Giannoulias to return $1 million to Peorians in 1 day
State Treasurer aims for record-setting Cash Dash event

June 3, 2009

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias’ office will attempt to return more than $1 million in unclaimed money to Peoria-area residents in a single day.

The Million Dollar Day team will set up shop Saturday, June 6 at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie to search for resident’s names on the state’s Cash Dash database. Their goal is to set a record for the most cash and assets reunited with their rightful owners during a single outreach event in Illinois.

Since 1999, the Treasurer’s Office has acted as the state’s “lost and found” for forgotten and abandoned bank accounts, insurance payouts and other cash or assets commonly known as “unclaimed property.” The previous record, $585,000, was set last year at an event in Rock Island.

“This is the people’s money and we are doing our best to put it back in their pockets,” Giannoulias said. “The chances that you or someone you know are owed money by the state is greater than you think. So come out and let our Cash Dash team search for your name. You have nothing to lose – and maybe some money to gain.”

Giannoulias’ office was recently featured on Dateline NBC reuniting a Southern Illinois farmer with more than $1 million in lost proceeds from a stock sale. The average claim for an individual is about $200. Funds are often lost when an owner moves addresses or passes away and the heirs cannot be located.

The Treasurer’s Office is currently holding more than $1 billion for over 10 million residents and businesses. Much of that unclaimed wealth is located in Central Illinois, including $14 million for Peoria County, $5.5 million for Tazewell County, $3 million for Knox County and $1.5 million for Fulton County.

Although this is the first Million Dollar Day event, Cash Dash representatives regularly tour the state to reunite residents with money at community events. In addition, the office runs owners’ names in newspapers twice a year, conducts direct mail initiatives and maintains a searchable online database at www.treasurer.il.gov with complete instructions on filing a claim. In 2008, the Treasurer’s Office returned $75 million in lost cash and assets to almost 42,000 residents and businesses statewide.

Peorians should bring photo identification and a Social Security card to the event to expedite the claim process. Lucky residents whose claims have already been processed will receive checks at noon.