Illinois $1.04B Winner Steps Forward to Claim Her Prize

The Illinois Lottery has very good news to share as the winner of the state’s second-largest lottery prize, a $1.04-billion Powerball payout, has stepped forward to claim her prize. The Illinois Lottery Has Found Its Winner Illinois Lottery director Harold Mays and Chicago Prize Center manager Amanda Crosas posed for the photo-op as the winner has preferred to remain anonymous claiming the large prize herself. However, the winner was open to an interview with the Illinois Lottery, and here is what they had to add, describing the events surrounding their win: “Initially didn’t believe I had won, so I called a family member to confirm it. Even after claiming the prize, I’m still processing the news and experiencing the full range of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot — from disbelief and shock to overwhelming elation.” Like many similar situations, the winner did not use any special sauce numbers. Rather, they went for the Quick Pick option with a $2 on a single line of Powerball numbers. They were incredulous when they found out that the $2 had transformed itself into a $1.04-billion payout. The ticket was purchased at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 310 N. 36th St. in Quincy, and won the August 12, 2026 Powerball drawing. Truly a Blessing, Says Winner “This is truly a blessing, and I’m incredibly grateful for this unexpected and extraordinary opportunity,” they said. Crosas was herself excited, arguing that she had spent eight years processing lottery wins but that having been able to sort the $1-billion-plus jackpot was a truly extraordinary event. “You could feel the excitement in the room — we all had a little extra bounce in our steps that day. I can only imagine what this moment must feel like for the winner and the people closest to them. Congratulations to the winner on this life-changing prize and the opportunities that lie ahead,” she added. As to the winner? They have been working with professional legal and financial advisors to best decide how to manage the huge lottery windfall, which needs to be taken care of for it to have the biggest impact on their personal wealth.