The Illinois Funds
AAAmmf Rated by Fitch
The Illinois Funds is a pooled investment program for Illinois public agencies. In plain language, this means many public agencies invest their money together in one professionally managed fund. By pooling funds, agencies can benefit from the strength, scale, and oversight of a larger investment portfolio.
The Illinois Funds is managed in a way that is generally consistent with SEC Rule 2a-7 money market fund standards. These standards are designed to support safety, liquidity, diversification, and high credit quality.
Fitch Ratings has assigned The Illinois Funds its highest money market fund rating, AAAmmf. This rating is based on the pool’s credit quality, maturity, diversification, and management. In practical terms, the rating means Fitch believes The Illinois Funds has an extremely strong ability to protect principal and limit exposure to interest rate and credit risk.
The Illinois Funds has maintained the highest prime investment-grade rating for a government money market fund since 1996.
Benefits of The Illinois Funds
The Illinois Funds gives government agencies a safe and convenient way to invest public funds. The program is backed by the strength and scale of a pooled investment portfolio of more than $19 billion.
The program is designed to:
- Protect principal
- Provide immediate access to funds
- Offer a competitive return compared with similar investment options
- Support short-term and longer-term investment needs
Additional Benefits
- Investments may be overnight or longer term.
- The Illinois Funds complements, rather than replaces, your local banking relationships.
- There is no minimum investment requirement.
- Participants receive free online account access to:
- View transaction history
- Make account inquiries
- Transfer funds
- Make purchases
- Redeem investments
- Money in The Illinois Funds cannot be swept by the General Assembly or used for any other purpose.
- Government agencies participating in ePAY through The Illinois Funds have funds deposited into their Illinois Funds investment accounts daily. To learn more, visit the ePAY website.
- Since 1996, The Illinois Funds has held the highest prime investment-grade rating for a government-managed money market fund. The Illinois Funds is currently rated AAAmmf by Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Invested in You
Local governments eligible to join The Illinois Funds include cities and towns, counties, special taxing districts, municipal corporations, housing authorities, community and technical colleges, and four-year universities.
As of January 31, 2026, Illinois Funds participants included:
- 99 Agriculture and Environmental agencies, including park, forest, soil, and conservation districts
- 675 Local Governments, including municipalities, townships, and counties
- 418 Public Education institutions, including school districts, library systems, regional offices of education, community colleges, vocational and technical schools, and universities
- 123 Public Health and Safety agencies, including public hospitals and nursing homes, mental health districts, fire protection districts, area aging districts, mosquito abatement districts, and public safety and 911 districts
- 19 Public Pension systems, including police, firefighter, and teacher pension systems
- 21 Public Transportation systems, including airport authorities, mass transit authorities, road and bridge districts, and port authority districts
- 46 Public Utilities, including water and sewer districts, sanitary and reclamation districts, electric districts, and gas districts
- 17 State Government agencies, including the State Treasurer’s Office ICCB, IDES, IHFS, IDCEO, and CMS
- 18 Miscellaneous Public Agencies, including building and planning commissions, housing authorities, cemetery boards, and intergovernmental agencies
For more information, please visit our FAQ page, read the investment guidelines outlined in The Illinois Funds Investment Policy, or feel free to contact The Illinois Funds custodian.
Learn More About The Illinois Funds
Have questions about The Illinois Funds? Visit the FAQ page, review The Illinois Funds Investment Policy, or contact us for assistance.
For support, call The Illinois Funds custodian at 800-947-8479 or email illinoisfunds@illinoistreasurer.gov.