The winner of the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot in Illinois may be able to keep their identity private, thanks to a state law that permits lottery winners over $250,000 to request anonymity. This comes as the winner has until October 11 to claim the prize, which has odds of one in 292.2 million and is the eighth-largest in the game's history.
The winner faces a decision between receiving the prize as a lump sum or 30 graduated installments over 29 years. The lump sum option, with an estimated cash value of $450.5 million, would be subject to significant tax deductions. A 24% federal withholding tax would reduce the amount to $342.4 million, followed by an additional 13% federal tax bringing it down to $283.8 million. The state of Illinois would also withhold $22.3 million due to its 4.95% tax on winnings.
If the winner opts for the annuity, they have until August 12, 2027, to come forward. To maintain anonymity, the winner must file a request with their claim form. Without this request, their name, home city, and the prize amount would be publicly disclosed. Illinois Lottery officials do not publish winners' addresses or phone numbers.
Illinois is among 23 states that offer some level of anonymity to lottery winners. Other states with full anonymity include Delaware, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Wyoming. New Jersey and North Dakota also allow winners to choose anonymity. Virginia offers permanent anonymity for prizes of $10 million or more, while Texas and West Virginia have a $1 million threshold. Colorado, Florida, and Michigan provide partial anonymity, with Florida winners potentially remaining anonymous if they claim their prize through a trust, but their identities become public record after 90 days if the prize exceeds $250,000.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Hy-Vee Gas Fresh & Fast convenience store in Quincy and ended a 44-drawing streak without a jackpot winner. The jackpot has since reset to $20 million for the upcoming Saturday drawing. This win marks the first jackpot since Powerball began being sold in the UK. The largest Powerball jackpot to date was the $2.04 billion prize won by a Californian player in November 2022.