Illinois Lottery to suspend payments to winners of more than $600

Posted on October 15, 2015

By Alex Degman/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Lottery has taken yet another blow in a year when it’s already received a couple.

First, comptroller Leslie Munger said she couldn’t write checks more than $25,000 because she had no legal authority to do it without a budget in place.

Next, a couple of lottery winners sued the state in federal court, noting there’s more than $288 million that needs to be paid – they asked administrative and operational costs be put on hold until winners are paid.

Now, the Lottery says its check writing account is exhausted and anyone who wins more than $600 will have to wait. Lawmakers tried, and failed, to pass a budget patch a few weeks ago to pay lottery winners.

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