Mega Millions $349M jackpot-winning ticket sold in Illinois

CORTLAND, Ill. - A Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth $349 million was sold in Illinois for yesterday's drawing.

The winning ticket was purchased at Casey's General Store, located at 70 S. Somonauk Road, in Cortland, which will receive $500,000 for selling the winning ticket.

The ticket matched all six numbers and a Megaplier to win the massive prize in the Tuesday drawing. The winning numbers were 1-5-17-39-62-8.

Cortland is located in DeKalb County, roughly an hour west of Chicago.

Winners have one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. 

Starting next month, the cost of a Mega Millions ticket will more than double to $5, creating larger prizes and more winners, according to lottery officials.

Talk of the Town:

Cortland Mayor Mark Pietrowski said Casey’s was buzzing Wednesday with a surge of lottery ticket buyers. He believes the winner is likely a local—at least, he hopes so.

"If they want to give back to the community, then we will entertain those thoughts. We will see different ways that we can improve upon our community, beautify it," said Pietrowski.

Sofia, who works at the Cortland Public Library across from the gas station, told FOX 32 she’s never seen so much traffic there.

"We hope it’s not someone just passing by who doesn’t even live in town, because it would be a lot cooler if they lived in town," she said adding that hopefully they might share some wealth with the library.

Starlett, a Cortland resident and regular scratch-off player, thinks her lucky spot is officially on the map.

"I think that it’s going to bring everybody here and hopefully they don’t because it’s very private and quiet, but we exposed now," said Starlett.

Dig deeper:

Mega Millions and its lottery compatriot Powerball are sold in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball is also sold in Puerto Rico.

Mega Millions will introduce changes at a time when fewer people are buying tickets and jackpots need to reach ever-higher figures before sporadic players notice and opt to buy a ticket or two. Whereas a $500 million jackpot once prompted lines out convenience store doors, top prizes of $1 billion now often draw more of a ho-hum response.