Who won $1.04B? Illinois store is buzzing over mystery Powerball winner

Someone walked into an Illinois Lottery retailer, bought a Powerball ticket, and walked away holding a piece of paper now worth an incredible $1.04 billion. The only problem? Nobody seems to know who the lucky winner is.

The mystery has created plenty of excitement at the Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Quincy, Illinois, where the jackpot-winning ticket for the August 12, 2026, Powerball drawing was sold. Now employees and customers are left wondering the same thing: Who has the winning ticket?

A 3 a.m. surprise phone call

Store manager Jon Marshall found out about the huge win around 3 a.m. on Thursday. A manager from another Fast & Fresh called him up with the big news.

After hearing the news, Marshall checked the Illinois Lottery website to make sure it was true. Once he verified it, he then remembered something even more important: he had bought a Powerball ticket too!

Marshall joked, “I then went to the kitchen to grab my ticket — I bought one too, but sadly, it wasn't me.”

Marshall may not have been the winner, but someone who came into his store certainly was.

Since the news came out that the winning ticket was sold at his store, Marshall said customers have been stopping in to check their tickets and speculate about who might be holding the $1.04 billion winner. He is hoping the answer is someone from Quincy.

Marshall explained:

I always tell my customers that it would be great to put Quincy on the map by winning a lottery ticket from our store, and sure enough, somebody did it. I hope it's someone from Quincy — the winner will now be the richest person in town.

A big payday for the gas station, too

While this mystery winner is about to get a huge prize, Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh will be cashing in on this $1.04 billion win.

For selling the winning ticket, the gas station will receive a $500,000 retailer bonus from the state lottery.

Marshall stated:

This is an exciting time for our store and the Quincy community. We're thrilled to know that a life-changing Powerball ticket was purchased at our Hy-Vee location, and we couldn't be happier for whoever the lucky winner may be.

If you are wondering if you could be the winner and you haven't checked your ticket, grab it now! The winning white ball numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67, and 69, and the Powerball number was 9.

The winner will have one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize.

Other big Powerball wins for Illinois players

While the store and state are celebrating the jackpot win, they weren't the only Powerball players celebrating after Wednesday's drawing.

Four other tickets purchased in Illinois won at least $50,000 in Wednesday's drawing. More details on those tickets:

• $100,000 – Purchased at SK 23rd Ink, located at 444 W. 22nd St. in Lombard.
• $50,000 – Purchased at County Market, located at 1501 S. Dirksen Pkwy. in Springfield.
• $50,000 – Purchased at BP Gas, located at 242 Waukegan Rd. in Glenview.
• $50,000 – Purchased through the Illinois Lottery's online platform.

Jackpot run generates millions for public education

Public education in Illinois was also a big winner during this latest Powerball jackpot run.

Since the jackpot run began on May 4, Illinois Lottery players purchased more than $53.8 million in Powerball tickets. From those sales, over $21.5 million was generated for the state's Common School Fund, which supports K-12 public education.

For now, the attention is focused on Quincy. Someone out there is holding onto a ticket worth $1.04 billion. Until they come forward, Marshall, his customers, and plenty of other Illinois Lottery players will be left wondering who bought it.

Enjoy playing the Illinois Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.