September 24, 2025
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs
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Illinois Treasurer Frerichs Marks Bright Start’s 25th Anniversary with Record Growth During College Savings Month
The news comes as the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office kicks off College Savings Month, which falls in September. Sponsored and launched by the State of Illinois in the year 2000, the Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan is designed for higher education savings. Treasurer Frerichs also sponsors Bright Directions, a 529 plan for families who prefer to work with a financial advisor. Over the past 25 years, more than 250,000 students have used their IL 529 college savings funds to attend hundreds of universities, colleges, trade schools, vocational programs and apprenticeships.