Officials in Illinois are urgently searching for lottery winners, hoping to hand over life-changing money before it’s too late. One lucky Powerball ticket, bought in Melrose Park, could turn someone into a millionaire—but no one has come forward yet.
Each year, millions of dollars in lottery prizes go unclaimed across the United States. The Illinois Lottery is now pushing to avoid this from happening again.
The Powerball ticket in question was drawn on December 21, 2024. According to lottery rules, the winner has exactly one year from the date of the draw to claim the prize. That means the countdown has already begun—and time is ticking.
If the winner doesn’t show up by December 21, 2025, the prize will expire and the winner’s identity will remain a mystery forever.
Claiming Your Lottery Prize: What You Need to Know
Coming forward with a winning ticket is a big moment—but it also comes with choices.
- Take a lump sum (a single large payment), or
- Choose annuity payments, which are smaller portions paid out over time.
This choice can significantly impact how much money you actually get after taxes.
In Illinois, any lottery winnings above $5,000 are subject to a 4.95% state tax. Federal taxes also apply, which can further reduce the amount you take home.
So before claiming the prize, it’s important to calculate how much you’ll keep after taxes, and decide how you want to receive your winnings.
More Unclaimed Prizes in Illinois
The missing Powerball winner isn’t the only one. Illinois is also home to several other unclaimed lottery prizes, including:
- $1.1 million from a draw on September 8, 2024, bought in Chicago.
- $1 million Mega Millions prize, bought in Belmont, Chicago, on February 25, 2025.
The Mega Millions ticket gives the winner more time to claim, as players have one year from the draw date. But many believe it’s better to come forward early and secure the prize.
In addition to these, there are several smaller unclaimed prizes in Illinois, ranging from $405,002 to $100,000.
Think You Might Be a Winner?
If you’ve bought lottery tickets in Illinois in the last year, now is the time to check your numbers carefully. You could be sitting on a fortune without even realizing it!
To view a list of all unclaimed prizes, visit the official Illinois Lottery website and search by date, location, or game type.
Unclaimed lottery winnings are more common than many people think. In Illinois alone, millions of dollars are waiting for their rightful owners. If you’ve bought tickets recently—especially in Melrose Park, Chicago, or Belmont—it’s worth double-checking your stash.
You never know, you could be the next millionaire without even knowing it. And if you do win, take time to understand your options, including tax deductions and payment types, to make the most of your lucky break.
