Illinois Lottery winners could choose to remain anonymous under a privacy protection measure filed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“Fortune and fame don’t always go hand in hand. We know of instances around the country of lottery winners being attacked, killed or financially exploited because their identities were publicized,” Murphy said.

“If winners want to be identified, that’s one thing. But the government should not require people to expose themselves to great personal risk simply because they were lucky enough to hit the jackpot one day.”

Under Murphy’s proposal, winners of more than $250,000 can submit a written request that their identity be kept confidential. Similar legislation to Senate Bill 211 has been filed in Georgia.