DeKalb Times

The state’s unclaimed property program is a great way for Illinois residents to get back what is rightfully theirs. In a July 26 Facebook post, Sen. Andrew Chesney shared information on how Illinois residents can do just that if they have unclaimed property in the state’s database.

"One in four people who search this database finds property or cash that is owed to them. Join us for this free community outreach event on Aug. 3!" Chesney said in the Facebook post.

Chesney shared a link to a news release in his post about an unclaimed property day his office is hosting on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Talcott Free Public Library in Rockton. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a counselor from the state treasurer’s office will meet with individuals to find out if they have unclaimed property and how to go through the process to reclaim their property, according to the news release.

The State Treasurer’s office hosts a website to search for and claim any unclaimed property. Website visitors can search by name or address. From there, they can find out if they have something to claim and follow the steps to make their claim.

In March 2023, Treasurer Michael Frerich’s office returned more than $22.7 million in unclaimed property, according to a report by ABC7. And since 2015, his office has returned $1.6 billion in property to Illinois residents.

The state’s unclaimed property isn’t like what you’ll find at unclaimed baggage, according to the icash website. Frerich’s office defines unclaimed property as “accounts and other financial instruments, usually intangible, being held at corporations, financial institutions, financial intermediaries, courts, and life insurance companies, that have gone dormant for a specified period of time, based on property type.” Examples include uncashed wage and payroll checks, uncashed stock dividends and certificates; credit balances, refund checks, mineral proceeds, uncashed death benefit checks, life insurance proceeds, checking and savings accounts, and other items.

Chesney has represented the 89th District since December 2018, according to his legislative bio. He has served as an elected member of the Freeport City Council and has been a past board member of the Regional Access  Mobilization Project (RAMP)—an organization that provides support services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He is also a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.