Illinois lottery winners take the top two spots for online wins
By Kate Northrop
CHICAGO, Ill. — The Illinois Lottery announced on Wednesday that one Illinois woman claimed a $536 million Mega Millions jackpot this week, the first Mega Millions jackpot claimed in 2026.
The lone winner to lay sole claim to a $536 million Mega Millions jackpot has stepped forward to take home the cash.
She chose to claim the prize under the pseudonym "Lucky Lady" to hide her identity, rather fitting for the circumstances of her lucky ticket purchase.
"I didn't even plan to play that day — I had actually tried to buy a ticket online a week earlier, but I forgot to finalize the purchase," the winner laughed with Lottery officials. "I even joked with my boss that day, saying, 'It wasn't meant to go through.'"
She bought the jackpot-winning ticket online, asserting bragging rights to scooping the second-largest prize ever won by an online player in the United States. It was just barely out of reach of the current record, which is a $552 million Mega Millions prize won in June 2024, coincidentally held by another Illinois player.
When "Lucky Lady" was about to purchase her Quick Pick ticket for the March 10 drawing, she reshuffled her numbers several times before deciding on a set that included her favorite number.
"Once I saw my favorite number, 16, I stuck with it," the winner told the Lottery.
That set contained all winning numbers in the March 10 draw: 16, 21, 30, 35, and 65, with Mega Ball 7.
Since her win was connected to a digital purchase, the Lottery sent her an email confirmation and notification of the win through their official mobile app. The proof was right there, but it was still nearly impossible to comprehend.
"I couldn't believe it," she recalled. "I was shaking and telling myself, 'This can't be real.' I had my daughter call one of the claim centers to confirm, but it still feels unreal."
She opted to claim the $245.64 million cash option over the full annuitized amount. While the Illinois Lottery does not disclose the final post-tax amount "for privacy reasons," Illinois Lottery Public Relations Director Jennifer Born advised Lottery Post, the initial federal withholding is 24% while the Illinois state withholding is 4.95%.
According to USA Mega's Mega Millions Jackpot Analysis, the winner will receive about $142.6 million after all taxes are paid.
The unimaginable newfound wealth will bring her family closer together and make her home life dreams come true.
"I've always dreamed of buying a new family house with a swimming pool," she said in a press release. "We're also planning a family meeting soon, so a cruise or maybe even a trip to Vegas could definitely be on the table."
Illinoisans have found great fortune playing Mega Millions, with "Lucky Lady's" win marking the fifth time an Illinois lottery player won the game's jackpot in nearly five years.
The jackpot run began on Dec. 5, 2025 and generated more than $34 million in Illinois Lottery ticket sales and over $13 million for education in the state of Illinois before the mammoth prize was won.
The Mega Millions jackpot stands at $50 million for the next drawing on Friday, March 20 at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $5 each.
The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.
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Lucky Lady sure got some serious cash money. Congrats Lucky Lady
"When "Lucky Lady" was about to purchase her Quick Pick ticket for the March 10 drawing, she reshuffled her numbers several times before deciding on a set that included her favorite number."
There is hope for all the QP players out there, there is still some hope 😁
Congratulations 🎉 on the win and may the Vegas trip earn you more winnings 😉
all that money for one person
You don't suppose JR from Dublin Ohio would share his five alarm chili recipe with Lucky Lady from Illinois? They are both lottery winners and all .... and midwesterners to boot .... you know what I mean?
You don't think JR & LL have common ancestors do you?
Have a shaggy day!
ShagE3
All that money for one person. Most likely she will be sharing with her family, friends and charities. If it is looked at that way, the money will not be for just one person.
Someone may recognize those fingers 🤌 lol . Congratulations nice win
Nothing like being anonymous. The shades, the moves, the mystery!
"While the Illinois Lottery does not disclose the final post-tax amount "for privacy reasons," Illinois Lottery Public Relations Director Jennifer Born advised Lottery Post, the initial federal withholding is 24% while the Illinois state withholding is 4.95%. "
Bummer. Some people would need a calculator to figure out the initial cash payment. A few would even need somebody else to push the right keys.
Of course we never know the specifics of a winner's tax bill we do know that most of it will be taxed in the highest brackets when next April rolls around, unless a bunch of it goes to charitable causes.