{"content":[{"text":"Last year, Frerichs championed House Bill 4633, which was later signed into law, after learning \n some life insurance companies choose not to pay death benefits even when they know or should \n have known that a customer died. Instead, the companies rely upon this non-payment to fatten their \n profit margins.","bbox":{"left":0.094118,"top":0.070712,"width":0.788233,"height":0.072485}},{"text":"In Illinois, unpaid life insurance benefits are considered unclaimed property and returning \n unclaimed property to owners is among the duties of the Illinois State Treasurer. Since 2011, the \n treasurer’s office has identified more than $550 million in death benefits that were not paid to \n grieving families in Illinois. The Wall Street Journal reports that nationally the figure is more than \n $7.4 billion.","bbox":{"left":0.094118,"top":0.157833,"width":0.7882349999999999,"height":0.08990900000000002}},{"text":"Illinois holds unclaimed property in perpetuity until the items or funds are claimed by the owner or \n heirs.","bbox":{"left":0.094118,"top":0.262379,"width":0.788293,"height":0.03763600000000006}},{"text":"There is more than $2 billion in unclaimed property such as life insurance benefits, forgotten bank \n accounts, and unclaimed rebate checks from retailers. Individuals can search a database for their \n name or the name of their business or non-profit at www.illinoistreasurer.gov/ICASH.","bbox":{"left":0.094118,"top":0.314651,"width":0.7883319999999999,"height":0.05506099999999997}},{"text":"Frerichs’ office never charges anyone to search the database or return unclaimed property.","bbox":{"left":0.094118,"top":0.384636,"width":0.762941,"height":0.020984999999999976}},{"text":"About the Illinois Treasurer \n The Illinois Treasurer is the state’s chief investment officer and Frerichs is a Certified Public \n Finance Officer. He protects consumers by encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, \n increasing financial education among all ages, and removing barriers to a secure retirement. As the \n state’s Chief Investment Officer, he actively manages approximately $25 billion. The portfolio \n includes $13 billion in state funds, $7 billion in college savings plans and $5 billion on behalf of \n local and state governments. The investment approach is cautious to ensure the preservation of \n capital and returns $28 to the state for every $1 spent in operations. The Treasurer’s Office predates \n Illinois incorporation in 1818. Voters in 1848 chose to make it an elected office. \n ###","bbox":{"left":0.094118,"top":0.419485,"width":0.788322,"height":0.175168}}],"images_bbox":[],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[]}