CHICAGO, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Time was running out Monday to redeem an unclaimed Illinois Lottery ticket worth $14 million from the Jan. 31, 2004, drawing.
The winning ticket -- which expires at midnight -- was purchased at Gas City, in Frankfort, Ill., south of Chicago. The ticket was the only one with all six winning numbers -- 12-23-24-36-37 and 50. Players have one year to come forward to claim their prize.
"We have done everything we could to let our players know about this winning ticket," said Illinois Lottery Superintendent Carolyn Adams. The state lottery contacted media outlets nationally and in 23 states to publicize the largest unclaimed lottery prize in the Illinois Lottery's 30-year history.
A $6 million jackpot went unclaimed from a drawing Sept. 9, 2000 and a $3 million prize was unclaimed for Nov. 11, 2000.
If no winner comes forward to submit a verification form by midnight Monday the jackpot will go into the state's Common School Fund.
"It has been amazing to hear some of the funny stories coming out of our claims office as people (without the ticket) try to collect this prize," Adams said.
