An Island Lake man has won $1 million after purchasing an Illinois Lottery ticket from a store in Island Lake, saying that he thought he was going crazy after finding out he won.
The Illinois Lottery announced Wednesday that a man named Jerry, who resides in Island Lake, won a $1 million grand prize playing the lottery’s Millionaire Club scratch-off ticket.
Jerry’s quick stop at a local retailer turned into the million-dollar moment.
“I initially bought a different $50 ticket, but that one didn’t hit,” Jerry said.
“So I grabbed another one—it was the last in that batch,” he added.
The winning ticket was purchased at Kelley’s Market, 3401 South River Road in Island Lake, last month.
Kelley’s Market and the Mobil gas station recently opened in December.
The store will receive a $10,000 bonus — 1% of the prize — for selling the winning ticket.
Jerry scratched off the ticket immediately at the store and scanned it to confirm the win.
“I was floored—I couldn’t believe it,” he recalled with a laugh. “I started tapping on the machine, thinking ‘Am I going crazy?'”
Jerry said he bought the ticket on April Fools’ Day and “really thought” the win was a joke.
Jerry said he plans to use his winnings to pursue his lifelong passion for fishing and paddle kayaking on lakes in Wisconsin.
“I’ve been going fishing since I was a kid,” he said. “I practically grew up on the water.”
The prize will also make a very special trip possible for visiting his 90-year-old mother in Arizona.
“She’s 90 years strong—I can’t wait to visit her,” he said.
The Illinois Lottery said it has contributed over $26 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985.
The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary and receives nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds.