Gambling Winnings Can Now be Garnished for Back Child Support in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Associated Press) Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation that lets casinos and race tracks garnish gambling winnings from parents who owe back child support.

The new law that was signed Monday takes effect immediately. It's aimed at chipping away at the state's nearly $3 billion backlog in unpaid child support.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers (http://bit.ly/167lzRU ) reports the money would be turned over to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. From there, it'd be distributed to parents.

Race tracks and casinos will have to post signs warning gamblers that their winnings may be garnished if their names surface in a database.

The measure was sponsored by Dunlap Republican Sen. Darin LaHood. He says up to $1 million in back child support could be collected in this first year.