Treasurer partners with Neumann Association on eBay project
Developmentally disabled to take photos of state’s unclaimed property

March 11, 2008

A Neumann Association client photographs safe deposit box contents for the state website.

The photos eBay buyers see highlighting the state’s unclaimed property available for sale this
month have been taken by individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

In support of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi
Giannoulias’ office is teaming up with the Neumann Association to promote the state’s eBay
auctions in March.

The Chicago-based Neumann Association employs individuals with developmental disabilities and
mental illness. Clients served by Neumann took pictures of approximately 200 eBay items over the
course of three days in February. Images of the auction items are posted on the Treasurer’s eBay
page for the world to bid on. They can be viewed by visiting www.treasurer.il.gov and clicking on
the eBay logo.

The auction items come from safe deposit boxes that have been lost or abandoned at banks and
other financial institutions throughout the state for at least five years. If the owners cannot be
located, those financial institutions must turn over the contents to the State Treasurer’s Office.

“The unemployment rate for those with disabilities is as high as 90 percent. Teaming up with the
Neumann Association is a great opportunity for us to provide some work for a significantly
disadvantaged population, “ Giannoulias said. “This is also an opportunity for community members
to know that when they buy items off of eBay this month through our web site, they are supporting
disabled workers in our state.”

Neumann Association CEO Eileen Durkin is thrilled to have this opportunity for her clients to
participate in this partnership with the Treasurer’s Office. The Neumann Association has recently
begun holding eBay auctions called Neu-to-U, so working with the Treasurer’s Office was a good
fit.

“Work is a source of dignity and self-esteem for people with disabilities,” Durkin said. “Through
innovative partnerships and collaborations like this, Neumann Association has found stable, paid
employment for hundreds of individuals with disabilities. Our eBay business, Neu-to-U, is the
latest example of how Neumann is leveraging technology to create job opportunities for people
with disabilities.”

Putting the items on eBay was a new initiative launched by the Treasurer last summer. Historically,
the state held a single unclaimed property auction each year at the Illinois State Fair. In the last
four years, the overall sales, prices and interested bidders had steadily dropped.

In the first 26 weeks of eBay auctions, the Treasurer’s Office has surpassed last year’s total profit.
To date, the average sale price is 80 percent over the appraised value, compared to just 28
percent in 2006.