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State lawmaker calls for Illinois Lottery probe in light of audit findingsNews Story
Lottery head resigns, another possible winner payout shutdown looms A state lawmaker is calling for an investigation of the Illinois Lottery after a recent audit revealed it had violated the state finance law. The audit found that the Lottery circumvented the state's budget impasse by prepaying $20 million to take part in future multi-state lottery games, such as Powerball and Mega Millions. State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said he wants either Illinois State Attorney General Lisa Mad
Jun 12, 2016, 8:45 am - Lottery News

Audit: Illinois Lottery broke law to get around budget impasseNews Story
Eleven months ago, just as the state budget impasse was about to take hold, the Illinois Lottery violated state finance law by prepaying $20 million to take part in future multi-state lottery games, according to an Auditor General's report. Lottery officials made the prepayment because they were worried that a budget stalemate could prevent the state from participating in the Multi-State Lottery Association's future Powerball and Mega Millions games, according to the audit. The state's Lot
May 21, 2016, 5:14 pm - Lottery News

Illinois woman wins $500 a week for lifeNews Story
Debbie Howard was spending spring break in Florida when she got a call from her father. He asked her when she was coming home. Howard thought the question was a little strange. She told him about the trip, and he knew when she planned to return home. Then he told her to come by his house. He had a card she needed to sign. She was confused at first. He said 'I need you to sign a Lotto ticket that you won for $500,' Howard said. Then he added that the prize was $500 a week for the
Apr 21, 2016, 8:08 am - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery gives out free gas, groceries, treatsNews Story
The Illinois Lottery was giving away thousands of dollars worth of free gasoline, groceries, meals and sweets throughout the state on Monday, as part of its Luck is Everywhere promotion. I'm in shock, said a woman named Maryann as she laughed at her good fortune. She had not planned to fill up her car's gas tank until Tuesday, but on a lark pulled in to the Delta Sonic gas station on Jefferson Street in Joliet on Monday, where the Lottery gave out $20 worth of free gas to 100 customers.
Apr 4, 2016, 7:12 pm - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery to stop online, mobile app sales of single ticketsNews Story
Legislation to save online sales fails In less than two weeks, Illinois Lottery players hoping to strike it rich with single tickets purchased online or via the lottery's mobile app will be out of luck. The Illinois Lottery Internet Pilot Program allows single tickets for the state's Mega Millions, Powerball and Lotto games to be purchased online or via its mobile app. The test run ends March 25, according to a statement from the Illinois Lottery. Bills that would have allowed the progr
Mar 9, 2016, 11:36 am - Lottery News

Illinois lottery players could lose ability to play onlineNews Story
A test program that allows Illinois Lottery tickets to be sold online expires March 25, and the state is likely to lose out on money for education and construction projects unless lawmakers take action. A measure to make online lottery sales permanent has yet to move in the House, and lawmakers aren't scheduled to return to the Capitol until April 4. In 2012, Illinois became the first state to sell lottery tickets online and gambling options expanded with the addition of a mobile app in 20
Mar 4, 2016, 11:07 am - Lottery News

Deal struck, Illinois Lottery winners to be paidNews Story
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Democrats on Wednesday struck a rare agreement, compromising on a plan to release more than $3.1 billion to pay Illinois Lottery winners and help cities and towns operate 911 centers, plow roads and train firefighters. Normally, municipalities receive a share of gas tax, 911 surcharge and gambling revenue to help prop up day-to-day operations, but those dollars have been on hold due to the state budget impasse. Legislation passed 107-1 by the House would
Dec 3, 2015, 10:42 am - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery sales lowest in two yearsNews Story
Our winners will be paid, Illinois Lottery Superintendent B.R. Lane said. After nearly three months of withholding payments due to the state budget impasse, the Illinois Lottery said it's not if winners will get their cash -- but when. The Illinois Lottery saw a significant drop in ticket sales from September to October, which coincides with the state budget stalemate. Because they're not sure when they'll be paid, our players are buying fewer tickets. It's really that simple, Lane said.
Nov 12, 2015, 11:33 am - Lottery News

Democrats hold up lottery payouts after Illinois Gov. compromisesNews Story
After Illinois' Republican Governor Bruce Rauner froze the funds that pay out Illinois Lottery earnings last month, the governor made a compromise this week to get the funds flowing again. Now, however, the governor's office says it's the Democrats who are holding up the payouts. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25th) filed a motion to reconsider on House Bill 4305 after the House passed it yesterday with a 115-1 vote. The bill would free up tax money that has already been collec
Nov 11, 2015, 6:45 pm - Lottery News

Winners suing Illinois Lottery try to rope in other statesNews Story
Multi-state lottery groups pushed back on Monday against a move by lottery winners in Illinois to drag dozens of states into a lawsuit against the Illinois Lottery's suspension of payments. Illinois has halted payments on winnings of $600 or more due to the state's ongoing budget impasse. A class action originally filed in September in U.S. District Court in Chicago seeking to force the Illinois Lottery to pay winners was amended last week to add as defendants lottery agencies in 43 states
Nov 9, 2015, 10:14 pm - Lottery News