Find Des Plaines Unclaimed Money
Des Plaines residents may have unclaimed money sitting with the state of Illinois right now. This Cook County city has about 59,000 people, and the Illinois State Treasurer holds over $5 billion in unclaimed funds statewide. Some of that money belongs to Des Plaines residents who forgot about old bank accounts, never cashed a check, or left behind insurance payouts. The ICash database lets you search for free. You can also check with the Cook County Treasurer for property tax refunds and uncashed checks tied to your Des Plaines address.
Des Plaines Quick Facts
Search Des Plaines Unclaimed Money Online
The best way to find unclaimed money in Des Plaines is through the ICash portal. This is the official search tool run by the Illinois State Treasurer. Enter your first and last name. The results show any unclaimed money linked to your name across the whole state. It costs nothing to search. No account is needed.
If you find a match, click on it to start a claim. The ICash site shows the type of unclaimed money, where it came from, and how much it is worth. Most claims need just a few documents. A valid ID and proof of your Social Security number are the basics. Claims over $2,000 need a notarized form.
The City of Des Plaines does not run its own unclaimed money program. City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski and the finance department handle city records and local funds, but they do not hold unclaimed property for individual residents. All unclaimed money for Des Plaines goes through the state ICash system or the Cook County Treasurer.
Cook County Unclaimed Money for Des Plaines
Des Plaines is part of Cook County. The Cook County Treasurer under Maria Pappas keeps its own lists of unclaimed money. There is $122 million in available property tax refunds across Cook County. Some of that may belong to Des Plaines homeowners who overpaid their taxes or missed a refund check.
Cook County also tracks $33 million in missing senior exemptions going back four years. If you own a home in Des Plaines and are 65 or older, this is worth checking. You can search the Cook County site by name or by address. The office is at 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602. Call (312) 443-5100 if you need help.
Beyond property tax refunds, the state ICash system covers all other unclaimed money types for Des Plaines. Bank accounts, insurance payouts, stock shares, and uncashed checks all end up with the state after three to five years of being idle.
Note: You can search both the state ICash site and the Cook County Treasurer site separately since they track different types of unclaimed money.
Des Plaines City Offices
The City Clerk's Office in Des Plaines serves as the municipal public information and resource center. Clerk Dominik Bronakowski handles city records, public information requests, and administrative duties. While the clerk does not manage unclaimed money, they can help you find the right state or county contacts.
The Des Plaines Finance Department manages all city funds, budgets, and financial reporting. They aim to go above and beyond basic reporting requirements. The city recently updated its website from desplaines.org to desplainesil.gov, so make sure you use the new address. Call 847-391-5330 during business hours. City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
For questions about unclaimed money in Des Plaines, contact the Illinois State Treasurer at 800-961-8303 or email unclaimedproperty@illinoistreasurer.gov. You can also mail claim documents to the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer, P.O. Box 19495, Springfield, IL 62794-9495.
Types of Unclaimed Money in Des Plaines
Unclaimed money for Des Plaines residents comes from the same sources as the rest of Illinois. Banks, businesses, and insurance firms must turn over dormant accounts to the state after a set period. The most common types include:
- Forgotten bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs)
- Uncashed payroll or rebate checks
- Life insurance payouts and annuities
- Stock dividends and mutual fund shares
- Utility deposits and overpayments
- Safe deposit box contents
- Vendor credit balances
The dormancy period is three to five years in Illinois. After that, the money goes to the State Treasurer. The Treasurer acts as custodian, not owner. Your unclaimed money in Des Plaines sits in trust until you or your heirs claim it. There is no time limit to file a claim. The state returns all property at no cost with the right ID.
How to Claim Des Plaines Unclaimed Money
Filing a claim is straightforward. Start at the ICash site. Find your unclaimed money. Click to begin. For basic claims where your name and address match, you need a driver's license or state ID, proof of your Social Security number, and a completed claim form. A W-2, Medicare card, or SS card works for SSN proof.
If your address changed since you lived in Des Plaines at the address on file, you also need proof of the old address. Acceptable documents include old tax returns, bank statements, utility bills, and even postmarked envelopes. The state accepts many types of address proof. You can email documents to unclaimedproperty@illinoistreasurer.gov or upload them at the ICash upload page.
Claims take up to 90 days for the first review. Heir claims take longer. If someone passed away and left unclaimed money in Des Plaines, you need a death certificate, proof of your relationship, and possibly a Small Estate Affidavit. The Treasurer's office follows Illinois probate law for all estate claims. Call 800-961-8303 with questions about Des Plaines unclaimed money heir claims.
Note: Claims over $2,000, safe deposit box claims, and securities claims all require a notarized signature.
Des Plaines Money Match Program
The Enhanced Money Match program may find your Des Plaines unclaimed money for you. The state uses its database plus other agency records to match owners with their funds. No sign-up needed. If you match, the Treasurer sends a letter. Then a check arrives about a week later. Cash it at a bank, credit union, or Walmart.
Treasurer Michael Frerichs has returned over $2 billion since taking office. The Money Match program is a key part of that success. If you get a check in the mail from the state of Illinois, it is real. It is not a scam. Open it and cash it. You can also search for unclaimed money in other states at MissingMoney.com if you lived outside Illinois before Des Plaines.
Cook County Unclaimed Money Resources
Des Plaines is in Cook County. The county treasurer and state ICash system both serve this area. For more about county-level resources, property tax refunds, and local office contacts, visit the Cook County page.
Nearby Illinois Cities
Other cities near Des Plaines also have unclaimed money resources. Search these nearby areas: