Lottery officials warn to check Mega Millions tickets as $1m prize remains unclaimed and it was bought at gas station
Lottery officials are on a mission to locate the winner of a life-changing $1 million Mega Millions prize that remains unclaimed. Time is of the essence for the lucky player who holds the ticket, as the deadline to come forward is fast approaching.
Check Your Tickets
Residents of Illinois are being urged to thoroughly check their tickets from the September 6 drawing to ensure they don’t miss out on this incredible payday. The winning numbers from that drawing were 06, 23, 41, 59, 63, with a Mega Ball of 25. The unidentified winner matched all five white numbers but did not hit the Mega Ball.
According to Illinois Lottery officials, the ticket was purchased at a Gas Express station located on West 31st Street in Chicago. To claim their prize, the winner must first sign the back of the ticket, then validate their win at a verified lottery retailer, such as the Gas Express station where it was bought. Given the prize amount exceeds $600, the player will need to either mail the ticket along with the required forms or visit a lottery claim center in person.
Claiming Deadline and Options
Fortunately for the winner, there is still some time left to claim the prize. Illinois Lottery rules provide players with a one-year window to collect their winnings, which means the deadline for this particular prize is September 6, 2025. If the prize remains unclaimed by that date, it will be forfeited and redistributed to future lottery games and Illinois school districts.
Should the winner come forward, they face a critical decision on how to receive their winnings. They can opt for a one-time lump sum payment or choose to receive annuity payments spread over several years. While many winners prefer the lump sum option, it can be a controversial choice among legal and financial experts.
Tax Implications
If the unidentified Mega Millions winner opts for the lump sum, they will encounter significant tax deductions from their prize. The federal government imposes a 24% tax on all lottery winnings above $5,000, and Illinois has a state tax rate of 4.95%, according to AARP. This means approximately $289,500 will be deducted from the prize amount, leaving the winner with around $710,500.
Other Unclaimed Prizes
The hunt for unclaimed lottery tickets extends beyond Illinois. In New York, a Powerball prize worth $50,000 is still up for grabs from the September 9 drawing, while officials in Iowa are searching for a $1 million Powerball winner. Players are encouraged to check their tickets carefully to avoid missing out on these substantial rewards.
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