Illinois Mega Millions Winner Yet to Claim $344M Prize!

A Mega Millions ticket worth $344 million was sold at a humble general store in Illinois, but days later, the winner remains a mystery. 🌐 #News #CortlandIL #Illinois #Lifestyle

CORTLAND, IL — A Mega Millions jackpot totaling $344 million was hit in Illinois this week, but the person who matched all six numbers hasn’t come forward. The lucky numbers—1, 5, 17, 39, 62 and Mega Ball 8—were drawn on March 25. The winning ticket was sold at Caseys General Store in the small town of Cortland, delivering a surge of excitement and speculation to the quiet community.

Despite the announcement, lottery officials have confirmed that no one has yet contacted them to claim the enormous prize. That silence has fueled both curiosity and urgency.

A Year to Claim, But Sooner Is Better

By Illinois law, lottery winners have up to one year from the date of the draw to claim their jackpot. However, if the anonymous winner wants more flexibility in how they receive the money, they need to act faster.

If they wish to take the lump sum payout—calculated at $159.1 million after taxes—they must come forward by May 24, just 60 days from the drawing. After that deadline, the only option available will be annual payments spread across 30 years, with each installment growing by 5%.

The Illinois Lottery has emphasized that the winner must call the Player Hotline to initiate the process. And while state law allows the winner to remain anonymous, officials urge them to sign the ticket and store it securely until they’re ready to step into the spotlight—or stay out of it.

Store Scores Big, Too

The jackpot wasn’t the only win. Caseys General Store, the unassuming location where the golden ticket was sold, is now $500,000 richer, thanks to a retailer bonus payout. For the small business, it’s a surprise windfall that could make a big difference.

This is the fourth time in under four years that Illinois has produced a Mega Millions jackpot winner, with previous wins recorded in June 2021, July 2022, and June 2024.

More Wins, More Dreams

While Friday’s draw didn’t deliver another Mega Millions jackpot winner, it still produced excitement. One fortunate player won $5 million by matching all five white balls and opting in on the megaplier, which was set at 5X. Seven more players snagged $10,000 each, as the jackpot rolled up to $29 million for the next drawing.

Did You Know?

As of 2024, unclaimed lottery prizes in the U.S. total over $2 billion annually, according to CNN. (Source: CNN Money)
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.6 million. (Source: MegaMillions.com)
Illinois allows lottery winners to remain anonymous, unlike many other states. (Source: Illinois Lottery Official Site)

Moment for Reflection

Sometimes the biggest blessings come quietly, waiting patiently for someone to recognize their worth. Just like this unclaimed ticket, moments of grace often sit right under our noses—undeniable, powerful, but waiting to be accepted. Whether riches come in dollars or in daily joys, let’s remember to open our hearts to the gifts we’ve been given. Peace and provision are never far from reach.

What would you do if you were the Mega Millions winner? Tell us in the comments!

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RELATED TOPICS: Illinois | Lifestyle