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Since July, the
state has not been making timely payments to players who have
won $25,000 or more, triggering a class-action lawsuit in
federal court last month against Republican Governor Bruce
Rauner’s administration.
The state lottery department indicated it had to lower the
payout threshold even more because there has been no break in
the budget fight between Rauner and Democrats controlling the
state legislature.
“We don’t have the legislative authority to replenish our
check-writing account,” lottery spokesman Steve Rossi told
Reuters.
Rossi said players with winning tickets worth $600 and up
eventually will be paid once the stalemate is over. The new
payout policy takes effect Friday.
He said the agency has not contemplated suspending any of its
betting games while the budget fight continues. The state is in
its fourth month without a spending plan.
(Editing by David Gregorio)
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