Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – State Fair time means auction time for State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. The treasurer’s office has stewardship of the unclaimed property program. And Frerichs is again auctioning off long-unclaimed items at the Illinois State Fair.

The goodies are from forgotten safe deposit boxes, and the treasurer said Monday they try for years to find the rightful owners. If the owner shows up after an item is sold, that person gets the money the treasurer’s office collected in the sale.

“People like this. (Former treasurer, the late) Judy Baar Topinka did this. She loved the state fair,” said Frerichs. “People like a live auction. Our hope is that when they come on August 22, they stay, they bid, they have a good time, and then they also enjoy themselves at the fair.”

Jewelry, coins, currency, and baseball cards are among the items which will be up for bid on the Lincoln Stage Saturday, August 22, at 11 a.m.