Holiday scratch-offs are no gift to Illinois schools

By Patrick Andriesen

12/18/2022

A closer look at Illinois’ lottery legislation shows lawmakers historically diverted funding away from the classroom. Despite recent legislation, outsized holiday scratcher sales still only translate to slight gains for public schools.

TAGS: illinois lottery

Holiday scratch-offs are no gift to Illinois schools

By Dylan Sharkey

12/13/2021

Some states promote holiday scratchers as a way to help schools, but in Illinois that claim would land you on the naughty list.

TAGS: illinois lottery

Holiday scratch-offs win bupkis for Illinois students

12/23/2020

Anyone betting those lottery tickets they gifted will help education would lose.

TAGS: education, illinois lottery, pensions, public schools

Think those Illinois Lottery tickets help schoolkids? Think again

By Adam Schuster

12/20/2019

Lawmakers sold the idea of a lottery with the promise the money would go toward education. But in reality, students never see the money.

TAGS: illinois lottery, progressive income tax

State of Illinois loses $4 million in lottery revenue due to budget crisis

By John Kristof

07/10/2017

That total comes from $2.4 million lost due to the absence of Powerball ticket sales and $1.4 million lost due to the absence of Mega Millions ticket sales.

TAGS: budget, illinois lottery, lottery

Payments to Illinois lottery winners will be delayed without passage of state budget

By John Kristof

06/29/2017

The Illinois Lottery will cease awarding prizes over $25,000 if a budget is not signed by July 1.

TAGS: budget, illinois lottery, lottery

Powerball, Mega Millions to drop Illinois by June 30 due to budget crisis

By John Kristof

06/16/2017

Popular lotteries may stop gambling on Illinois.

TAGS: illinois lottery, lottery

Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm

By Brendan Bakala

03/29/2017

Despite being axed for bad performance, and in some cases not even doing its job, Northstar Lottery Group is collecting millions in fees and bonuses.

TAGS: illinois lottery

Illinois comptroller: The state will stop payments to lottery winners if budget stalemate drags on

By Amy Korte

06/16/2016

If Springfield politicians do not pass a budget by June 30, the state will be forced to stop payments to winning lottery ticket holders, Illinois’ comptroller has warned.

TAGS: budget, illinois lottery

Auditor general: Illinois Lottery made illegal $20 million prepayment just ahead of budget stalemate

By Amy Korte

05/24/2016

The Illinois auditor general found the Illinois Lottery in violation of a state finance law for paying $20 million to ensure that, even in the absence of a state budget, Illinois could continue to participate in the Mega Millions and Powerball games.

TAGS: illinois lottery, lottery

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students