From my family to yours, Happy Easter! Wishing those who celebrate a peaceful and joyous day.

Advocates push “APR for All” - Capitol City Now They say it's for transparency for loans to small businesses.

This week, I advocated for the Small Business Financing Transparency Act, which would require non-bank lenders to disclose the annual percentage rate (APR) on loans. Small business owners deserve the same clarity as any borrower—and this bill puts transparency first. https://bit.ly/4sAiKak

How States Can Make College Affordable By Mike Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer

Too often, student borrowers must turn to private loans with high interest rates to cover the gaps left by federal loans, grants, and scholarships. Learn how my office is alleviating this burden for Illinoisans by reading my article from @newdealleaders.bsky.social

https://bit.ly/4rYjDs5

Michael Frerichs and Harold Pollack: More Illinoisans with disabilities can now save and invest A new law allows more Illinoisans with disabilities to save and invest to increase independence and improve quality of life.

Imagine you’re 28 and suffer a spinal cord injury in a car accident. Suddenly, returning to work and supporting yourself becomes much harder.

This is where ABLE accounts can help. Learn how more people are now eligible for ABLE by reading my op-ed in the @chicagotribune.com

https://bit.ly/4s7X8Cd

Happy Casimir Pulaski Day! This uniquely Illinoisan holiday celebrates Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski while also recognizing the important role the Polish community has played in shaping our state. Thank you to the Polish Museum of America for inviting me to this year’s celebration!

Life Decisions in Rockford receives $20K grant to fund youth employment program A small nonprofit in Rockford received a $20,000 grant on Thursday for a youth employment program from the Charitable Trust Fund.

Yesterday, I visited a recent recipient of our Charitable Trust Grant Program: Life Decisions. This Rockford-based nonprofit connects young people in need with mentorship, internships, and transitional housing. To date, they’ve mentored more than 270 individuals.

https://bit.ly/4l2BQDc

U.S. wins Olympic gold medal in women's hockey in overtime win over rival Canada Behind a stunning comeback, the U.S. wins its third Winter Olympics gold medal in women's hockey, and first since 2018

Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Hockey team on your overtime victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics! And a special shoutout to Illinois players Kendall Coyne Schofield of Palos Heights, Abbey Murphy of Evergreen Park, and Tessa Janecke of Warren. Illinois is proud!

https://nbcnews.to/3OrgQK7

Illinois Republican senator pushes to outlaw abortion, loses leadership spots Republican leaders called the proposal "extreme" and said it is a no go.

If this senator has his way, our twins wouldn’t be here, and the doctors who helped Erica and I conceive through IVF would face the death penalty. This is a radical, extreme bill. Government should not make health care decisions for women. In Illinois, we protect IVF access.

https://abc7.ws/4tLieaq

Oak Park’s Emery Lehman — in 4th and final Olympics — and Glen Ellyn’s Ethan Cepuran get silver in team pursuit A journey that began when he was 9 in Oak Park ended in the most bittersweet of ways for Emery Lehman: with a flag-draped lap around the ice and a silver medal.

It’s always inspiring to see Illinoisans succeed on the world stage! Congratulations to Oak Park’s Emery Lehman and Glen Ellyn’s Ethan Cepuran on winning Silver in the Men’s Speed Skating Team Pursuit at the Winter Olympics.

https://bit.ly/4aoQkcP

Americans Are Paying the Bill for Tariffs, Despite Trump's Claims Research from the New York Fed confirms that U.S. companies and consumers are bearing tariff costs, despite the president's assertions otherwise.

Contrary to claims that foreign countries would foot the bill, tariffs are a tax on Americans. Research suggests 90% of the tax burden has been placed on US companies and consumers, evidenced by an 11% rise in import prices. Congress needs to end to this economic burden.

https://nyti.ms/4tH9BxN

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King, has died at 84 Jackson was a major contributor to the Civil Rights Movement and helped it accomplish many of its goals.

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson. He will not be replaced, but his legacy, vision, and courage will inspire leaders for generations to come.
https://bit.ly/3ZJ0peB

State Fiscal Chiefs Protest Federal Immigration Chaos Sixteen elected treasury officials, all Democrats, wrote to President Trump to say ICE crackdowns are bad for business and tax revenues: “People must feel safe to go to work.”

Today, I joined fellow financial leaders from 14 states in calling on President Trump to scale back immigration enforcement actions that are disrupting commerce, destabilizing workforces, and undermining state revenues across key economic sectors.

https://nyti.ms/4thd99P

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant trading cards among Illinois Treasurer's Office auction items ILLINOIS (WCIA) -- Vintage jewelry, rare coins and collectable basketball cards and comics are among the items up for grabs at the Illinois State Treasurer's ICash Auction this week. The...

