$1B Powerball Mystery: Quincy Winner Still Unknown
Mystery in Quincy: Who Holds the $1.04 Billion Winning Powerball Ticket?
The Middle-of-the-Night Phone Call
Imagine this: It’s 3:00 AM. You’re fast asleep. Suddenly, your phone rings. It’s another gas station manager from your town. He says four words that change everything:
"You sold the winning ticket."
That’s exactly what happened to Jon Marshall, the 47-year-old manager of Hy-Vee Gas Fresh & Fast in Quincy, Illinois. He described the waiting game as "like a murder mystery."
What Happened Next?
- Jon woke up to the shocking news
- He ran to his kitchen — because he had personally bought a Powerball ticket from his own store!
- He checked his numbers… and nope, he wasn’t the winner
- The search began — but as of late Thursday afternoon, the winner still hasn’t come forward
Important Point: Jon’s store will receive a $500,000 cash bonus just for selling the winning ticket!
Meet Quincy, Illinois
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Population | About 39,000 residents |
| Location | Historic river city on the Mississippi River |
| Vibe | "Old-school feel" with "great people that would give their shirts off their backs for you" |
| Customers | Mostly locals (only ~15% are highway travelers) |
The Winning Numbers
The lucky combination drawn on Wednesday, August 12:
| White Balls | Red Powerball |
|---|---|
| 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 | 9 |
Just How Rare Is This?
- Odds of winning: 1 in 292.2 million
- This jackpot: $1.04 billion (that’s billion with a B!)
- Illinois ranking: 2nd largest lottery prize ever in the state
- Powerball history: 8th largest in the game’s history
What Can the Winner Choose?
The winner has two options:
Option 1: Annuity (The Long Game)
- Full $1.04 billion paid over 29 years
- 30 graduated payments (each one bigger than the last)
Option 2: Lump Sum (Cash Now)
- $450.5 million before taxes (one-time payment)
- Must decide within 60 days of the drawing
Deadline Alert: The winner has one year from August 12 to claim the prize, but only 60 days to choose the lump sum!
The Mystery Deepens
Here’s the twist: Illinois allows winners of $250,000+ to stay anonymous!
That means:
- The winner’s name never has to be made public
- Their city of residence can stay private too
- The mystery may never be solved
What’s Happening at the Store Now?
- Curious residents keep stopping by to ask: "Did the winner come forward?"
- Customers are buying tickets from the exact same machine that sold the winner — hoping for "repeat luck"
- Jon says: "We got a great buzz going on, and we’re enjoying the ride while we can."
Store History
This isn’t the store’s first win, but it’s by far the biggest:
- Previous big scratch-off winners
- Never a Powerball jackpot winner
- Jon: "Nothing even close to this one… nothing of quite this caliber"
Advice for the Winner (Whoever You Are!)
Lottery officials urge the winner to:
- Sign the back of the ticket immediately
- Keep it somewhere very secure
- Get professional financial/legal advice before claiming
Jon’s Hope for the Community
"I hope they do well for the community. I hope they build up some organizations in town."
Summary
- A $1.04 billion Powerball ticket was sold at Hy-Vee Gas Fresh & Fast in Quincy, Illinois
- Store manager Jon Marshall got a 3 AM call with the news
- The winner hasn’t come forward yet (as of late Thursday)
- The store gets $500,000 just for selling the ticket
- Odds of winning: 1 in 292.2 million
- Winner can choose annuity ($1.04B over 29 years) or lump sum ($450.5M before taxes)
- Illinois allows anonymity for winners over $250,000 — so we may never know who won
- Winner has 1 year to claim, but 60 days to choose lump sum
FAQ
1. How much money does the store get for selling the winning ticket?
The store receives a $500,000 cash bonus from Powerball — no strings attached!
2. Can the winner stay anonymous in Illinois?
Yes! Illinois Lottery rules allow anyone winning $250,000 or more to request that their name and city remain confidential when they claim the prize.
3. What’s the difference between the annuity and lump sum options?
- Annuity: You get the full $1.04 billion paid in 30 payments over 29 years (each payment grows)
- Lump sum: You get $450.5 million cash upfront (before taxes) — but you must choose this within 60 days
4. How long does the winner have to claim the prize?
One year from the drawing date (August 12). After that, the money goes back to the lottery fund.
5. What are the actual odds of winning Powerball?
About 1 in 292.2 million. To put that in perspective: you’re more likely to get struck by lightning while singing the national anthem!
Article based on reporting by Jessica Mekles, Fox News Digital Lifestyle Team