State guide · 5 min read
Illinois unclaimed property: how to search and claim
Illinois holds more than $5 billion in unclaimed property, according to the State Treasurer, from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed refund and rebate checks, unpaid life insurance, stock dividends, and safe deposit boxes. The program is called I-Cash, it is run by the Illinois State Treasurer, and searching and claiming are free.
| Who runs it | Illinois State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division (I-Cash) |
|---|---|
| Official search | icash.illinoistreasurer.gov |
| Cost | Free to search and claim |
| Automatic checks | Enhanced Money Match mails some owners a check with no claim needed (simple cash claims for one person, generally up to $5,000) |
| Deadline | None. The Treasurer must return property to owners or heirs no matter how long it takes |
How to search and claim in Illinois
- Go to icash.illinoistreasurer.gov and search your last name, then add a first name or city.
- Select each property that matches a place you lived or a company you dealt with, and start a claim.
- Answer the questions and upload what the office asks for, usually ID and proof of the address on the record.
- Save your claim ID and use it to check the status online.
Got a check from the Illinois Treasurer you did not ask for?
It may be real. Through Enhanced Money Match, the Treasurer's Office compares unclaimed property records with other state records. When it confirms a name and mailing address, it sends a letter explaining the amount and source, then mails a check. The Treasurer's Money Match FAQ says these checks are safe to cash. Money Match does not cover property with multiple owners, stocks or bonds, escrow accounts, or safe deposit box contents, so search I-Cash too.
Search tips that actually find money
- Search your last name only first, then narrow by city. Typos in old records are common.
- Try maiden names, old married names, and the names of any business you ran.
- Search parents and grandparents who have died if you might be an heir.
- Search every state you have lived in. Use MissingMoney.com for a free multi-state search, and our list of all 50 state sites.
- Search again once or twice a year, since businesses report new property every year.
Do not pay a finder
Some companies mail letters offering to recover your money for a percentage. Claiming directly from the state is free. If someone texts you a link about "unclaimed funds," type the state's address yourself instead. More on spotting fakes in fake settlement texts and emails.
Money you can still claim before a deadline
Unclaimed property is money already paid out and waiting. Open class action settlements are money you can still file for:
- TED Foundation: Data Privacy $5 · by Oct 26
- Pork Prices Varies · by Oct 29
- FinWise Bank: Data Breach Up to $5,000 · by Oct 29
- Trans Union: Consumer Reports $100 - $1,000 · by Oct 30
- Bestway: Above-Ground Pools $40+ · by Oct 30
See also how to find unclaimed money in your name and what happens to an uncashed settlement check.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Illinois I-Cash search free?
Yes. Searching and claiming through the Illinois State Treasurer's I-Cash site is free. You never need to pay a finder.
Is a Money Match check from the State of Illinois real?
It can be. The Illinois State Treasurer's Enhanced Money Match program mails checks automatically when it can verify that unclaimed cash belongs to one person, after first sending a letter that explains the amount and source. If you are unsure, contact the Treasurer's Office using the phone number or email on illinoistreasurer.gov, not a number printed on the letter.
What does Money Match not cover?
Property with multiple owners (including a parent and minor child), stocks and bonds, escrow accounts, and safe deposit box contents. You can still claim those through I-Cash.
Is there a deadline to claim unclaimed money in Illinois?
No. The Treasurer is legally required to return unclaimed property to its owners or heirs no matter how long it takes.