The Illinois Lottery has awarded Burrell Communications/Chicago a $6.4 million contract to provide public relations and advertising aimed at the African-American community.

Burrell won the business in a review that included three other agencies, including Flowers Communications Group, E. Morris Communications and Carol H. Williams Advertising. According to Sarah Cummins, marketing director for the Illinois Lottery, Burrell Communications stood out in the review. "They (Burrell) have a long and distinguished record of results and have worked with a host of top-named companies," said Cummins. The lottery contract was awarded to Burrell for an initial term of two years, with two one-year renewals possible.

Energy BBDO/Chicago is the general market agency of record for the Illinois Lottery, a state agency with annual sales of over $2 billion. Since its inception, the Lottery has contributed more than $14 billion to the Common School Fund to assist the state's public schools.