Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

Treasurer Frerichs speaks from a podium as two people stand beside him on his left

May 6, 2026

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Relaunches State Retirement Program for Small Businesses with Lower Fees and New Name

Savers and Employers Encouraged to Claim Accounts in New Online Portal After June 15 VIDEO WILL BE POSTED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES WEBSITE HERE SPANISH-LANGUAGE PRESS RELEASE AVAILABLE ON THE TREASURER’S WEBSITE HERE CHICAGO, IL — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced lower fees and technology improvements for employers and savers of the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program, which will take effect in June 2026. “A decade ago, too many Illinois workers didn’t have an easy…

two men in suits standing in front of the illinois flag and united states flag

May 6, 2026

El Tesorero de Illinois, Michael Frerichs, relanza el programa estatal de ahorro para la jubilación dirigido a pequeñas empresas con costos más bajos y un nuevo nombre

Se insta a los ahorradores y empleadores a reclamar sus cuentas en el nuevo portal en línea a partir del 15 de junio CHICAGO, IL — El Tesorero del Estado de Illinois, Michael Frerichs, anunció hoy una reducción en los costos y mejoras tecnológicas para los empleadores y ahorradores del Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program, que entrarán en vigencia en junio de 2026. “Hace una década, demasiados trabajadores en Illinois no tenían acceso a una forma sencilla de ahorrar para…

Eight baseball cards, including Nolan Ryan and Cal Ripken Jr.

April 30, 2026

Ryne Sandberg, Ken Griffey Jr. and Nolan Ryan Baseball Cards, Gold Ingot, and More Available at Treasurer Frerichs’ Online Auction

Looking for Precious Metals or a One-of-a-Kind Gift? Check Out the Online Auction April 24-May 3 Auction catalog available here. Collectible baseball cards of Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg, Nolan Ryan and Ken Griffey Jr., a gold ingot, and an 1868 French coin bearing the image of Napoleon III are just a few of the notable items available at the online ICash auction April 24-May 3. “Our online auction offers something unique and memorable for everyone,” said Illinois State Treasurer…

Treasurer Frerichs presents an oversized check made out to St. Jude Children's Hospital. The second man is Illinois Senator Robert Martwick.

April 23, 2026

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs Eclipses $2.5 Billion in Money Returned to Residents, Businesses, Nonprofits

Record-Setting I-Cash Returns Include $440,000 a Late Bolingbrook Couple Left to St. Jude Children’s Hospital Key points: VIDEO WILL BE POSTED HERE: Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced he has returned over $2.5 billion in missing money on his watch, breaking all records in an I-Cash program that has been around since the 1960s. More than 2.5 million people, nonprofits, and businesses have been reunited with their missing money since Frerichs took office in 2015. Frerichs modernized I-Cash, allowing…

About 40 high school students posing with Treasurer Frerichs

April 21, 2026

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Hosts 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge Key Points: VIDEO is available here: video available here: A team of four students from Naperville Central High School will compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 31-June 1 after winning a statewide financial literacy contest sponsored by Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Naperville Central students Harsh Patel, Krish Patel, Taran Nathan and Rohan Jain outscored nine other teams in the finals of the Illinois…

A field of yellow-green wheat, with trees and the sky taking up part of the frame

March 24, 2026

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Opens 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest for Young Illinois Residents

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.…

Treasurer Frerichs returns a Purple Heart medal to the daughter of a World War II veteran

March 13, 2026

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns WWII Purple Heart Medal Earned by Chicago Soldier

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…

Treasurer Frerichs with the 8 recipients of awards in honor of Women's History Month 2026

March 12, 2026

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Presents Awards to Eight Illinois Leaders in Honor of Women’s History Month

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…

Treasurer Frerichs stands at a podium as four people, including one using a wheelchair, are beside him

March 9, 2026

State Treasurer Frerichs Announces 250,000 More Illinoisans with Disabilities Eligible for ABLE Accounts

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…

Treasurer Frerichs at a Rockford press conference on Charitable Trust grants

February 26, 2026

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Unveils $200,000 in Grants to 10 Small Nonprofits Throughout Illinois

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…