For Illinois, no budget means no Powerball or Mega Millions
CHICAGO - The Multi-State Lottery Association, which oversees Powerball and Mega Millions games, will dump Illinois by the end of June if the state doesn't end its budget impasse.
Illinois Lottery Acting Director Greg Smith said Thursday that the lack of a budget will result in players being "denied the opportunity" to participate in popular games. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the news.
The budget stalemate could enter a third year if lawmakers don't reach agreement by July 1. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats controlling the legislature have been deadlocked since 2015.
The Sun-Times said Illinois reported $99 million in Mega Millions sales and $208 million in Powerball sales in 2016. It's unclear how much Illinois received.
The games are offered in 44 states. The Multi-State Lottery Association didn't immediately return the AP's messages.
Gov. Rauner on Thursday called state legislators to a 10-day special session starting next week to hammer out a budget deal and end the unprecedented impasse that could soon enter a third year.
The Republican announced the news in a Facebook video and statement, accusing majority Democrats of "ignoring" his recommendations.
"We have tough, urgent choices to make, and the legislature must be present to make them," he said.
Lawmakers adjourned last month without a deal before a critical May 31 deadline, triggering the need for a three-fifths majority vote instead of a majority on a budget agreement. The new fiscal year begins July 1. Rauner has called for the special session to run from June 21 to July 30.
