Illinois Schedule G-L – Voluntary Charitable Donations for Lottery Winnings (2026)
Last reviewed: 2025-11-07
Use the Illinois Tax Form Calculator Schedule G-L: Voluntary Charitable Donations for Lottery Winnings as a stand alone tax form calculator to quickly calculate specific amounts for your 2026 Illinois state tax return. Alternatively, you can use one of our Combined Federal and State Tax Estimators to quickly calculate your salary, tax, and take-home pay.
Schedule G-L allows you to designate voluntary charitable donations from your lottery winnings to Illinois-recognized funds in whole dollars ($1 minimum per fund). These designations do not create a tax credit; they reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe on Form IL-1040. Use whole dollars only.
How It Works
Enter your lottery winnings for context, then allocate any portion to one or more funds. The calculator totals the donations and shows remaining winnings after donations. Your Line 2 total is carried to IL-1040 as a voluntary donation amount. For general donation rules, see the official Schedule G instructions from the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Guidance
- Donations must be whole dollars and at least $1 per fund.
- Total donations decrease your refund or increase the amount you owe; they are not additional deductions.
- Once filed, designated funds and amounts generally cannot be changed by amendment.
| Step 1 – Lottery Winnings (context) | ||
| 1 | Lottery winnings amount | |
| Step 2 – Fund Designations (whole dollars only) | ||
| a | Wildlife Preservation Fund | |
| b | Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Care & Support Fund | |
| c | Assistance to the Homeless Fund | |
| d | Diabetes Research Fund | |
| e | Hunger Relief Fund | |
| f | Ronald McDonald House Charities Fund | |
| 2 | Total donations (Lines a–f) → carry to IL-1040 voluntary donations | |
| 3 | Winnings remaining after donations (Line 1 − Line 2) | |
How Lottery Donations Strengthen Illinois Communities
Schedule G-L provides a unique opportunity for lottery winners to make a measurable difference in Illinois. While Schedule G supports voluntary donations for all filers, Schedule G-L channels contributions directly from lottery winnings. The amounts designated here collectively fund vital state programs and nonprofit initiatives that benefit residents statewide. Many funds rely heavily on voluntary contributions from taxpayers and lottery participants to maintain continuity and expand outreach.
The Power of Giving from Lottery Winnings
Lottery winnings often represent unexpected income. Designating a small portion through Schedule G-L converts a one-time gain into lasting community benefit. Even modest contributions from thousands of winners each year help maintain Illinois’ social, research, and conservation initiatives. For many charities, these donations bridge critical funding gaps that general appropriations do not cover.
Impact of Each Supported Fund
Wildlife Preservation Fund
Donations help preserve Illinois ecosystems and support rehabilitation of native species through grants administered by the Department of Natural Resources. This fund finances public education programs, endangered species protection, and research on biodiversity in both rural and urban environments.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Care & Support Fund
This fund provides grants for Alzheimer’s research and care services statewide. Funds are distributed through programs overseen by the Illinois Department of Public Health, supporting memory clinics, community outreach, and long-term caregiver training. Donations from lottery winnings have directly enabled continued funding of small clinical projects that might otherwise close due to lack of grant cycles.
Assistance to the Homeless Fund
Administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, this fund helps finance emergency shelters, food distribution, transitional housing, and counseling programs. Lottery-based donations ensure support continues even during years of reduced budget appropriations, keeping essential homelessness prevention programs open.
Diabetes Research Fund
Contributions strengthen diabetes prevention and treatment initiatives coordinated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Funding supports laboratory research, outreach campaigns, and education programs. Because diabetes affects nearly one in ten Illinois residents, every donation helps improve treatment options and expand early-diagnosis efforts.
Hunger Relief Fund
These contributions go directly to Illinois food banks and distribution networks, providing meals to low-income families and supporting logistics for emergency food deliveries during crises. Donations from lottery proceeds have historically represented a significant share of the fund’s total revenue, helping keep programs such as the Illinois Hunger Coalition operational statewide.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Fund
Donations assist families of hospitalized children by supporting temporary housing near medical facilities across Illinois. Since its addition to the state donation list in 2021, lottery contributions have become a meaningful funding stream for regional expansion and facility maintenance projects.
Why Schedule G-L Makes a Difference
Collectively, Schedule G-L donations often total millions of dollars annually. By directing winnings toward these funds, Illinois lottery participants become an active part of sustaining medical research, social welfare, and conservation projects across the state. It transforms a personal financial event into a lasting public good.
Example: Turning Winnings into Positive Impact
A taxpayer wins $50,000 and designates 2% ($1,000) through Schedule G-L — $500 to Alzheimer’s research and $500 to hunger relief. That $1,000 supports early-diagnosis grants, meal programs, and research teams. Even smaller contributions, multiplied across thousands of winners, have an enormous collective effect.
Whether your winnings are large or small, using Schedule G-L connects your success to the broader wellbeing of Illinois communities. These donations are not tax-deductible but represent one of the most direct ways for residents to reinvest in the causes that matter most to the state.
Maximizing Impact from Lottery Winnings
Many taxpayers choose to earmark a portion of windfall income to causes that serve Illinois communities. Directing part of your winnings supports wildlife conservation, Alzheimer’s research, homelessness services, diabetes research, hunger relief, and family housing support. Because these are designations and not credits, they are a straightforward way to contribute when filing your return.
Examples
Example 1: Winnings $5,000. You contribute $50 to Wildlife and $100 to Hunger Relief. Total donations $150; remaining winnings shown for context $4,850.
Example 2: Winnings $1,200. You designate $25 each to three funds. Total $75; remaining winnings $1,125. The $75 amount is carried to IL-1040 as a voluntary charitable donation.
Last reviewed: 2025-11-07: If you believe this form requires an update, please contact us.
Related Forms
- Form IL-1040 – Individual Income Tax Return
- Schedule G – Voluntary Charitable Donations
- Schedule ICR – Illinois Credits
- Schedule M – Additions & Subtractions
Quick Access Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Mortgage vs take-home planning
Try the Mortgage Calculator and revisit this IL page.
Where do I mail the completed IL-1040-V and payment?
Mail the completed voucher and payment to the address printed on the voucher (Illinois Department of Revenue, Springfield IL 62726-0001) unless told otherwise during filing.
Do charitable gifts affect IL tax?
IL doesn’t mirror federal itemized deductions; charitable gifts matter federally, not typically for IL base.
Why don’t my payroll brackets match?
Employer systems use rounding/timing and supplemental methods; small variances are normal.
Does Illinois tax Social Security or pension income?
No. Illinois exempts most retirement income—including Social Security, pensions, and IRA withdrawals—from state income tax. These subtractions are reported on Schedule M.
Important Notes
All calculations are estimates for guidance only. Always review your return and consider professional advice when submitting official filings.