Mega Millions jackpot grows to $714 million
The lottery says more 480,000 tickets did win some kind of prize just not the big one.
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The lottery says more 480,000 tickets did win some kind of prize just not the big one.
The ticket matched all five white ball numbers along with the ticket's 3X multiplier to win the prize, lottery officials said.
Mega Millions has rolled out several changes, including new ticket prices, jackpots and an increase in the odds of winning.
A Mega Millions lottery ticket that contained all the winning numbers — bought along the western edge of the Chicago metro area, in DeKalb County — has made someone in Illinois $344 million richer this week.
Tickets will now cost $5 per play.
The winning ticket was purchased at Tony's Fresh Market at 4608 W. Belmont Ave. in Portage Park.
Ayisha Sheard said she'd pay off her kids' college tuition, and "probably get a new house built from the ground."
Thirteen Mega Million jackpots have been won during December since the game began in 2002.
The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to $670 million after no one claimed the prize during Tuesday night's drawing.
If the winner opts for a cash prize, they will take home $336.1 million.
The winner bought the ticket online, making this the biggest prize ever won through an iLottery and the second-largest prize ever won in Illinois.
The "Mega-Millionaire" received an email from the Illinois Lottery stating that they should check the numbers because they had won a prize. The winner said they plan to retire early and enjoy life with their family.
The prize was said to be the largest ever won by an iLottery player in the nation.
The ticket was purchased by someone in Illinois. However, it's not clear where as it appeared the ticket was bought online.
There was one winning ticket sold for Tuesday night's estimated $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot, in New Jersey, officials said. It was the fifth largest in the game's history.
There has not been a grand prize winner since New Year's Day.
No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since Dec. 8, a string of 30 consecutive drawings without anyone taking home the top prize.
The Mega Millions jackpot has grown to an estimated $977 million during the 29 drawings with no winner since Dec. 8.
Illinois lottery players will have two chances this weekend to become a millionaire, if not a billionaire.
The winning ticket was sold at the 508 Variety Shop, located at 508 E. Chain of Rocks Road.
Both tickets matched all six numbers for a total jackpot of $395 million.
It's the second-biggest grand prize ever won in U.S. lottery history, behind only a $2.04 billion pot of gold also won in California in November 2022.
This weekend, lottery players will have three chances to become millionaires with three games taking place starting Friday.
One winning ticket was sold in Florida for the Mega Millions jackpot — the third largest in U.S. lottery history.
There has not been a Mega Millions jackpot winner since April 18.
Two teens were injured in separate shootings overnight in Chicago.
As the season of giving comes to a close, the season of returning begins, but this year it could cost you more.
On Nov. 4, UPS Flight 2976 bound for Hawaii crashed moments after takeoff from Louisville International Airport, where UPS has its global aviation hub.
While much of the city is quiet on Christmas Day, Chicago's Chinatown buzzes with tradition, food and family.
It was an extra special Christmas Day for 50 recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes, who were surprised with a trip off base in the middle of bootcamp for some holiday cheer.
The strikes come after President Trump spent weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Pope Leo XIV has revealed he privately urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign a bill legalizing medical assistance in dying in Illinois.
President Trump invoked a law called Title 10 to bring members of the Illinois National Guard under federal service over the objections of state and local leaders.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
Two teens were injured in separate shootings overnight in Chicago.
Meteorologist Carl Lam has the extended forecast.
Morning showers with mild temperatures Friday. Highs around 50.
No ticket, no problem; some airports are starting to provide gate passes that allow people to go to the gate to meet or stay with arriving and departing friends and family.
As the season of giving comes to a close, the season of returning begins, but this year it could cost you more.
Two teens were injured in separate shootings overnight in Chicago.
As the season of giving comes to a close, the season of returning begins, but this year it could cost you more.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
On Nov. 4, UPS Flight 2976 bound for Hawaii crashed moments after takeoff from Louisville International Airport, where UPS has its global aviation hub.
While much of the city is quiet on Christmas Day, Chicago's Chinatown buzzes with tradition, food and family.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
One year ago, the Chicago Bears were fighting for draft positioning. Now they've clinched a playoff spot in the first year of a new coaching regime.
As the 11-4 Chicago Bears prepare for their Sunday night matchup with the 11-4 San Francisco 49ers, one player earned an extra Christmas present from the league thanks to his impressive performance against the Green Bay Packers.
Travis Konecny scored and added his 300th career assist, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past the Blackhawks 3-1 and handing depleted Chicago its sixth straight loss.
The Bulls trailed 117-107 but closed the game on a 19-6 run.
Three Chicago Bears players have been named to the 2026 NFC Pro Bowl roster: safety Kevin Byard III, center Drew Dalman, and left guard Joe Thuney.
A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Four women have been charged with leading police on a high-speed chase after stealing from a retail store in the west Chicago suburb of Villa Park.
A woman has been charged with attacking four people at a CTA bus stop in the Lawndale neighborhood, including a woman she allegedly slashed with a broken beer bottle after threatening that woman's mother.
Three teens have been charged with sexually assaulting a classmate this past summer at a graduation party for St. Viator High School students.
