Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Chicago Children’s Museum to Host $5.29 Family Day Sunday, January 25

For Immediate Release

CHICAGO (January 15, 2026) — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) are once again partnering to host a $5.29 Family Day on Sunday, January 25. As part of the special event sponsored by Bright Start 529 College Savings, general admission to the museum will be discounted to $5.29 per person. Tickets are now available through the museum’s website and are expected to sell quickly.

During the event, children can decorate their own piggy bank to take home in the Bright Start 529 Little Savers Crafting Workshop. The activity is offered free of charge and is designed to spark age-appropriate conversations with children about saving, goal setting and planning for their financial future. Families are also encouraged to speak with the Bright Start 529 team about how a 529 account can help achieve college savings goals.

This is the second time CCM and the Treasurer’s Office have partnered for a $5.29 Family Day. The event reflects their shared interest in fostering early educational experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning.

“We are thrilled to once again be partnering with State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Bright Start 529 to bring families together for a meaningful and rich experience,” said Jennifer Farrington, Chicago Children’s Museum CEO. “We have always been committed to giving children and families access to learning opportunities and resources that help children thrive, and this collaboration is another way we can continue providing meaningful opportunities for families.”

Bright Start 529 is an Illinois college savings plan administered by Frerichs’ office. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged investment account that can be used to save for higher education, including universities (public/private), community colleges, technical and vocational schools, registered apprenticeship programs, graduate and professional schools nationwide and many abroad.

“When children know someone is saving for their higher education, they are three times more likely to attend college,” said Treasurer Frerichs. “Bright Start 529 makes it easier for families to begin that journey and prepare for the cost of higher education. We’re grateful for partnerships like this with the Chicago Children’s Museum that help spark those important conversations early on.”

Since 2015, Frerichs has significantly grown the Bright Start 529 program. Recognizing the increasing costs for post-secondary education, Frerichs has worked to reduce plan fees, saving families more than $100 million, which ensures more investment dollars go directly to college savings. His work also includes the creation of the Illinois First Steps program, which offers a one-time $50 seed deposit to the Illinois 529 account of eligible children born or adopted in 2023 or later. More information, including how to open an account, can be found at BrightStart.com.