The Beyonder
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Here we are trying to earn a buck or two from trading and some schmuck throws millions away...
Jackpot Is Largest Unclaimed Prize in Illinois Lottery History
CHICAGO, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- A full year after the initial drawing on January
31, 2004, the largest unclaimed jackpot in Illinois Lottery history officially
expired last night at 12 midnight. While many people attempted to claim the
prize, the winning ticket was never presented for validation and the prize money
will become part of the Lottery's contribution to the State Common School Fund
which supports K-12 public education in Illinois.
The winning ticket bearing the numbers 14 - 23 - 24 - 36 - 37 - 50 was sold at
Gas City #86 located at 855 Center Rd. in Frankfort, IL. According to Lottery
rules, players have one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize
and must submit a claim form and the original winning ticket for verification
before receiving their money.
"We really gave it our all in trying to find this winner," said Illinois Lottery
Superintendent Carolyn Adams. "We've contacted media all across the country and
conducted interviews for 12 hours straight yesterday, but to no avail.
Unfortunately, one of our players just missed out on a $14 million dream."
Over the last week, the Lottery claims office has been buzzing with hundreds of
calls and inquiries about this major prize as the deadline for expiration drew
near. Three actual claim forms were filed before close of business on Monday,
January 31, but in every instance the person filing the claim said that they did
not have the winning ticket to accompany it. The Lottery also allowed winners to
call into a voicemail service after 4:30 p.m. CST where they could leave their
name, contact information and the ticket serial number before 12 midnight. More
than 40 people called and left messages, only three left serial numbers for
verification, and none matched the serial numbers of the actual winning ticket.
Having a Lottery jackpot this large remain unclaimed is rare, but
not unheard-of. Previously, the largest unclaimed Illinois Lottery prize was a
$6 million jackpot from September 9, 2000. The next largest was a $3 million
unclaimed prize from November 11, 2000.
"We really want and like to see our players collect on their prizes,"
said Superintendent Adams. "But even though one individual lost out on $14
million, that money will still go to good use as part of our contribution to the
State Common School Fund which benefits education. Last year, the
Lottery contributed $570 million to this fund and this additional money should
help to make this year's contribution even larger."
Each year, the Lottery transfers its profits to the State Common School Fund
which is also comprised of revenue from the state, the federal government and
local governments. In fiscal year 2004, the combined revenue of the State Common
School Fund was $20.3 billion dollars and during the annual budget session, the
Illinois General Assembly decides how much of this money to appropriate to each
school district. Over the course of its 30 year history, the Lottery has
contributed more than $12 billion dollars to this fund.
Jackpot Is Largest Unclaimed Prize in Illinois Lottery History
CHICAGO, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- A full year after the initial drawing on January
31, 2004, the largest unclaimed jackpot in Illinois Lottery history officially
expired last night at 12 midnight. While many people attempted to claim the
prize, the winning ticket was never presented for validation and the prize money
will become part of the Lottery's contribution to the State Common School Fund
which supports K-12 public education in Illinois.
The winning ticket bearing the numbers 14 - 23 - 24 - 36 - 37 - 50 was sold at
Gas City #86 located at 855 Center Rd. in Frankfort, IL. According to Lottery
rules, players have one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize
and must submit a claim form and the original winning ticket for verification
before receiving their money.
"We really gave it our all in trying to find this winner," said Illinois Lottery
Superintendent Carolyn Adams. "We've contacted media all across the country and
conducted interviews for 12 hours straight yesterday, but to no avail.
Unfortunately, one of our players just missed out on a $14 million dream."
Over the last week, the Lottery claims office has been buzzing with hundreds of
calls and inquiries about this major prize as the deadline for expiration drew
near. Three actual claim forms were filed before close of business on Monday,
January 31, but in every instance the person filing the claim said that they did
not have the winning ticket to accompany it. The Lottery also allowed winners to
call into a voicemail service after 4:30 p.m. CST where they could leave their
name, contact information and the ticket serial number before 12 midnight. More
than 40 people called and left messages, only three left serial numbers for
verification, and none matched the serial numbers of the actual winning ticket.
Having a Lottery jackpot this large remain unclaimed is rare, but
not unheard-of. Previously, the largest unclaimed Illinois Lottery prize was a
$6 million jackpot from September 9, 2000. The next largest was a $3 million
unclaimed prize from November 11, 2000.
"We really want and like to see our players collect on their prizes,"
said Superintendent Adams. "But even though one individual lost out on $14
million, that money will still go to good use as part of our contribution to the
State Common School Fund which benefits education. Last year, the
Lottery contributed $570 million to this fund and this additional money should
help to make this year's contribution even larger."
Each year, the Lottery transfers its profits to the State Common School Fund
which is also comprised of revenue from the state, the federal government and
local governments. In fiscal year 2004, the combined revenue of the State Common
School Fund was $20.3 billion dollars and during the annual budget session, the
Illinois General Assembly decides how much of this money to appropriate to each
school district. Over the course of its 30 year history, the Lottery has
contributed more than $12 billion dollars to this fund.
