Press Releases

For Immediate Release
October 15, 2008	Contact: Charles Evenson 608-266-2026

Green Lit Capitol Highlights Money Smart Week, Over 600 Opportunities to Learn About Money

(Madison) The attached photo shows the state capitol in Madison lit in green to promote awareness of the third annual Money Smart Week Wisconsin campaign. The statewide initiative promotes financial literacy. It runs October 12-18. More than 500 partners are offering over 600 events and activities across the state. Nearly all are free and open to the public. The lighting will continue throughout the campaign.

Governor Doyle’s Council on Financial Literacy created Money Smart Week Wisconsin in 2006 in conjunction with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The campaign is modeled after similar promotions run by the Chicago Fed in the cities of Detroit and Chicago. In 2006, Wisconsin became the first state in the country to collaborate with the Chicago Fed to conduct a statewide financial literacy campaign

DFI Secretary Lorrie Keating Heinemann is chair of GDCFL.

“Now more than ever, people need access to financial education,” said Secretary Heinemann. “During these uncertain times we all have a responsibility to become part of the solution to become financially savvy. Money Smart Week offers a great opportunity for everyone to improve their money skills.”

First Lady Jessica Doyle is honorary chair of GDCFL. DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy takes the lead role in conducting Money Smart Week. Thirteen volunteer regional planning committees around the state are helping conduct the campaign’s events and activities. They deal with many aspects of personal finance and money management.

The times, dates and places of the events and other information are available from the campaign’s website: www.moneysmartwi.org

The goal of Money Smart Week is to help families, students, homeowners, businesspersons, employees and other community members expand their opportunities by improving their financial literacy. MSWW guidelines prohibit promotion of products, services or sales pitches at events. For more information contact David Mancl, Director of DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy at 608-261-9540 or email him at david.mancl@dfi.wisconsin.gov