Treasurer’s Note Newsletter

May 12, 2026

Helping Workers Save for a Dignified Retirement

A friend recently asked if I ever had a job I didn’t like, because I seem to like all of those I have written about. I’ve shared stories about walking beans and detasseling corn, bagging groceries and stocking shelves at the IGA in Rantoul, teaching English in Taiwan, and my time as Champaign County Auditor.  I learned something new at each one, and found some more fulfilling than others. Sometimes we work out of necessity. I needed to work a job as part of my financial aid package. I spent…

Two young boys sitting in an easy chair and smiling

April 28, 2026

Playing Hooky and Saving for College

Like many kids, my older brother went through a period where he didn’t like going to school. He became pretty creative about finding ways to skip class. School was so close, he didn’t even have to cross a street. On the way, he stopped at a relative’s house and never made it to school. When Mom found out, she started driving him. I hadn’t started kindergarten yet, so I went with them. One morning when we pulled up to school, the principal met us. He dragged my brother, who was…

April 9, 2026

Investing in Farmers

I enjoy driving through downstate Illinois this time of year when farmers are planting in the fields. It means spring has arrived and reminds me of riding on my grandfather’s tractor as a kid. It gives me a sense of optimism. Farming is an annual gamble. A lot of time and money goes into putting a crop in the field. There could be a drought, or a flood, or tariffs could drive down the price of corn and soybeans, and farmers could lose money. It takes faith to keep farming…

A young Treasurer Frerichs, around age 12, running a race outside with other boys

March 30, 2026

Start Saving Today for Your Kids’ Tomorrow

In my last note, I wrote to you about running track, and some people asked if I did the “field” part of track and field. The short answer: Yes, but there was room for improvement. I think I was the tallest fifth grader when I went out for the track team. I had long arms. My dad was tall, and his dad was tall. Coach knew this and decided I should throw discus. Sure, I was skinny, but his logic was that I would grow, get stronger, and with my…

Treasurer Frerichs as a boy around age 12 running a race outside with other boys

March 16, 2026

Pushing Ourselves to Improve

When I was a kid, the sign outside my hometown read “Gifford 800.” My eighth-grade class at Gifford Grade School was about 24 kids. And we were a big class. So it’s no surprise I didn’t have a lot of choices of sports to play. In the fall, the only option was baseball. In the winter, basketball. In the spring, track and field. I wasn’t that good at baseball, but I enjoyed being part of a team with my friends. I always loved basketball and didn’t mind the drills and…