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Area man wins $1 million in Illinois Lottery

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[James Millis of Golconda has been playing the lottery for years and his diligence has finally paid off. Millis found out yesterday he won $1 million in the Illinois Lottery&#39;s Cash Spectacular scratch game.

He and his wife of 45 years, Paula, plan to make renovations on their 145 year-old home. First on the list of improvements - central air conditioning.

Millis, a retired truck driver, opted for a one-time payout of $600,000 instead of $1 million in 20 annual installments. He and his wife are looking forward to providing their two sons and five grandchildren with a special christmas this year with the windfall from the lottery.

Millis purchased his winning ticket at Golconda Gas N Go, which is owned by his nephew, Larry Millis.

"I'm his new favorite uncle," joked the winner.

The store will receive a $6,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Lottery officials traveled from Springfield yesterday to present Millis with a commemorative, oversized check.

"We launched the Cash Spectacular scratch game earlier this summer at the DuQuoin State Fair," said Acting Lottery Supt. Victor Golden. "It's exciting that the first of 25 new millionaires from this scratch game is from Southern Illinois. I know we'll see more Southern Illinois winners before all is said and done."