Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

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…