Belleville woman wins $50,000 in Illinois Lottery

Lifelong Belleville resident Eugenia Oelrich played an Illinois Lottery Red Ribbon Cash ticket and instantly won a top prize of $50,000.

Oelrich was at BP Food Mart, 1257 Lebanon Ave., in Belleville, buying a Powerball ticket, when the clerk suggested she also try the new Red Ribbon Cash game.  She bought a ticket and took it home to scratch. 

“At first I thought I won $50, and then when I realized I actually won $50,000, I screamed!”  She plans to spend her winnings on a new truck.  BP Food Mart received a $500 bonus, 1 percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket. 

Red Ribbon Cash is the only instant game where 100 percent of the proceeds are dedicated to HIV/AIDS research, education and prevention.  Since 2008, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $7.6 million to the fight against HIV/AIDS through the sale of this special instant ticket.

 Each Red Ribbon Cash ticket costs $3. Of the three top prizes of $50,000 available, one has not been claimed.  For more information, visit illinoislottery.com.