Illinois couple claims $393 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Aug 28, 2017, 7:29 am (26 comments)

Mega Millions

Largest lottery jackpot ever claimed in Illinois

By Todd Northrop

At the same time the latest Powerball jackpot run was stealing headlines, an Illinois couple was at Illinois Lottery headquarters, claiming the largest lottery jackpot ever won in the state.

Palos Heights resident Patricia Busking became the winner of the largest prize in Illinois Lottery history when the second line of numbers on her $5 Quick Pick ticket matched all six numbers in the Friday, August 11, Mega Millions drawing.

The winning numbers in that draw were 23, 33, 53, 56, and 58, with Mega Ball number 6.

Friday, at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, Illinois Lottery officials presented Busking a $393 million ceremonial check to commemorate her history-making win.

Busking, a retired health care worker, and her husband, Joe, have lived in Palos Heights for 13 years. She was at home the morning after the drawing when Joe heard on the radio that the jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased in Palos Heights. She rushed to check the winning numbers in the newspaper and was stunned to see that they matched the numbers on her ticket. She immediately signed the back of the ticket, becoming the single largest Mega Millions prize winner in Illinois Lottery history. 

After spending a week consulting with family members and professional financial advisors, Busking was ready to come forward and claim her prize, which she opted to take as a one-time payment of $246 million. She plans to share the money with her family and friends, and donate to her favorite charities.

An occasional Mega Millions and Powerball player, Busking said she buys tickets when the jackpots are really high, and always buys Quick Picks. She bought her winning ticket at Nick's Barbecue, 12658 S. Harlem Ave., in Palos Heights, when she and Joe decided to stop there to buy steak sandwiches for dinner. "We were in the right place at the right time!"

Nick's Barbecue will receive a $500,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. This jackpot is the fifth largest in Mega Millions history and rolled 29 times after it was previously won Friday, April 28.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Groppo's avatarGroppo

.

Congratulations to the couple.
I'm truly happy for them.

HAMMY WAMMY's avatarHAMMY WAMMY

Congrats to them :] 

Smart to wait a couple weeks and to claim when the country is more interested in a larger jackpot winner.

wander73's avatarwander73

They waited some time and good for them.  Smart move on their part.  They consulted different people.  They will be fine.

noise-gate

I took a gander at the " related stories" dealing with jackpot winners from illinois, and almost all are- were retired. Live long & prosper.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

"An occasional player that buys tickets when jackpots are really high and always buys quick picks"

Could be describing me...hmm...I make homemade steak sandwiches though !

OneTrickpony's avatarOneTrickpony

Nice! 

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Patricia looks pretty bright eyed and happy.....Joe on the other hand kinda gives me the impression his IBS maybe starting to act up Naughty

 

I truly hope hope their win brings them much joy and happiness for years to come Hyper

Soledad

Money is old, but do good for others. Only real joy in life. Maybe a couple of adventures too, why not? Good luck to the winner, do good for others. The only thing that means anything. Fix the budget Illinois!

music*'s avatarmusic*

Congratulations to Joe & Patricia Busking !!! 

 These two record making jackpots have taught me that: I will never tell any other player how they should choose their numbers.  All of us who play are 18 years or older and we should be smart enough to make that decision on our own. 

 Patricia used quick pick while Mavis L. Wancyzk picked her lucky winning numbers. 

 I will not say, "Pick some high and low numbers". NO  Mavis won with her families birthday numbers.

I feel privileged to be able to play the lottery.

Patriot

Tatototman65's avatarTatototman65

Congrats!!!

Smile

Bleudog101

Congratulations to the two of them (I forgot all about this win).  Glad they got the money before Illinois said IOU, but as one LP member said if they pulled that stunt again, PB & MM would probably pull out permanently.

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

Pleased for this Lone Ticket Holder ! Congrats!

 

With over 200 Million, they can be as charitable or quiet as they wish.....Good health and longevity to them .

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Aug 28, 2017

"An occasional player that buys tickets when jackpots are really high and always buys quick picks"

Could be describing me...hmm...I make homemade steak sandwiches though !

Wasn't there a post where someone was talking about BBQ before this happened? Lol

zephbe's avatarzephbe

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Aug 28, 2017

Wasn't there a post where someone was talking about BBQ before this happened? Lol

Sure was.  Congrats to them. That's enough money for a whole hog barbecue Smile and all the trimmings.

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