Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging residents to see if they have any unclaimed property being held by his office. Unclaimed property can come in the form of forgotten bank accounts or even items left in abandoned safe deposit boxes.

Frerichs says it’s not hard to find out if you have unclaimed property.

Frerichs says it’s better for the economy for the money to be in the hands of consumers than in a bank in Springfield.

Frerichs says it’s a pretty simple process depending on the situation.

Items that the treasurer’s office has for a long time are auctioned off a few times a year to make room for more. The proceeds from the auctions are still kept and held for the owner of the property or their descendants. The treasurer’s office also handles the state’s investments.

You can search for unclaimed property by clicking here.