Illinois
Top sportsbooks go to customers in fight against Illinois tax hike proposal
CHICAGO (CBS) — A battle has been brewing over sports betting in Illinois.
On one side, Gov. JB Pritzker is trying to more than double taxes on winning bets. On the other, the betting companies are now asking their customers to get involved to stop it.
Companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM have all come together to form the Sports Betting Alliance. The competitors are united against Pritzker’s proposed tax hike – which he estimates would generate an additional $200 million for the state.
Sports betting, of course, has been booming in popularity since it was legalized with the passage of the Illinois Sports Wagering Act in 2019 and the first legal wager was placed the following year. Abbey Sowacke and Charles Cook each consider themselves casual online s[sports betters.
“It makes games a little more exciting,” Cook said.
CBS 2 met Sowacke and Cook outside the DraftKings sports book at Wrigley Field. They were likely among online bettors who have received messages like from sports betting companies, urging them to write Illinois lawmakers and oppose the governor’s proposed tax increase.
Right now, Illinois sports books pay 15% tax on their revenue. But Pritzker’s latest budget proposal would spike the tax to 35%.
“The truth lies somewhere in the middle,” said sports betting regulatory reporter Robert Linnehan, of Sports Betting Dime. “The operators are obviously not happy with the proposal.”
Sports betting companies said if approved, higher taxes would mean worse odds, and fewer promotions for users – which they warn could fuel the illegal market. The companies also warn the tax hike may drive all but the top three sportsbooks out of Illinois.
“This is going to affect the way that you bet,” said Linnehan. “People want more, states want more, and I think Illinois sees they could be making a heck of a lot more – and they’re going to take a really hard look at this.”
Pritzker press secretary Alex Gough said in part in a statement: “By raising the wagering tax to 35%, Illinois would still be a far cry from the highest rates in the country, with New York, for example hovering around 50%.”
Sowacke did not like the idea of a tax hike.
“I just think that’s insane,” she said. “You’re adding more tax to it? It’s ridiculous.”
The Sports Betting Alliance suggests Illinois should legalize online gaming, or iGaming, to generate more money. Right now, Illinois has a bill on the books, but has not gained much momentum.
iGaming is currently legal only in a handful of states.
Illinois
Updated betting spread for Wisconsin vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
The Wisconsin Badgers are looking to end what has been a disastrous season on a high note. The team is 3-7 through 10 games, with a 1-6 mark in conference play and seven multi-score losses. It now closes vs. Illinois on Saturday, then at Minnesota on Nov. 29, badly needing two strong performances to build momentum entering 2026.
Illinois enters the first leg of that final stretch at 7-3 (4-3 Big Ten) on the year, ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll. The team is falling short of its preseason College Football Playoff expectations. However, head coach Bret Bielema continues to elevate the program’s standing, set to deliver another strong eight or nine-win finish.
Luke Fickell and his Wisconsin program are working to rise to Illinois’ current place in the conference. A big 2026 reestablishing the program’s trajectory will be key to that ascension. A strong 2026, as noted, must start with a solid stretch to close 2025.
With just over 24 hours until kickoff between the Badgers and Fighting Illini, here is the updated betting line and over/under.
Wisconsin football vs. Illinois opening betting odds, money line, over/under
Odds courtesy of FanDuel
- Point Spread: Illinois minus-8 1/2, Wisconsin plus-8 1/2
- Money Line: Illinois minus-355, Wisconsin plus-285
- Over/under: 41 1/2
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Illinois
3 Big IL Lottery Prizes Set To Expire Soon, Remain Unclaimed
Three lottery tickets purchased in the Chicago area are set to expire soon, meaning the unknown lucky winners could be out thousands of dollars if they do not step up to claim their prizes.
Among the cash prizes are two tickets valued at $100,000 each that will expire in March and another with a $200,000 payout, which will expire next week, according to Illinois Lottery officials. The $200,000 Powerball winner was purchased at a Citgo at 44 E. Sibley Avenue in Dolton on Nov. 30.
The other two tickets that have winners that have not claimed prizes include:
- A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 12 at the Speedway, 110 Arrowhead Drive, Hampshire
- A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 19 at the Shell, 4900 S. Cicero Avenue, Chicago.
Winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize, according to the Illinois Lottery.
The Illinois Lottery is urging players to check their tickets as the deadline approaches to claim a $200,000 winning Powerball ticket purchased nearly a year ago in Dolton, Illinois. The ticket will expire in two weeks if not claimed.
The Illinois Lottery encourages the ticket holder to sign the back of their winning ticket immediately and store it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize.
A full list of unclaimed prizes can be found on the Illinois Lottery’s website.
Illinois
Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel
The No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) will attempt to extend a four-game home win streak when they take on the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at United Center. The matchup airs at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.
The Fighting Illini, who are favored by 2.5 points, are set to take on the Crimson Tide. The matchup’s over/under is set at 180.5.
Continue scrolling to get everything you need to know ahead of betting on the Illinois-Alabama contest.
Illinois vs. Alabama How to Watch & Odds
- When: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET
- Where: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
- TV: FS1
- Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App and FOX One (Try free for 7 days)
- Odds: Illinois is favored to win the game. Check out the latest odds.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction
Take the Illini to take down Alabama tonight. Illinois is riding high on their 4-0 record and has shown impressive defensive prowess, limiting opponents to just 66.8 points per game. Their frontcourt, led by players like David Mirkovic, could prove to be a significant matchup advantage against Alabama.
Alabama, on the other hand, is coming off a tough loss to Purdue, where they were outrebounded by 24 and struggled from three-point range, going 16-for-43. However, they’ve shown they can score, averaging 91.3 points per game. Labaron Philon Jr. is having a standout season, averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.
- Pick ATS: Illinois (-2.5)
- Pick OU: Under (180.5)
- Prediction: Illinois 86, Alabama 83
Prediction provided by FOX Sports’ Sports AI. Download the FOX Sports App for free access to Sports AI.
Illinois vs. Alabama Betting Insights
Betting Line Implied Predictions
- Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Fighting Illini 92, Crimson Tide 89.
- The Fighting Illini have a 60.5% chance to collect the win in this matchup per the moneyline’s implied probability.
- The Crimson Tide have a 43.9% implied probability to come out on top.
Key Spread Facts
- Illinois won 18 games against the spread last season, while failing to cover 17 times.
- Alabama covered 21 times in 37 games with a spread last year.
- Illinois had an ATS record of 15-12 when playing as at least a 2.5-point favorite last season.
- Alabama was an underdog by 2.5 points or more six times last year, and covered the spread in four of those matchups.
Key Total Facts
- Four times last year, the Fighting Illini and their opponent combined to score more than 180.5 points.
- Last year, 15 Crimson Tide games featured more than 180.5 points scored.
- Last year’s combined scoring average for these two teams (174.3 points per game) is 6.2 fewer than the total for this contest.
Key Moneyline Facts
- Illinois went 19-7 in games it was listed as the moneyline favorite last season (winning 73.1% of those games).
- Last season, Alabama was the underdog nine times and won five of those games.
- Illinois had a record of 19-6 in games it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -153 or shorter last year (76%).
- Alabama had a record of 2-3 when it was set as the underdog by +128 or more by sportsbooks last season.
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