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Retired Chicago Bus Driver Wins $2 Million in Lottery ... While On The Bus

By Joe Ward | August 25, 2016 10:18am
 Roy Pittman, 71, scratched off his newly purchased Illinois Lottery ticket and saw he won $2 million.
Roy Pittman, 71, scratched off his newly purchased Illinois Lottery ticket and saw he won $2 million.
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Illinois Lottery

CHICAGO — A retired city bus driver found out he won $2 million from a scratch-off lottery ticket while he was riding the bus.

Roy Pittman, 71, bought the winning ticket at Vincennes Food Mart, 400 W. 79th St., the Illinois Lottery said.

He took it on the bus, where he scratched it off and realized he had won big: The $2 million grand prize.

"When I realized I won $2 million, I started shaking!" Pittman said.

Pittman bought the $10 "Jumbo Bucks" instant ticket, the lottery said. The game has three grand prizes of $2 million, and one of the prizes has not been claimed.

The owner of Vincennes Food Mart will receive $20,000 — 1 percent of the overall prize amount — for selling the winning ticket, the lottery said.

A lifelong city resident, Pittman said he planned to share his winnings with family and his favorite charities.

"Try a ticket, because you just never know," Pittman said.

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