Man Wins $500 a Week for Life in Illinois Lottery

A North Side postal worker wins $500 a week for life after buying an instant lotto ticket

What would you do with $500 per week for the rest of your life? 

Jose Garcia answered that question Thursday as the Illinois Lotto presented him with $500 a week in their new Cash for Life lottery, the Illinois Lottery reports.

Garcia had already been a wonderful son to his mother by using his vacation from being a postal worker to take her to all her favorite places. It was only when Garcia stopped by Atino's Pizza at 4610-A W. Diversey Ave. to purchase an instant lotto ticket that karma paid him back. He scratched the ticket and - after a quick check with mom - knew he was a winner.

"It's really shocking," Garcia said when presented with the oversized check, "There's only 6 tickets in entire state. It's awesome, a great feeling."

Launched in April, the Illinois Lottery Cash for Life game allows lotto players a chance to win $500, $1,000 or $2,500 every week for life.

"This will help make things a little bit easier," Garcia said, "I want to pay some bills and travel some."

Of course, Garcia said, he will be taking his mother. 

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