Illinois’ Office Of The Treasurer returns more than just money and property of financial value to their rightful owners; they also return the most sacred of honors.  In one recent case, the agency returned a Purple Heart, the military decoration dedicated to service members wounded or killed in combat.  Whereas financial returns are made by mailing a check, the Office Of The Treasurer holds a ceremony to hand over the Purple Heart, and this instance was no exception.  State Treasurer Michael Frerichs led the ceremony and calls this custom one of his favorite parts of the job. 

The Purple Heart is not available for purchase; it can only be earned in combat.  While receiving the Purple Heart may be considered an honor, this does not make the story behind earning it easier to tell for some honorees.

When it comes to items of value, the Treasurer’s Office can only hold onto so many of them at once due to space limitations.  To clear space, they auction off items from time to time.  The most recent one happened at the Illinois State Fair.  Once someone wins it, the Treasurer’s Office holds onto the money until the item’s original owner comes forward to claim it. 

You can visit https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/ to see if there is unclaimed property waiting for you.

Michael Frerichs appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.