An anonymous lottery player has officially claimed the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot from the August 12, 2026 drawing, selecting a single cash lump-sum payout of $450.5 million before taxes. The Illinois Lottery announced the claim on September 16, 2026, ending a month-long search for the ticket holder behind the eighth-largest jackpot in Powerball history.
The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased for $2 at the Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh gas station located at 310 N. 36th St. in Quincy, Illinois. The player matched all six drawn numbers: white balls 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, and the red Powerball 9.
“I initially didn’t believe I had won, so I called a family member to confirm it,” the winner told Illinois Lottery officials. “Even after claiming the prize, I’m still processing the news and experiencing the full range of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot — from disbelief and shock to overwhelming elation.”
Claim timeline and cash election rules in Illinois
The winner consulted legal and financial advisors before initiating the formal redemption process at Illinois Lottery headquarters. Under Illinois law, players who win prizes of $250,000 or more can request to keep their name, image, and city of residence confidential from public disclosure requests.
Illinois lottery regulations establish two distinct deadlines for major jackpot claims:
- One-year claim window: Winners have 365 days from the draw date to present the physical ticket and validate their claim.
- 60-day cash option deadline: Players who want the one-time cash lump sum must submit their choice within 60 days of the drawing. If 60 days pass without an explicit choice, payment automatically defaults to the 30-year annuity option.
By claiming the prize within four weeks of the draw, the Quincy ticket holder secured the $450.5 million cash lump sum well ahead of the 60-day election cutoff. Players reviewing older tickets can check Powerball numbers across previous draw schedules to ensure no deadline passes unmonitored.
Comparing the annuity vs. lump-sum payout breakdown
Powerball advertised the jackpot at $1.04 billion based on an estimated annuity structure disbursed over 29 years (30 total payments). The top annuity payment begins immediately, followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year to account for inflation. You can learn more about how how 30 years of annuity payments work in our detailed breakdown of structured lottery payouts.
The following table details the standard structured comparison for the August 12, 2026 grand prize:
| Payout Option | Gross Value | Mandatory Federal Withholding (24%) | Illinois State Tax (4.95%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Lump Sum | $450,500,000 | $108,120,000 | $22,299,750 |
| 30-Year Annuity (Total) | $1,040,000,000 | $249,600,000 | $51,480,000 |
The federal government automatically retains 24% of lottery winnings above $5,000 for tax withholding. Because the highest federal income tax bracket sits at 37%, the winner will owe additional federal tax liabilities when filing annual income tax returns. The state of Illinois levies a flat 4.95% state income tax on gross lottery winnings.
Historical context of Powerball in Illinois
This $1.04 billion win marks the largest Powerball jackpot won anywhere in the United States during 2026. It stands as the second-largest lottery prize ever awarded in Illinois, surpassed only by a $1.337 billion Mega Millions jackpot claimed by two anonymous partnership players in July 2022.
This draw represents the third time in history that a grand-prize Powerball ticket was sold in Illinois. The retailer, Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Quincy, receives a seller’s bonus equal to 1% of the prize value, capped by state rule at $500,000 for ticket sales.
How Powerball works: Odds and payout structure
Powerball drawings occur three times weekly, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. Players select five main numbers from a field of 1 through 69 and one Powerball number from 1 through 26.
The overall odds of winning any prize in a single $2 play are 1 in 24.87, while the odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. Below is the breakdown of Powerball prize tiers and payouts for standard play:
- Match 5 + Powerball: Jackpot (1 in 292,201,338 odds)
- Match 5: $1,000,000 (1 in 11,688,053 odds)
- Match 4 + Powerball: $50,000 (1 in 913,129 odds)
- Match 4: $100 (1 in 36,525 odds)
- Match 3 + Powerball: $100 (1 in 14,494 odds)
- Match 3: $7 (1 in 580 odds)
- Match 2 + Powerball: $7 (1 in 701 odds)
- Match 1 + Powerball: $4 (1 in 92 odds)
- Match 0 + Powerball: $4 (1 in 38 odds)
How to participate in Powerball drawings
Tickets can be purchased directly at authorized lottery retailers across 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players can fill out a manual paper playslip or choose the Quick Pick option, which generates random numbers electronically through the terminal.
Players residing outside the United States or in jurisdictions without physical ticket counters can use a trusted lottery concierge service to purchase official tickets via local representatives. You can review international Powerball tax and eligibility rules before purchasing entries online to understand tax withholdings applied to non-U.S. residents.
If you prefer to enter future drawings digitally from supported regions, you can order official Powerball tickets through an online portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Illinois lottery winners have to claim a Powerball jackpot?
Illinois lottery winners have 365 days from the draw date to present their ticket and claim prizes. However, players who want the cash lump sum must file their choice within 60 days of the drawing date.
Can Powerball winners in Illinois remain anonymous?
Yes. Illinois state law allows individuals who win lottery prizes of $250,000 or more to request anonymity. The Illinois Lottery will withhold the winner’s name and address from public record requests upon request.
Do out-of-state or international players pay tax on Illinois Powerball wins?
Yes. All Powerball prizes won on tickets sold in Illinois are subject to mandatory federal tax withholdings (24%) and Illinois state income tax (4.95%), regardless of w winner resides.
Play responsibly. Lottery is a form of entertainment, not investment.
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