Hoffman and Comptroller Mendoza Remind Area Residents to Check for Uncashed Checks

SWANSEA, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is highlighting a program to reunite local taxpayers and small businesses with uncashed checks issued by the State of Illinois through Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s “Check for Cash” program.

“There are thousands of residents that have no idea that they have a claim to uncashed checks from the state,” Hoffman said. “Any relief toward workings families’ budgets can go a long way to meeting monthly expenses, and this program makes it very easy for residents to check to see if they are owed any money.”

Each year, the State of Illinois issues thousands of checks that go uncashed, most frequently to state employees, local governments and small businesses that work with state agencies. As a result, the Comptroller’s office currently has records of more than 100,000 uncashed checks. Over the years, these uncashed checks have accumulated to over $30 million in unclaimed taxpayer money.

Comptroller Mendoza’s “Check for Cash” website, which can be found at http://illinoiscomptroller.gov/services/check-for-cash, provides a simple way for citizens to find out if an uncashed check is being held in their name and how they can make a claim.

“Through our online database, anyone can look up if they have an uncashed check and start the process right there to get that check reissued,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “These checks don’t represent any new spending–they are rightfully owed to someone and I believe we ought to do our part to make sure those taxpayers aren’t shortchanged.”

For more information, please contact Hoffman’s full-time constituent service office at 618-416-7407.