Community Corner
Crystal Lake Father Wins Lottery Jackpot: 'This Is For Our Kids'
"First and foremost, this is for our kids — to give them every opportunity to thrive," the local dad said following the $550,000 win.
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A Crystal Lake father of five has won a $550,000 lottery prize, according to lottery officials.
Matthew of Crystal Lake won a Lucky Day Lotto jackpot after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket via the Illinois Lottery app and matching all five numbers — 2-6-16-24-3— in the Lucky Day Lotto evening drawing on September 10.
"I couldn't believe my eyes. I was just at home, staring at the draw results on the app,” Matthew said. “It took a few minutes to sink in that I'd actually won.”
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His first call after discovering the win was to his wife.
“The moment I realized, I couldn't wait to tell her,” he recalled. “There was a long pause, then she gasped so loud I thought she'd drop the phone. Her first words were, 'Are you serious?’”
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For Matthew, the jackpot is more than just a lucky break — it’s an opportunity to invest in his family’s future, according to a news release from the Illinois Lottery.
“First and foremost, this is for our kids — to give them every opportunity to thrive,” he said. "We've always dreamed of a warm family vacation by the ocean, and now that dream can finally come true."
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