Generous Illinois Native Gives Away Huge Lottery Jackpot: 'In Total Shock'

An Aurora woman who recently won a massive lottery jackpot is paying it forward. According to Illinois Lottery, Antoinette ‘Toni’ Green won $1 million from a scratch-off ticket, and her first thought was donating some of the money to people in need.

“I’ve given away over $100,000 already. When I was blessed with this prize, I knew I was finally in a position to give back, to help my friends and family, and to pay it forward.”

The generous winner, and former school bus driver, purchased the $10 MONOPOLY™ 50X scratch-off ticket at Ruby’s Liquor off Butterfield Road in Aurora. Store owner Anup Singh knows Green, and says she has won multiple lottery prizes from tickets purchased at the liquor store before.

“Toni has won a few smaller prizes here, and actually claimed our store as her ‘lucky store’ - she’s been coming regularly ever since. My son, Jas, was working the day she won the million dollar prize. He said she scratched the ticket and started screaming ‘Oh my gosh!’ She then had him scan the ticket multiple times, and sure enough - the $1 million prize was real.” 

When the initial shock of winning the jackpot subsided, Green had a revelation.

“The clerk couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t believe it. He said ‘Toni, sign your ticket and go straight home - you won a million dollars!’ I sat in my car in front of Ruby’s in total shock, and then I had an epiphany – I can help others, I can make a difference in somebody’s life with this money.’”

She continued:

“I get joy out of seeing other people’s happiness – and wondering how I can help be a part of that. The other day I overheard a young woman who could only afford a gallon of gas, and I paid the clerk to fill up her tank. It’s not about what you can do for yourself, but what you can do for others.”

Ruby's Liquor will receive $10,000 just for being the store to sell the winning ticket!