Illinois

Lottery-winning ticket worth $5.6 million sold in downstate Illinois

Published

4 days ago

March 24, 2026

Lottery-winning ticket worth .6 million sold in downstate Illinois

One lucky Illinois Lottery player is a whole lot richer after they captured the jackpot in Monday’s Lotto drawing.

According to the Illinois Lottery, the ticket captured a jackpot worth $5.6 million in the Monday draw of the Lotto game, and the winner has not yet come forward.

Officials say the ticket was sold at Royals Liquor, located in Belleville, located just southeast of St. Louis.

“I got a call early this morning from a customer saying we sold the winning jackpot ticket,” said Bhavik Patel, co-owner of the store. “At first, I thought it was a prank—it can be hard to believe something like that over the phone. I checked the Lottery’s website and was shocked to see our store listed as the retailer that sold the winning ticket.”

The store will receive a 1% bonus from the sale of the winning ticket, which was the second-largest awarded in the Lotto game this year.

The winning ticket matched numbers 5-18-27-33-40-49 in the drawing, according to officials.

Lotto is drawn on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, and is an Illinois-only game. Tickets can be purchased at participating retailers or via the Lottery’s website and mobile app.

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Illinois

How to buy Illinois Final Four gear, hats, shirts, hoodies, more

Published

1 hour ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

How to buy Illinois Final Four gear, hats, shirts, hoodies, more

No. 3 Illinois knocked off No. 9 Iowa on Saturday night in Houston, now they’re advancing to the Final Four in the men’s NCAA Tournament.

The Fighting Illini pulled away late and ended their the Hawkeye’s Cinderella run in the Elite Eight with a 71-59 victory.

SHOP: Illinois Final Four tickets

Illinois fans know this is special, it’s the team’s first Final Four appearance since 2005, so now it’s time to celebrate.

Get the gear the players wore on the court, including Illinois Final Four hats, Illinois Final Four shirts, and more.

Shop ALL Illinois Final Four gear

Illinois Final Four hat

Illinois Final Four shirt

Illinois Final Four game location

Illinois will play its Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Get your Illinois Final Four NCAA Tournament tickets now.

Shop Illinois Final Four tickets

Illinois Final Four appearances

The last time the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team made the Final Four was in 2005. They also made it in 1989, 1952, 1951 and 1949.

When is the Final Four?

The 2026 NCAA Tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6. Saturday’s games are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET respectively, while the National Championship game is set to tip at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 6.

March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament

March 19-20: First round
March 21-22: Second round
March 26-27: Sweet 16
March 28-29: Elite 8
April 4-5: Final Four
April 6: National Championship

Shop ALL March Madness tickets

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Illinois

Champaign places temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as city gears up for Illini-Hawkeyes game

Published

14 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Champaign places temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as city gears up for Illini-Hawkeyes game

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

Saturday, March 28, 2026 1:30PM

Alcohol restrictions in Champaign ahead of Illini-Hawkeyes game

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WLS) — As the Fighting Illini take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight, there will be new liquor laws in place in Champaign.

The mayor signed an executive order, citing concerns to public health.

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After 3 p.m. Saturday, bars and restaurants cannot serve alcohol in glass containers.

And retailers are banned from selling packaged alcohol or to-go cocktails after 6 p.m.

Alcohol deliveries are also being banned after 6 p.m.

The restrictions will remain in place until 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

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Illinois

Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness

The men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues with Elite Eight action Saturday with No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 9 Iowa on the two-game schedule.

USA TODAY Sports’ college basketball experts have analyzed all the angles and determined a path to victory for each side. Here’s everything you need to know before the Elite Eight matchup tips off.

USA TODAY has a team of journalists covering the men’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

Illinois will win Elite Eight game vs Iowa if…

John Leuzzi: It replicates what it did defensively against Houston.
Jordan Mendoza: It controls the interior.
Ehsan Kassim: Wagler can win the matchup against Stirtz.
Austin Curtright: If its defense plays like it did against Houston.

Iowa will win Elite Eight game vs Illinois if…

John Leuzzi: It limits Illinois on offensive rebounds, and second chance opportunities.
Jordan Mendoza: it’s knocking down 3-pointers.
Ehsan Kassim: Hawkeyes can make the game slower paced and Illinois misses shots.
Austin Curtright: Its bench contributors of Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and others continue their strong play.

Illinois vs Iowa: 1 Stat to watch

John Leuzzi: Bennett Stirtz vs. Keaton Wagler at the point guard battle.
Jordan Mendoza: 3-point shot.
Ehsan Kassim: Illinois 3-point shooting.
Austin Curtright: Illinois’ defense has been outstanding in the NCAA Tournament, despite ranking outside the top 20 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency.