Chicago, IL — A quick grocery run turned into a life-changing moment for a Montgomery man who won $200,000 playing the Illinois Lottery’s 7X Bingo Multiplier scratch-off ticket.
According to the Illinois Lottery, Clarence Neuenkirchen purchased the winning ticket at the Jewel-Osco on Orchard Road in Oswego after his favorite $5 Crossword game was sold out. The store will receive a $2,000 bonus for selling the prize-winning ticket.
Neuenkirchen, a grandfather, said he was in disbelief when he realized he won. “I honestly thought my wife was going to break the floor—she kept jumping up and down,” he joked. The couple plans to use the winnings for retirement savings, education funds for their grandchildren, and a long-awaited vacation. “We’re excited about a cruise in the Gulf and maybe even travel to France,” Neuenkirchen said.
The Illinois Lottery noted that proceeds from scratch-off ticket sales benefit a variety of causes across the state. While nearly 99% of all lottery proceeds support the Common School Fund, profits from the 7X Bingo Multiplier specialty ticket also fund Alzheimer’s programs, breast cancer research, veterans’ services, and Special Olympics Illinois, among others.
Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $25 billion to education and statewide initiatives. Instant Ticket games, priced between $1 and $50, are available at about 7,000 retail locations across Illinois.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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