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Illinois Treasurer’s Gift to Pope Leo? $8.65 of Pontiff’s Own Money
Frerichs said the return highlights Illinois’ unclaimed-property program, which has sent back more than $2.5 billion since 2015.
- Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs presented Pope Leo with a certificate to reclaim $8.65 from a now-closed PayPal account during a Vatican visit on Wednesday. The pontiff chuckled upon receiving the refund from Illinois's unclaimed property system.
- Frerichs traveled with a Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce delegation and paid personally with his wife, Erica Frerichs, using no campaign or state funds. He also gifted the pontiff a commemorative Abraham Lincoln coin and a book about Chicago history.
- Since 2015, Frerichs has returned more than $2.5 billion to more than 2.5 million people, including an $11 million return—the largest in U.S. history. His office has processed million-dollar and half-million-dollar returns alongside smaller claims.
- Marketing the program differently has helped the department smash records, Frerichs said. "When people see an example of a real person getting money, more people visit our website, and when more people visit our website, we return more money."
- The publicity arrives as Frerichs faces GOP candidate Max Solomon in an election year. The Pope's PayPal windfall accounts for roughly 0.00000034% of the money Frerichs's office has returned, yet "probably will be the most memorable ones of my time in office," he said.
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Illinois treasurer’s gift to Pope Leo? $8.65 of pontiff’s own money - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
Vatican City’s been a popular spot for Illinois dignitaries since Chicago native Robert Prevost ascended to the papacy last year. Leaders from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to lawmakers to Gov. JB Pritzker have come bearing gifts for Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV — a Chicago-brewed “Da Pope” beer, city-sourced giardiniera, an Illini No. 14 jersey, Chicago White Sox gear and more. Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs’ gift, however, was po…
·Miami, United States
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Before he was appointed to the highest office of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo had a private PayPal account. Now the account has brought the deputy of Christ a personal visit from a US official.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources35
Leaning Left10Leaning Right6Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution41% Center
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
41% Center
L 37%
C 41%
R 22%
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