One lucky ticket from Casey’s General Store in Cortland, Illinois remains unredeemed, leaving a massive $344 million prize up for grabs.
The unknown multi-millionaire correctly matched the winning numbers (1, 5, 17, 39, 62 and Mega Ball 8) in the March 25 drawing but has yet to claim their life-changing fortune. Illinois lottery officials confirm this is the fourth Mega Millions jackpot winner from the state in nearly four years, following successful tickets in June 2021, July 2022, and June 2024.
The General Store where the ticket was sold is already celebrating: it received a $500,000 bonus just for selling the winning ticket. But who will claim the hefty jackpot itself?
Why the unidentified jackpot winner should claim their $344 million prize soon
Under Illinois state lottery laws, winners have one year from the draw date to come forwad. If nobody claims the funds before that deadline, the prize is forfeited to the state for educational purposes. Ever wondered what happens if the winner waits too long? The answer is simple: they lose every cent of this colossal payout. Officials also note that claiming the prize earlier gives more flexibility in choosing between a lump sum or annual installments.
Many big winners must decide how to receive their prize. In Illinois, the mystery winner has until May 24 to claim if they want to pick between a lump sum or an annuity. The lump sum option would total around $159.1 million after taxes, but they must act within 60 days of the draw date to choose this path. If they miss that window, they’ll default to annuity payments over approximately 30 years, each installment increasing by 5%. Below is a quick comparison of the two payout methods:
| Option | Payout Method | Tax Impact | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lump Sum | One-time payment | Taxes withheld at once | Must choose in 60 days |
| Annuity | Incremental checks | Taxes applied per payment | Paid out over ~30 years |
Thinking about whether you’d keep the ticket under lock and key? Officials advise winners to sign the back of the ticket immediately and store it in a secure place until they are ready to claim. In Illinois, jackpot holders can request anonymity, protecting their identity from public view.
Essential reminders for lottery winners and steps for safeguarding your ticket
If you or someone you know might be sitting on a winning ticket, contact the Illinois Lottery Player Hotline at 1-800-252-1775 to learn how to claim. Winners of large jackpots often benefit from talking to a financial advisor to explore the pros and cons of each payout option. A second question many people ask is, “Can you be fined for delaying your claim?” The answer is no, but you risk losing the entire prize if you surpass the one-year mark.
No one hit the jackpot in the most recent Mega Millions draw, resetting that pool to $20 million. Meanwhile, several players snatched smaller prizes, and another Powerball player stands to gain $5 million thanks to a special local provision. Will our mystery Mega Millions winner step forward before it’s too late?