Jackpot lottery win leads to laughs, then tears. But Illinois man’s boss wasn’t happy

A 66-year-old man hopes to pursue his dreams after a jackpot win — perhaps in a new RV.

That’s what the man’s granddaughter hopes, at least. But he has her to partially thank after winning a $2 million top prize in the Illinois Lottery’s 100X Payout game.

“I picked the pink ticket because it’s my granddaughter’s favorite color,” he told lottery officials. “Every year I take my family to the Chicago RV & Camping Show. After winning today, she asked me, ‘Grandpa, when do I get to go for a ride in your new RV?’ So, I guess I’m buying an RV now.”

He purchased the $20 ticket at a truck stop in Morris, about 60 miles southwest of Chicago. Because his wife said she is bad luck, he opted to wait until he was home and by himself to scratch off the ticket.

He said he “couldn’t believe it” when he discovered how much he won.

“I was laughing and crying at the same time. We are just ecstatic,” the winner said.

It led the Illinois man to retire from his job, but his boss wasn’t too thrilled.

“He asked me, ‘What’s it going to take to get you to stay?’” the Illinois man told lottery officials. “I chuckled and said, ‘$2 million dollars!’”

Odds of winning one of the three $2 million jackpot prizes in the game are 1-in-1,876,920. There are also four $100,000 prizes.

This story was originally published September 20, 2023 at 5:20 AM with the headline "Jackpot lottery win leads to laughs, then tears. But Illinois man’s boss wasn’t happy."