Illinois Mega Millions winner to come forward

Wisdom from Jill34786

is it wise to call a head to set a date to come foward to the lottery people? does this give the lottery officals enough time to bring out the paper work and go through the security procedures?

Throwing a party for strangers is the last thing one should do. You have to start thinking about lawsuits. If someone drives out of there all shimmed up and kills someone, they are going to go after the deepest pockets. I wouldn't even attend a party thrown by strangers.

       The winner better have his/her bags packed and take off for awhile ....this

       person will NOT get  any peace and quiet .  Illinois should of been

      anonymous too .  When , I win , I will NOT be giving any parties ,

      I would be long gone . lol ... after watching a video of the lottery,

      it changed everything .  I'll have to be strict with my "do's / don'ts " .

       Jill (above ) is right ......Gated community..........

Does Illinois require the dog & pony show with the media?Can the winner have his/her lawyer pick up the check for them,as long as the lawyer reveals the winners name and hometown?

Congrats to the winner/s

Though the article doesn't indicate [darn!!!], it is probable that the Illinois ticket purchased jackpot winner previously took either their, original lottery ticket or validation ticket, with Claim Form to the Illinois Lottery Headquarters for the 2 weeks or so of processing and financial background checks required.

Consequently, it is probable that the winner's presence later today is simply their last 'hoops to jump through' for the Illinois Lottery Headquarters jackpot monies receival requirements.  I would think that, within a couple of days later, all of the lump-sum monies will appear in this winner's financial account electronically.  Finally, I am looking at the back of my Illinois Mega Millions Lottery Ticket which still reads:  "Holder of this ticket agrees to interviews with lottery public relations personnel and the news media, and grants permission to use his/her name and likeness in lottery advertising."

Congratulations to this MM jackpot winner, from Illinois purchased ticket!  It would be very interesting if this 1/3 jackpot winner is a solo person, without any close family and/or dependents.

Though I don't know if winner(s) resides in Illinois, I did notice that it has been JUST over two years since an Illinois sold MM ticket has won a jackpot either fully or partially (last jackpot won was solely at $20M and requested receival at lesser 'lump sum' amount).

Got to love the lotto. People spending hundreds of dollars and he hits on a 3$ quickpick.

Thank God, an old couple won this amount of money.

dpoly1,

Excellent chopice of weapons but with a jackpot I'd have to buy one or two dozen Thompson's, just for old time sake. Also probably several Viet Nam era M203s (M16 / M79 over/ under, "Say hello to my little friend"). also osme Uzis, I was a poor shot in the Army but we fired those things and voila, 10 out of 10 bullseye or close at 50 meters, every time.

jill34786,

What about being hounded relentlessly by those inside the gated private commuity?

Coin Toss, I mentioned affluent guard gated community. Most of your neighbors are well off and will respect your privacy. I live in such a neighborhood where many CEO's, professional atheletes and celebreties reside. There has never been any issues within the community and the media is always kept at bay by our security team.

Several years ago a Florida lotto winner purchased a home here and relocated his entire family. Last I heard they are doing just fine.

Even Realtors must have approval from the front office prior to being admitted and we all know that is usually the easiest way to gain entry into most private communities. A few years ago, the wife of a sport superstar was denied entry because she did not contact anyone at the office and/or country club.

The HOA at some of these exclusive communities may be expensive and prohibive to most but I feel it's well worth it in our case.

Jill34786,

Good for you then, and for such places.

That's funny about the sport stars' wife.

On local news tonight the couple said they had lived in Red Bud their whole lives (pop. 3700) and wil stay there.

I doubt Red Bud has such a gated community but maybe they will build one!

Coint Toss,

Their Red Bud friends and neighbors are probably the least of their concerns. It's the few visitors who have decided to temporarily extend their stay that they should be worried about.

If I were them, I would be extremely cautious about any new acquaintances that may cross their path no matter how innocent or friendly they appear.

Building a gated compound within Red Bud may seem like an option but this couple doesn't strike me as being excessive.  Their modest home which has fared well their "previous" life may not provide the level of privacy and comfort that their new chapter on life will demand.

This new found wealth is life changing and assuming your lifestyle will not be affected is just denial. I do hope the support group they have retained will properly guide them going forward.