Public auction to sell unique items from State government on July 19

SPRINGFIELD - Residents from across the state are sure to find bargains at the State of Illinois' Surplus Property Auction being held on Wednesday, July 19.  The auction will feature items including farm equipment, construction equipment, tools, computers, and furniture.  Altogether, thousands of items will be liquidated as the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) sells items no longer used by state government. 

"When Illinois government sells items that are no longer needed, people can find unique items at a great price and the state earns an important return on its investment.  Money raised at auctions both in Springfield and on the Internet help Gov. Blagojevich to continue making investments to improve healthcare and education," said Paul Campbell, director of CMS.
 
The July 19 auction will take place at the State Surplus Property Warehouse, 1924 South 10 ½ Street in Springfield, Illinois, with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. and auction beginning at 8 a.m.  Interested bidders can inspect items on Monday, July 17 and Tuesday, July 18 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

Specific items being auctioned include:
• Farm equipment including John Deere 350 sickle bar mower, John Deere 495 4-row planter.  Also, rotary, batwing, flail, and finish mowers, as well as a Ransomes Bobcat mower
• Yale Gasoline Forklifts, Addco changeable message signs on trailers with diesel engines, and snow blades, trailers, and Jon boats
• Pressure washers, lawnmowers, Hobart mixer, pallet jacks, air compressors, electric motors, wheel balancer and tire changer, Wells metal band saw, and an upright portable hoist
• Commercial food and beverage equipment including stainless steel pots, pans and kettles, lots of kitchen dishes and utensils, various stainless steel refrigerators, steam kettles, and storage racks
• Stainless steel small animal cages, wheel chair lifts, Factory Cat warehouse sweeper, vending machines
• Computer and office equipment including laptops, desks, filing cabinets, chairs, books, typewriters, copy machines, various office machines, and other miscellaneous items

Bidders may pay for purchases with cash, MasterCard or Visa, as well as with cashiers check, money order, or traveler's checks in increments of $100 or less.  Business or personal checks are also accepted, but must be supported by a letter of credit from a financial institution that includes the maximum amount of credit approved through a specific date.  These letters should also state that they cover the purchase price of State of Illinois property only; all letters of credit must be approved prior to the sale.  Two types of identification must also be provided, including one with a photograph. 

The State reserves the right to reject any payment or identification of a bidder if it appears it may not be in the best interest of the State of Illinois.  All buyers must take possession of property purchased immediately upon conclusion of the auction.  The State of Illinois is not responsible for accidents or loss. All sales are final. 

Through the past year, the surplus property program produced strong results by posting more than $1.1 million in sales.  Additionally, the state has hosted ongoing auctions at www.ibid.illinois.gov that have generated more than $750,000 in sales since August of 2003.  To learn more about the state's Surplus Property Program, visit www.cms.illinois.gov or call 1-217-782-7786.

About Central Management Services
In 2003, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich instructed CMS to streamline the state's operations, share resources and save taxpayer money while improving the business services of state government.  By bringing private-sector discipline to its public-sector mission, the department leads the cost-effective administration of purchasing, property management, information technology, telecommunications, internal audit and outside legal services for the state's executive agencies, personnel and benefits for all state employees and retirees, and the state's employee and vendor diversity programs. 

Deloitte Consulting recently validated that CMS achieved $529 million in savings - through its efforts in FY04 and FY05 alone - as it implemented new technologies, reduced waste and rethought many of the administrative operations of the state.