Exhibit 99.1

[CFS Bancorp, Inc. Letterhead]


March 24, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Thomas F. Prisby, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
          2l9-836-5500



                CFS BANCORP, INC. INCREASES CASH DIVIDEND 9%

MUNSTER, IN - March 24, 2005 - CFS Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: CITZ) announced
today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on March
21, 2005 of $0.12 (twelve cents) per share on the common stock of the Company.
This represents a 9% increase over the previous quarter.  The dividend will
be paid on April 29, 2005 to the stockholders of record at the close of
business on April 8, 2005.

CFS Bancorp, Inc. has paid a cash dividend each quarter since its initial
public offering in July 1998.

CFS Bancorp, Inc. is the parent of Citizens Financial Services, FSB, a $1.3
billion asset federal savings bank.  Citizens Financial Services provides
community banking services and currently operates 24  offices throughout
adjoining  markets in Chicago's  Southland  and  Northwest Indiana.  The
Company maintains a website at www.cfsbancorp.com.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and
information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of
management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available
to management.  The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect,"
"indicate" "intend," "should," and similar expressions, or the negative
thereof, as they relate to the Company or the Company's management, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect the
current views of the Company with respect to future events that are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary.  The
Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

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