A quick stop at a Carman gas station turned into a seven-figure win for a local woman named Diana, who is now $1 million richer after the April 29 Powerball drawing. She matched all five white-ball numbers, filling them in by hand and saying she picked the numbers completely at random. The ticket was bought at the Ayerco Convenience Center in Carman, and she already has a few very specific plans for the windfall: a new car, a cruise, and a trip to Las Vegas. The store that sold her the lucky ticket will collect a $10,000 bonus.
As reported by NBC Chicago, Diana, who did not share a last name, said, "I couldn't believe it - I picked these numbers randomly." The outlet notes she matched the five white balls in the April 29 drawing to claim the $1 million prize.
Where the winning ticket was sold
According to the Illinois Lottery winners listing, the winning $1,000,000 Powerball ticket for the April 29 drawing was sold at Ayerco #17 at Hwy 34 & Carman Rd in Carman. The Lottery notes that retailers who sell tickets worth $1 million receive a bonus; in this case, the Carman store will collect $10,000.
How Powerball prizes work
The official Powerball site explains that drawings are held Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET (9:59 p.m. Central). Players hit the jackpot by matching all five white balls plus the red Powerball. Matching only the five white balls, as Diana did, lands the $1 million prize tier.
The Illinois Lottery advises winners to sign the back of any winning ticket, make copies, and follow its claim procedures for prizes over $600. For full details on claim options and deadlines, see the Illinois Lottery.
