Watch CBS News

Cubs Fan Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize While Watching Game

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Lockport man won $1 million after scratching off an Illinois Lottery '$300,000,000 Cash Spectacular' ticket while watching the Cubs game at home.

Rick Kempke, 56, is an occasional lottery player, who buys one or two tickets each week. He purchased his winning $1 million '$300,000,000 Cash Spectacular' ticket at a Speedway in Lockport, located at 314 S. State St.

cubs-lottery-winner
Rick Kempke holds his $1,000,000 winning ticket (Illinois Lottery/Jason Schaumburg)

"I can't believe it!" said Kempke. "I'm a huge Cubs fan and now that I won the lottery, I might buy a ticket for tomorrow night's game!"

Kempke is retired after working 25 years for the Environmental Protection Agency in Willowbrook. He plans on buying a car with his winnings.

"I really need a new car because mine is 16 years old and not very reliable," Kempke said.

He also said he plans to buy a house.

Kempke opted to receive his prize as a one-time payment of $600,000.

The '$300,000,000 Cash Spectacular' instant ticket cost $10. Seventeen top prizes of $1 million have yet to be claimed.

The Speedway in Lockport received a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.