Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that Illinois adults and youth who receive the COVID-19 vaccine up until July 1 will be automatically entered to win cash prizes of up to $1 million.
Pritzker announced a lottery system called “All In for the Win” that will reward vaccinated Illinoisans by automatically entering them into a series of cash and scholarship lotteries with prizes up to $1 million.
Illinois became the first state in the Midwest to reach President Joe Biden’s goal of vaccinating at least 70% of adults by July 4, the governor’s office said.
“While our vaccination numbers in Illinois are good, in fact the best in the Midwest, we still need more people – as many people as possible – to get vaccinated,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.
“The pandemic is not over and as long as the virus is allowed to circulate, it can mutate and form new variants. We need to slow the virus’ activity – and the best way to do that is through vaccination,” Ezike said.
“All In For The Win is yet another way we’re working to ensure every single resident is protected from COVID-19, and especially, this virus’ more dangerous variants,” Pritzker said.
“Vaccines are incredibly effective and keep you protected – and they also make your community safer. Getting the shot is how we truly end this thing, so vax up, Illinois. If you do, you might even hit the jackpot,” Pritzker said.
The lottery offers $7 million in cash prizes to vaccinated adults, ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, and $3 million in scholarship awards to vaccinated youth, held in Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan.
Residents who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Illinois are automatically entered into the lotteries, the governor’s office said. There are no sign-ups or forms that need to be filled out.
Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated before July 1 to ensure they are entered into every draw and have the most chances to win a prize, including the first million-dollar top prize on July 8.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will continue to check their records before each drawing. Once entered, residents remain eligible in all future drawings unless they win.
The first drawing will take place on July 8 and the promotion will run until August 26 with a series of drawings for 43 cash prizes, including three million-dollar jackpots, and 20 scholarship awards.
One million-dollar cash winner and three $150K scholarship winners will be drawn on July 8 and weekly drawings will continue throughout the summer.
Drawings include weekly $100,000 cash prizes and regional lotteries to ensure people from every part of the state are among the winners, the governor’s office said.
The grand finale, which includes two million-dollar cash prizes and 17 scholarship awards, will be drawn on August 26.
IDPH will reach out to the winners to ask for authorization to share their names and contact information with the Illinois Lottery.
“At no time will any state entity other than IDPH have information about a participant or winner without their consent. The Illinois Lottery will then help the winner through the claim process to receive their prize,” the governor’s office said.