Nancy Leon holds her $250,000 winning $250,000 Crossword instant ticket.
| For Immediate Release | Contact: Micaela Small 630-410-7145 |
Waukegan, IL—February 15, 2013— “I can’t believe I won, I really can’t believe it!” said Nancy Leon after scratching a $250,000 Crossword instant ticket and winning a top prize of $250,000. “Just last week I played a $250,000 Crossword ticket and I won $100. This is a very lucky game for me!”
Leon was at home when she used a lucky penny to scratch her ticket and discovered she had won a quarter of a million dollars. She immediately signed the back of the ticket, put it in her purse and kept her purse with her at all times. “At night I slept with my purse right beside my bed!”
The 21 year old Waukegan resident attends night school at College of Lake County in Grayslake. “I’m studying pre-pharmacy, I really want to become a pharmacist,” she said. Her plans for the winnings include buying a new car and paying for school. When asked if she had any advice for other Lottery players she said, “Go for it! Everybody has a chance to win, take a chance!”
The winning ticket was purchased at Jerry’s Liquors, 489 Sheridan Road in Highwood. The store will receive a $2,500 bonus for selling a winning ticket. After required state and federal withholding, Leon will receive a check for $175,000. $250,000 Crossword is a $10 instant ticket with a top prize of $250,000. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 3.68. There are still six unclaimed $250,000 prizes in the game. For more information, please visit www.illinoislottery.com.
About Illinois Lottery
Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed $17.5 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.
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