Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

Illinois State Flag featured next to a white Spanish Colonial Revival style building

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown An estimated 153,000 Federal Workers in Illinois Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is committing $50 million to fund zero-interest and low-interest loans to unpaid federal workers during the government shutdown. The loans will be issued through participating banks and credit unions across Illinois, with money made available through the Treasurer’s linked-deposit program. An estimated 153,000 federal employees live and work in Illinois. It is…

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Treasurer Michael Frerichs poses with the recipients of LGBTQ+ awards in 2025

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Illinois LGBTQ+ Leaders

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration in Chicago to commemorate LGBTQ+ History Month. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the significant achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, and their allies. Frerichs presented awards to leaders in the community, business, education, government, labor, sports, and arts and humanities. “Today, we honor the contributions of our LGBTQ+ neighbors and friends,” Frerichs said at the celebration lunch in the state government building at 555 W. Monroe…

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Treasurer Frerichs posing against a blue curtain and the U.S. flag with recipients of Hispanic Heritage Month awards in 2025

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Hispanic Leaders in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

Nonprofit Leaders, Entrepreneur, Aurora University President, South Suburban College Soccer Coach, Labor Leader, and Theater Educator Recognized for Their Achievements Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the work of community leaders from across the state. The event was an opportunity to reflect on great achievements and present awards to eight Latino leaders: the president of Aurora University; the head soccer coach at South Suburban College; an entrepreneur who launched importing…

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Old baseball cards of Hank Aaron and Brooks Robinson

Chicago Bears Collectible Pins, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron Baseball Cards, Jewelry, Coins Up for Bid at Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Online ICash Auction

Starts Sept. 19 and Ends Sept. 28 A set of 1989 Chicago Bears pins, baseball cards of Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, collectibles from the U.S. bicentennial celebration, and a 14-karat yellow gold Omega women’s watch are just a few of the unclaimed property items being auctioned online from September 19 to September 28. “Our online auction is a great opportunity for everyone to explore and find distinctive items to keep or to give as gifts,” said…

Read MoreChicago Bears Collectible Pins, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron Baseball Cards, Jewelry, Coins Up for Bid at Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Online ICash Auction
Bright Start 529 College Savings logo showing a drawing of a piggy bank

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs Marks Bright Start’s 25th Anniversary with Record Growth during College Savings Month

As Bright Start 529 turns 25, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is announcing record asset growth to more than $14 billion for Illinois’s flagship 529 college savings plan. The news comes as the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office kicks off College Savings Month, which falls in September. Sponsored and launched by the State of Illinois in the year 2000, the Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan is designed for higher education savings. Treasurer Frerichs also sponsors Bright Directions, a 529 plan…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Frerichs Marks Bright Start’s 25th Anniversary with Record Growth during College Savings Month
Mickey Mantle Baseball Card for Illinois State Fair Auction

August 1, 2025 – Ryne Sandberg, Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards, Gold Hermes Man’s Bracelet On Tap At Treasurer Frerichs’ State Fair I-CASH Auction Preview

Baseball cards featuring the late Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg and Yankees great Mickey Mantle, basketball cards of Wilt Chamberlain and Walt Frazier, and an 18-karat yellow gold Hermes man’s chain bracelet are just some of the 250 unclaimed property lots on display for the public to preview on Tuesday, August 5.

Read MoreAugust 1, 2025 – Ryne Sandberg, Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards, Gold Hermes Man’s Bracelet On Tap At Treasurer Frerichs’ State Fair I-CASH Auction Preview