When people play the Illinois Lottery, it’s a win for our State and the almost two million public school students and their families in Illinois. The Illinois Lottery provides critical funding to K-12 public education across the State every year. 

Approximately 25% of every dollar played on the Illinois Lottery is used to support education and other good causes.  In fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022), Illinois Lottery players helped generate $834 million for the State of Illinois, most of which helped fund education. Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $24 billion in revenue to educational funding in Illinois.

Every time you buy a lottery ticket, it’s a win for education in Illinois.

Where does Illinois Lottery revenue go?

Revenue from the sale of Illinois Lottery tickets is used for prizes, operating costs, and contributions to education funding and other good causes in Illinois..
 

In fiscal year 2022, Illinois Lottery revenue was allocated as follows:

• Over $2.2 billion was paid in prizes to Illinois Lottery winners;
• $834 million was used to fund public education, capital projects, and good causes;
• $175 million went to Illinois Lottery retailers for commissions and selling bonuses; and 
• $163 million was used for operating costs.

To see more information on how Illinois Lottery revenue is allocated, please visit Where the Money Goes. 

How does the Illinois Lottery help fund public education in Illinois?

Beginning July 1, 2022, all Illinois Lottery proceeds, outside of the sale of specialty instant tickets, will go to the Common School Fund. This will mean that almost 99% of lottery proceeds will supplement educational funding.

Prior to 1985, Illinois Lottery proceeds went to the General Revenue Fund as a source of revenue for the Regional Transit Authority.

To learn more about how education funding works in Illinois, please visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.
 

What does the Illinois Lottery’s contribution mean to educational funding?

Of the $9.3 billion in educational funding the State appropriated in fiscal year 2022, $775 million – over 8% – came from the Illinois Lottery. On average, the Illinois Lottery contributed approximately $4.4 million per school day for Illinois public schools in fiscal year 2022.

With your help, the Illinois Lottery was able to generate $834 million for public education, capital projects, and good causes!