Imagine being lucky enough to win the lottery, but then being told that the state cannot pay you at the moment because of its budget. Well, that’s exactly what winners in Illinois are being told.
USA Today reported that the state is actually giving anyone with winnings over $600 IOUs because Republican and Democratic lawmakers are deadlocked on the budget.
“Payment delays will occur because there currently is no legal authority for the Illinois Comptroller or the Illinois Lottery to issue checks,” the state’s lottery said in a statement. “Please note that the funding to pay winners exists, but the legal authority to issue checks does not.”
FoxNews.com noted that despite giving winners IOUs until the budget is passed, tickets are still being sold which has many residents asking why.
“How the heck can they do this, and they're still selling tickets?" winner Rhonda Rasche said via the Chicago Tribune. "If I was the one selling raffle tickets and I didn't pay, I would be sued or in jail or both."
For now, the lottery winners have no choice but to be patient and wait for their cash prizes.