On the same night a record $758.7 million Powerball jackpot was won in Massachusetts, a $2 million prize in the same game was won by someone who purchased a ticket at a Joliet liquor store, according to the Illinois Lottery.
The $2 million ticket was purchased at Highland Liquors at 1619 E. Cass St.
The winning numbers in the Wednesday night drawing were 06-07-16-23-26-(04), and the PowerPlay number was 04, according to Illinois Lottery officials. The Joliet winner matched five of the six numbers plus the PowerPlay number. Without the PowerPlay option, the prize would be $1 million.
Highland Liquors will receive a bonus of $20,000 for selling the winning ticket.
The $758.7 million prize was won in Massachusetts by a woman who bought a ticket at a store in Chicopee and matched all the numbers. It was the largest single-ticket Powerball prize in U.S. history.
In Joliet, Rick Fishbeck, co-owner of Highland Liquors, said he hopes the winner, who had not come forward by early Thursday afternoon, is one of the store’s regular customers.
“We’re excited,” he said. “It’s nice to have a winner and get the attention.”
This is the first time the store has sold a winning ticket for such a large amount, Fishbeck said. He plans to use the bonus to further his business, perhaps purchasing a new cooler or getting new lights.
“We’ve been in business for 64 years and we’ve had the lottery since (it began),” Fishbeck said. “We’re not new to the lottery, so it’s nice to finally have a winner.”
The Illinois Lottery urges the winner to sign the back of the ticket and keep it in a safe place until the prize is redeemed.
