Oswego, IL – When Oswego resident Patricia Cline stopped by Pride Pantry in nearby Yorkville on Dec. 17, she went about her usual routine. While the clerk prepared her Lottery tickets, Patricia passed the time with an instant ticket, in this case Maximum Millions. Before the clerk had a chance to finish with Patricia’s other tickets, the long-time Lottery player yelled, “Oh my gosh, I think I won the big one!”

After the clerk validated the $1 million win and advised Patricia to place the ticket in a safe-deposit box, the Illinois Lottery’s new millionaire went home to tell her husband. “My heart just kept pounding,” she says. “I could barely get my breath to tell him.”

Patricia is a 64-year-old mother who plans to share her winnings with her three children, just as she did years ago after winning $10,000 playing a $5 ticket. Patricia played the Lottery every day for 15 years before hitting it big. Her favorite games are Pick 3, Mega Millions, Lotto and Little Lotto. Now, however, Patricia says that Maximum Millions is probably her favorite.

While Patricia would like to travel, she says her husband Lawrence is a homebody. Besides using her winnings to give gifts to her daughters, she plans on saving a great deal and doesn’t expect her life to dramatically change. The avid jogger still runs every day and works on her crafts. Even her sleeping has returned to normal. “The first few nights after I won, I couldn’t sleep,” Patricia says. “I would wake up wondering, ‘Did I dream that?’”

Illinois Lottery Acting Superintendent Jodie Winnett said, “I’m always thrilled to hear stories like Patricia’s. She’s a dedicated Illinois Lottery player and we’re absolutely elated to welcome her as one of our newest millionaires.”

Pride Pantry, located at 302 N Bridge Street in Yorkville, will receive a bonus of 1 percent of the top prize, or $10,000, for selling the winning ticket.