Years of playing Quick Pick tickets every day paid off for 70-year-old Jesus Davila Jr. in January when he won $265 million — the largest prize in Illinois Lottery history.
"I'm a regular Joe and I played and I won it," said Davila, as he smiled at a news conference Tuesday in the Thompson Center downtown, where Illinois Lottery Director Michael Jones presented him with an oversized check.
Davila, who lives in Naperville, won the Mega Millions jackpot on Jan. 16 and was the only person to match all six numbers.
Robert Kohlt, a spokesman for the family, said that Davila watched the lottery drawing on television and thought he had only matched the first five numbers of his $5 Quick Pick bought at a Glendale Heights Bucky's Express. It was his son who broke the news that he had matched all six numbers — 26, 32, 44, 45, and 58, with Mega Ball number 11.
"My son said, 'You have every number here, dad' and then we started shouting, 'We're millionaires, we're millionaires,'" Davila told lottery officials.
The retired professional driver, who moved to the United States from Puerto Rico more than six decades ago, decided to wait before claiming the prize, using the time to consult with family members and financial advisers. Two weeks ago, he took the winning ticket to a Illinois Lottery Prize Center in Des Plaines.
Davila had a year to claim the prize but only 60 days to decide whether he wanted the money over 30 years or as a one-time payment. He took the latter and will be given nearly $127 million after federal and state tax withholdings. With one-time cash options, the Illinois Lottery also keeps 25 percent of the prize.
Gayle Wojciechowski, director of operations of Bucky's Express stores in the Chicago area, said the stores were very happy about the win, especially employees at the Glendale Heights store where Davila got his ticket. This is not the first time a customer at one of the stores has won the lottery — but nothing compares to this year's jackpot, Wojciechowski said.
Bucky's Expressed received a $500,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The big prize will not keep Davila out of the game, though. He'll keep playing the lottery.
"He'll continue to play every day, he loves the lottery," Kohlt said.
For now, Davila plans to share the money with family — four adult children and four grandchildren — and buy a "big house with a really big lawn" with a riding lawn mower, Kholt said.
Davila's jackpot is the largest prize ever given to an individual, surpassing the record $218.6 million Merle Butler from Red Bud, Ill., won in 2012.
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Congrats to the winner.
Hope he lives another 2 decades to enjoy his win-fall with his family. Never count yourself out no matter how old you are.
Lady Luck wears a blindfold when she waves her wand!
Congrats!
Congrats to Jesus Davila on his big win!
Very happy for him and his family. Smart of him to consult a financial advisor before claiming his winnings.
Congratulations to the winner and his family! The lotteries are busy this week passing out those big checks!
Puerto Rico seems connected with big jackpots in 2015. Any LP member from there should give us some lines so we too can win
Congratulations sir. I'm thinking you will not be spending too many winters in Chicago going forward
Congratulations Mr. Davila
ENJOY
His winning "system" is .......... Quick Picks!
What's up with this.
The feds and state get their share and now the lottery wants their share.
"With one-time cash options, the Illinois Lottery also keeps 25 percent of the prize."
I think that refers to the Federal withholding. The way it was worded gives the impression that it's an additional 25%
Congratulations Mr. Davila! Why keep playing lottery games daily when you know you and your family don't need the jackpot or 2nd prize?
Way to Go! Kept quiet; consulted financial advisers; turned in the ticket; then went public.
I hope he reaches 100 and still has millions. 
Sweet, congratulations, kind of sucks that he won so late in life, but hey, at least he will have a great rest of his life now...hopefully.
I liked the part about the big house with a big lawn and the riding lawnmower. Nothing outlandish and probably just a passing thought over the years of "if I win I am going to have..." Teach one of those grandkids to use that mower and be responsible along with doing a good job...Congrats to you and your family. Enjoy retirement !!!
LOL, what a great story. Here's to Mr. Davila riding off into the sunset on his riding lawn mower.
Contrats to Mr Davila. Bet he'll be moving to warmer climates,soon.
Great story. He looks fabulous for being 70! It still disturbs me: "With one-time cash options, the Illinois Lottery also keeps 25 percent of the prize". It is Illinois after all, and the state may just have decided to tax lottery winnings at 25%. *yikes*
I think the article was referring to the 25% Federal withholding but I wouldn't put anything pass the mob that runs that state.
I agree, looks great for his age... Congrats
Congrats Jesus,ur 70 years young with millions in the bank,enjoy the rest of ur life.
Maybe Todd could clear this up. Sure sounds like the lottery wants their share. "Illinois Lottery also keeps 25 percent of the prize".
70!! Well sure has hell isn't going to be taking the annuity
! I'm surprised he didn't have a heat attack when he found out he won. It's easy to say that at his age he didn't need the money, but the luck of the draw determined otherwise I suppose.
I went back and re-read the article and it does sound confusing. The article stated "will be given nearly $127 million after federal and state tax withholdings" and is immediately followed by "with one-time cash options, the Illinois lottery also keeps 25 percent of the prize".
This does indeed sound like the Illinois lottery keeps another 25%.
original bey ICAM with your post.
Yep...my uncle play still early 80s,and is so healthy you can't tell,i would guess sixty if he was not my uncle! lol
as my parents, family.... Never too old,until DIOS...(god)call us home to heaven... I am SO VERY HAPPY for this
man,how awesome!!!
once again,someone who really can use it.
I hope tonight for POWERBALL,one of us will win... Felicidades Mr.Davila!!!
adios
You know what Tinker? yea my parents were saying about Mr.Davila's windfall jackpot that the lottery also getting
a"cut" like 25 percent.. WTF..You're right... Quite outlandish imo.Not sure all states do that. I know mine don't.(Thank God)
adios