest fifth grader when I went out for the track team. I had long arms. My dad was tall, and his dad was tall. Coach knew this and decided I should throw discus. Sure, I was skinny, but his logic…
Top Winners Will Receive $1,000 Bright Start College Savings Scholarships Key Points: Young people ages 8 to 18 are eligible for the photo contest, which focuses on Illinois agriculture. First-, second-, and third-place winners in each of three age categories will receive Bright Start scholarships of up to $1,000. Entry deadline is June 12, 2026. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is calling on young Illinois photographers to submit their agriculture-related photos for the 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest.…
When I was a kid, the sign outside my hometown read “Gifford 800.” My eighth-grade class at Gifford Grade School was about 24 kids. And we were a big class. So it’s no surprise I didn’t have a lot of choices of sports to play. In the fall, the only option was baseball. In the winter, basketball. In the spring, track and field. I wasn’t that good at baseball, but I enjoyed being part of a team with my friends.…
Family Says the Late Russell Reilly Loved St. Patrick’s Day VIDEO, SOUND BITES, B-ROLL FOR MEDIA USE AVAILABLE HERE Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is announcing the return of a missing Purple Heart medal to the family of a World War II veteran who loved to celebrate his Irish heritage every March 17. Little is known about how Russell J. Reilly lost his right leg in combat other than the simple, short explanation he offered his…
Grammy-Nominated Violinist, CEOs of Feeding America and Northern Illinois Food Bank, Retired Illinois State Superintendent of Education, and Special Olympics Athlete Among Those Who Are Recognized for Their Contributions Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Women’s History Month and pay tribute to the enduring impact of women in shaping history and benefiting society. The event, held in the Illinois Room at 555 W. Monroe St. in Chicago, was an opportunity to reflect on the great…
Change in Law Increases Age from 26 to 46 Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced that an estimated 250,000 Illinoisans with a disability are now eligible to open ABLE accounts that allow them to save and invest money to improve the quality of life without risking federal benefits. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which Congress passed in 2014, required that people had to have acquired their disability before their 26th birthday. A change in the law, effective this year, raised the…
I recently read a description of an outhouse: A small building a hundred feet from your house that’s a hundred feet too far in the winter, and a hundred feet too close in the summer. This reminded me of a conversation I had with Dad a few years ago. I grew up with indoor plumbing. Every friend I knew had indoor plumbing. My father did not until he was about 8. Before then, he had to use an outhouse and…
Help on the Way to Chicago, Champaign, Metro East, Rockford, Kankakee, Mount Vernon, Oak Park, Lombard, Freeport Key Points: Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today unveiled nearly $200,000 in Charitable Trust grants to 10 small nonprofits that help people stay in their homes and get job training. “We are helping people who need a helping hand at a time when so many folks are struggling due to higher costs and as our federal government yanks away lifelines,” Treasurer Frerichs said…
Springfield Lanphier High School Girls Basketball Coach, Award-Winning Children’s Book Author from O’Fallon, President of NAACP Peoria, Carbondale Mayor, Among Those Who Are Recognized for Their Contributions 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.…