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An everyday work break quickly became a million-dollar core memory for a man visiting his regular convenience store.
Earlier this month, an Illinois resident won the top $1 million prize from a $50 lottery ticket at a Mobil gas station in Lombard, a Chicago suburb, according to an Illinois Lottery news release. The winning prize was claimed April 10, Jennifer Born, Illinois Lottery spokesperson, told USA TODAY.
“I scratched off the ticket during a break at work and boom – I won,” the winner stated. Initially, the man, who wishes to remain anonymous under the name “Lucky,” purchased one ticket that wasn’t a winner before buying another, hitting the jackpot.
“I just celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago, so this win feels like the perfect gift,” the winner told Illinois Lottery. “I’m going to invest in my family’s future, buy a new home and refresh my wardrobe. I also plan to donate a portion to a local hospital.”
In Illinois, folks who win a lottery prize of $250,000 or more may request to keep their names and municipality of residence confidential, according to the Illinois Lottery.
Not ‘Lucky’s’ first time, gas station where the ticket was sold got lucky too
While the latest win is his largest, it’s not “Lucky’s” first. He told the Illinois Lottery he’s won about 20 other times, with prizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
“Lucky” told Illinois Lottery that the Mobile gas station he bought the winning ticket at is one he visits multiple times a week and is close with the staff.
“When I bought the ticket, I told them I was coming back with a lot of zeros. I can’t believe it actually happened,” he said.
The Mobil gas station “Lucky” purchased the ticket from will also receive a retailer bonus of $10,000, the Illinois Lottery news release states.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
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