A month after a lottery ticket purchased at a gas station in Quincy, Illinois, correctly matched all six Powerball numbers, the mystery surrounding the winner's identity was finally resolved on Tuesday.
According to reports from Telemundo 51, the Illinois Lottery confirmed that the lucky recipient of the $1.04 billion jackpot came forward to claim the prize, choosing, however, to keep their identity confidential.
The life-changing draw occurred on August 12 when a Quick Pick ticket—automatically generated numbers—bought at the Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh on North 36th Street, was the sole ticket to hit the winning combination: 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, and the red Powerball 9.
Despite choosing to remain anonymous, the winner released a statement describing the emotional rollercoaster experienced upon discovering the win.
"At first, I 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 feeling the full spectrum of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot, from disbelief and shock to overwhelming euphoria," the statement read.
The winner also reflected on the improbability of the victory: "I never imagined a $2 purchase would lead to a $1.04 billion jackpot. This is truly a blessing, and I'm deeply grateful for this unexpected and extraordinary opportunity."
As noted by the state lottery, the winner spent the weeks before coming forward working with legal and financial advisors to prepare for the claim process.
Ultimately, they opted for a lump-sum cash payment—approximately $450.5 million before taxes—over the annuity spread across 30 payments over 29 years. After federal withholdings and the Illinois state tax of 4.95%, the estimated net amount they will receive is around $261.6 million.
Illinois is among the states that allow winners of prizes over $250,000 to request anonymity, meaning this player's identity might never be publicly disclosed.
Meanwhile, the small town bordering Missouri experienced weeks of rampant speculation.
An employee at the Hy-Vee gas station where the ticket was sold humorously described the situation: "It's like a murder mystery. It's like, who did it? Who won? So all our regular customers come in saying 'not me,' 'not me.' So, we've been kind of eliminating people in our minds who we haven't seen yet."
The establishment also benefited: the Illinois Lottery awarded them a $500,000 bonus for being the selling venue of the winning ticket.
The $1.04 billion jackpot stands as the second-largest lottery prize in Illinois history and the eighth-largest in Powerball history. The staggering sum accumulated over 44 consecutive drawings without a major prize winner, a streak that began on May 2, 2026.
Harold Mays, the director of the Illinois Lottery, expressed his excitement about the outcome and welcomed the winner. "A jackpot of this magnitude is an extraordinary event, and we're thrilled to see the second-largest lottery prize ever won in Illinois officially claimed."
The all-time record for Powerball remains with California: in November 2022, a ticket sold in that state snagged a $2.04 billion jackpot, the largest in the game's history.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Powerball Jackpot
Who can claim anonymity in Illinois lottery wins?
In Illinois, winners of lottery prizes over $250,000 can request to remain anonymous.
What was the winning Powerball combination?
The winning numbers for this draw were 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, and the red Powerball 9.
How was the prize claimed?
The winner chose a lump-sum cash payment of about $450.5 million before taxes instead of an annuity.