CHICAGO, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, giving Illinois Lottery players another chance at a life-changing prize as the holiday season approaches.

The jackpot ranks as the second-largest Powerball prize of 2025, surpassed only by the record-setting $1.787 billion jackpot won on Sept. 6 by tickets sold in Missouri and Texas. Lottery officials said this marks just the second time in Powerball history that consecutive jackpots have reached the billion-dollar level.

While the top prize continues to grow, at least one Illinois player is already celebrating. A $200,000 winning ticket was sold for Monday night’s drawing at the Hy-Vee grocery store at 2115 S. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, according to the Illinois Lottery. The ticket matched four winning numbers plus the Powerball and included the Power Play option, which boosted the prize.

The current jackpot run began Sept. 7, 2025. Since then, more than one million winning Powerball tickets have been sold across Illinois, generating nearly $13.3 million in prizes for players statewide.

Lottery officials also noted that Powerball sales benefit local retailers, which earn commissions on ticket sales and receive a 1% bonus on any winning ticket prize sold at their location.

Powerball tickets cost $2 and are available at licensed retailers statewide as well as online through the Illinois Lottery website and mobile app. Players may add the Power Play feature for an additional $1, giving them the chance to multiply non-jackpot winnings.