Illinois State Treasurer’s Office News Releases

Treasurer Frerichs smiles as he speaks from a podium. Backdrop has the Bright Start logo

Treasurer Frerichs Clinches 7th Gold Rating for Bright Start College Savings Plan

Bright Directions Receives Sole Morningstar Upgrade Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today that Illinois’ Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan has earned its 7th Gold rating from independent analyst Morningstar, firmly placing the plan among the best in the nation. “To be touted as one of the nation’s best by Morningstar for the seventh time under my watch confirms from an independent source that Illinois’ 529 College Savings plans are a great investment for Illinois families,” Frerichs said. “Since…

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A group of people watch as Treasurer Frerichs presents a Purple Heart to Patty Knies, whose late uncle earned it

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns WW II Purple Heart Medal to Family of Late Veteran at Ceremony in Oak Lawn Ahead of Veterans Day

Operation Purple Heart Finds 17th Family Whose Military Honors Were Missing for Years OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS – On the day before Veterans Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the niece of a World War II veteran who was injured while fighting in France and Germany. Frerichs reunited Army Rifleman James R. Bennett’s medal with niece, Patti Knies, during a ceremony at VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn. It is the 17th lost medal…

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Illinois government offices building in Springfield Illinois

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Statement on the $1.5 Billion Transit Package Approved by the Illinois General Assembly

Before they adjourned for the year, Illinois state lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion funding package to reform and rebuild public transit. Part of the plan is to earmark money that the Illinois Treasurer’s Office earns from investing revenues from the Road Fund and another transportation-related fund. I appreciate the Governor and General Assembly coming together to address mass transit needs, as well as their confidence in me. But it is unlikely we can continue to generate $200 million in annual…

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Treasurer Michael Frerichs smiling against a backdrop of Chicago

Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Office Publishes Annual Report on Small Business Spending

Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Office Publishes Annual Report on Small Business Spending Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office increased its small business spending by more than 37 percent from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025, a new report states. During Fiscal Year 2025, the Treasurer’s Office spent a total of $1,346,772.54 on contracts and other purchases with small businesses, which represents more than 5 percent of the Office’s overall contract and purchase spending of $24,386,667.87. For comparison, spending during Fiscal…

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Illinois State Flag featured next to a white Spanish Colonial Revival style building

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown An estimated 153,000 Federal Workers in Illinois Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is committing $50 million to fund zero-interest and low-interest loans to unpaid federal workers during the government shutdown. The loans will be issued through participating banks and credit unions across Illinois, with money made available through the Treasurer’s linked-deposit program. An estimated 153,000 federal employees live and work in Illinois. It is…

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Treasurer Michael Frerichs poses with the recipients of LGBTQ+ awards in 2025

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Illinois LGBTQ+ Leaders

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration in Chicago to commemorate LGBTQ+ History Month. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the significant achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, and their allies. Frerichs presented awards to leaders in the community, business, education, government, labor, sports, and arts and humanities. “Today, we honor the contributions of our LGBTQ+ neighbors and friends,” Frerichs said at the celebration lunch in the state government building at 555 W. Monroe…

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Treasurer Frerichs posing against a blue curtain and the U.S. flag with recipients of Hispanic Heritage Month awards in 2025

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Hispanic Leaders in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

Nonprofit Leaders, Entrepreneur, Aurora University President, South Suburban College Soccer Coach, Labor Leader, and Theater Educator Recognized for Their Achievements Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the work of community leaders from across the state. The event was an opportunity to reflect on great achievements and present awards to eight Latino leaders: the president of Aurora University; the head soccer coach at South Suburban College; an entrepreneur who launched importing…

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Old baseball cards of Hank Aaron and Brooks Robinson

Chicago Bears Collectible Pins, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron Baseball Cards, Jewelry, Coins Up for Bid at Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Online ICash Auction

Starts Sept. 19 and Ends Sept. 28 A set of 1989 Chicago Bears pins, baseball cards of Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, collectibles from the U.S. bicentennial celebration, and a 14-karat yellow gold Omega women’s watch are just a few of the unclaimed property items being auctioned online from September 19 to September 28. “Our online auction is a great opportunity for everyone to explore and find distinctive items to keep or to give as gifts,” said…

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Bright Start 529 College Savings logo showing a drawing of a piggy bank

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs Marks Bright Start’s 25th Anniversary with Record Growth during College Savings Month

As Bright Start 529 turns 25, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is announcing record asset growth to more than $14 billion for Illinois’s flagship 529 college savings plan. The news comes as the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office kicks off College Savings Month, which falls in September. Sponsored and launched by the State of Illinois in the year 2000, the Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan is designed for higher education savings. Treasurer Frerichs also sponsors Bright Directions, a 529 plan…

Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Frerichs Marks Bright Start’s 25th Anniversary with Record Growth during College Savings Month