The 9 p.m. newscast was removed from WGN America in February 2014 as they begin their transition to a general cable network.

The Lottery also offers Lotto with a smaller jackpot, which is drawn on Monday, Thursday and Saturday nights.

[11] Winners of a Mega Millions(on an Illinois Lottery ticket) or a Lotto jackpot must choose the cash option within 60 days of the drawing if the cash option is desired[12] (a Powerball jackpot winner on an Illinois Lottery ticket has 60 days after claiming to make their choice).

In December 2016, a Chicago Tribune investigation found that the Illinois Lottery simply suspended many of its most expensive games before awarding its largest prizes.

[13] In January 2018, the Camelot Group, a gaming company based in the United Kingdom owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, became the new operator of the Illinois Lottery.

[14] Illinois Lottery proceeds currently benefit three major areas: 1) the state's Common School Fund (CSF), which helps finance K–12 public schools; 2) The Capital Projects Fund, used for infrastructure improvements and job creation and 3) special causes like Illinois veterans, breast cancer charities and research, assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis research.

Each of the four special causes above is funded by a unique instant scratch-off game authorized by the Illinois General Assembly.

[citation needed] The Lottery's first contributions from special-cause instant games occurred in the 2006 fiscal year.

In 2012, the Lottery contributed $639,875,000 to the CSF; $65,200,000 to the Capital Projects Fund; and $3,421,368 in support of the four special-cause instant games initiated to date.

[17] In 2015, the Illinois Lottery became the subject of a class-action seeking to recoup the monies not paid since the suspension of payouts, including a group of players owed at least $288.4 million.

[18] On December 7, 2015, Illinois's governor, Bruce Rauner, signed legislation which allowed for the resumption of all payouts.

Historically, on June 1, 1988, Illinois created "Cash 5", which began as a 5/35 game that was drawn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

On February 25, 2004, the number matrix for "Little Lotto" changed again, to 5/39, with jackpots beginning at $100,000; the game's drawing also expanded to seven days a week.

On July 14, 2014, Lucky Day Lotto was changed again, to 5/45, with 4/5, 3/5, and 2/5 rewards being doubled while maintaining the same jackpot theology.

[24] Historically, Lotto began on February 19, 1983, as a Saturday-only game, with six plus an "alternate" of 40 numbered balls being drawn.

The matrix changed again to 6/52 on April 14, 1999, and added a fourth prize, $3, for matching three numbers; the jackpot again became annuitized, but with a cash option.

The odds of winning a jackpot in the game's current version are 1 in 15,890,700 for a single set of drawn numbers.

When matching the Extra Shot and 5 regular field numbers this is a variable amount that averages $50,000.

Each set of numbers costs $2 for the base game, $3 with the megaplier add on, where players can win up to $5 million without hitting the jackpot.

Mega Millions tickets are currently sold in 44 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mega Millions sales in Illinois were suspended on June 30, 2017, due to the state's budget dispute.

[3] Mega Millions sales resumed on July 7, 2017, after the Illinois House came to an agreement on a new state budget.

Illinois, already a Mega Millions member, began selling tickets for both games on January 31, 2010.

Powerball sales in Illinois were suspended on June 28, 2017, due to the state's budget dispute.

[3] Powerball sales resumed on July 7, 2017, after the Illinois House came to an agreement on a new state budget.

[25] Beginning on April 22, 1987, the Illinois Lottery offered a second jackpot game called "Lotto 7".