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.
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Congratulations to the couple.
I'm truly happy for them.
Congrats to them :]
Smart to wait a couple weeks and to claim when the country is more interested in a larger jackpot winner.
They waited some time and good for them. Smart move on their part. They consulted different people. They will be fine.
I took a gander at the " related stories" dealing with jackpot winners from illinois, and almost all are- were retired. Live long & prosper.
"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 !
Nice!
Patricia looks pretty bright eyed and happy.....Joe on the other hand kinda gives me the impression his IBS maybe starting to act up
I truly hope hope their win brings them much joy and happiness for years to come
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!
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.
Congrats!!!
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.
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 .
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
and all the trimmings.
Congratulations to the couple. I hope they take the cash value option.
UUHH They did that's why It states In the story they received $246,million...
The Big PB winner received $346,million, and the PB was double the amount then MM was!
He looks like he hasn't slept since they Won or perhaps he's worn out from all the Hoopla that surrounds you In the beginning?
In any case A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TOO THEM BOTH, ENJOY, HAVE FUN, GO TRAVEL, ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT AN MAY GOD BLESS YOU BOTH WITH LONG HEALTHY LIVES!!!
Dana, I noticed the same thing.
I'm wondering if he knows that Mrs. Busking is about to divorce him and start looking for a new man and a new adventure. No mention of anything fun they "plan to do together". All pictures I've seen from every angle do not show Mr. Busking showing any joy whatsoever.
I think he knows he's about to be replaced by this man:
Golfer1960 & CDanaT
Y'ALL ARE SAD LITTLE PEOPLE! (I don't mean everyone that wrote a post just these two In particular)
Ever think he may not be feeling well, has an Illness that would not be written In this Post, If you look real close at his mouth & eyes you can see he has a smile, no his Teeth aren't sticking out, mine don't either only If I'm laughing an smiling, I smile with my eyes mostly...
Perhaps It just hasn't sunk In yet how much money they now have!!!!!
If she were going to leave him, why would she have even brought him with her for the Picture?
Congratulation
"All pictures I've seen from every angle do not show Mr. Busking showing any joy whatsoever. "
The rules require that you do the dog and pony show and let them take your picture. The rules don't require you to smile and be happy about it.
Congratulations!!!!!!
Lol I agree with both of you. But again, you do not want to be too giddy so maybe that is his game face. Or maybe the idea of sharing does not make him happy. I am not sure how those simple observations make you "sad little people."
Yup, I agree about the game face, that would be my expression...that is if the big check was not hiding my face !
Lol Would you save your big cardboard check?
Yea, I think I would save it, but where could I put it ?
I would license mine into a dart game. I would call it "I won the lottery and you did not." ALL the sore losers could throw darts at my check. Lol
I would hang my check in a spare guest bathroom.