Christmas Eve Powerball Jackpot Climbs To $1.7B: What To Know In Illinois

Santa Claus might have a big check on his sled Wednesday night for a lucky Illinois resident. The latest Powerball jackpot has soared to $1.7 billion, according to Illinois Lottery officials.

If won, the jackpot would become the fourth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history.

The current Powerball jackpot run began on Sept. 7, with nearly 1.5 million winning tickets sold since statewide. Officials say that translates to more than $18.4 million in prizes for players, while also generating nearly $33 million for the Illinois Common School Fund, which supports K-12 public education.

Retailers also benefit from every Powerball ticket sold, earning commission on sales and a 1 percent selling bonus on any winning tickets.

The chances of winning the jackpot are not good — about 1 in 292.2 million. Illinois has had two jackpot winners since 2003.

The last — and largest — Illinois Powerball jackpot came in March 2013, when Ted Baumgartner won $50 million after buying a ticket at a Shell Express in Freeport. Before that, Illinois' other win came in December 2010, when a group known as the Shim Partnership bought a $37.5 million winning Powerball ticket at a Thornton gas station in Forest Park.

Powerball tickets are available at licensed retailers statewide and online through the Illinois Lottery website and mobile app. Tickets cost $2 per play, with the option to add Power Play for $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.

While no one matched all six numbers in Monday night's drawing, a $1 million winning ticket was sold in Deerfield. The winning ticket, which had five white power ball numbers, was purchased at the Mobile gas station located at 650 Waukegan Road.

RELATED: $1M Winning Powerball Ticket Sold in Deerfield — IL Lottery