DeKalb, IL – Julie Jones had a premonition about the year 2008: “I just had a feeling that this year would be something special,” said Jones, whose husband Edward K. Jones recently won a $12,250,000 Lotto Jackpot with a quick pick from the Illinois Lottery. He purchased the ticket from Schnucks of DeKalb, Ill.

“I just couldn’t believe it when I found out I had won. This is truly a blessing,” said Mr. Jones, a 35-year employee of Caterpillar. His identity as the winner of the February 9th jackpot was revealed today during a special press conference.A resident of Chillicothe, Illinois, Mr. Jones explained he had visited DeKalb once in his lifetime, but earlier this month he made the valuable decision to accompany his cousin to the city to deliver store circulars. “I just went along for the ride, and decided to play the Lottery.”

Schnucks has only operated at its location at 975 S. Annie Glidden Road since December, but the store appears to be on a winning streak. An instant ticket worth $10,000 was purchased at the store only two weeks after its opening.

The store will receive a whopping $120,000 for selling Jones the winning ticket.

Jones, a regular lottery player, plans to use a portion of his winnings to sponsor a church mission trip for the Faith Christian Center in Washington, Illinois, where church members travel to various countries every year, building homes and digging wells for the needy. Mrs. Jones says she has her sights on a new house in a warmer climate.

Illinois Lottery Acting Superintendent Jodie Winnett said she is happy to add Mr. Jones to the Lottery’s list of big winners.

“We’re always excited when someone wins a jackpot, and Mr. Jones is doing a wonderful thing by sharing his good fortune with people around the world through his ministry. We wish the best for Mr. Jones and his wonderful family and hope that his experience will encourage even more people to play to win,” said Winnett.