Illinois § 21.7

§ 21.7.

Scratch-out Multiple Sclerosis scratch-off game. (a) The Department shall offer a special instant scratch-off game for the benefit of research pertaining to multiple sclerosis. The game shall commence on July 1, 2008 or as soon thereafter, in the discretion of the Director, as is reasonably practical. The operation of the game shall be governed by this Act and any rules adopted by the Department. (b) The Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The net revenue from the scratch-out multiple sclerosis scratch-off game created under this Section shall be deposited into the Fund for appropriation by the General Assembly to the Department of Public Health for the purpose of making grants to organizations in Illinois that conduct research pertaining to the repair and prevention of damage caused by an acquired demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Moneys received for the purposes of this Section, including, without limitation, net revenue from the special instant scratch-off game and from gifts, grants, and awards from any public or private entity, must be deposited into the Fund. Any interest earned on moneys in the Fund must be deposited into the Fund. For purposes of this Section, the term "research" includes, without limitation, expenditures to develop and advance the understanding, techniques, and modalities effective for maintaining function, mobility, and strength through preventive physical therapy or other treatments and to develop and advance the repair, and also the prevention, of myelin, neuron, and axon damage caused by an acquired demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and the restoration of function, including but not limited to, nervous system repair or neuroregeneration. The grant funds may not be used for institutional, organizational, or community-based overhead costs, indirect costs, or levies. As used in this subsection, "net revenue" means the total amount for which tickets have been sold less the sum of the amount paid out in the prizes and to retailers, and direct and estimated administrative expenses of the Department solely related to the scratch-off game under this Section. (c) During the time that tickets are sold for the scratch-out multiple sclerosis scratch-off game, the Department shall not unreasonably diminish the efforts devoted to marketing any other instant scratch-off lottery game. (d) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the provisions of this Section. (Source: P.A. 103-381, eff. 7-28-23.)