Looking for a unique Valentine’s Day gift? Our online unclaimed property auction has got you covered. Read the story from @wcia3news.bsky.social to learn about the items available through February 1st.

https://bit.ly/3ZFac5a

CCM partners with IL Treasurer for Bright Start 529 Families gathered at the Chicago Children's Museum to learn about the Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan, which encourages families to start saving for their children's education ear...

Snowy weather didn’t stop us! The Bright Start 529 College Savings team and I braved the snow on Sunday to host a $5.29 admission day at the Chicago Children’s Museum. It was a joy meeting families and sharing how a 529 account can help plan for a child’s future.

https://bit.ly/3Z0owoO

My family and I had a great time attending the Illinois Men’s Basketball game on Saturday, where I presented a Bright Start scholarship at the diaper derby! It took those babies a while to get crawling, but we got a winner eventually. Congratulations, @illinimbb.bsky.social on your win!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Illinois. Today, let us reflect on Dr. King's legacy and consider how can work to make his vision of justice, equality, and peace a reality.

Last month, my office identified $100,000 in missing funds for food pantries across Illinois. These organizations are a lifeline for many Illinoisans, especially during last year’s federal government shutdown, and we are working to return every dollar owed to them.

I started 2025 determined to exercise more and eat healthier. I was doing great—until the holidays came around. Fortunately, my professional resolutions held strong. Read this week's newsletter to learn how my office met its 2025 goals: https://bit.ly/49cwPnm

More Disabled People Can Open Special Savings Accounts. Do You Qualify? Starting next year, people who became disabled by age 46 will be eligible for ABLE accounts. The accounts have been slow to catch on, partly because the current age limit is 26.

Big news for the disability community: In January, ABLE account eligibility expands! The age of disability onset will increase to 46, allowing more people who acquire disabilities later in life to save for qualified expenses and build greater financial independence.

https://nyti.ms/4917afX

Award-winning Coach Jose Gonzalez reflects on 'negative vibes,' community support, and family values - The Lansing Journal Even in the midst of another successful soccer season, Jose Gonzalez has time to reflect.

For Hispanic Heritage Month, my office honored Illinois leaders who make our state a better place. One such individual was Coach Jose Gonzalez, who just wrapped up another successful women’s soccer season at South Suburban College. Read his story in the Lansing Journal: https://bit.ly/3JGLope

Illinois is home to about 153,000 federal workers who are not getting paid due to the government shutdown. At the Treasurer’s Office, we want to help and are working with banks and financial institutions to offer these workers zero-interest or low-interest loans during these difficult times.

Trump is lying when he says sending the National Guard to Illinois is “free.” It could cost taxpayers more than $1.5 million every day—money that could instead strengthen our communities and support local needs.

Illinois Blazes Its Own Trail on Housing, Infrastructure Funding By Mike Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer

State Treasurers don’t typically play a role in infrastructure improvement, but the challenges are too great to ignore. Read the article from @newdealleaders.bsky.social to learn about the IL FIRST Fund and how its inspiring other states to follow our lead.

https://bit.ly/4o8RJc0

Darren Bailey's son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren killed in Montana helicopter accident The son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren of Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey were killed in a helicopter accident, his campaign said.

I cannot imagine the pain, emptiness, and sense of loss weighing upon Darren and Cindy Bailey. No parent wants to outlive a child, much less a grandchild. Take a moment today to think about the Bailey family and to hug your own children and grandchildren.
https://abc7.ws/43qhc8k

Trump is attacking unions by canceling contracts for hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
In this office, we don’t just watch from the sidelines. We use our role as shareholders to support workplace safety, fair wages, and the ability to organize.

The Workers' Mic (09/21/25): The Workers' Mic talks with the Illinois State Treasurer This week on The Workers' Mic, Powered by the NCL, Ken Edwards, Ed Maher and Phil Davidson kick off the show by chatting with the Illinois State Treasurer Michael...

Thank you @wgnradio.bsky.social for having me on the Workers’ Mic! I had a great time chatting with Ken, Ed, and Phil about Bright Start 529 College Savings, I-CASH, and how my office recently returned $500,000 in missing money to local unions.

Listen to the full story: https://bit.ly/46woNTv

Gov. Edgar was a gentleman and a statesman who didn’t put partisanship above the state. Gov. Edgar worked to bring people together across the aisle to learn about policy and share good ideas. He bravely faced health challenges and did not stop serving Illinois once his time in office ended.