Mystery Illinois Powerball player claims historic $1.04B jackpot off $2 ticket

Traded in $2 for a billion.A mystery Illinois lottery player claimed the historic $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot – and only needed to buy one set of numbers for the prize.The solo ticket holder, who chose to remain anonymous, submitted their claim for Illinois’ second-largest lottery prize on Tuesday, just over a month after the jackpot-winning drawing, the Illinois State Lottery announced.“I chose a Quick Pick and spent just $2 on a single line of Powerball numbers,” the winner told lottery officials.The $2 spent is approximately 0.000000192% of the $1.04 billion jackpot.“I never could have imagined that a $2 purchase would lead to a $1.04 billion jackpot.

This is truly a blessing, and I’m incredibly grateful for this unexpected and extraordinary opportunity.”The unidentified Illinoisan bought the ticket at the Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience store in Quincy, Ill., a city sitting on the western edge of the state bordering the Mississippi River and Missouri.The winning numbers for the Aug.12 drawing were 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 and the red Powerball 9.The winner said they have been experiencing a wide range of emotions since the fateful night.“I initially didn’t believe I had won, so I called a family member to confirm it,” they said.

“Even after claiming the prize, I’m still processing the news and experiencing the full range of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot — from disbelief and shock to overwhelming elation.”The winner chose the one-time cash sum option, meaning they will receive the more modest, yet still transformational payout of $450,500,000 before taxes.The new multi-millionaire will face an automatic 24 percent federal withholding tax, which will cut their prize to $342.4 million.Then an additional 13 percent in federal taxes will further cut the amount to $283.8 million.The state of Illinois will withhold $22.3 million due to its 4.95 percent tax applied to winnings.  Morning Report delivers t...