2026

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 Michael Frerichs, whose office oversees unclaimed property in Illinois. “You’ll…

Read MoreRyne Sandberg, Ken Griffey Jr. and Nolan Ryan Baseball Cards, Gold Ingot, and More Available at Treasurer Frerichs’ Online Auction
Two young boys sitting in an easy chair and smiling

Playing Hooky and Saving for College

Like many kids, my older brother went through a period where he didn’t like going to school. He became pretty creative about finding ways to skip class. School was so close, he didn’t even have to cross a street. On the way, he stopped at a relative’s house and never made it to school. When Mom found out, she started driving him. I hadn’t started kindergarten yet, so I went with them. One morning when we pulled up to school, the principal met us. He dragged my brother, who was…

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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 people to file electronic claims, taking on powerful insurance companies…

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 Personal Finance Challenge. The contest is designed to provide students…

Read MoreNaperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships
Aerial view of Frerichs family farm

Investing in Farmers

I enjoy driving through downstate Illinois this time of year when farmers are planting in the fields. It means spring has arrived and reminds me of riding on my grandfather’s tractor as a kid. It gives me a sense of optimism. Farming is an annual gamble. A lot of time and money goes into putting a crop in the field. There could be a drought, or a flood, or tariffs could drive down the price of corn and soybeans, and farmers could lose money. It takes faith to keep farming…

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