UNLUCKY WINNERS Cash-strapped Ill. lottery stops payouts over $600

CHICAGO- The cash-strapped state of Illinois announced Wednesday they’ll be handing out IOUs for the time-being to any state lottery victor who wins more than $600. Lottery officials have said that state law prohibited larger payouts because the legislature must authorize the state comptroller to cut the checks.

The state says once a budget in passed all claims will be paid but it’s unclear when that will be.

The number of budget problems continues to snowball, as the average Illinois resident will be impacted by the budget impasse. Gov. Bruce Rauner ultimately terminated the contract, which will end in January.

SIU’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute polled 400 registered voters in the state’s 18 southernmost counties, places that Rauner was popular.

Those who won more than $25,000 “have experienced payment delays”, the lottery said.

The Illinois government is issuing IOU’s to lottery winners and to no one’s surprise – everyone is angry.

That federal lawsuit’s still pending.

The Illinois Lottery believes its check-writing account will be exhausted as of October. 15 and it does not have the legal authority to replenish its funds, according to a statement from the lottery.

“Once the budget situation is resolved, this will be resolved as well”, lottery spokesman Steve Rossi said.

Winners who won less than $600 can collect at any participating retailer.