Zalewski: Being Dropped from Powerball Could Have Been Avoided With Fully Funded Budget

RIVERSIDE, Ill. – State Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Riverside, the Chairman of the House Revenue and Finance Committee, issued the following statement on Illinois being dropped from the Powerball lottery and Mega Millions games if the budget impasse does not end by June 30:

“Every day, we see more and more examples like this lottery threat of the consequences of our disastrous Illinois budget impasse. Powerball and Mega Millions provide millions of dollars each year for our schools, and now our partnership and that vital support for the classrooms is in jeopardy.

The House Democrats have fought for more money for our schools, to support our colleges and universities and social service agencies, and to meet halfway on a full budget. We cannot let this crisis worsen and will not stand by while our children are used as political pawns.

I intend to convene a meeting of the House Revenue and Finance Committee to ask the Director of the Lottery what the agency plans to do to provide this flow of money back to Illinois classrooms if the lottery partnership ends.”