Money makes the world go around, but managing it can send your head in circles.

The Treasurer’s Office wants to set you on a steady course through our Bank At School curriculum and financial education seminars on hot topics like identity theft, credit card use and entrepreneurship. All of our resources are free and can be modified to fit your schedule and the skills of participants.

A brief description of the curriculum and our seminars are listed below. For more information or to schedule a presentation, call Financial Education at (312) 814-1700 or e-mail at financialed@treasurer.state.il.us

Bank At School (Ages 6 to 14)
Bank At School is a powerful educational program that introduces students to the world of money and banking. Through a special Bank At School lesson plan developed by the State Treasurer’s Office in cooperation with schools and financial institutions, students learn the value of money management and saving for the future. The Bank At School program correlates with fifth and sixth grade Illinois Learning Standards, but can be easily adapted for other grade levels. Teachers receive a semester-long unit guide and a local bank partner. The curriculum is available in Chinese, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Spanish, and Ukrainian, and has been adopted by Greece and Poland for their educational purposes.

Smart Women Smart Money (Women)
Women handle 75 percent of the family finances and control roughly 80 percent of family purchasing decisions, yet they are often reluctant to invest in themselves. The Treasurer’s Office holds annual symposiums across the state to educate women about financial management and entrepreneurship. Thanks to our corporate partners, we are able to offer these symposiums free of charge.

Money, Banking, Credit (Young Adult)
This program teaches young adults the practical money and credit management skills crucial to building a solid financial base. Some of the topics covered in the seminar include: an overview of basic savings tools; how to develop a budget; how to shop for your first credit card; and how to establish credit and maintain a good credit history.

Money, Banking, Credit (Adult)
This program teaches adults practical money and credit management skills crucial to a sound financial future. Topics include how to create a spending plan and live on a reasonable budget; how to shop for a credit card; how to maintain a good credit history; your credit rights; how to obtain a copy of your credit report; credit repair; and how to set long- and short-term goals. Specifics of each class vary dependent on the financial circumstances and skills of workshop participants.

Identity Theft (All Ages)
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in the nation today. This presentation includes information about the most common types of identity fraud; how to help prevent identity theft; and how to remedy the situation if one becomes a victim. It includes contact information for credit reporting bureaus.