Illinois vaccine lottery offers $10M in cash prizes, scholarships to residents who get vaccinated
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced on Thursday a new $10 million promotion that will reward vaccinated Illinoisans by automatically entering them into a series of cash and scholarship lotteries with prizes up to $1 million.
"All In For The Win" will include a series of drawings for 43 cash prizes, including three million-dollar jackpots, and 20 scholarship awards.
"All In For The Win is yet another way we’re working to ensure every single resident is protected from COVID-19, and especially, this virus’ more dangerous variants," said Gov. Pritzker. "Vaccines are incredibly effective and keep you protected – and they also make your community safer. Getting the shot is how we truly end this thing, so vax up, Illinois. If you do, you might even hit the jackpot."
The promotion offers $7 million in cash prizes to vaccinated adults, which range from $100,000 to $1 million.
Additionally, $3 million in scholarship awards will be available for vaccinated youth.
Those who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Illinois are automatically entered into the lotteries.
Over 70-percent of Illinois adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which makes Illinois the first state in the Midwest to reach President Joe Biden's goal.
"While our vaccination numbers in Illinois are good, in fact the best in the Midwest, we still need more people – as many people as possible – to get vaccinated," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "The pandemic is not over and as long as the virus is allowed to circulate, it can mutate and form new variants. We need to slow the virus’ activity – and the best way to do that is through vaccination."
Gov. Pritzker is encouraging residents to get vaccinated before July 1 to ensure they are entered into every draw and have the most chances to win a prize.
The first million-dollar prize and first drawing will take place on July 8.
In addition to the $1 million prize being drawn on July 8, three $150,000 scholarship will also be drawn.
The drawings will include weekly $100,000 cash prizes and regional lotteries to ensure people from every part of the state are among the winners.
The promotion is slated to run until Thursday, August 26, 2021. On that date, two million-dollar cash prizes and 17 scholarship awards will be drawn.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says it will continue to check their records before each drawing. Once a resident is entered, they will remain eligible for all future drawings, unless they win.
To view the complete drawing schedule or to learn more about the promotion, visit allin.illinois.gov.