McHenry Times

State Representative Joe Sosnowski informed his constituents about the unclaimed property program in Illinois, emphasizing its safety. "The checks are part of Illinois' unclaimed property program and are safe to cash," he said in an October 24 Facebook post.

"If you receive a check from the treasurer in the mail, it's not a scam," said Sosnowski, according to Facebook. "The checks are part of Illinois' unclaimed property program and are safe to cash."

The Unclaimed Property program aims to return funds to Illinois residents. Typically, individuals must access the Unclaimed Property database to determine if they have any property to claim. However, according to a Chicago Sun-Times article, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is employing the Enhanced Money Match program to identify recipients and send them checks directly, eliminating the need for individuals to manually search the database.

Screenshot of State Rep. Joe Sosnowski's Oct. 24 Facebook post | State Representative Joe Sosnowski's Facebook page

Frerichs expressed concern over public skepticism regarding these checks. "We have done such a good job convincing people in the state that there are identity thieves out there, that they think it’s a scam. They think it’s a hoax and these checks go uncashed. This money doesn’t belong to the state; it belongs to our citizens and we love to return it," he said, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

For those opting to use the unclaimed property database, there is a four-step process outlined on the iCash website. It involves visiting the iCash page, searching for unclaimed properties using a name or business name, clicking the claim button followed by continue to file claim button, and completing necessary documentation including photo identification and social security number. An email notification will be sent if there is property to claim, after which users can submit their documentation and track their claim status online.

Sosnowski has been serving Illinois since his election to the Illinois General Assembly in 2010. He currently represents the 69th District. His political career began with service on the DeKalb City Council before moving on to serve as First Ward Alderman in Rockford from 2005-2010. He is an alumnus of Northern Illinois University, according to his official biography.