Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

five award winners standing with a public official holding their awards

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Awardees

U of I Basketball Standout, Chicago Sinfonietta Music Director, World Business Chicago Exec, School Principal Among Those Recognized for Their Contributions Video will be posted here: Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to highlight the achievements of community leaders during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event, which was held at the state government building at 555 W. Monroe St., honored eight people for their contributions to their communities: a CEO, a strategy and innovation…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Awardees
Treasurer Frerichs speaks from a podium as two people stand beside him on his left

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Relaunches State Retirement Program for Small Businesses with Lower Fees and New Name

Savers and Employers Encouraged to Claim Accounts in New Online Portal After June 15 VIDEO WILL BE POSTED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES WEBSITE HERE SPANISH-LANGUAGE PRESS RELEASE AVAILABLE ON THE TREASURER’S WEBSITE HERE CHICAGO, IL — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced lower fees and technology improvements for employers and savers of the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program, which will take effect in June 2026. “A decade ago, too many Illinois workers didn’t have an easy…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Relaunches State Retirement Program for Small Businesses with Lower Fees and New Name
two men in suits standing in front of the illinois flag and united states flag

El Tesorero de Illinois, Michael Frerichs, relanza el programa estatal de ahorro para la jubilación dirigido a pequeñas empresas con costos más bajos y un nuevo nombre

Se insta a los ahorradores y empleadores a reclamar sus cuentas en el nuevo portal en línea a partir del 15 de junio CHICAGO, IL — El Tesorero del Estado de Illinois, Michael Frerichs, anunció hoy una reducción en los costos y mejoras tecnológicas para los empleadores y ahorradores del Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program, que entrarán en vigencia en junio de 2026. “Hace una década, demasiados trabajadores en Illinois no tenían acceso a una forma sencilla de ahorrar para…

Read MoreEl Tesorero de Illinois, Michael Frerichs, relanza el programa estatal de ahorro para la jubilación dirigido a pequeñas empresas con costos más bajos y un nuevo nombre
Eight baseball cards, including Nolan Ryan and Cal Ripken Jr.

Ryne Sandberg, Ken Griffey Jr. and Nolan Ryan Baseball Cards, Gold Ingot, and More Available at Treasurer Frerichs’ Online Auction

Looking for Precious Metals or a One-of-a-Kind Gift? Check Out the Online Auction April 24-May 3 Auction catalog available here. Collectible baseball cards of Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg, Nolan Ryan and Ken Griffey Jr., a gold ingot, and an 1868 French coin bearing the image of Napoleon III are just a few of the notable items available at the online ICash auction April 24-May 3. “Our online auction offers something unique and memorable for everyone,” said Illinois State Treasurer…

Read MoreRyne Sandberg, Ken Griffey Jr. and Nolan Ryan Baseball Cards, Gold Ingot, and More Available at Treasurer Frerichs’ Online Auction
Treasurer Frerichs presents an oversized check made out to St. Jude Children's Hospital. The second man is Illinois Senator Robert Martwick.

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs Eclipses $2.5 Billion in Money Returned to Residents, Businesses, Nonprofits

Record-Setting I-Cash Returns Include $440,000 a Late Bolingbrook Couple Left to St. Jude Children’s Hospital Key points: VIDEO WILL BE POSTED HERE: Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced he has returned over $2.5 billion in missing money on his watch, breaking all records in an I-Cash program that has been around since the 1960s. More than 2.5 million people, nonprofits, and businesses have been reunited with their missing money since Frerichs took office in 2015. Frerichs modernized I-Cash, allowing…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Frerichs Eclipses $2.5 Billion in Money Returned to Residents, Businesses, Nonprofits
About 40 high school students posing with Treasurer Frerichs

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Hosts 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge Key Points: VIDEO is available here: video available here: A team of four students from Naperville Central High School will compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 31-June 1 after winning a statewide financial literacy contest sponsored by Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Naperville Central students Harsh Patel, Krish Patel, Taran Nathan and Rohan Jain outscored nine other teams in the finals of the Illinois…

Read MoreNaperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships
A field of yellow-green wheat, with trees and the sky taking up part of the frame

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Opens 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest for Young Illinois Residents

Top Winners Will Receive $1,000 Bright Start College Savings Scholarships Key Points: Young people ages 8 to 18 are eligible for the photo contest, which focuses on Illinois agriculture. First-, second-, and third-place winners in each of three age categories will receive Bright Start scholarships of up to $1,000. Entry deadline is June 12, 2026. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is calling on young Illinois photographers to submit their agriculture-related photos for the 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest.…

Read MoreTreasurer Michael Frerichs Opens 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest for Young Illinois Residents
Treasurer Frerichs returns a Purple Heart medal to the daughter of a World War II veteran

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns WWII Purple Heart Medal Earned by Chicago Soldier

Family Says the Late Russell Reilly Loved St. Patrick’s Day VIDEO, SOUND BITES, B-ROLL FOR MEDIA USE AVAILABLE HERE Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is announcing the return of a missing Purple Heart medal to the family of a World War II veteran who loved to celebrate his Irish heritage every March 17. Little is known about how Russell J. Reilly lost his right leg in combat other than the simple, short explanation he offered his…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns WWII Purple Heart Medal Earned by Chicago Soldier
Treasurer Frerichs with the 8 recipients of awards in honor of Women's History Month 2026

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Presents Awards to Eight Illinois Leaders in Honor of Women’s History Month

Grammy-Nominated Violinist, CEOs of Feeding America and Northern Illinois Food Bank, Retired Illinois State Superintendent of Education, and Special Olympics Athlete Among Those Who Are Recognized for Their Contributions Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Women’s History Month and pay tribute to the enduring impact of women in shaping history and benefiting society. The event, held in the Illinois Room at 555 W. Monroe St. in Chicago, was an opportunity to reflect on the great…

Read MoreTreasurer Michael Frerichs Presents Awards to Eight Illinois Leaders in Honor of Women’s History Month
Treasurer Frerichs stands at a podium as four people, including one using a wheelchair, are beside him

State Treasurer Frerichs Announces 250,000 More Illinoisans with Disabilities Eligible for ABLE Accounts

Change in Law Increases Age from 26 to 46 Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced that an estimated 250,000 Illinoisans with a disability are now eligible to open ABLE accounts that allow them to save and invest money to improve the quality of life without risking federal benefits. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which Congress passed in 2014, required that people had to have acquired their disability before their 26th birthday. A change in the law, effective this year, raised the…

Read MoreState Treasurer Frerichs Announces 250,000 More Illinoisans with Disabilities Eligible for ABLE Accounts