Illinois residents can purchase State government's surplus property on March 15

SPRINGFIELD - Residents from across the state can bid on and win the State of Illinois' unneeded property being auctioned on Wednesday, March 15.  The Surplus Property Auction will feature items including boats and boat motors, snow blowers and lawnmowers, tools, exercise equipment, farm and construction equipment, and athletic lockers, among many other items.  Altogether, thousands of items will be liquidated as the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) sells items no longer used by state government. 

"Our surplus property auctions give people across the state an opportunity to find great bargains on a wide variety of items the State no longer needs.  Instead of stockpiling this unused property in a warehouse, Gov. Blagojevich believes we should sell this property to generate a return for Illinois taxpayers," said Paul Campbell, director of CMS.
 
The March 15 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, March 13 and Tuesday, March 14 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

Specific items being auctioned include:
• Jetapower 25k Hercules diesel generator, also Miller and Lincoln welders;
• 16' Jon boat and trailer with a 50 horsepower Mercury motor, a 10' Jon boat, and an Evinrude 9.9 outboard motor;
• John Deere and Toro snow blowers, various lawn mowers, including brush and finish mowers, a pressure washer;
(more)

• International 2500 Series B utility tractor, a Pintle hitch trailer, a 3-point rock rake, a 3-point 6' blade, snow blades;
• Stainless steel kitchen equipment, floor buffers and shampooers;
• Hardware and power tools, AMMCO valve grinders, Blakeslee mixer, and large grade 5 nuts and bolts (5/8 inch to 1 ½ inch), storm drains and covers;
• Scaffolding and earth anchors;
• Gymnasium lockers and exercise equipment;
• Office equipment including laptops, desks, filing cabinets, chairs, books, typewriters, copy machines, and other miscellaneous equipment and furniture.

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.