SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Treasurer has announced a campaign to try to locate the owners of important unclaimed property, Purple Heart medals. Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs says that eleven Purple Hearts are being held by the state. The military honors wound up part of the Unclaimed Property program after their owners could not be found.
Frerichs hopes to get these medals in the loving care of families rather than hidden inside their vault.
The last names associated with the safe deposit box, the date in which the medal was recorded with the state treasurer’s office, and the location of the bank:
Cawthon, Received Nov. 1, 1992, Portland, Oregon
Wilson, Received Nov. 13, 1995, Chicago
Burns, Received Nov. 5, 1997, Homewood
Moore, Received Oct. 17, 2001, Peoria
Smith, Received, Nov. 18, 2002, Oak Park
Gorski, Received, Oct. 30, 2003, Darien
Tuttle, Received Oct. 25, 2018, Decatur
Alexander, Received Oct. 26, 2018, Channahon
Isbell or Shayer, Received Oct. 31, 2018, Chicago
Steward or VanHasselaere, Received, Oct. 31, 2018, Round Lake
Wiest, Received Oct. 23, 2019, O’Fallon
If you can provide insight as to the location of the individuals or relatives, you are urged to contact the Treasurer at https://www.illinoistreasurer.gov
