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May 4, 2006

Elizabeth Kaufman

Secretary White Urges Illinoisans to Focus on Investing
Wisely During Money Smart Week

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary Jesse White urged Illinoisans to focus on investing wisely during Money Smart Week, May 1-6.

Money Smart Week was designed to educate consumers about money management and create awareness of financial education programs on topics such as budgeting, saving, investing and using credit wisely.

"People can always use more help when it comes to their finances," White said. "We encourage everyone to use this week to get educational materials and information on investing and saving to make better financial decisions."

In the past year, White's Department of Securities handled hundreds of complaints and cases involving Illinois residents who were victims of investment fraud. White's Securities Department, as well as the Securities Exchange Commissions Midwest Regional Office, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and Office of Thrift Supervision, provided information and answered questions on investing and savings on Tuesday in the Lobby of the State of Illinois Building, 100 W. Randolph St.

To get more information on investing in securities or savings, people can visit White's Department of Securities website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com or call 800-628-7937.

For a complete calendar of events for this year's Money Smart Week visit www.chicagofed.org/moneysmart.