Illinois Treasurer Returns $100,000 to State Food Pantries

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned $100,000 in unclaimed money to food pantries across the state to help meet growing demand after federal food assistance was interrupted last month. Local groups receiving funds include Hope Haven of DeKalb County, Inc., which received $120, Bureau County Food Pantry in Princeton with $1,500, and Grace Family Church in Belvidere with $541.60. The money comes from the state’s ICash program, which recovers unclaimed property such as forgotten bank accounts and unused rebates and returns it to owners or nonprofits. This year’s distribution also included $5,500 to Bolingbrook nonprofit 4 K.I.D.S. Sake, which had donation trucks targeted by thieves. The ICash program has returned more than $2.4 billion since Frerichs took office.