Illinois Lottery Giving Away Mega Millions Tickets In Chicago

CHICAGO — Those looking for a chance to live a life of luxury should head to the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago Friday, where free Mega Millions tickets will be handed out between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The tickets will be offered through a "ticket grab machine" in the center ahead of Friday night's drawing, Illinois Lottery said.

The estimated jackpot was raised to $1 billion after high sales, making it the second-largest jackpot in the country's history. The highest was a $1.6 billion Powerball prize won in 2016.

Nobody has matched all six numbers and won the Mega Millions prize since July.

The $970 million refers to a yearly payment system that would run for 29 years; however most winners take the cash option, which would pay $565 million up front.

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