College Savings

Explore stories, resources and updates about Illinois 529 college savings programs that help families save for education with tax advantages.

Two young boys sitting in an easy chair and smiling

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…

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

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…

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

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…

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two boys under 3 years old on the bottom of a slide with red and green jackets

Make This Season Work for You

Illinois had one of the snowiest Decembers in some time. It also was very cold, which meant Max and Theo didn’t get to spend as much time outdoors as usual. This resulted in a little bit of cabin fever for both of them and their parents. They have a lot of toddler energy. In better weather, we spend as much time as possible outside to help them get some of that energy out. When they are stuck inside, it can be tough on them, tough on our house, and tough…

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Chicago skyline with Lake Michigan

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Chicago Children’s Museum to Host $5.29 Family Day Sunday, January 25

CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and the Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) are once again partnering to host a $5.29 Family Day on Sunday, January 25. As part of the special event sponsored by Bright Start 529 College Savings , general admission to the museum will be discounted to $5.29 per person. Tickets are now available through the museum’s website and are expected to sell quickly. During the event, children can decorate their own piggy bank to take home in the Bright Start 529 Little Savers Crafting Workshop. The…

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