Former Dixon inmate wins millions in lottery drawing

CHICAGO – A former inmate of the Dixon Correctional Center is now a multimillionaire.

Jesus Davila Jr., of Naperville, who was paroled from the Dixon facility after serving 12 years for drug distribution, came forward Tuesday to claim the largest lottery prize in Illinois history.

The 70-year-old retired professional driver was presented with an oversized check for $265 million at the Illinois Lottery offices in downtown Chicago. The first line of numbers on Davila’s $5 Quick Pick ticket matched all six numbers to win the jackpot in the Jan. 16 Mega Millions drawing, lottery officials said.

Davila was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the U.S. when he was 6. He lived in Chicago until moving to Naperville 5 years ago. He has three sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.

He said he plans to share his windfall with his family, invest, and donate to his favorite charities.

“I would also like to buy a big house with a really big lawn, and buy a riding lawn mower,” he said.

Davila bought the winning ticket Jan. 16 at a Bucky’s Express convenience store in Glendale Heights. He consulted with family members and professional financial advisers before coming forward to claim his prize.

Davila opted to take a one-time payment. After taxes, he will receive $126.8 million. The store received a $500,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

The Chicago Tribune reported that in 1994 Davila was convicted of felony manufacturing and delivery of cocaine, according to court records, and served 12 years of a 25-year sentence.

Davila was admitted into Joliet and served in Stateville and Vienna before being paroled out of Dixon, said Nicole Wilson, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections .

Davila’s spokesman, Robert Kolt, confirmed the conviction, but told the Tribune that the Naperville resident is a good man who had no other run-ins with the law prior to or since that conviction.

“It was a long time ago; he paid his debt to society,” Kolt said. “He’s a good person and anyone can win the lottery.”