Illinois Store Sells Jackpot Ticket — Winner Missing

Isn't it funny how one small decision can change your life. That just happened for one individual in Illinois as they've just won a huge prize, but they seem unaware of their good fortunes so far.

Does this small Illinois convenience store look familiar to you?

This is 8810 W 191st St in Mokena, Illinois. At some point Friday, August 8, 2025, someone stopped by this tiny convenience store and picked up a Lucky Day Lotto ticket that is now worth a staggering $150,000. There's just one small problem. According to the Illinois Lottery's Unclaimed Prizes page, no one has stepped forward to claim their prize.

How long does this Illinois winner have before their prize is withdrawn and what happens to the winnings?

The good news is that the Illinois Lottery allows you one full calendar year to claim prize winnings. If no one comes forward as a confirmed winner, the money goes into the Illinois Common School Fund to support K-12 education in the state.

What would the take home amount be from a $150,000 Illinois lottery prize?

The approximate tax would be somewhere in the neighborhood of just over $43,000 by the time federal and state taxes are withdrawn. Still, over $100,000 is not a bad way to spend a Friday.