CBS News
Mega Millions player wins $552 million jackpot in Illinois — ending 3-month drought
![](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/08/01/c9a99848-600a-4769-b135-5710fa53ba37/thumbnail/1200x630g2/ee202304eabc5c4dcc57af8711e315e8/mega-millions.jpg?v=6d480a252670b63de1e37fef02c977a5)
CHICAGO (CBS) — A winning Mega Millions ticket worth $552 million was purchased online by someone in Illinois, lottery officials announced on Wednesday.
The prize was said to be the largest ever won by an iLottery player in the nation.
Three months had passed since a winning ticket had been sold, when a New Jersey resident claimed a $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot in March. That ticket was sold at a ShopRite grocery store in Neptune.
The Illinois player matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball to win Tuesday night’s jackpot and become the fourth Illinois Mega Millions player to have won over $1 million so far this year.
Those numbers again were 19, 37, 40, 63, 69, and Mega Ball 17.
Despite the life-changing win, it hasn’t topped the largest prize won in Illinois.
The $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot from 2022 remains on top. It was also the third-largest prize ever won in the nation’s history, according to lottery officials. The prize, which was claimed eight weeks after the winning draw, was split between two people who agreed to share it if they won. After consulting legal and financial advisors, the winners walked away with a lump sum of $780.5 million.
Mega Millions has produced six jackpot wins over $1 billion in states all across the country. South Carolina was the first in 2018, followed by Michigan in 2021, Illinois in 2022, Maine in early 2023, Florida in August 2024 and New Jersey in March 2024. Florida holds the current game record jackpot of $1.602 billion.
Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize. They are also encouraged to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they’re ready to redeem their prize.
The Mega Millions game is played every Tuesday and Friday night. Tickets cost $2 a pop and are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or text ILGAMB to 833234. Additional information can be found by visiting the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
CBS News
Houston mayor provides Beryl flooding update, says 2 million without power
![](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/08/dc3f5c17-af31-4e5d-8563-ef1803a0ce66/thumbnail/1200x630/362265b8840d6aa4635169ca74f74ff1/cbsn-fusion-houston-mayor-provides-beryl-flooding-update-says-2-million-without-power-thumbnail.jpg?v=2287029998c5246c93d6dd038eb30603)
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
4 signs credit card debt forgiveness may not work for you
![](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/08/de71a639-b69d-45fb-b2ea-a6c1a471523f/thumbnail/1200x630/cde9d01934b8ede73ddc56158ba1a4d8/gettyimages-2153352354.jpg?v=2287029998c5246c93d6dd038eb30603)
nui/Getty Images
If you’re tired of making monthly credit card payments only to see minimal reductions in your balances then you may be looking into debt relief options. Credit card debt forgiveness is one to consider.
Debt forgiveness companies aim to help you save money and get out of debt faster through negotiations. If those negotiations are successful, your credit card companies may forgive a percentage of your balances, which could provide the relief you’re looking for.
But, like all debt relief options, credit card debt forgiveness isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. So, what are some signs that credit card debt forgiveness may not work for you? That’s what we will detail below.
Let a debt relief expert help you put your credit card debt behind you now.
4 signs credit card debt forgiveness may not work for you
While credit card debt forgiveness programs are a good fit for some borrowers, they aren’t perfect for everyone. Here are a few signs that credit card debt forgiveness may not work for you:
You always make your payments on time
Credit card debt forgiveness is typically designed for borrowers who can’t consistently make minimum payments. So, if you make your credit card payments on time, every time, that may be a sign that these programs aren’t a good fit for you.
There are a wide range of debt relief options. And, credit card debt forgiveness is a more extreme option that can come with more significant repercussions than others. So, if you can afford to make your monthly payments on time – even if it’s not always comfortable – other debt relief solutions may be a better fit.
Find alternatives to credit card debt settlement here.
You don’t have enough credit card debt
Most credit card debt forgiveness companies require minimum debt amounts to qualify for their services. For example, you’ll need at least $10,000 in credit card debt to qualify for the services Accredited Debt Relief provides and Freedom Debt Relief and National Debt Relief both impose $7,500 minimums. If you have under $7,500 in credit card debt, you may be hard-pressed to find a service provider to work with.
You already have a judgment
If you forego payments to your credit card companies for too long, they may sue you for the money you owe. And, if your credit card companies sell your debt to a debt collector, that collector may take you to court, too.
If you lose the case, your credit card companies, or the debt collectors they’ve sold your debt to, may win judgments against you. Those judgments can give them leverage, making them less likely to negotiate what you owe. While you may be able to settle a debt following a judgment against you, doing so may be more difficult. So, if you already have one or more judgments against you and can’t afford to pay the debt back, bankruptcy may be a better option.
You’re considering a large purchase
Credit card debt forgiveness may not be your best debt relief option if you want to make a large purchase, like a home or car. That’s because these solutions can harm your credit score, making it difficult to access new loans.
“Asking for payment relief or debt forgiveness should be given serious consideration prior to taking action,” explains Michael Broughton, founder and CEO of the credit-building app, ALTRO. “Once you request a change to terms or a lower payment, your credit could be impacted and the chances that you will be able to get loans for other, unrelated items can be severely diminished.”
The bottom line
Credit card debt forgiveness is a fitting solution for many people – especially if they can’t afford their minimum payments. But, it’s not the best fit for everyone. You may want to consider other options if you always make your payments on time, don’t have enough credit card debt, already have judgments against you or you’re in the market for a large purchase. Chat with an expert about your debt relief options now.
CBS News
Beryl floods parts of Texas, high winds cause damage and power outages
![](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/08/26971da6-3d42-45bf-bbe5-6304a54c6bbc/thumbnail/1200x630/d95ec0a62bf8cfb2226c98161ca90cc4/cbsn-fusion-beryl-hits-houston-with-flooding-high-winds-thumbnail.jpg?v=2287029998c5246c93d6dd038eb30603)
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.