CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is returning $100 thousand in missing money to food pantries around the state, with pantries in Champaign and Vermilion receiving money as part of the annual program.

Each December, Frerichs’ office focuses on returning money through the state’s ICash program to nonprofit groups that help people in need. This year, Frerichs decided to help food pantries that saw resources stretched and demand spike when the federal government shutdown stopped food assistance to many Illinois families in November.

“Food pantries always step up to feed people in need,” Frerichs said. “It’s been a challenging year with federal cutbacks to food banks earlier in the year. The Trump administration opting to cut off food assistance to our state’s neediest folks last month was a double whammy. We wanted to see if we could help, when our local food pantries put meals on the table for millions of Illinoisans.” 

The program saw the state give $148.21 to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank in Urbana, and $2,070.20 to Danville Rescue in Danville.

ICash, also referred to as Illinois’ unclaimed property program, is one of the state’s oldest consumer protection initiatives. The state treasurer in Illinois is tasked with safeguarding unclaimed property, such as the contents of overlooked safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and unused rebate cards.

Illinois holds more than $5 billion in unclaimed property, and more than $2.4 billion has been returned since Frerichs took office, the most in state history.

To see if you have unclaimed property, check the online database at icash.illinoistreasurer.gov. The state treasurer is legally required to return unclaimed property to its owners or heirs, no matter how long it takes.