Illinois
Illinois Lottery: A scratch-off top prize of $3M purchased in Chicago’s western suburbs is fit for a ‘King’
BELLWOOD, Ill. — The “King of Cash” scratched off a royal bounty in Chicago’s western suburbs.
Now the “King’s” family appears to be getting new cars, too.
The Illinois Lottery recently crowned a lucky top-prize winner of $3 million on a $30 “Cash is King” scratch-off ticket, purchased at Bellwood Liquor and Grocery, 5001 St. Charles Road in Bellwood.
Illinois Lottery player wins $1M with Mega Millions ticket purchased online
The big winner, who goes by the nickname “King of Cash,” has requested to stay anonymous.
“I scratched off the ticket while I was still at the convenience store,” the “King of Cash” said in an Illinois Lottery press release. “I thought I read the ticket wrong. I had the cashier verify it for me, and he said, ‘Congratulations!’
“It was so shocking. My heart was pounding and I immediately started to sweat. I couldn’t believe it!”
And for the “King’s” subjects?
“First, I want to pay off our mortgage and my car,” the “King” proclaimed. “Next, my wife wants a new car and my son needs a new car.
“New cars for everybody!”
$1M Mega Millions ticket sold in Rockford
The “King” almost forgot his own chariot when he won the lottery.
“I was so surprised, and I needed to rush home,” the “King” shared. “I was in such a hurry, I ran out of the store and almost headed home, forgetting my truck in the parking lot!”
For selling the winning ticket to its royal customer, Bellwood Liquor and Grocery receives a selling bonus of 1% of the prize amount, or $30,000 in this case.
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Illinois
Last-minute gifts made in Illinois, local small businesses
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 6:44PM
CHICAGO (WLS) — There’s still time to get a gift under the tree that is made in Illinois.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The Illinois Office of Tourism is out with its “Illinois-Made Holiday Gift Guide.”
Seventeen small businesses from across the state are featured.
From soap, to popcorn, to fudge and coffee, there are some great ideas.
Kribi Coffee Air Roastery, Garrett Popcorn Shops, The Fudge Pot and Soapy Roads are some of the brands featured in the list.
To see the full guide, click here.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Illinois
Illinois high school football playoffs expanding in 2026
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (KWQC) – The IHSA football playoffs will be expanding by 50 percent in 2026.
IHSA member schools approved an amendment to expand the playoffs from 32 teams per class to 48.
There will still be 8 classifications increasing the total number of playoff teams from 256 to 384.
As a result of the change, the start of the season will be moved up by a week in August to allow the season to still finish with State Championship games the week of Thanksgiving.
Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.
Illinois
Woman found dead near Schamburg, Illinois shopping center, man in custody
A woman was found dead near a shopping center in Schaumburg, Illinois early Tuesday, and a man was taken into police custody.
Around 5:25 a.m., Schaumburg police were called to the 100 block of South Roselle Road. They found a woman dead at the scene.
Police said a man was taken into custody at the scene.
The investigation so far indicates that the incident was domestic, and the man and woman knew each other.
Police said the incident was isolated and there was no threat to the public. But there was a large police presence at the scene, and alternate routes were advised.
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