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.

Latest News Stories

House committee to hold hearing Wednesday on Minnesota fraud

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is set to hold its first of two scheduled hearings Wednesday on the “fraud and misuse...

Court blocks Trump admin’s medical research funding cuts

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s decision barring the Trump administration from cutting funding for medical and...

Trump takes aim at defense contractors as he looks to speed arms production

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump criticized U.S. defense contractors on Tuesday, saying that he wants to produce the advanced weapons that the U.S. relies on for military...

WATCH: Candidate Dabrowski wants audit as IL Child Care Services funding skyrockets

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski is calling for a forensic audit of state spending on human...

Hegseth seeks to reduce Sen. Kelly’s Navy retirement pay

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include a comment from the White House. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth plans...

Special election for Greene’s seat set for March 10

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's congressional seat will be empty at least two months, likely three, as a special election already drawing 24 candidates...

Trump lays out ‘roadmap for victory’ during GOP House retreat

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the country is about to embark on a pivotal election year, President Donald Trump addressed the GOP U.S. House of Representatives retreat. During a...

WATCH: Trump ‘not gonna pay’ child care fraud; Immigration enforcement costs; Moving out

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 shares the latest...

Duckworth pushes military IVF coverage as critics warn taxpayers could pay

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, criticizes the House speaker and the president after a provision...

Illinois quick hits: Increased flu activity reported

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Increased flu activity reported The Illinois Department of Public Health says flu activity is very high in the state, the most...

Chicago car impounds not unconstitutional ‘taking’: Court

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal appeals panel says Chicago’s policy of towing and disposing of vehicles doesn’t reach the level of unconstitutional taking without compensation,...

Illinois quick hits: Fatal police-involved shooting investigated

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal police-involved shooting investigated Illinois State Police say they are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting that took place Sunday night in...

Report: More people continue leaving Illinois than arriving

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Martin McLaughlin argues lawmakers in Springfield only look in the mirror to come...

WATCH: Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela for foreseeable future

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. will run Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” President Donald Trump said Saturday following the...

World leaders call for UN response after Maduro capture

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The international community is reacting to the news that President Donald Trump announced early in the morning on social media: The U.S. carried out a...

« Previous
1
…
43
44
45
46
47
…
54
Next »