The Multi-State Lottery Association may dump Illinois unless the state agrees on a budget, which soon means no Powerball or Mega Millions tickets unless you go to another state.
According to the Chicago Sunday Times, first to report on the matter, the games would be dropped by the end of June without a budget agreement.
The Illinois Lottery said on its website that if the lottery didn't receive a Fiscal Year 2018 appropriation prior to June 28, Powerball and Mega Millions sales at retail locations and online would be suspended.
Both games are big draws. Mega Millions, which has a drawing Friday night, has a jackpot sitting at $113 million. The Powerball Jackpot, with a drawing Saturday, is currently at $52 million.
“The groups that own and operate these two popular games will not permit Illinois to sell the games without funds available to pay prizes. The Illinois Lottery must have an appropriation from the legislature to fund the prize payments, which has not yet happened,” said Illinois Lottery.
“When a Fiscal Year 2018 appropriation for the Illinois Lottery is passed, the Lottery will work with the Multi-State Lottery Association to determine a path for the return of Powerball sales. The timing is unknown.”
Illinois has been locked in a budget stalemate since 2015 and, with the approach of the new fiscal year on July, 1, there has been a desperate call for lawmakers to reach an agreement.
On Thursday, Gov. Bruce Rauner called on state legislators to meet and discuss viable options to fix Illinois’s financial problems.
The Southern Illinoisan noted that lawmakers gathered last month to address the budget ahead of a critical May 31 deadline but the meeting was adjourned.
The budget deadlock has strained various industries.
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) may be forced to halt all roadwork by the end of the month, reported ABC eye Witness News.
IDOT may not be able to pay contractors and, according to reports, has alerted them of the potential shutdown.
However, in a statement, the department said that the travelling public would remain its priority.
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