Illinois e-News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 15, 2026

Adriana Colindres 217.558.1920 

Eric Krol 312.814.1252 

Jenna Jaynes 402.437.6406

CHICAGO (January 15, 2026) — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) are once again partnering to host a $5.29 Family Day on Sunday, January 25. As part of the special event sponsored by Bright Start 529 College Savings, general admission to the museum will be discounted to $5.29 per person. Tickets are now available through the museum’s website and are expected to sell quickly.

During the event, children can decorate their own piggy bank to take home in the Bright Start 529 Little Savers Crafting Workshop. The activity is offered free of charge and is designed to spark age-appropriate conversations with children about saving, goal setting and planning for their financial future. Families are also encouraged to speak with the Bright Start 529 team about how a 529 account can help achieve college savings goals.

This is the second time CCM and the Treasurer’s Office have partnered for a $5.29 Family Day. The event reflects their shared interest in fostering early educational experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning.

“We are thrilled to once again be partnering with State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Bright Start 529 to bring families together for a meaningful and rich experience,” said Jennifer Farrington, Chicago Children's Museum CEO. “We have always been committed to giving children and families access to learning opportunities and resources that help children thrive, and this collaboration is another way we can continue providing meaningful opportunities for families."

Bright Start 529 is an Illinois college savings plan administered by Frerichs’ office. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged investment account that can be used to save for higher education, including universities (public/private), community colleges, technical and vocational schools, registered apprenticeship programs, graduate and professional schools nationwide and many abroad. 

“When children know someone is saving for their higher education, they are three times more likely to attend college,” said Treasurer Frerichs. “Bright Start 529 makes it easier for families to begin that journey and prepare for the cost of higher education. We’re grateful for partnerships like this with the Chicago Children’s Museum that help spark those important conversations early on.”

Since 2015, Frerichs has significantly grown the Bright Start 529 program. Recognizing the increasing costs for post-secondary education, Frerichs has worked to reduce plan fees, saving families more than $100 million, which ensures more investment dollars go directly to college savings. His work also includes the creation of the Illinois First Steps program, which offers a one-time $50 seed deposit to the Illinois 529 account of eligible children born or adopted in 2023 or later. More information, including how to open an account, can be found at BrightStart.com.

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is a powerful economic engine that invests in people to drive prosperity, development and growth throughout the state. As State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR'iks) is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $60 billion. The investments help families pay for college and trade school; workers save for a dignified retirement; and local governments process bill payments more efficiently so they can pass along the savings to taxpayers. The office provides financial institutions money to loan to farmers, small business owners, and qualified individuals at below-market rates because better jobs create stronger communities. The office operates the state’s largest consumer protection initiative, the unclaimed property I-Cash program, which has returned a record-breaking $2.2 billion since Frerichs was elected. 

For more news about the State Treasurer’s Office, please follow Treasurer Frerichs on Instagram at ILTreasurer, LinkedIn and Facebook at Invested in You – Treasurer Michael Frerichs. You can find the newsletter here.

Illinois’ highly rated Bright Start Direct-Sold College Savings Program (“Bright Start 529”) has been

making it easier for families to save for higher education expenses since 2000. Open a Bright Start 529

account and funds saved can be used at universities, community and technical colleges, and graduate or

professional schools nationwide and many abroad. In addition to tuition and fees, funds may be used for

certain housing and food (room and board) expenses, computer/tablets, books, supplies or other qualified

expenses. Bright Start 529 is sponsored by the State of Illinois and administered by the Illinois State

Treasurer, as Trustee. For more information about Bright Start 529, including investment objectives,

risks, expenses, and other important information, please visit our website at www.brightstart.com.

The mission of Chicago Children's Museum is to improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. CCM is a cultural institution dedicated to young children and the important adults in their lives. Playful experiences, including more than 15 interactive exhibits and daily programming, tap into how kids learn and engage to develop the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Located at Navy Pier, Chicago's number one attraction at 700 E. Grand Ave., CCM is the final stop for CTA buses #29, #65, #66 and #124. For more information, please visit www.ChicagoChildrensMuseum.org.