Lucky Father Scores $1 Million Powerball Win — Family Rejoices Together
Photo caption: An Illinois family nicknamed ‘Malongo’ raise their hands in celebration after winning $1,000,004 playing Powerball.
CHICAGO, September 16, 2025 — A carwash stop opened the door to a million-dollar surprise for an Illinois family of five.
“I drove out to get my car washed at the Exxon Mobile, and decided to play the lottery at a new place,” shared the father of the family who purchased the winning ticket. “I chose Powerball because I wanted to play for the most money.”
That spontaneous stop became a life-changing decision for the family — a father, mother, and three adult children — who claimed the $1,000,004 Powerball® prize under the name ‘Malongo’ to remain anonymous. The group has agreed to split the winnings evenly.
The winning ticket was purchased at Exxon Mobil, 1156 South York Road in Bensenville. It matched all five numbers — 7-14-23-24-60 — in the August 9 drawing, earning the group a $1,000,000 prize, plus an additional $4 for matching the Powerball.
For selling the winning ticket, Exxon Mobil will receive a $10,000 bonus, 1% of the prize amount.
“When I checked the numbers, it sank in immediately that I had won,” the father recalled. “I felt relieved, but my wife - she thought I was lying. Then she said, ‘We’re going to Disney World!’”
The excitement is just beginning for the family. The father of Malongo says the prize money will help fund further education for his children. “And yes, Disney World is officially on the itinerary,” he laughed.
Looking ahead, Malongo hopes this win will have a lasting impact: “A few years from now, we hope we’re all less stressed and just happy.”
Powerball drawings are conducted Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings at 9:59 PM CT. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Power Play feature 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.