Michael W. Frerichs
Illinois Treasurer since 2015; previously a state senator and Champaign County auditor.
Illinois 2026 › Treasurer
Illinois Treasurer race: who’s running on Nov. 3, 2026
2 candidates · Every summary links to its public source · Updated Oct 18, 2026
Summaries were compiled with AI assistance from public sources and are not independently verified. They may contain errors. Check the linked source.
Which candidate matches your views?
Compare on my issues →Answer two quick questions about this office and see a match score in about a minute.
What the office does
The Treasurer is the state's chief investment and banking officer, investing state and local funds, returning unclaimed property, and running state savings programs.
The candidates
Max Solomon
Attorney and adjunct professor of political science and law; 2022 Republican primary candidate for governor; nominated for treasurer by write-in.
Where they stand on this office’s decisions
Investing state money
1 = Weigh climate and social factors5 = Returns only
Frerichs1/5
As treasurer, Frerichs has his office factor sustainability (climate, social, governance) risks into investment decisions, calls this part of fiduciary duty, and has publicly opposed anti-ESG laws.
Sources: illinoistreasurer.gov · valueedgeadvisors.com
Solomonnot placed on the scale
His 2026 campaign proposes modernizing the state's investment strategy through diversification while maintaining fiduciary responsibility, seeking higher returns, plus a real-time public investment dashboard; ESG not addressed.
Sources: northshoreweekly.com · lakeforestjournal.com
Where state deposits go
1 = Big banks, for the best rates5 = Community banks and credit unions
Frerichsnot placed on the scale
In 2018 he launched a $500M program routing state funds through 300+ local banks for below-market loans; in a 2025 op-ed he backed requiring good Illinois CRA ratings for public deposits.
Solomon5/5
Solomon's platform calls for directing state deposits to community banks and credit unions in all 102 Illinois counties to expand access to capital in rural and underserved areas.
Sources: northshoreweekly.com · decodethevote.com
Priorities and record
Michael W. Frerichs
- Continue generating investment returns on the state portfolio to protect taxpayer dollars.
- Help families save for college, retirement, and disability costs through state programs such as Bright Start, Secure Choice, and ABLE.Sources: mikeforillinois.com · stateside.com
- Return unclaimed money to residents and businesses through the I-Cash program.
- Reported $1.45 billion in investment earnings on the state portfolio for fiscal year 2026.
Max Solomon
- Reduce state spending lost to waste and fraud, which he names as the most pressing issue.Source: news.wttw.com
- Direct state deposits to community banks and credit unions in all 102 counties, especially rural and underserved areas.Sources: maxsolomon.info · ballotready.org
- Strengthen the Bright Start and Bright Directions college savings programs to help families afford higher education.Sources: maxsolomon.info · ballotready.org
- Proposes a public online dashboard tracking state funds and investments, plus at least quarterly public updates from the office.Sources: maxsolomon.info · ballotready.org
Quick answers
When is the election?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting is open now. Your county election office has locations and hours.
Who votes in this race?
Every registered voter in Illinois. Enter your ZIP code at howivote.org to see all the races on your ballot.
Does How I Vote endorse anyone?
No. It never recommends a candidate and never guesses a position from party. Where no public position exists, it says so.
Where do these summaries come from?
Candidates’ own websites, votes, questionnaires, debates and news coverage, all linked. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
Other races on Illinois ballots
U.S. SenateU.S. House IL-1U.S. House IL-2U.S. House IL-3U.S. House IL-4U.S. House IL-5U.S. House IL-6U.S. House IL-7U.S. House IL-8U.S. House IL-9U.S. House IL-10U.S. House IL-11U.S. House IL-12U.S. House IL-13U.S. House IL-14U.S. House IL-15U.S. House IL-16U.S. House IL-17GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretary of StateComptrollerTreasurer