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Mount Vernon man wins Lotto jackpot

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, May 5, 2008 10:53 PM CDT

MOUNT VERNON - A local man became a multimillionaire Saturday when he matched all six numbers drawn in Saturday's Illinois Lotto game, making him the sole winner of a $7 million jackpot.

The winning ticket was purchased at Plaza Liquor Mart on 10th Street in Mount Vernon's south side. While the lucky winner's name has not yet been released, store manager Tammy Hopkins said he is "a local - a regular working guy," she said. "We are so happy for him. We're thrilled that one of our regulars was a winner."

The man played his own numbers rather than purchasing a computer-generated "quick pick" ticket, Hopkins said, and came into the store Sunday to get a printout of the winning draw. He didn't reveal he held the winning ticket until Monday, she said, when he came into the store to fill out a claim form.

State lottery spokeswoman Madonna Duncan said she had not received any information yet about the winning ticket holder.

The liquor store, located on 10th Street on the city's south side, will receive cash equaling 1 percent of the jackpot. Hopkins said the store's biggest previous lottery payout was $150,000.

Customers have been flocking to the store since word spread "like wildfire" that a regular hit the jackpot.

"It didn't take long for word to get out. We were really busy during the first part of the day and I'm sure once more people find out, we'll be even busier," she said. "$7 million. Holy cow. Can you believe it?"

Winners can choose to receive a one-time lump sum payment that is about 51 percent of the advertised jackpot amount or they can receive an annuity that is paid in annual installments over a 26-year period.

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