Mike Frerichs was born and raised in the small farming community of Gifford, Illinois (pop. 900). The son of a Teamster truck driver and a university secretary and AFSCME member, Mike graduated from Yale University and spent two years in Taiwan, where he taught English to young students and learned to speak Chinese. After college, Mike returned home to run a technology start-up and serve as a volunteer fireman. In 2000, Mike was elected to the Champaign County Board and became the Champaign County Auditor in 2002.
In 2007, Mike was sworn in as the State Senator 52nd District, which includes parts of Champaign and Vermilion Counties. In the Legislature, Mike spearheaded efforts to provide financial assistance to farmers and pushed for expanded use of alternative fuels. Mike also fought to reduce disparities in education funding across Illinois.
In 2015, Mike was sworn in as Treasurer of Illinois and was subsequently re-elected in 2018 and 2022. As the state’s Chief Investment Officer, Mike has transformed the office by generating record investment returns for taxpayers and providing working families with the tools they need to build long-term financial stability. During his tenure, he has…
- Protected taxpayers from tax hikes and protected our schools, universities, and infrastructure from budget cuts by earning over $5.6 billion in investment returns for Illinois
- Returned more money back to Illinoisans than any other Treasurer in history through his I-Cash program
- Expanded access to higher education by improving the 529 College Savings Program to the top-rated program in the country.
- Helped seniors retire with dignity and assisted small businesses by expanding the Secure Choice program
- Given local farmers a leg up by providing loan opportunities for Illinois farmers through his Ag Invest program–the nation’s most expansive agricultural deposit program
- Helped disabled Illinoisians and their families through the ABLE program
Mike believes through these tools and smart investing; the Treasurer’s office can help every family in Illinois achieve the American Dream.
Mike currently resides in Chicago with his wife Erica, his daughter Ella, and his twin boys Max & Theo.