Chicagoland Resident Claims $1.3M Lottery Ticket Sold At Oswego Gas Station

OSWEGO, IL — A Chicagoland resident was the lucky winner of a $1.3 million lottery ticket sold earlier this month at BP in Oswego, the Illinois Lottery announced Thursday.

What would have otherwise been an unassuming visit to BP, 2791 Route 34, turned out to be a life-changing moment for the man.

"I just stopped by the store for a drink and thought, 'Why not?'" the winner said, per a news release. "I played a Quick Pick, and it turned out to be a lucky day."

The ticket he purchased turned out to match all five numbers — 1, 13, 19, 27 and 35 — in the June 11 Lucky Day Lotto evening drawing to score the game's $1.3 million jackpot.

The winner said he initially struggled to believe his fortune.

"I didn't believe it at first — I asked myself, 'Am I dreaming?'" he said. "Once I scanned the ticket and realized the numbers matched, reality set in."

The winner plans to use the prize money to purchase a new home and add to his and his wife's retirement savings.

"We are just so grateful for this blessing," he said. With a laugh, he added, "I'm sure our kids will be, too."

The Oswego BP will receive a bonus of 1 percent of the jackpot, or $13,000, for selling the winning ticket.

Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only game with two daily drawings, the first at 12:40 p.m. and the second at 9:22 p.m. Jackpots start at $100,000. Tickets can be purchased in stores, online and on the Illinois Lottery app.