Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

CHICAGO — An Ernie Banks rookie card, an 1856 flying eagle cent, and an Elvis Presley concert ticket stub are some of the 21,500 unclaimed property items worth $167,000 to be auctioned live on August 20 on the Ethnic Village Stage at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. “For the first time in 10 years, the treasurer’s office is hosting a live unclaimed property auction at the Illinois State Fair to give collectors a rare opportunity to bid on items in person,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “Collectors can also take advantage…

SPRINGFIELD — The state treasurer’s office returned a record-setting $155 million in forgotten cash and stock this past fiscal year, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. It is the largest amount in the program’s 55-year history. More than 53,000 claims were fulfilled despite the budget impasse because unclaimed property funds are not encumbered by the state’s general revenue spending. The state’s fiscal year is July 1 to June 30. “I meet many people who are surprised to see their names on our unclaimed property list,” Frerichs said. “Checking the list…