Number one on my list of Illinois reforms is bankruptcy legislation. I have been talking about this for years. Illinois is not in danger of becoming a failed state, it is a failed state. The Chicago Tribune is behind the times with its Januanalysis, Illinois in danger of becoming a failed state.The Heratige Foundation beat Politico to the idea by a mile with its Septemanalysis Illinois: The Anatomy of a Failed Liberal State.On June 4, 2017, Politico reported How Illinois became America’s failed state.I hope not because raising taxes is not the answer, but that is all the legislature wants to do. Will Powerball and Mega Millions be the force that gets Illinois to pass its first budget in three years? Without a budget in place, the state is not authorized to make payments to the association or Mega Millions.”įor details, please see Unable to Pay Bills, Illinois Sends “Dear Contractor” Letter Telling Firms to Halt Road Work on July 1 In 2015, the Illinois auditor general found lottery officials violated state finance law when they prepaid $20 million to the Multi-State Lottery Association to cover the costs of future multistate games as a budget impasse loomed. In a series of stories published over the past six months, the Tribune found the company tasked with running the lottery - Northstar Lottery Group - failed to award more than 40 percent of the grand prizes in its biggest instant ticket games, sometimes ending games before any top prizes were claimed. Officials for Mega Millions could not be reached for comment. “Matters involving the Illinois Lottery should be directed to Illinois officials.” “The Multi-State Lottery Association is focused on protecting the integrity of its games and the experience of its players,” association spokeswoman Anna Domoto said in a written statement to the Tribune. He would not respond to questions about whether the decision to end sales of the popular interstate games was made by the Illinois Lottery or the organizations that administer the games. “Lottery spokesman Jason Schaumburg said Powerball would be suspended after the June 28 drawing, and Mega Millions would be suspended after the June 30 drawing if a budget deal isn’t reached. Neither lottery would comment on the record.

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