As Illinois continues to struggle without a budget or a viable plan for one, lucky lottery winners that won more than $25,000 since July 1st have not been feeling so lucky. They’ll get an IOU from the State of Illinois, instead of their winnings. Illinois state law requires winnings over $25,000 to be paid via check by the state comptroller. But until lawmakers pass a budget, the comptroller's office does not have the legal authority to pay the winners. "The lottery is a state agency like many others, and we're obviously affected by the budget situation," Illinois Lottery spokesman Steve Rossi said. "Since the legal authority is not there for the comptroller to disburse payments, those payments are delayed.” Rossi assured the press that winners will eventually receive their winnings once a budget is in place, but for most skeptical residents fed up with political grandstanding and legislative impassé, it sounds like winners are in for a long wait. The lotto continues selling tickets and adding new and unpaid winners to its weekly list online while many wonder where the money is. As the amount on freeze grows, someone (most probably the state) is accruing sizable interest at the expense of the winners, many of which can’t afford to wait indefinitely. LawsuitIn response to the payout freeze, two winners filed a federal lawsuit against the Illinois Lottery. Rhonda Rasche, awaiting a $50,000 payout, and Danny Chasteen, winner of $250,000, seek class-action status and the halt of ticket sales. Chasteen, who won on July 20th was told he’d have to wait four to six weeks for the money. “The first thing that came to my head was ‘They can’t do that,’” said Rick. “What does the Illinois Lottery have to do with the Illinois budget?” He feels that he had no choice but to sue the Illinois Lottery. The lawsuit, which alleges that dozens of winners are waiting for nearly $300 million in prizes, asks the lottery to pay winners their prize, along with 5 percent interest. It also demands that the lottery be barred from paying operational expenses until the winners get paid. "The lottery represents that you can win instantly," said Rasche's attorney, Thomas Zimmerman Jr. "They fail to tell you as of July 1 they're not going to pay. But yet they continue to sell the tickets under those false pretenses." State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo has been outspoken about the issue, promising he would file legislation to allow the state comptroller to cut checks to prize winners despite budget disputes. Spending"They've got the money; they just don't have the legal authority to spend it," Franks said. "My bill will allow them legal authority to do it.”
9 Comments
10/16/2022 09:18:54 pm
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11/28/2022 09:55:30 pm
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