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Federal judge sends lottery case to settlement talks

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Illinois

* This entire case could be moot if the House Speaker removes his hold on the funding bill and the Senate returns in early December to pass it…

A U.S. District Court judge on Wednesday sent parties in a lawsuit against the Illinois Lottery by unpaid lottery winners into settlement talks while the case continues.

Chief Judge Ruben Castillo said he will refer the case on an expedited basis to Magistrate Judge Mary Rowland, who will oversee the discussions.

Illinois has not been paying lottery winners of $600 or more since October, due to a state budget impasse between the Republican governor and the Democratic-controlled legislature. The state has continued to advertise games, sell tickets and hold lottery drawings. […]

The judge set a briefing schedule that culminates with a Dec. 16 hearing. The case expanded earlier this month to include dozens of state lotteries participating in the Mega Millions and Powerball games. The amended lawsuit also included a motion to stop the other state lotteries from sending Illinois its share of multi-state lottery winnings.

As we’ve seen time and time again, federal judges don’t care much about state constitutional requirements.

* Related…

* Illinois pilots grounded in budget fight: Yet, the same five pilots who formerly flew the planes were still on the payroll, earning a combined $39,500 per month.

* State rep calling for repurposing, reopening Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro

* Tri-State communities affected by Illinois budget deadlock

* Illinois Hospitality Groups: Restore “Choose Chicago” Funding

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 10:30 am

Comments

Illinois should do the right thing and suspend lottery ticket sales until winners are able to get paid.

Comment by Stones Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 10:32 am
===do the right thing and suspend lottery ticket sales===

Meh. As long as the suckers are still buying, we ought to keep selling. They’ll get their money.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 10:41 am
Is it a coincidence that in yesterday’s edition of the Ottawa Times the Illinois Lottery ran a full-color, full page ad promising that winners would be paid as soon as the budget is adopted, and encouraging folks to keep playing the lottery?

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 10:42 am
no money to pay winners, spend money to buy an ad. silly.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 10:43 am
selling something that is not true is FRAUD plane and simple…

Stop the Lottery sales until there is a Budget to pay it…

Comment by Allen D Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 10:47 am
Just pass a budget already.

Comment by burbanite Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 10:57 am
State Lottery ran a full page ad in this morning’s newspapers to thank people for playing and for their patience.

Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 11:07 am
==Meh. As long as the suckers are still buying, we ought to keep selling. They’ll get their money.==

Slogan for new bond-selling campaign…

Comment by Touré's Latte Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 11:08 am
From the lottery’s full page ad which must be an attempt at Onion-esque parody:

“Loyal players like you make us believe Anything’s Possible.”

Comment by Maguffin Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 11:30 am
“Anything’s Possible”…except a budget.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 11:37 am
If you can’t afford to wait for your winnings you probably shouldn’t be playing. Just saying.

Comment by Casual observer Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 11:38 am
Third down punt.

Comment by walker Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:08 pm
This seems similar to the fact that I am paying my health care premium, yet since the state has stopped paying providers I now have to pay my dentist cost upfront and wait for payment.

Comment by Facts are stubborn things Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:15 pm
The lottery ought to start an Instant $599 cash game. Regular players would get it, and would jump all over it.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:31 pm