Illinois Adds Suspense to Big Lottery Jackpot

CHICAGO — One Lotto player received a Christmas gift that will go on giving for many Christmases to come--$37 million spread out in 20 annual payments, state lottery officials said Sunday.

But the identity of the winner of the third-largest grand prize ever awarded in the Illinois lottery could remain a mystery for a day or two, said lottery spokeswoman Kathy Rem. State officials must certify the winning ticket, and they will not be back at work until Tuesday.