Arlington Heights Unclaimed Money
Arlington Heights residents may have unclaimed money held by the state of Illinois. This Cook County village has about 76,000 people, and the state holds over $5 billion in unclaimed funds for people across Illinois. Some of that money belongs to Arlington Heights residents who moved, changed names, or simply forgot about old accounts. The ICash database is the main way to search for unclaimed money in Arlington Heights. You can also check the Cook County Treasurer site for property tax refunds and uncashed checks tied to your name.
Arlington Heights Quick Facts
Search Arlington Heights Unclaimed Money
The ICash portal at icash.illinoistreasurer.gov is where Arlington Heights residents start their search. Type in your first and last name. The site shows all unclaimed money tied to your name in Illinois. It is free to use. No account or sign-up is needed. You can search from your phone or a computer any time of day.
Results show the type of unclaimed money, the source, and the amount. If you see a match for Arlington Heights, click on it to start a claim. The state walks you through the steps. Most claims need a driver's license or state ID and proof of your Social Security number. Claims over $2,000 need a notarized form. The whole process is online.
The Village of Arlington Heights does not run its own unclaimed money program. The village clerk and finance department handle local records and village funds, but they do not hold unclaimed property for residents. All unclaimed money for Arlington Heights goes through the state system.
Note: About 1 in 4 Illinois residents have unclaimed money waiting for them through the state.
Cook County Unclaimed Money for Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights sits in Cook County. The Cook County Treasurer has its own unclaimed money resources that may apply to you. Treasurer Maria Pappas keeps a list of uncashed checks and property tax refunds. There is over $122 million in property tax refunds waiting to be claimed across Cook County. Some of that may belong to Arlington Heights homeowners.
The Cook County Treasurer also tracks $33 million in missing senior exemptions going back four years. If you own a home in Arlington Heights and are over 65, check if you missed any exemptions. You can search the Cook County site by name or address. The office is at 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602. Call (312) 443-5100 for help.
Beyond Cook County, the state ICash program covers all other types of unclaimed money for Arlington Heights. This includes things like forgotten bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, old insurance payouts, and stock dividends. These get turned over to the state after sitting idle for three to five years.
Arlington Heights Village Offices
The Village of Arlington Heights has a finance department that manages all village funds. Melissa Gallagher is the Finance Director and Village Treasurer. She was named to the role in February 2025. The finance team handles the budget, accounting, payroll, water billing, and treasury management for Arlington Heights. They do not handle unclaimed money claims, but they can point you to the right state resources.
You can reach the Arlington Heights Finance Department at 847-368-5500. The office is at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road. Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. For general village questions, call 847-368-5000.
The village clerk handles official records, elections, and voter services. The clerk does not manage unclaimed property. If you need a notary, note that Arlington Heights Village Hall stopped offering notary services as of October 2023. You can find notaries at the Currency Exchange on 118 E Wing Street (847-255-2266) or the UPS Store on 126 E Wing Street (847-818-9000).
Types of Unclaimed Money in Arlington Heights
Unclaimed money in Arlington Heights comes from the same sources as the rest of Illinois. The state holds funds that businesses, banks, and insurance companies turned over after the accounts went dormant. Here are the most common types:
- Forgotten savings or checking accounts
- Uncashed payroll or refund checks
- Life insurance proceeds
- Stock dividends and mutual fund shares
- Utility deposits and overpayments
- Safe deposit box contents
When these items go unclaimed for three to five years, they get sent to the Illinois State Treasurer. The Treasurer acts as custodian. The money does not go to the state budget. It sits in trust until the owner shows up. There is no deadline to claim it. But safe deposit box items may be sold at auction if no one comes forward in time.
Note: You can also search for unclaimed money in other states at MissingMoney.com if you lived elsewhere before Arlington Heights.
How to Claim Unclaimed Money in Arlington Heights
Once you find unclaimed money on the ICash site, you file a claim right there. The steps are simple for most claims. You need a valid ID and proof of your Social Security number. A W-2, Medicare card, or SS card works. If your address has changed since you lived in Arlington Heights at the old address, bring proof of the old address too. Old tax returns, bank statements, or utility bills from your Arlington Heights address can serve as proof.
You can send documents to the state in three ways. Email them to unclaimedproperty@illinoistreasurer.gov. Upload them at the ICash upload page. Or mail them to the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer, P.O. Box 19495, Springfield, IL 62794-9495. The first review takes up to 90 days. Some claims need more papers, and the state will let you know.
For heir claims, you need extra documents. If the original owner passed away, you may need a death certificate, a Small Estate Affidavit, and proof of your relationship. The state follows Illinois probate law for these claims. Call 800-961-8303 if you have questions about claiming unclaimed money as an heir in Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights Money Match Program
The Illinois Treasurer runs the Enhanced Money Match program. This program finds you instead of you having to search. The state uses its unclaimed money database along with other agency records to match owners with their funds. If there is a match for an Arlington Heights address, you get a letter in the mail. A check arrives about a week later.
You do not need to sign up. The state runs the match on its own. Treasurer Michael Frerichs has returned more than $2 billion in unclaimed money since taking office, and the Money Match program is a big part of that. If you get a check from the state of Illinois, it is not a scam. Cash it at your bank, a credit union, Walmart, or through a mobile app.
Cook County Unclaimed Money Resources
Arlington Heights is in Cook County. The county treasurer and state ICash system both serve residents of this area. For more about county-level unclaimed money programs, property tax refunds, and local office contacts, visit the Cook County page.
Nearby Illinois Cities
Other cities near Arlington Heights also have unclaimed money resources through the state ICash program. Check these nearby locations: