Group of 42 Illinois ComEd employees “shocked” to win $1 million

Drawing Date: 10/21/2014

November 19, 2014 - Electricity filled the air when a group of 42 ComEd employees at the Oakbrook, Ill., office discovered they won a $1 million Mega Millions prize. The group – “42 MEGAwatts” – has been playing Mega Millions for over six years and won $1 million when the numbers on their Quick Pick ticket matched the first five numbers – 05 - 35 - 37 – 41 - 66 - (11) – in the Tuesday, October 21, drawing.  

Elmhurst resident Patty Jordan and Franklin Park resident Tina Regalado are the group administrators. “Over the years some members have dropped out and new ones have joined. We’ve always each put $2 per week into our lottery pool. I don’t think any of us really expected we would win a prize like this!” Jordan said. Prior to withholding taxes, each group member’s share of the $1 million prize is $23,809.52.  

Group member Richard Lewis purchased their tickets, including the winning ticket. He gave the batch of tickets to Jordan who went out on her lunch break to a nearby store to check them the day after the drawing. She used the lottery self-service scanner and the message “file a claim” appeared on the screen. “So I had the clerk check it for me and when he saw the prize amount he said, “Lady, you won a boatload of money!’”

The winning ticket was purchased at Minuteman, 218 East Butterfield Road in Elmhurst, Ill. Today, Illinois Lottery officials presented the group a ceremonial $1 million check to commemorate their big win. Minuteman was presented a ceremonial check for their $10,000 bonus, 1 percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.