Chicago 'Papa' scratches his way to a $1M Illinois Lottery jackpot
An Illinois Lottery player has won $1 million from a scratch-off ticket bought in Chicago. The lucky winner, known only as 'Papa', discovered his prize at the store where he purchased it. His win adds to a growing list of big lottery successes in the state over recent years.
The winning ticket was a Jumbo Bucks scratch-off bought at P&S Liquor on 7319 Irving Park Road, on Chicago's Northwest Side. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket. This follows Illinois Lottery rules that reward retailers for major wins.
'Papa' and his wife, both retired, plan to use the money to help their family and fund a trip abroad. Their win is one of around 25 million-dollar lottery prizes claimed in Illinois between 2021 and 2025. The state has seen several high-profile jackpots, including the $1.337 billion Mega Millions prize won in Oak Lawn in July 2022. The latest victory comes as part of a trend of significant lottery wins across Illinois in recent years. While 'Papa' remains anonymous, his story highlights how scratch-off games continue to create instant millionaires in the state.
The $1 million prize will provide financial support for the winner's family and allow for international travel. The store that sold the ticket also benefits, earning a $10,000 bonus. This win is the latest in a series of major lottery successes reported in Illinois over the past five years.
