Chicago, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY) – An Illinois mother is beginning 2026 with a $350,000 windfall after winning the Lucky Day Lotto® jackpot in the Christmas Day drawing, Illinois Lottery officials announced.
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous and goes by the nickname “Work Mom,” purchased her ticket online and selected the winning numbers herself. The ticket matched all five numbers — 4-10-12-30-31 — in the Dec. 25 drawing.
“Everyone at my job calls me ‘Work Mom’ since I’m the oldest,” she said.
Work Mom said she was at home watching television when she received an email alert notifying her of the win.
“At first, I thought it was a glitch,” she said. “I almost had a panic attack. I immediately checked the Illinois Lottery app to make sure it was real.”
The winning numbers held personal meaning, representing birthdays for the winner and her children. “I felt optimistic when I played those numbers,” she said. “It turned out to be a Christmas Day blessing.”
The winner said she plans to use the prize money to invest in retirement, help pay for her daughters’ education, and take a long-anticipated family vacation. “We’re checking off a big item on my husband’s wish list,” she said. “We’re going to Alaska.”
