Old Property Equals New Revenue for Cook County
As you do your Christmas shopping this holiday season, you might want to consider online purchases from the Cook County auction site.
Approximately two years ago, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s administration considered selling surplus equipment and other valuables through auction, as a creative way to generate revenue.
“These items are helping the county bring in money instead of collecting dust in a warehouse,” Cook County Board President, Preckwinkle said. “By auctioning unused property, we are reducing waste, creating new revenue and encouraging fiscal responsibility. We will continue pushing for innovative ways to create revenue without further burdening Cook County taxpayers.”
The County has had a salvage division for some time which previously focused on recycling, re-use or disposal of equipment and materials no longer needed by different County departments.
Much of the equipment and material was stored in the County’s warehouse or, in the case of vehicles, was sitting unused in garages or maintenance yards throughout the County.
Managed by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer and populated with items identified by the County’s Bureau of Administration and Sheriff’s Office, the online auction has a presence and sells antiquated and underutilized assets to national and international marketplaces.
From an old piano to a pair of meat slicers, nursery chairs or big-ticket items like dump trucks, auctioning surplus equipment provides new funds and allows the County to maximize available storage space.
In three months, the County has already auctioned off nearly $100,000 of property.
Unique items that have been sold or are available for sale include a pool table, mirrors, hutches, dressers, metal cots, dump trucks, cars, pick-up trucks and thousands of light bulbs.
The Department of Transportation and Highways, Sheriff’s Office, Oak Forest Hospital, Medical Examiner’s Office and Department of Environmental Control have all contributed items to be auctioned.
A specific pick-up location is provided online for winning bidders who must contact the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for information regarding scheduling an appointment for merchandise pick-up at (312) 603-5370. The pick-up location often times is at the Cook County warehouse, 2323 S. Rockwell St. in Chicago.
Out-of-state buyers are responsible for their own shipping costs.
Interested parties can bid on items at publicsurplus.com or call the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer at (312) 603-5370 for additional information.
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