Chicago man wins $500K with Big Money lottery ticket
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE - A Chicago man won $500,000 instantly after buying a Big Money ticket, the Illinois Lottery announced Tuesday.
Ovidio Alanis, 62, who lives in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood told lottery officials that he bought his $500,000 Big Money ticket on his way home from work at Jo-Do’s Varieties, 1840 S. Blue Island Ave.
When he got back in his car and scratched the ticket he found he was a winner, according to the lottery. To make sure, he went back inside the store to ask the clerk to check the ticket and was told he won the top prize.
Alanis said he plans to use the money to buy his brother a house, according to the lottery. His advice to other players was to take care of their families.