SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois residents received nearly $276 million from the state's missing money program in 2023.
The program, called I-CASH, allows residents to file claims for unclaimed property held by the state, such as the contents of safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards.
The Illinois State Treasurer's Office processed more than 314,000 claims from residents in 2023. In December alone, $12 million was returned through more than 11,000 claims.
Illinois residents can use the I-CASH tool on the Treasurer's Office website to search for unclaimed property. If you see the name of someone you know attached to unclaimed property, you can choose to share it with them. The Treasurer's Office will send an email notifying them of the missing money.
The Treasurer's Office mailed letters to more than 140,000 people during the fall notifying them of missing money. Using the Enhanced Money Match program, the office cross-referenced state data with its unclaimed property database.
Illinois currently holds more than $5 billion in unclaimed property. The Treasurer's Office recommends residents check for missing money at least twice a year.