2017

SPRINGFIELD — A statewide newsprint advertising push began this week to reunite Illinois residents with approximately $2.8 billion in unclaimed property, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. Frerichs drew attention to the advertising blitz to reassure residents that the unclaimed property effort is legitimate. The treasurer’s office never charges money to search and return unclaimed property. “This money does not belong to the State of Illinois. It belongs to Illinois residents, businesses and local governments and we want to make every effort to return it,” Frerichs said. “With the state’s…

CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today returned a Purple Heart Medal to Vietnam War Veteran Harold J. Walker. The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Frerichs also returned a Vietnam Service Medal and a National Defense Medal for Walker’s service in Vietnam. The honors were discovered in a safe deposit box that was surrendered to the treasurer’s office as unclaimed property. “It is a great honor to return the Purple Heart Medal, Vietnam Service…

SPRINGFIELD — Collectible coins, paper money, watches and camera equipment are among the nearly 500 items worth approximately $32,000 to be auctioned online March 27-31. “For most people, it is difficult to believe that they might have overlooked an investment account or forgot an item in a safe deposit box. However, the thousands of names in our database shows that it happens too often,” Frerichs said. “While we cannot store the items forever, we can secure the proceeds and return the value to the proper owner.” Items include a 1926…

SPRINGFIELD — S&P Global Ratings has issued The Illinois Funds investment pool a AAAm credit rating, the highest available, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said. The strong, positive rating of the treasurer’s office investment fund counters the string of downgrades and negative outlooks issued to instruments issued by Gov. Bruce Rauner. “This top-notch rating reflects our approach to investing taxpayer money,” Frerichs said. “The rating shows our success at balancing the access and availability of funds while receiving a strong return on investment for this type of product.” The Illinois…

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today encouraged young photographers to submit photos for the 2017 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. The contest encourages young photographers to share their vision of agriculture in our state. “Illinois continues to be a leader in farming and strives for agricultural diversity,” Frerichs said. “This contest gives students an opportunity to capture the beauty of our state and showcase the importance of agriculture in Illinois.” The treasurer’s office is accepting electronic submissions for the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest from Illinois…