Lotto winner keeps identity hush-hush

Apparently endangered are the days when the general public was afforded insight into who big lottery winners were and how their windfalls would change their lives.

An anonymous Illinois woman, identified only as "the JYS Family Limited Partnership," came forward this week -- appearing in a press conference behind sunglasses -- to claim her half of a $163 million Mega Millions prize she split with a New Jersey winner last December.

What's known for sure is her winning ticket was sold at a Streamwood Shell station at Route 59 and Irving Park Road, which received a $500,000 award of its own.

Station owner Bob Stambolic has said he'd pay each of the five general managers that work for his chain of stations $10,000 from the lottery earnings.

The winner herself appeared as required by the Illinois Lottery at a press conference Wednesday at the Thompson Center in Chicago. She explained that she'd use her $52 million lump-sum payment to pay off her house and do some traveling, Lottery spokeswoman Laura Lehmann said.

Jodie Winnett, acting superintendent of the Illinois Lottery, said winners are becoming more savvy in protecting themselves both legally and financially before coming forward.

"I think people are more cognizant of their privacy," Winnett said.

Nevertheless, Lehmann said the Illinois Lottery is pleased to see people being properly prepared before they claim their winnings.

The winner identified herself as a pharmacist, wife and mother, but didn't specify how many children she has. The woman said she'd probably continue to work, but part time.

Her attorney, Terry Zimmer, said that was all the information the woman planned to reveal about herself and all he was authorized to reveal about her.

Nevertheless, the press conference is still a required part of winning.

"It's very important to us to show that real people are winning the lottery," Winnett said.