Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

Treasurer Frerichs speaks from a podium as 2 people stand beside him. On a wall to the left is a large photo of a white dog

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs, Ald. Hopkins Return $28,000 To PAWS Chicago on National Dog Day

Video to be posted here: Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs marked National Dog Day on Wednesday by returning $28,000 in unclaimed property to PAWS Chicago. “PAWS Chicago does such a great job finding so many dogs and cats their forever homes, and it’s our job to reunite people with money that belongs to them through the ICash program,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “We are proud to team up with PAWS Chicago to put the money to good use helping connect people with pets.” “We are incredibly grateful to Treasurer Frerichs and…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Frerichs, Ald. Hopkins Return $28,000 To PAWS Chicago on National Dog Day
Illinois state flag with eagle and shield

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs Applauds Signing of Bill Allowing Investment in Union-Built Affordable Housing

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Tuesday applauded a new law that will allow him to make investments to build more affordable housing. Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 3086 , which passed with bipartisan support in late May. The bill allows Treasurer Frerichs to invest in the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, which focuses on building and preserving affordable and workforce housing, creating union construction jobs, and generating returns for investors while fostering community development. “This new investment tool will help build homes, create good-paying jobs for Illinois…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Frerichs Applauds Signing of Bill Allowing Investment in Union-Built Affordable Housing
Eight baseball cards from the 1950s and 1960s, all featuring Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs

Ernie Banks & Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards, Gold Coins, and More on Tap at Treasurer Frerichs’ Unclaimed Property Auction Preview

Video will be posted here: Baseball cards of Cubs legend Ernie Banks and Yankees great Mickey Mantle, a 14-karat white gold ring with a 10-carat blue sapphire and 14 diamonds, and Morgan silver dollars from various years are just some of the pieces of unclaimed property that the public can preview today (Monday, August 3). “The preview we’re hosting today is a great opportunity for people to check out the items that we will be auctioning later this month during the Illinois State Fair,” said State Treasurer Michael Frerichs,…

Read MoreErnie Banks & Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards, Gold Coins, and More on Tap at Treasurer Frerichs’ Unclaimed Property Auction Preview
Green corn leaves in a field with an overcast sky above. Photo is titled Corn Rows.

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

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 their creativity, and experimented with their photographic skills by participating in our Cream of the Crop contest,” Frerichs said. “These students’ photos truly reflect the…

Read MoreTreasurer Michael Frerichs Announces Winners of 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest
Treasurer Frerichs stands with a man and a woman, all holding a giant check for $20,040

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

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 ICash program during Fiscal Year 2026. “Our changes to ICash 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 more important as inflation and decisions made by the Trump administration squeeze the average person and make food and gas harder…

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