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Illinois Lottery Brings Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge To Hyde Park Ahead Of $1.3 Billion Jackpot Drawing

September 2nd, 2025

Over 1,000 Free Powerball Tickets Up for Grabs This Wednesday

CHICAGO, September 2, 2025 — The Illinois Lottery is turning up the excitement in Chicago this week with a special Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge in Hyde Park, celebrating this Wednesday night’s record-breaking $1.3 billion jackpot.

This historic prize — the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot and the ninth-largest lottery jackpot in U.S history — has players across Illinois dreaming big. To mark the occasion, the Illinois Lottery is giving players the chance to win free tickets at a lively neighborhood event.

On Wednesday, September 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Lottery will set up its popular “Ticket Grab Machine” at Hyde Park Station & Car Wash, located at 5130 S. Lake Park Ave. in Chicago. Participants will step inside the machine for a few thrilling seconds to grab as many tickets as they can. More than 1,000 free Powerball tickets will be up for grabs during the challenge.

Can’t make it to the event? Powerball tickets are available at nearly 7,000 retailers statewide. Don’t miss your chance to win big in Wednesday’s $1.3 billion drawing.

Every Illinois Lottery ticket supports local communities. For Powerball, approximately 40 cents of every dollar spent goes to support K-12 education and other good causes. Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $25 billion to education funding in Illinois.

Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Power Play for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.

Powerball b-roll, available for use by the media, download here. 

As the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to grow, the Illinois Lottery reminds players to play for fun, not funds. Be Smart, Play Smart®. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com. 

NOTES:

  • All participants in the Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge must be 18 years of age or older
  • An Illinois Lottery spokesperson will be available on-site for interviews
  • The event will continue while supplies and quantities last

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About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $25 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.