GRANITE CITY — After 17 years of marriage with no honeymoon, Cynthia of Granite City says a $1 million Illinois Lottery scratch-off win could finally send her and her husband to one of the “most romantic places in the world” – France.
Cynthia became the latest Illinois Lottery millionaire after winning a $1 million top prize on a $10 Money Match scratch-off ticket purchased at Curly’s Corner Market in Granite City, the Illinois Lottery said Friday, May 15, 2026. The ticket was bought at Curly’s Corner Market, 527 Maryville Road in Granite City.
“My husband and I have been married for 17 years, but never had a honeymoon,” she said.
Cynthia said she realized she had a winning ticket during a work break.
“I had to look twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing things,” she recalled. “One of my coworkers even checked in on me — I started shaking.”
She said she called her husband right away, but that he was skeptical at first.
“He thought I was pranking him because I could barely get the words out,” Cynthia laughed. “It still feels like a dream.”
Cynthia said she bought the ticket at a store she visits frequently.
“I shop at this store almost every day — the staff knows me by name,” Cynthia said. “I wanted to try a different game, so I picked this one.”
She also said she shared the news with a friend who works at the store.
“I called him, and he said, ‘No way — we were just talking about retirement,’” she said.
Cynthia said she plans to use the winnings for home improvements, a new car, a trip to Disney with her grandchildren, and the long-anticipated honeymoon.
Curly’s Corner Market will receive a $10,000 bonus, or 1% of the prize, for selling the winning ticket.
