Michael W. Frerichs, the Democratic incumbent Illinois state treasurer, is running for a fourth term in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Republican Max Solomon is also certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. Evanston voters will see this statewide race on their ballots.
Frerichs was first elected treasurer in November 2014 and is the 74th person to hold the office, according to the Illinois State Treasurer's website. He began his third term in January 2023.
Candidate information
- Full name: Michael W. Frerichs
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Illinois State Treasurer
- Date of birth: July 28, 1973
- Hometown: Gifford, Illinois
- Education: Rantoul Township High School (1991); bachelor's degree, Yale University (1995); Mandarin Chinese studies, National Cheng Kung University
- Family background: Son of a Teamster truck driver and a university secretary and AFSCME member; first-generation college graduate, according to his official biography
Experience and public service
Frerichs held several offices before becoming treasurer.
He served on the Champaign County Board from 2000 to 2002, then as Champaign County auditor from 2002 to 2007, according to BallotReady profile data. He became a Certified Public Finance Officer during his time as auditor, according to the treasurer's office website.
Frerichs represented District 52 in the Illinois State Senate from 2007 to 2015. He chaired the Agriculture and Conservation Committee and the Committee on Higher Education during his time in the Senate, according to his official biography.
Beyond elected office, Frerichs served as vice chair of the Illinois State Board of Investment. He was president of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers in 2022 and 2023, and president of the National Association of State Treasurers in 2024, according to the treasurer's office website.
Earlier in his career, Frerichs taught English in Taiwan, founded a technology start-up in Champaign County and served as a volunteer firefighter, according to his official biography.
Endorsements
Frerichs lists endorsements from the AFL-CIO, the Chicago Federation of Labor, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399, Equality IL, Citizen Action Illinois and the Cook County Democrats, according to BallotReady profile data.
Several additional organizations endorsed Frerichs in 2022, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Personal PAC, Illinois NOW PAC, IUOE Local 150, the St. Clair County Democrats, the Italian American Political Coalition and the United Hellenic Voters of America. Those endorsements have not been verified for the 2026 race.
On the issues
No issue responses or policy positions from Frerichs were available in the materials reviewed for this profile.
Candidate profiles are based on publicly available information, official biographies and election data. Evanston Wire did not interview the candidate for this profile.
