The $1.04 Billion Claim

On September 15, 2026, nearly a month after the August 12 drawing, the sole winner of the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot came forward to claim the prize — the second-largest lottery prize ever won in Illinois, according to the Illinois Lottery. The anonymous winner said they spent just $2 on a single-line Quick Pick and initially didn't believe the win, calling a family member to confirm it. The winner spent the intervening weeks working with professional legal and financial advisors and elected the lump-sum payment over the annuity. The winning ticket was purchased at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Quincy, which earned a $500,000 retailer bonus.

The lesson: Assemble the team before you claim the check — the winner's quiet weeks with lawyers and advisors are the model for turning luck into lasting wealth.

Source: original reporting · How we source stories