By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

While the State of Illinois continues to flounder in an attempt to have a budget in more than a year, the State Treasurer’s office continues to flourish with its own programs.

Treasurer Mike Frerichs said that his office works to get residents everything from money owed to them all the way to other special programs to assist with daily life.

“Last year, we had a record year. We returned more money than ever before in our Unclaimed Property Division. One hundred and fifty-five million dollars went out. A year or so ago, when the State of Illinois couldn’t pass a budget, we weren’t paying lottery winners. I told people, ‘We don’t pay out as much, but your odds are a lot better and we’ll actually write you a check.’ So, that’s been going on for awhile at the Treasurer’s office, as has college savings. Help a lot of families ease one of the biggest concerns they have. ‘How am I going to send my kid off to college?’” Frerichs said.

To find out more information, visit illinoistreasurer.gov, which also includes the new program called ABLE, which looks to help people with disabilities have a brighter future.