Ensure an ethical lottery transition

The Illinois Lottery will soon come under new management. In a move that state officials are hoping will improve the lottery's performance and return significant revenue to the state, Illinois will be hiring a private company to run it.

The search has captured attention from other states that are eager to see if a private manager is successful. With much at stake - most importantly, millions of dollars in revenue for public services - it's critical that lottery and state officials select the best firm for the job without regard to political connections and influence. Illinois can't afford to engage a company unless that company has demonstrated the highest ethical standards and a history of operational success.

So far, the Quinn administration has taken an important step needed to ensure a thorough and above-board selection process. The Request for Expressions of Interest, which was issued by the Illinois Lottery in May for potential bidders, states: "Interested parties must not contact any officials or related parties of the Illinois lottery, the Illinois Department of Revenue, the state of Illinois or advisors to these entities with regard to this opportunity. . . "

Despite this explicit prohibition against lobbying, some companies that are expected to bid on this contract have registered contract lobbyists in Illinois who were hired to lobby the state lottery, revenue department and governor regarding gambling issues. There are too many past examples of this in our state's history - and Illinois residents ultimately pay the price.

Citizen Action expects the Quinn administration and Illinois Lottery officials to release a request for proposal in the coming weeks that holds prospective bidders accountable for their actions and to the highest standards. With so much on the line, Illinois cannot afford to gamble with this decision.

Lynda DeLaforgue

Co-director

Citizen Action/Illinois