After nearly two weeks of mystery an Illinois man from Benton has been identified as the winner of the Feb. 13 Illinois Lottery drawing.
Donald Wendell's $1 Quick Pick ticket matched all six drawn numbers, 2, 21, 33, 36, 37, and 41, earning him the full $11.25 million jackpot.
"I think I'm in shock," Wendell said as he handed in his ticket to the Illinois Lottery Prize Center in Fairview Heights.
In a news release, Wendell said he would buy tickets once or twice a week and always joked with the clerks.
"I always joke with the clerks and say, 'You sold me the winning ticket, right,'" he said. "Well this time they actually did."
Wendell said as soon as he heard the winning ticket had been sold at a Circle K in Benton, he went back to the store.
"When I saw that I had all of the numbers, I got goosebumps from head to toe," he said.
With his winnings, Wendell said he hopes to help his community, donate some to charity and make some investments.
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Congratulations Mr Wendell
Good for him. I always wondered if someone who buys one quick pick ever wins. Often the media says one ticket but when they show the photo of the ticket, it is usually 5 or more lines.
And on just 1 line, good for him!
Very good point, seems like they have all the space filled up with multiple lines doesn't it?
Congrats--enjoy
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Boy, I sure wish I could win me some change like that. I mean half of what he won would do me nicely.
I would advise the winner to let his beard grow longer, and save even more money on razors and junk like that.
I would advise the winner to invest first then start giving away the earnings from the capital gains. Do not spend the principal.
You cannot save the World and you cannot make every person's dream come true.
Congrats to the winner !!!
This guy is my hero. I want to be like One QP Line Don!
Congratulations Donald! Will you be claiming as cash or annuity?