Illinois Player Wins $1 Million On Powerball With Numbers From An Old Lottery Ticket
Photo Caption: Sometimes, it pays to clean out the drawer — just ask this Illinois Powerball millionaire.
CHICAGO, September 24, 2025 — A forgotten Powerball® ticket tucked away in a drawer turned into a life-changing surprise for one lucky Illinois player.
“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,” said the winner, who chose to remain anonymous, using the name ‘Rex.’ “The jackpot was so high — over a billion dollars! I figured I wouldn’t get too many chances at that kind of money.”
Rex purchased the winning ticket at Joe’s Tobacco and Vape & Phone Repair Shop, located at 1945 W. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. The ticket matched all five numbers — 3-16-29-61-69 — in the September 3 Powerball drawing to win the $1,000,000 prize.
“I woke up the next day after the drawing, had my second cup of coffee, and suddenly remembered to check the numbers,” Rex recalled. “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!”
For selling the winning ticket, the retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus, 1% of the prize amount.
Rex said one of the best moments was sharing the news. “I showed the winning numbers to my spouse, who couldn’t believe it and immediately said, ‘Wow, you actually won!’”
A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion dating back to the 1960s, Rex plans to use the prize money to purchase a new car and share thoughtful gifts with loved ones.
So far this year, eight Illinois Lottery players have won prizes of $1 million or more with Powerball.
The next Powerball drawing will take place on Wednesday, September 24 at 9:59 p.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased in-store or online via the Illinois Lottery website and mobile app. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players can 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.
Be Smart, Play Smart®. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com.
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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.