Illinois Winner ‘Elated’ As They Claim Powerball Jackpot

The lucky ticket holder matched the numbers 4, 26, 66, 67 and 69, plus the Powerball of 9, in the eagerly-anticipated drawing on August 12th. It was the third time in Powerball history that the jackpot had gone to Illinois.

It has now emerged that the winning ticket, sold at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, located at 310 N. 36th St. in Quincy, was a Quick Pick. The winner played just one line, spending $2, and has told lottery officials they ‘never could have imagined’ that it would lead to a jackpot payout.

The winner has decided to stay anonymous, but they did share some thoughts with the Illinois Lottery about their reaction to finding out about their new-found wealth.

“I 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.”

The winner consulted legal and financial experts before submitting their claim, but did not wait too long to come forward. While Illinois Lottery winners have a year from the date of the relevant drawing to stake a claim, there is a 60-day deadline for jackpot winners to choose the lump-sum option. The latest jackpot winner has stepped forward in time to take the one-time payment rather than the annuity. The lump sum is worth $450.5 million before taxes.

When Will the Next Big Jackpot Arrive?

The Illinois win marked the first time this year that the jackpot had gone above $300 million, following a series of lower-level wins in the first half of 2026. It has already climbed back up to $271 million, so could another 10-figure payout be on the horizon?

The biggest Powerball win of all time came back in November 2022, when the jackpot reached a colossal $2.04 billion before California’s Edwin Castro pocketed the lot. 

You can pick up tickets from authorized retailers in 45 states, plus Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. A version of the game also launched in the UK earlier this summer. It is possible to order tickets online in some locations through courier services such as Jackpot.com.

Draws take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and you can check the winning numbers immediately afterwards.