Friends pool their money to buy lottery ticket. The Illinois prize is ‘life-altering’
Three men who had been friends for decades banded together and decided to go in on a lottery ticket to take their chances on a big Illinois jackpot.
Tommy, part of the trio that calls themselves “Tommy Lotto and Crew,” went to a gas station near Chicago’s Midway Airport to buy the group’s ticket and awaited the Oct. 4 drawing.
The ticket matched the winning numbers, meaning the trio was the winner of the $1.4 million jackpot.
“After realizing the big win, I went back to the Mobil where I purchased the ticket and shared the exciting news with the clerk, Teresa. I’ve lived in the area for a long time, so we know each other at this point,” Tommy told lottery officials. “I swear the color drained from her face when I told her the news because she was so shocked. Then she burst out laughing and was so happy for me!”
Then, he went to share the news with the group.
“When Tommy called and said we won, we thought he was kidding – then he read off the numbers,” one of the winners said.
Another winner called his boss to share the good news and add that he still planned to come into work.
The three have big plans for their prize. Tommy plans to help pay for his daughter’s wedding and take family and friends to Chicago Blackhawks hockey games. Another winner says he hopes to help pay for his kids’ college and invest.
“This is a life-altering win,” they told officials.
This story was originally published November 8, 2024 at 3:47 PM with the headline "Friends pool their money to buy lottery ticket. The Illinois prize is ‘life-altering’."
