Now Only Lottery Winners Who Win Under $600 Can Collect

By aaroncynic in News on Oct 15, 2015 3:00PM

Photo credit: Scott Olsen/Getty Images

It's not a lucky day for Illinois Lottery winners who have won more than $600. Thanks to the state budget crisis, the lottery has run out of money to pay out lucky tickets today.

Lottery officials say they've exhausted their financial resources and only those who have won under $600 will be able to collect from retail locations, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The state began issuing IOU’s in August for prizes over $25,000 due to the budget impasse, which began after Governor Rauner and state lawmakers were unable to agree on a plan in June. This prompted a class action lawsuit from some big winners last month, who are demanding the Illinois Lottery pay up as well as stop selling tickets for more than $25,000 and showing television ads.

“They continue to sell the tickets under those false pretenses,” said Thomas Zimmerman Jr, an attorney for one of the plaintiffs, in September.

According to WGN, the lawsuit alleges that the Illinois Lottery owes more than $288 million in prizes already. In a statement, it said it will pay out, but only after it has the funds to start cutting checks again. “Once a budget is passed in Springfield, all outstanding claims will be paid,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, the state will also miss a pension payment in November thanks to the budget gridlock. Reuters reports Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger said Wednesday the $560 million due in November will be delayed and December’s payment could also be delayed or reduced.

"It saddens me that we've reached this point,” said Munger, according to Pensions and Investments. “But the fact is that our state simply does not have the revenue to meet its obligations. We will use every available dollar in the higher-revenue months this spring to catch up with our commitments and ensure that our retirement systems are paid in full.”