Chicagoan finds back troubles easier to bear after winning $45 million Illinois LOTTO jackpot

Jet, July 10, 1995

For Chicagoan Arthur Britton, who suffers from chronic back problems, the pain will be a lot easier to bear after recently winning a $45 million jackpot in the Illinois Lottery.

Britton, 42, and his wife, Julia, also 42, recently came forth with the winning ticket that put them in the multimillionaire tax bracket.

They are the largest single winners in Illinois Lottery history.

A lifttruck operator who has been on medical leave, Britton said he purchased his winning ticket at a White Hen Pantry on the North Side of the city. Britton said he was feeling lucky since lottery plays at the same location had paid off in the past.

"I was feeling lucky because I won a $50 'Nifty Fifties' Instant Game at that White Hen, so I was beginning to feel that location was lucky. I decided to put some money back into the big game--LOTTO," he said.

Britton shelled out $25 for his batch of lottery tickets and, as it turned out, the very first ticket was the one that would forever change his life.

After the lottery drawing, Britton heard news reports that one winner had won the jackpot. He didn't know the exact address of the store where he had played his numbers but knew the winning ticket was sold in the vicinity.

"I was flat on my back in pain, but I hobbled over to the phone to check the ticket." Britton eased out of bed and made a couple of calls to the lottery hotline to check his numbers.

In pain, but also filled with incredible joy, he made his way downstairs to tell the rest of the family that they were rich.

The winning numbers were 7-12-17-18-22 and 38. The Brittons, who will receive the $45 million over a 20-year period can bank on an annual check of $1.5 million after state and federal taxes.

The new millionaires said they will give to their church and other family members. "The first thing that came to my mind was my sister-in-law and my mother and grandparents," Arthur said, adding, "I'm going to take care of them first." Covering the college tuition for their 18-year-old daughter will also be a breeze now.

While wealth may not restore Britton's health, the LOTTO jackpot winner now has 45 million reasons to keep his mind off his aches and pains.