MOLINE, Ill. — Editor's note: The video attached originally aired on Dec. 20, 2023.
There is an estimated one-in-four chance that the Illinois State Treasurer's Office has unclaimed money with your name on it.
According to a press release, hundreds of thousands of people have billions of dollars in cash and property they have not claimed under the Illinois State Treasurer's I-Cash program, which safeguards unclaimed property, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards.
Treasurer Michael Frerich's reminder is part of a statewide digital media, newspaper and direct mail push to reunite residents with more than $5 billion in unclaimed property. State law requires the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to publish newspaper ads in each of the state’s 102 counties every six months and to send letters to residents who have newly reported unclaimed property of $100 or more.
“It’s often a surprise for people to find out they have an overlooked investment account or final paycheck that did not make it to them. We aim to address that oversight, and it’s easier than ever to do,” Frerichs said. “This money and property belong to the people of Illinois. It should be in their pocketbook rather than the state’s safe.”
The average claim is $1,000 and an estimated one in four adults in Illinois who search I-Cash find unclaimed property through 1.5 million claims. Residents are encouraged to check the unclaimed property database twice a year. Click/tap here to find out if unclaimed property is waiting for you.
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