Cleodoa Miers from Joliet was presented today with an oversized check for $1 million from the Illinois Lottery. He bought his winning ticket $200,000,000 Cash Spectacular ticket at Gardner Food Market in Joliet.

Miers scratched his winning ticket in the store. "I couldn't believe it," he said. "I checked the ticked, and then I had the retailer check the ticket. When he told me I won, I hugged him! We were hugging each other!"

A regular lottery player, Miers said he won $10,000 three years ago on an instant ticket purchased at the same store. "This is my neighborhood store, this is where I play," he said. Miers opted for the cash option of $600,000. He plans to use the money to buy a house, maybe buy his wife a new car, and invest his winnings for his retirement.

Store owner, Mohammad Eid also received a ceremonial check today for $10,000, one percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket. "Cleo has been a loyal customer. I'm so glad someone from the neighborhood won," he said.