Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

Green corn leaves in a field with an overcast sky above. Photo is titled Corn Rows.

July 29, 2026

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces Winners of 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest

Students Earn Bright Start Scholarships, and Their Photos Will be Displayed at Illinois State Fair Key Points: State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced the winning photographers for the 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest, which provides Illinois students with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state. The top nine photographers, ages 8 to 18, will be awarded Bright Start 529 college savings scholarships. “Congratulations to the young Illinoisans who explored their surroundings, tapped into…

Treasurer Frerichs stands with a man and a woman, all holding a giant check for $20,040

July 21, 2026

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns Record $308 Million to People, Businesses, Nonprofits in Fiscal Year 2026

Pair of $1 Million+ Returns Start Off New Fiscal Year Strong Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a record $307.8 million in missing money to more than 567,000 residents, businesses and organizations through the I-CASH program during Fiscal Year 2026. “Our changes to I-CASH allowed us to return more money to more people,” Frerichs said. “We are proud to set records, but we’re even more proud of helping folks. Reuniting people with money that rightfully belongs to them is even…

Exterior of Illinois State Capitol against a blue sky

July 14, 2026

Treasurer Frerichs Bill to Help Nonprofits Increase Investment Opportunities Is Now Law

Bipartisan support in House & Senate, Governor’s input and signature helped make this legislation possible SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ measure to expand investment opportunities for non-profit organizations across the state is now law after Gov. JB Pritzker recently signed the bill. Senate Bill 2968 creates the Non-Profit Investment Pool, a safe and efficient investment option allowing eligible nonprofits to make the most of available funds while reducing administrative burdens. The law is intended to help nonprofits strengthen…

Treasurer Frerichs speaks with a woman in the kitchen of a food pantry and service agency

July 13, 2026

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces Nearly $200,000 in Grants for Small Nonprofits in Illinois

Funds Will Support Housing and Food Programs in Aurora, Elgin, Aledo, Galesburg, Danville, Herrin, Peru, Pittsfield, and Chicago Key Points: Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced $195,000 in Charitable Trust grants to 10 nonprofit organizations across the state that provide food and housing to people in need. “Through these grants, we are lending a hand to people who are struggling to meet basic needs like food and shelter,” Treasurer Frerichs said at a news conference in Chicago. “We recognize…

Shermann Dilla Thomas speaks at a microphone as Treasurer Frerichs and another man watch

June 23, 2026

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Unveils New Investment Program to Build Affordable Housing

$10 Million Partnership with IFF Helps Nonprofits, Generates Investment Returns for State Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs today unveiled a new community investment program designed to build affordable housing, help nonprofits, and generate returns for the state. Frerichs invested $10 million with IFF, a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution that promotes economic development by providing financing and real estate consulting across the Midwest to nonprofits and people underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income communities. On Tuesday, Frerichs highlighted one…

About 20 people standing and posing in front of a curtain on a stage

June 18, 2026

Illinois Among Founding Partners of New Consortium to Expand Participation in 529 Education Savings Plans

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Proposed the Idea While Serving as President of the National Association of State Treasurers The University of Chicago Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) and Stanford University Initiative for Financial Decision-Making (IFDM) are partnering with the National Association of State Treasurers through its education savings network, The 529 Network, with support from the National Endowment for Financial Education, to launch a new consortium dedicated to advancing research on public understanding of 529 education savings plans and…

Illinois state flag with eagle and shield

June 10, 2026

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces New Grants to Address Hunger After Federal Cuts

Applications Accepted Through July 31 Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced a new grant program to help volunteer groups battling hunger and food insecurity in the wake of federal government cuts to critical food programs. Charitable Trust Hunger Relief Grants provide up to $5,000 to volunteer-driven food pantries, soup kitchens, and similar nonprofit organizations with no full-time employees. Frerichs launched the grant program after the Trump administration cut funding for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and a program…

Illinois government offices building in Springfield Illinois

June 1, 2026

Treasurer Frerichs Wins Approval of Bill to Help Nonprofits Increase Investment Opportunities

Bipartisan support in both chambers and thoughtful input from the Governor’s Office helped make this legislation possible SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs thanked members of the General Assembly today for passing Senate Bill 2968 and expressed gratitude to Governor JB Pritzker’s office for its collaboration in advancing legislation that expands investment opportunities for non-profit organizations across Illinois. The legislation creates the Non-Profit Investment Pool, a safe and efficient investment option allowing eligible nonprofits to make the most of…

Child holding a blue piggy bank. In the background are logos for Bright Start 529 and Bright Directions 529

May 29, 2026

In Observance of National 529 Day, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Encourages Families to Save for Higher Education Costs

Saving Even a Little Today Can Help a Child Avoid Years of Student Debt Tomorrow SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is recognizing 529 Day today, May 29, by encouraging families to save for future education through Illinois’ highly rated Bright Start 529 or Bright Directions 529 college savings plans. Frerichs also announced new enhancements to the advisor-guided Bright Directions 529 plan. “While ‘529 Day’ is tied to the calendar date of May 29, the observance highlights the importance…

five award winners standing with a public official holding their awards

May 19, 2026

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Awardees

U of I Basketball Standout, Chicago Sinfonietta Music Director, World Business Chicago Exec, School Principal Among Those Recognized for Their Contributions Video will be posted here: Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to highlight the achievements of community leaders during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event, which was held at the state government building at 555 W. Monroe St., honored eight people for their contributions to their communities: a CEO, a strategy and innovation…