How to Claim
There are several ways to claim prizes from the Illinois Lottery - at a retail store or claim center, or by mail or the e-claims portal. The procedure depends on how much you have won. Find out below what you need to do to collect your money, whether you have played online or in a store.
Online Claims
If you play online and win a prize of up to $600, it will be automatically paid into your account. However, if this takes the balance of your account above $2,000, a check will be sent out to you for the remaining money.
You can also claim prizes above $600 by mail or at a claim center (details below). If you win up to $10,000, there’s also the option to use the e-claims process. This portal provides an easy way to submit an online claim, using the name, date of birth and social security number associated with your account. A check will then be sent out to you in the mail.
In-Store Purchases
When you buy a ticket from a retail store, it is always recommended that you sign the back of your ticket. The following options are available for redeeming prizes, depending on the value of your prize.
Prizes of $599 or Below – You can claim prizes of this value from Illinois Lottery retailers. There may be some situations when there aren’t sufficient funds in the store to pay out prizes. On these occasions you can go to a claim center, claim by mail or via the e-claims portal.
When using the e-claims process for a ticket bought in-store, it allows you to submit a claim securely without having to mail in your entry. You will be required to send in an image of the winning ticket.
Prizes from $600 up to $10,000 – You won’t be able to claim from a retailer for a prize over $600, but you can still use the e-claims portal for prizes up to $10,000. Alternatively, you can claim by mail or visit a claim center.
Prizes Over $10,000 and up to $1 Million – For prizes of this amount, you need to claim by mail or go to an Illinois Lottery claim center in person.
Prizes Over $1 Million – If you win $1 million or more, you should call the Illinois Lottery Player Hotline at 1-800-252-1775, option 9, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM CT from Monday to Friday. A lottery representative will guide you through the claims process from there.
Claiming By Mail
If you are claiming a prize by mail, you will need to fill out a claim form and send it in to the Illinois Lottery. You must also include your signed winning ticket. It is a good idea to make a copy of both sides of your ticket, and the claim form, and use registered mail to track its delivery. The address to mail in your claim to is as follows:
Illinois Lottery Claims Department
P.O. Box 19080
Springfield
Illinois
62794-9912
Claim Centers
Here are the claim center locations where you can go to pick up Illinois Lottery prizes. You must make an appointment before collecting a prize of any value. You should bring with you a completed claim form, your signed winning ticket, photo identification and proof of your Social Security number.
Chicago
George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building
69 W. Washington, Suite LL06
Chicago, IL 6060
Phone: 312/793-2385
Des Plaines
Regional Office 1, 2, & 6
9511 Harrison St
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
Phone: 847/294-4851
Rockford
Regional Office 3
200 S Wyman
Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: 815/987-7018
Fairview Heights
Illinois Lottery, Region 4
15 Executive Drive, Suite 3
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Phone: 618/624-8670
Springfield
Regional Office 5 & Lottery Central
l Department of Revenue
Willard Ice Building
101 West Jefferson Street Springfield, IL 62702
Prize Center Phone Line: 217/524-5147
Lottery Central/Player Hotline: 1-800/252-1775
Claim Period
You have one year to claim from the winning draw date to claim any prizes in Illinois. If you win a Lotto, Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot, you must come forward within 60 days if you wish to receive the cash lump sum. If you stake your claim after 60 days, you will automatically receive the annuity payments. Go to the Cash vs Annuity page for more information.
Staying Anonymous
If you win a prize worth $250,000 or more, you can now stay anonymous in Illinois following a change to the law in 2018. You must indicate on the claim form that you wish your identity to be kept private, otherwise the Illinois Lottery will publish details such as your name and home city.
The Illinois Lottery releases this information to show the transparency of its games, as it lets other players know that winners are real. This encourages greater participation in games and leads to higher ticket sales. There is no option to stay anonymous for prizes won below $250,000.
Claiming as a Group
If you are a member of a lottery pool and the group wins $600 or less, only one person can claim it. It is then their responsibility to distribute the winnings between group members. If the prize is worth $601 to $999.99, the Illinois Lottery can send out separate checks to each member of the pool, as long as an IL-5754 form is filled out with the name, address and Social Security number of each individual. If the prize is $1 million or more, you may be entitled to form a partnership and secure a federal identification number. Go to the Lottery Pools page for more information.
Taxes
The Illinois Lottery is required to withhold federal taxes from prizes of $5,000 or more, and state taxes from prizes of $1,000 or more. Go to the Taxes page to learn more about the rates of withholding in the Prairie State. The Illinois Lottery always advises big winners to speak to a financial planner or tax attorney to discuss their own personal circumstances.