Treasurer Giannoulias launches Tomorrow’s Money
financial literacy website with Bond Market Foundation

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias launched a new online money management website today during his luncheon speech at the Effingham Chamber of Commerce.

The site – www.illinois.tomorrowsmoney.org -- provides basic information on personal finance concepts to help individuals begin to save and invest. It was created by The Bond Market Foundation.

“As State Treasurer, I make financially responsible choices every day when I invest our state’s $16 billion portfolio. I believe it is my responsibility to also help Illinois residents make smart money choices when it comes to their own pocketbooks,” he said.

“The Tomorrow’s Money website is an easy-to-use, highly accessible way for people to obtain useful advice any time of day without leaving the comfort of their homes,” he added.

The site is accessible from the Treasurer’s homepage, by typing the web address, or its Spanish equivalent, www.illinois.ahorrando.org. It offers financial calculators for adults, young people and those who have suffered an unexpected change such as the loss of a spouse or job.

The site also has an Illinois Resources Guide with fast facts and links to other government and nonprofit agencies that offer financial assistance.

The Illinois Tomorrow’s Money site is different from other financial websites because it is strictly nonprofit, and nothing is bought or sold on the site, Giannoulias said. The information is research-based, and the site offers a “push” function that will email users reminders of their savings goals.

“The Bond Market Foundation created the Tomorrowsmoney.org suite of sites to help people gain the skills and confidence they need to take control of their financial future,” said Kathryn Edmundson, executive director of The Bond Market Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with Treasurer Giannoulias and his staff to provide Illinoisans with practical financial management tools, information and motivation.”

The Treasurer’s Office partnered with The Bond Market Foundation to broaden its cadre of financial education resources. On an almost daily basis, outreach staff members from the Treasurer’s Office visit communities across the state to give presentations on money management, identity theft prevention and other financial topics. In addition, the Treasurer sponsored six Smart Women Smart Money conferences this summer across the state to provide women the resources necessary to take control of their finances and plan for the future.

Giannoulias launched the Illinois Tomorrow’s Money website during a two-day visit to Effingham. He convened the first meeting of his Southern Illinois Advisory Council on Thursday and visited Dieterich Unit 30 on Friday morning to talk to students about the upcoming Bank At School program. The Treasurer’s Office is providing financial education curriculum to the grade school next semester.

The Bond Market Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the charitable and educational partner of The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, whose membership is comprised of financial industry firms, and The NAST Foundation.

For more information about Illinois’ Tomorrow’s Money and other financial education resources offered by the Treasurer’s Office, please visit www.treasurer.il.gov.