Anonymous pair finally claim $1.4 billion Powerball prize

Two unnamed people finally claimed the $1.4 billion Mega Millions jackpot after a single ticket to the late July drawing was sold in a Chicago suburb. They're opting to take a lump sum payment of $780.5 million, lottery officials said Wednesday.

The winners only had until Sept. 27 to claim the prize after the winning ticket was purchased at a gas station in Des Plaines on July 29.

Lottery officials said the two people have spent the past few weeks working with professional legal and financial advisors to best prepare for their life-changing fortune.

Illinois is one of at least 16 states where winners can remain anonymous. Lottery officials said it was unable to share any information about the winners except to say that they must be absolutely “over the moon” with their Mega Millions win. 

“These winners are now in the enviable position of deciding what to do with their newfound fortune,” said Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays.