'I never could have imagined it': anonymous Illinois player claims $1.04bn Powerball jackpot won with a $2 QUICK PICK ticket

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

An anonymous Illinois player has come forward to claim the eighth-largest Powerball jackpot in history, worth $1.04 billion, more than a month after the August 12 draw. The winner chose a lump-sum payment of $450.5 million, which will be cut to around $283.8 million after federal and state taxes. The ticket cost just $2 and was bought at a Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience store in Quincy, Illinois.