Island Lake Man Scores $1 Million Grand Prize On $50 Scratch-Off Ticket
Photo caption: Jerry of Island Lake, Illinois, can’t hide his smile after winning the $1 million grand prize on a scratch-off ticket.
CHICAGO, May 13, 2026 — A quick stop at a local retailer turned into a million-dollar moment for Jerry of Island Lake, Illinois. Jerry won the $1,000,000 grand prize playing the Illinois Lottery’s Millionaire Club scratch-off ticket.
“I initially bought a different $50 ticket, but that one didn’t hit,” said Jerry. “So I grabbed another one—it was the last in that batch.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Kelley’s Market, located at 3401 South River Road in Island Lake. In addition to the excitement of the win, the store will receive a $10,000 bonus—1% of the prize—for selling the winning ticket.
Jerry scratched off the ticket immediately at the store and scanned it to confirm the win. “I was floored—I couldn’t believe it,” he recalled with a laugh. “I started tapping on the machine, thinking ‘Am I going crazy?’”
He added with a smile, “I bought this ticket on April Fools’ Day—I really thought it was a joke.”
Looking ahead, Jerry plans to use his winnings to pursue his lifelong passion for fishing and paddle kayaking in Wisconsin lakes. “I’ve been going fishing since I was a kid,” he shared. “I practically grew up on the water.”
The prize will also make a very special trip possible: visiting his 90-year-old mother in Arizona. “She’s 90 years strong—I can’t wait to visit her,” he said.
The Illinois Lottery currently offers a range of Instant Ticket games priced from $1 to $50, available at approximately 7,000 retail locations across Illinois.
Instant Tickets 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.
###
About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $26 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.