By Springfield State Journal Register
Springfield, IL – Illinois is seeing less income from lottery ticket sales compared to the same time last year. The state reported lower income from sales in July, August, and October than in 2010, though September sales were up. The Springfield State Journal Register reports private management company Northstar Lottery Group took over lottery operations July 1st of this year. Northstar and the lottery's finance director say the drop is likely due to the expenses involved in switching over operational control of the lottery. Revenue Manager Jim Muschinske of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability says the numbers are "disconcerting" but says an analysis is needed to determine why they're falling.