This Illinois Car Wash Just Created a Sudden Millionaire

Looking for someone who just washed their car in Illinois is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Just about everyone has washed their vehicle recently. But, there's one special person who just drove out of a car wash in Illinois that is now a mystery millionaire and state officials are looking for that person.

Does this car wash in New Lenox, Illinois look familiar to you?

According to the Illinois Lottery, a mystery someone stopped at this car wash on August 8,, 2026 and picked up a Lotto ticket. They left apparently not knowing the ticket in their possession is now worth $1,000,002. I love the fact that the Illinois Lottery leaves the extra $2 on that prize. Such a difference maker. The problem is the lucky winner has still not come forward to claim their prize according to the Illinois Lottery's Unclaimed Winnings site.

How much is a million dollar Illinois Lottery ticket worth after taxes are taken out?

The online lottery tax calculators break it down like this:

Gross Prize: $1,000,000
Estimated Federal Income Tax (Up to 37%): ~$320,000
Illinois State Income Tax (Flat 4.95%): $49,500
Total Estimated Taxes: $369,500
Estimated Total Take-Home: $630,500

Several things to keep in mind. First, I'm not an accountant and am, in fact, very bad at math so don't take financial advice from me if you're the mystery million dollar winner. Second, remember that I was the one that clued you in to your winnings if you are that million dollar winner. Remember us little people when you're cruising around in your Porsche.