Governor buys lottery ticket for $310M jackpot

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says if he wins the $310 million Powerball jackpot this weekend, he'll still keep his job.

The Democrat purchased a $2 ticket Thursday for the Illinois Lottery game.

The drawing is Saturday evening and lottery officials say it's one of the largest Powerball jackpots ever.

When asked if he'd use the winnings to help pay down the state's massive backlog of unpaid bills, Quinn said he's got to pay down some of his own bills, but there would be money left over.

The Illinois Lottery was founded in 1974. Proceeds contribute to school and capital projects funds.