$270 million Mega Millions ticket sold in Glendale Heights
The ticket for the biggest prize in Illinois lottery history — $270 million — was sold this week at a Glendale Heights gas station and convenience store, officials said Saturday.
The winner, who has yet to come forward, purchased their winning Mega Millions Quick Pick ticket at Bucky's Express, a Mobil station at 1202 Bloomingdale Road. The retailer will receive a $500,000 bonus for selling a winning ticket.
It's the third largest jackpot since Mega Millions began in 2002.
Employees at the store declined to comment, but people pumping gas were excited about the news.
“I think it's amazing. Hopefully that person will put some of the money back in the community,” said Valerie Goff, who lives near Glendale Heights.
Mary Lou Gonzalez of Glendale Heights said she often plays Mega Millions with seven co-workers, each putting in $1 a week, and sometimes buys tickets at the station. When she was told the winning ticket was sold there, she said, “You're killing me. I can't believe it. Why can't it be me?”
Lisa Sanchez of Winfield said she never gambles, but added, “Maybe I should start playing lottery.”
The Illinois Lottery says the winner matched all the numbers drawn Friday — 26, 32, 44, 45 and 58 — plus the Mega Ball of 11.
Lottery spokesman Elizabeth Leonard said there's no predicting how quickly the holder of the winning ticket will step forward.
“It just depends. Some, they wait a couple weeks. Others, they claim it right away.”
The state has five claims centers where the ticket could be presented, but the winner most likely will go to the one in Chicago or Des Plaines, she said.
It was the first jackpot win of 2015 and the first by an Illinois player since May 2012.
The jackpot has a cash value of $177 million; after tax withholding, $126 million.
The very first jackpot winning Mega Millions ticket was sold on May 17, 2002, in Chatham, Illinois, and resulted in a $28 million prize. Jackpots start at $15 million. Overall odds of winning the jackpot are 1:258,890,850.
Drawings are at 9:59 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday