A single $2 Powerball ticket has turned into a $1.04 billion fortune after an Illinois winner finally stepped forward more than a month after the historic drawing.
The winning ticket matched all five white balls plus the Powerball in the Wednesday, August 12, 2026, drawing. The jackpot was the 15th in U.S. lottery history to reach or exceed $1 billion.
Illinois Winner Comes Forward
Illinois Lottery and Powerball officials announced on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, that the jackpot winner had claimed the prize. The winner chose to remain anonymous under Illinois rules.
The lucky player said they initially couldn't believe the ticket had won and even contacted a family member for confirmation.
“I chose a Quick Pick and spent just $2 on a single line of Powerball numbers.”
The winner said the experience has brought a mix of shock, disbelief and excitement, calling the unexpected fortune a blessing.
Amanda Crosas, manager of the Illinois Lottery Chicago prize center, helped process the claim. She noted that although she has handled lottery claims for years, a billion-dollar prize was something truly extraordinary.
💰 Winner Takes the Cash
Instead of receiving the jackpot through annual payments, the Illinois winner selected the one-time cash option.
For the $1.04 billion jackpot, the advertised cash value was $450.5 million before applicable taxes.
The winning ticket was purchased at:
- Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh
- 310 N. 36th St., Quincy, Illinois
- Store bonus: $500,000 for selling the jackpot-winning ticket
Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays called the win a major milestone for the state and said officials were pleased to celebrate the historic prize with the winner.
Winning Numbers
The Powerball numbers from the August 12 drawing were:
4 – 26 – 66 – 67 – 69
Powerball: 9
Power Play: 2X
The jackpot wasn't the only big prize that night. Four tickets from Arizona, California, Florida and North Carolina matched all five white balls for $1 million prizes.
A Massachusetts ticket matched all five numbers with the Power Play and won $2 million.
Where Was the Billion-Dollar Ticket Sold?
The winning ticket came from Quincy, Illinois, a city in western Illinois located in Adams County.
Quincy sits roughly 135 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, and about 300 miles southwest of Chicago. The city is also known by its nickname, the “Gem City.”
The Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh store now joins a small group of retailers that have sold a Powerball or Mega Millions ticket worth at least $1 billion.
How Long Did the Winner Have to Claim the Prize?
Illinois rules gave the winner 60 days from the August 12 drawing to claim the cash option, making Sunday, October 11, 2026, the deadline for the lump-sum claim.
For winners choosing the annuity, Illinois provides a longer claim period of one year from the drawing date. Claim deadlines can differ from state to state.
Illinois also allows winners of prizes of $250,000 or more to request confidentiality. Because this winner made that request when claiming the prize, their name and municipality will remain private.
A $2 Quick Pick became one of the biggest lottery wins in Illinois history — and the winner has now officially claimed the billion-dollar prize.
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