| For Immediate Release | Contact: Micaela Small (630) 486-0658 |
JOLIET, IL – June 26, 2012 – Cleodoa Miers from Joliet was presented today with an oversized check for $1 million from the Illinois Lottery. He bought his winning $200,000,000 Cash Spectacular ticket at Gardner Food Mart in Joliet.
Miers scratched his winning ticket in the store. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I checked the ticket, and then I had the retailer check the ticket. When he told me I won, I hugged him! We were hugging each other!”
A regular lottery player, Miers said he won $10,000 three years ago on an instant ticket purchased at the same store. “This is my neighborhood store, this is where I play,” he said. Miers opted for the cash option of $600,000. He plans to use the money to buy a house, maybe buy his wife a new car, and invest his winnings for his retirement.
Store owner, Mohammad Eid also received a ceremonial check today for $10,000, one percent of the prize amount, for selling a winning ticket. "Cleo has been a loyal customer. I’m so glad someone from the neighborhood won,” he said.
About $200,000,000 Cash Spectacular
• launched August, 2011
• $10 Instant game
• 25 prizes of $1 million
• 13 top prizes unclaimed
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About Illinois Lottery
Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $17 billion to the state Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as the Capital Projects Fund. Players must be at least 18 years old.