Illinois quick hits: Illinois lottery player wins $536 million

Illinois quick hits: Illinois lottery player wins $536 million

March 18, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

By The Center Square
The Center Square

Illinois lottery player wins $536 million

An Illinois lottery player won $536 million in the Mega Millions jackpot.

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous under the nickname “Lucky Lady,” bought her ticket online through the Illinois Lottery’s iLottery platform, the first Mega Millions jackpot to be claimed in 2026 and the second-largest prize ever won by an online player in the U.S.

Chicago restaurants among best after-midnight food spots

Two restaurants in Chicago are getting accolades as the best after-midnight food spot.

ACE.com surveyed more than 3,000 self-identified “night owls” about the best places in the country to eat when everything else is closed.

Griddle 24 in Chicago was the best in the state, ranking No. 23 nationwide. White Palace Grill in Chicago ranked No. 42 nationally.

Manufacturing Excellence Award nominations sought

Nominations for the 2026 Manufacturing Excellence Awards are open until April 9.

IMEC in association with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, announced the categories of Economic Development Partner of the Year, Educator of the Year and more. Nominations are accepted online at IMA-net.org.

Finalists will be recognized June 25 in Lombard.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Republicans go on attack in hearing over $9 billion of social services fraud

Republicans go on attack in hearing over $9 billion of social services fraud

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the state attorney general were either “complicit” in the now-estimated $9 billion of social services fraud that has taken...
Trump admin dietary guidelines prioritize protein, avoid added sugars

Trump admin dietary guidelines prioritize protein, avoid added sugars

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration on Wednesday released new dietary guidelines alongside an updated food pyramid that prioritizes protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables. The federal government is...
State leaders slam $10 billion child care freeze, promise action

State leaders slam $10 billion child care freeze, promise action

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square State lawmakers slammed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after it announced it would freeze more than $10 billion in taxpayer dollars to...
'Implicit bias' training mandate among new health care-related laws in Illinois

‘Implicit bias’ training mandate among new health care-related laws in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A number of new health care-related laws have taken effect in Illinois, including one that mandates implicit...
GOP lawmaker calls for U.S. to destroy more drug cartels

GOP lawmaker calls for U.S. to destroy more drug cartels

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A Florida Republican said Wednesday the U.S. must bring the fight over illegal drugs to other cartels after the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro....
WATCH: Child care funding freeze; Trump rebuts Jan. 6 testimony from Kinzinger, Pelosi

WATCH: Child care funding freeze; Trump rebuts Jan. 6 testimony from Kinzinger, Pelosi

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs highlights from...
U.S. seizes two 'sanctioned' ships

U.S. seizes two ‘sanctioned’ ships

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After the weekend strikes in Venezuela and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. continues to seize sanctioned vessels operating in the Caribbean...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze; Chicago crime dashboard released

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze; Chicago crime dashboard released

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has frozen access to about $10 billion...
Convicted murderer can’t use IL juvy reform law to win chance at parole

Convicted murderer can’t use IL juvy reform law to win chance at parole

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago gang member in the midst of a 40-year sentence for shooting and killing an innocent man while the other man...
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis pushes back on federal oil drilling

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis pushes back on federal oil drilling

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, along with other state officials and environmental advocates, announced her opposition Tuesday afternoon to President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand...
Flags flown at half-staff in Sacramento in LaMalfa's honor

Flags flown at half-staff in Sacramento in LaMalfa’s honor

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom Tuesday ordered flags in Sacramento flown at half-staff at the Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space in honor of U.S. Rep....

WATCH: IL Democrats take part in Jan. 6 hearing as Trump pushes voter ID

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – On the anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. capitol, leading Democrats and the president...
House Dems, Trump offer competing visions of Jan. 6

House Dems, Trump offer competing visions of Jan. 6

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrat lawmakers and the Trump administration have offered competing visions on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. The lawmakers...
Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged

Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Criminal justice grants announced The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50 million in taxpayer-funded grants for historically underserved communities....
State Rep: Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement

State Rep: Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Statehouse Republican says the cost of illegal immigration in Illinois is much more than a...