Bill Authorizes Illinois Lottery Payments

Sat, Jul 9, 2016

Although Illinois still has no state budget, lottery winners may continue to collect their prizes under a bill recently signed by Governor Bruce Rauner (l.). Last December he signed a similar bill but it expired June 30, requiring another measure to keep Illinois Lottery prize payments going.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has signed a bill legally authorizing the Illinois Lottery to continue to pay prize winners—even if a state budget agreement is not reached.

Acting Lottery Director Tim McDevitt said, “By passing SB 2047, Governor Rauner and the general assembly are ensuring that the Illinois Lottery can continue its mission of supporting K-12 education, capital projects and select charitable causes throughout Illinois.”

The bill picks up where SB 2039 left off; Rauner signed that bill last December 7, but it had an expiration date of June 30.

Winning tickets can be claimed at any of the five Illinois Lottery Claim Centers in Chicago, Des Plaines, Rockford, Fairview Heights, and Springfield. Prizes or $600 or less can continue to be claimed at any Illinois Lottery retailer.