A single ticket sold at a Quincy gas station matched all six numbers to win the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot, marking the largest U.S. lottery prize awarded so far this year and the eighth-largest in Powerball history.
An Illinois resident has claimed the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot after purchasing a winning ticket at a Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh gas station in Quincy. The winning numbers-4, 26, 66, 67, 69, and Powerball 9-were drawn Wednesday night, making this the eighth-largest Powerball jackpot ever and the biggest lottery prize awarded in the United States so far in 2026.
The winner, whose identity has not been released, can choose between a lump-sum payment of $450.5 million or an annuity paid out over 29 years. According to Powerball officials, the jackpot increased from an initial estimate of $975 million due to higher-than-expected ticket sales leading up to the drawing.
Record-Breaking Wins in Illinois
This marks the third time an Illinois player has won the Powerball jackpot and the second time a lottery prize over $1 billion has been claimed in the state. In July 2022, a ticket purchased at a gas station in Des Plaines won a $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot, which remains the largest lottery prize ever awarded in Illinois. Earlier this year, an Illinois player known as "Lucky Lady" won $536 million through the Illinois Lottery's iLottery platform, the second-largest online lottery win in U.S. history.
Other notable Illinois lottery wins include a $393 million Mega Millions jackpot in August 2017, a $56 million Mega Millions prize in June 2021, and a $552 million iLottery win in June 2024. In March 2025, a ticket bought in Cortland secured a $349 million Mega Millions jackpot.
Powerball Jackpot Odds and Next Drawing
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, according to lottery officials. The last Powerball jackpot was won on May 2, and with this latest win, the jackpot will reset to $20 million for the next drawing scheduled for Saturday. Players can choose between a lump-sum payout or annual installments, with the lump-sum option typically being less than half the advertised jackpot due to taxes and other deductions.
Powerball remains one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, with jackpots frequently reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. The top 10 Powerball jackpots have all exceeded $768 million, with the largest-$2.04 billion-won in California in November 2022.
Lottery winnings in Illinois are subject to both federal and state taxes. Winners are encouraged to consult with financial and legal advisors before claiming their prize to ensure they understand the tax implications and payout options.
