Michael W. Frerichs, the Democratic incumbent Illinois state treasurer, is running for a fourth term in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Max Solomon.
Frerichs has held the office since 2015. He is the 74th person to serve as Illinois state treasurer, according to the Illinois State Treasurer's office. He was first elected in November 2014 and re-elected twice, beginning his third term in January 2023.
Lake County voters will see the race on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Candidate information
Full name: Michael W. Frerichs
Party: Democratic
Office sought: Illinois Treasurer
Born and raised in: Gifford, Illinois, a small downstate farming community
Education: Rantoul Township High School, 1991; bachelor's degree, Yale University, 1995; Mandarin Chinese studies, National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan)
Family background: Son of a Teamster truck driver and a university secretary who was an AFSCME member, according to his official biography. He was a first-generation college graduate.
Certifications: Certified Public Finance Officer, earned while serving as Champaign County auditor
Experience and public service
Frerichs held three elected offices before becoming treasurer:
- Champaign County Board member, 2000–2002
- Champaign County auditor, 2002–2007
- Illinois state senator, District 52, 2007–2015. He chaired the Agriculture and Conservation Committee and the Committee on Higher Education.
Beyond elected office, Frerichs served as vice chair of the Illinois State Board of Investment. He was president of the National Association of State Treasurers in 2024 and president of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers in 2022 and 2023, according to the treasurer's office.
His official biography also lists earlier roles as a volunteer firefighter, founder of a technology start-up in Champaign County and an English teacher in Taiwan.
On the issues
No issue positions or policy responses from Frerichs were available in the reviewed candidate materials for this profile.
Endorsements
Frerichs has received endorsements from labor and political organizations, according to BallotReady data:
- AFL-CIO
- Illinois Federation of Teachers
- Chicago Federation of Labour
- IBEW Local 134
- IUOE Local 399
- IUOE Local 150
- Equality Illinois
- Citizen Action Illinois
- Personal PAC
- Illinois NOW PAC
- Cook County Democrats
- St. Clair County Democrats
- Italian American Political Coalition
- United Hellenic Voters of America
Some endorsements listed were recorded during the 2022 election cycle and have not been verified for the 2026 race.
Candidate profiles are based on reviewed public records, official biographies and candidate-provided information compiled by BallotReady. The Lake Forest Journal did not interview the candidate for this profile. Responses to policy questionnaires, when available, are presented in the candidate's own words.
