OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUPPLEMENT K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING IN ILLINOIS
The Illinois Lottery’s Commitment: Supplement K-12 Education Funding in Illinois
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 necessary funding to K-12 public education across the State every year.
Approximately 23% of every dollar played on the Illinois Lottery supports education and other good causes. In fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), Illinois Lottery players helped generate $884 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.
Serving Teachers and Students Throughout the State
Playing the lottery is a win for the almost two million public school students and their families in Illinois. Last year, Illinois Lottery players generated $834 million for the State of Illinois, most of which goes to fund education – money that would not have to come from another source. Approximately 25 percent of every dollar played on the lottery goes to support schools and other good causes.
Learn how every time you buy a lottery ticket, it’s a win for our schools.
How the Lottery Supports Education in Your Community
The Illinois Lottery provides more than $700 million to the State’s Common School Fund to support K-12 education throughout Illinois. To see what that means in your community, CLICK HERE. First, find the county you live in, then look for your local school district. From there, you can see what was sent in Fiscal Year 2019 to the Common School Fund, how much each school district received in Common School Fund funding and what the Illinois Lottery’s share of that funding was.
To learn more about how education funding works in Illinois, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.
Where does Illinois Lottery revenue go?
Revenue from the sale of Illinois Lottery tickets pays prizes and operating costs and contributes to education funding and other good causes in Illinois.
In fiscal year 2024, Illinois Lottery proceeds were allocated as follows:
- Over $3.8 billion was paid in prizes to Illinois Lottery winners;
- $884 million was used to fund public education and good causes;
- $179 million went to Illinois Lottery retailers for commissions and selling bonuses, and
- $219 million was used for operating costs.
To see more information on how Illinois Lottery revenue is allocated, please visit Where the Money Goes.
What is the history of Illinois Lottery funding in Illinois?
1974 – 1985: Illinois Lottery proceeds went solely to the General Revenue Fund.
1985 – 2006: Illinois Lottery proceeds went solely to the Common School Fund.
2006 – 2009: Illinois Lottery proceeds went to the Common School Fund and specialty causes as directed by statute.
2009 – 2022: Illinois Lottery proceeds went to the Common School Fund and specialty causes as directed by statute. Common School Fund transfer amounts were prescribed. Proceeds in excess of the prescribed amount went to the Capital Projects Fund.
- 2023 – Present: Illinois Lottery proceeds go to the Common School Fund and specialty causes as directed by statute, resulting in almost 99% of lottery proceeds being used to supplement educational funding.
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 $9.7 billion in state funding appropriated in fiscal year 2024, $884 million – approximately 9% – came from the Illinois Lottery.
With your help, the Illinois Lottery was able to generate $884 million in proceeds for public education and good causes!