Chicago lottery winner scores $650K using numbers honoring his late wife: It felt like a message from her

The numbers were heaven-sent. An Illinois man was overwhelmed when he learned he won a $650,000 lottery jackpot after using numbers inspired by his late wife on a game he’s never played before.“I picked numbers related to my late wife,” said the lucky winner, identified as Big Money D.“When I won, it felt like it was a message from her.”Big Money D scored the life-changing sum by matching the five meaningful numbers of 9-11-12-13-17, Illinois lottery officials said.

He did not explain how the numbers related to his late wife.The Chicago resident wanted to try something new when he walked into a Mariano’s grocery store last Saturday, opting to play the Lucky Day Lotto over his go-to Pick 4 game.

With a nod to his late wife, he won the game’s top prize.“I’m still so shocked and excited about the win, I have barely been able to sleep,” he told lottery officials.

The retailer will also receive a $6,500 prize, lottery officials said.Big Money D now plans to put the money towards his family and use the windfall to purchase a new home for his kids to grow up in.

“I’m already looking at houses, and can’t wait to purchase my dream home for myself and my kids,” he said. “It truly is a dream come true.”...