Second-Choice Scratch-Off Ticket Turns Into $1 Million Win For Northwest Chicagoland Player
Photo caption: A Northwest Chicagoland lottery player takes a celebratory photo after winning $1 million on a scratch-off ticket
CHICAGO, May 6, 2026 — A Northwest Chicagoland resident is celebrating a life-changing win after a $50 scratch-off ticket—purchased on a whim—turned into a $1 million prize.
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous under the name ‘Rosalina Galaxy,’ purchased an Illinois Lottery $10 Million Bankroll Instant Ticket—her second choice after her original selection was sold out.
“I originally wanted a different ticket, but it was out of stock,” she said. “So I picked the one next to it, since I’ve played it before.”
She bought the winning ticket at a Speedway located at 1775 N. Lafox St. in South Elgin and scratched it in the store’s parking lot.
“I kept asking myself, ‘Am I reading this correctly?’” she recalled. “I was in complete shock—I couldn’t believe it. It felt like destiny.”
Rosalina Galaxy immediately shared the news with her family, who were equally stunned. “It still hasn’t sunk in that I’ve won—and I don’t think it has for my husband either,” she said with a laugh.
Looking ahead, the new millionaire plans to celebrate with travel and a new home. “My husband and I are huge Nintendo fans—we’re thinking about visiting Nintendo World in Florida and possibly taking a tropical cruise,” she added.
The retailer that sold the winning ticket will also receive a bonus. The Speedway location will earn one percent of the prize amount, totaling $10,000.
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.
Already this year, more than 20.3 million winning Instant Tickets have been sold, with players statewide claiming nearly $563 million in prizes.
Instant Tickets b-roll, available for use by the media, download here.
Playing the lottery should be a form of entertainment. Please remember to set a limit and stick to it. 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 $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.