People in Illinois lost more than $7.7 billion gambling last year. As lawmakers increasingly bet on gambling to pay the state’s bills, they have only spare change to treat compulsive gamblers
Maggie Dougherty
Maggie joined Capitol News Illinois in late 2025 as a Chicago general assignment and enterprise reporter. Maggie is a Virginia native who received her master's degree in investigative journalism from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism in 2025. She also holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and economics from The College of Wooster.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
What Compulsive Gamblers Know
The hopes, dreams and tragedies of people who can’t stop betting
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
A Growing Community of Recovering Gamblers Lifts Each Other Up as Formal Resources Lag
How a podcast and 12-step network are doing the work the state can’t, and where it falls short
