Aurora Resident Claims $1 Million Powerball Prize
An Illinois Lottery player is starting October as a millionaire after winning a $1 million prize in the September 3 Powerball drawing. The winning ticket was purchased at Joe’s Tobacco and Vape & Phone Repair Shop, located at 1945 W. Galena Blvd. in Aurora.
This win comes as the Powerball jackpot continues to climb, recently surpassing $1 billion. While no one matched all six numbers for the billion-dollar prize,the Aurora winner’s five-number match represents a notable windfall and is one of eight million-dollar-plus Powerball prizes claimed by Illinois players this year. The Illinois Lottery encourages players to check their tickets, as life-changing prizes remain unclaimed.
The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, recounted a stroke of luck involving an old ticket. “I usually play Lotto,but this time I found an old Powerball ticket in the drawer and figured I’d give those numbers another try,” they told the illinois Lottery. “The jackpot was so high – over a billion dollars! I figured I wouldn’t get too many chances at that kind of money.”
The realization of the win took time to process.”I woke up the next day after the drawing, had my second cup of coffee, and suddenly remembered to check the numbers,” the winner said. “It took a whole day to sink in. I triple-checked my ticket and even scanned it at the store where I bought it. I barely slept that night – my blood pressure was through the roof!”
Plans for the prize money include purchasing a new car and providing gifts for loved ones. Joe’s Tobacco Shop will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
