CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci and Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs recently teamed up to return $44,000 to the Champaign County Treasurer’s Office.

“We’re all committed to ensuring strong public finances, and I’m proud to partner with Treasurers Frerichs and Clark to safeguard every penny,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “I hope Champaign County residents will take five minutes to visit the ICash website to see if they too have funds to claim.”

The money, owed to the county from Frontier Communications, came in over the summer to the State Treasurer’s Office, which is responsible for returning missing money to Illinois residents through the ICash program. Faraci quickly worked with newly appointed County Treasurer Byron Clark to help with the claims process. Treasurer Clark said he is thankful that the money is back where it belongs. 

“As the new Champaign County Treasurer, there’s not a much better welcome present than getting a call from the state to let you know they found $44,000 belonging to the taxpayers,” Treasurer Clark said.

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs said he is happy to help in the county that he grew up in and represented in the State Senate for eight years.

“This money does a lot more to help the people of Champaign County than it does sitting in a state bank account,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “During my time in office, we have worked hard to eliminate red tape and make it easier for people to claim money that’s owed to them. We are proud to have set records, returning nearly $2.5 billion to people, businesses and nonprofits.”

Faraci and Treasurer Frerichs encourage residents to check the ICash website to see if there is missing money waiting for them to claim. Treasurer Frerichs’ office is holding more than 396,000 properties worth more than $63 million for Champaign County. Most of the missing money comes from forgotten bank accounts and investments, unclaimed life insurance benefits, utility refunds and uncashed rebate checks.