iBid is the State of Illinois's online auction site, often called 'the eBay of Illinois.' State agencies and many local governments sell surplus there weekly.

Who can buy at the Springfield state surplus warehouse?

Viewing at the central warehouse is for authorized state and priority agencies. The public buys through iBid.

Where are salvage auctions in Illinois?

IAA has Chicago-area branches in East Dundee, Markham and Aurora; Copart has several Chicago-area yards.

Illinois Auctions: Surplus, Cars, Storage & Estate Sales

Illinois runs iBid, the state's own online auction site, where state agencies and many local governments sell vehicles, furniture and equipment every week. Chicago adds a city surplus auction yard, three IAA branches and several Copart yards. Start with the statewide sources below, then open a city page for verified local links.

City guides

Chicago
Cook County: 12 verified local sources

Statewide sources

Government surplus

Illinois CMS: surplus equipment and iBid: Official page for state surplus. Public auctions are held weekly on iBid, which local governments can also use.
iBid (State of Illinois online auctions): The state's online auction site for state and local government surplus.
GovDeals: Illinois listings: Every Illinois agency selling on GovDeals in one search, filterable by city and seller.

Estate sales and local auction houses

AuctionZip: Illinois auctions: Statewide calendar of auctioneers' upcoming estate, farm, equipment and consignment sales in Illinois.

Illinois rules worth knowing

General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.

Sales tax and reselling. Illinois's state sales tax rate is 6.25%, and local taxes push it higher in most cities, especially Chicago. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Registered retailers can give qualifying sellers a resale certificate for items bought for resale. Government auctions may still charge tax unless you provide the paperwork they ask for.
Vehicles: titles and taxes. Make sure you get a properly assigned title (or the documents the auction specifies). Tax on vehicles depends on who sold it (dealer or private party) and is generally paid when you title it with the Illinois Secretary of State. Title and register through the state motor vehicle agency. Salvage-branded vehicles need extra steps before they can be driven on the road again.
Storage auctions. Facilities must follow the state's notice and advertising rules before a lien sale, and tenants can often pay and pull a unit right up to the sale.
Buying across state lines. The selling state's tax and pickup rules usually apply at the time of sale.

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Frequently asked questions

What is iBid?: iBid is the State of Illinois's online auction site, often called 'the eBay of Illinois.' State agencies and many local governments sell surplus there weekly.
Who can buy at the Springfield state surplus warehouse?: Viewing at the central warehouse is for authorized state and priority agencies. The public buys through iBid.
Where are salvage auctions in Illinois?: IAA has Chicago-area branches in East Dundee, Markham and Aurora; Copart has several Chicago-area yards.

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