Elk Grove resident wins $1 million in lottery on New Year's Eve

Elk Grove Village resident Eric Fisher has won $1 million in the Illinois Lottery, officials announced Wednesday.

"My children cheered nonstop when I told them we'd won a million dollars," Eric Fisher told Illinois Lottery staff when he presented his winning $300,000,000 Cash Spectacular instant ticket at the Illinois Lottery Prize Center in Des Plaines.

Fisher was grocery shopping on New Year's Eve when he decided to buy a ticket. Once at home, he scratched his ticket and instantly won $1 million.

"All I could think about was how much I can help my children with their education. This prize is for them."

Fisher, 33, is a single dad with two children. He works in the insurance industry. His plans for the windfall include buying a new house and investing.

"I am consulting financial advisers in order to make the best decisions. I want to make sure I invest my money wisely," he said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Jewel, 20 Biesterfield Road in Elk Grove Village. The retailer will receive a bonus of $10,000, equal to 1 percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.

Fisher elected to receive his prize in a one-time payment of $600,000 (less required tax withholding), instead of $50,000 per year for 20 years. $300,000,000 Cash Spectacular offers $300,000,000 in prizes, including 35 top prizes of $1 million (30 prizes of $1 million have not yet been claimed).

For more information, visit www.illinoislottery.com.