South Sider Scratches Way to $2M Illinois Lottery Prize

Chicago resident Stephen Beard claimed a $2 million prize after winning on an Illinois Lottery 50X The Cash instant ticket.

“I am still in shock. I can’t believe I won $2 million. It’s a dream come true,” Beard said.

The 54-year-old Beard is a lifelong resident of Chicago. He was at New Quick Market, 8301 South Kedzie Ave. in Chicago’s Marycrest neighborhood, when he bought his ticket and used a nickel to scratch it. “The clerk was so excited for me,” he said.

Beard plans to invest the windfall.

New Quick Market received a $20,000 bonus, equal to 1 percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket. 50X The Cash is a $10 instant ticket with more than $93 million in prizes, including eight top prizes of $2 million.

Three of the $2,000,000 prizes have not yet been claimed. For more information visit the Illinois Lottery.