Powerball Winner $1.04 Billion in Illinois: Day 3 — Still No One Has Claimed It
-- reading | Last updated:
Three days after the $1.04 billion draw, the winner STILL hasn't come forward. The $2 ticket from Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Quincy, Illinois is sitting somewhere — signed or unsigned.
Numbers: 4-26-66-67-69 + PB 9 · Cash option ~$423M · Every silent hour raises the stakes
Powerball · Último sorteo: 05 08 27 29 63 13 (2026-08-15)
Próximo sorteo: 2026-08-17 · Sigue la cobertura del boleto de $1.04B en Quincy, IL.
The $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot from the August 12, 2026 drawing was won by a single ticket sold at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 310 N. 36th St., in Quincy, Illinois. The winning numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 with a Powerball of 9. The cash option is about $423 million — the 8th-largest jackpot in Powerball history, the biggest of 2026, and the 2nd-largest prize ever won in Illinois.
America's newest billionaire exists — and they haven't come forward yet. The Powerball jackpot was won on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by a single ticket sold in Quincy, Illinois. Here's everything we know right now.
The Winning Numbers — August 12, 2026
Where Was the Winning Ticket Sold?
The winning ticket was purchased at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, located at 310 N. 36th St. in Quincy, Illinois, the Illinois Lottery confirmed on August 13, 2026. The lucky retailer will receive a $500,000 cash bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
The win ranks as the second-largest lottery prize ever won in Illinois. Since the jackpot run began on May 4, Illinois Lottery players purchased more than $53.8 million in Powerball tickets, generating over $21.5 million for the state's Common School Fund, which supports K-12 public education.
The search for the winner is underway — and in Illinois, winners can remain anonymous under state law, so the new billionaire may never appear publicly.
Jackpot Breakdown: $1.04 Billion
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Jackpot (annuity) | ~$1.04 billion |
| Cash option | ~$423 million |
| Rank in Powerball history | 8th largest |
| Rank in Illinois history | 2nd largest |
| Retailer bonus | $500,000 (Hy-Vee, Quincy) |
| Biggest 2026 jackpot | Yes |
| Other winners | 5 players won $1M+ |
What Happens Next for the Winner?
- ✍️ Sign the ticket immediately — an unsigned ticket is a lost fortune
- 📞 Contact the Illinois Lottery to start the claim process
- 💼 Choose annuity vs. lump sum — annuity pays $1.04B over 29 years; lump sum ~$423M now
- 👨⚖️ Hire financial & legal advisors — standard for jackpot winners
- 🕵️ Remain anonymous if desired (allowed in Illinois)
Every lottery in America has the same nightmare: a winner who never checks their ticket. In Illinois, tickets expire one year after the draw — but experts say the real danger window is the first 72 hours, when an unsigned ticket can be lost, destroyed, or worse, split.
Lottery security confirmed the ticket was purchased Wednesday morning, before 9 AM. Whoever scanned it at Hy-Vee that afternoon may have seen the numbers light up on the register screen — and may have no idea what they were holding. The store's employees told reporters they "didn't recognize the face."
Next Powerball Drawing
With the jackpot reset, the next drawing starts at the $20 million minimum. Drawings continue every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. Check your tickets — and if you need the full claiming guide, see our complete Powerball claiming guide.
