Burke Measure Streamlining Unclaimed Funds Retrieval Process Now Law

OAK LAWN, IL – New legislation spearheaded by state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, will streamline and simplify Illinois’ system for citizens to recover unclaimed property and funds from local and state government entities.

“Good government doesn’t stand in the way of people getting their property, and that’s what this measure is all about,” Burke said. “Many Illinoisans have funds and property being held by the comptroller’s office and other state agencies that are waiting to be claimed. By streamlining and standardizing these processes, this measure will make it easier for the people of our state to get what’s theirs.”

Burke’s legislation, House Bill 2224, harmonizes and modernizes various laws, statutes and regulations that govern Illinois’ unclaimed property laws, including the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, the Property Tax Code, the State Comptroller Act, the Government Account Audit Act and the Probate Code. House Bill 2224’s changes ensure that various unclaimed property polices are not contradictory and are compatible with updates to federal law.

This measure received near unanimous bipartisan support in the House and Senate and was recently signed by Gov. Pritzker. The Illinois Treasurer’s office maintains a portal to access the ICash program, which allows Illinoisans to check to see some unclaimed property they may be owed. People can check at https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/

“My commitment to slashing government red tape and ensuring Illinoisans get what’s owed to them remains consistent,” Burke said. “I am confident that these reforms will help ensure unclaimed assets get to where they should go.”