It's an unlucky time to hit the jackpot in Illinois. The state's budget crisis has frozen millions of dollars in lottery prize payouts, state officials said on Friday.
Published : 29 Aug 2015, 06:25 PM
Illinois has been operating without a budget since the fiscal year began in July due to an impasse between Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the state legislature over a multi-billion-dollar deficit.
Stephen Rossi, communications director of the Illinois Lottery, said prizes less than $25,000 are being paid but big winners will have to wait to get their money.
"Due to the ongoing budget situation in Springfield, some lottery winner payments have been delayed," Rossi said in a statement.