Illinois Lottery Player Claims $1.04 Billion Powerball Jackpot

An anonymous lottery player has claimed a Powerball jackpot worth $1.04 billion from a ticket purchased in Quincy, Illinois. The Illinois Lottery confirmed the claim on September 15, 2026, approximately one month after the winning numbers were drawn on August 12.

The winner purchased a single $2 Quick Pick ticket at a Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience store. The winning numbers for the August 12 drawing were 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, with a red Powerball of 9. According to Powerball, the odds of winning the grand prize are 1 in 292,201,338.

The lottery confirmed the winner elected to receive a one-time lump-sum payment of approximately $450.5 million rather than the full $1.04 billion paid out as an annuity. The winner, who remains unnamed, stated they called a family member to confirm the win and described the experience as a "blessing" while they process the news.

For the local business community, the sale of the winning ticket resulted in a $500,000 retailer bonus for the Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience store in Quincy. This payout is a standard incentive provided by the Illinois Lottery to businesses that sell jackpot-winning tickets. For the general public, the $1.04 billion total represents the eighth-largest jackpot in the history of the Powerball game.

What happens next involves the final distribution of funds after required tax obligations are met. The winner has already claimed the prize as of September 15, 2026. While the identity of the winner remains anonymous, the financial impact will be reflected in Illinois state tax collections for the current fiscal year. No further drawings for this specific $1.04 billion jackpot will occur, as the Illinois Lottery confirmed there was only a sole winner for the August 12 draw.