Did you know the State of Illinois might be holding unclaimed property that belongs to you? It could be an old bank account, an uncashed paycheck, or even insurance refunds. Companies that owe money but can't locate the rightful owners are legally required to turn those funds over to the state.

The state holds these funds temporarily, giving people the opportunity to claim them. However, if the money goes unclaimed for a certain period, it “escheats” to the state treasury. This means the funds are legally transferred to the state, becoming state property permanently.

To avoid losing out on money that's rightfully yours, it's a good idea to search the Illinois Treasurer's I-Cash database at least once a year. The process is quick and simple, and you might be surprised by what you find!

How to Search for Unclaimed Property

1. Visit the Illinois I-Cash website at https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/.
2. Enter your name and other requested details.
3. If the database shows a match, follow the steps to start the claim process.

According to Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, 1 in 4 Illinois adults discovers property to claim when they search the I-Cash database. Currently, the Treasurer is safeguarding nearly $5 billion in recovered cash and property, and some of it could belong to you!

Don't let your money slip away into the state treasury forever. Take a few minutes today to check and see if you have unclaimed property waiting for you.

Have questions about navigating this process or handling other legal matters? Schedule a strategy session with our team at CTM Legal Group—we're here to help!