Jameson's Pub will open Thursday in Frankfort on St. Francis Road

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Jameson’s Pub will open its doors at 11 a.m. Thursday at its Frankfort location, 9545 St. Francis Road. The second location for the popular Joliet watering hole has been in the works for months. It will be in the former home of Fireplace Inn across from the Frankfort Home Depot.

Eggcetera opens second location
The popular breakfast and lunch spot, Eggcetera Café, opened its new location on 191st Street in Mokena on Monday. The new location will have the same menu as the original location in downtown Mokena.

Dunkin remodeling in Orland Park
Noticed the other night that the Dunkin' Donuts at 15609 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park was closed with giant trash bins out in front. Don’t fret doughnut lovers, the store is being remodeled and is scheduled to reopen in March. In the meantime, Dunkin stores are still open at 80th Avenue and 171st Street in Tinley Park (no drive-through), Harlem Avenue and 183rd in Tinley Park (a drive-through) and on 159th Street in Oak Forest (with a drive-through).

Coming soon
Signs proclaiming a new Burrito Loco is coming are up at the former Surma’s restaurant at 183rd Street and 80th Avenue in Tinley Park.

Signs are also up proclaiming a new Lindy’s Chili/Gertie’s Ice Cream parlor is coming this summer to the retail center next to the CVS at 167th Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park. There used to be a Lindy's/Gertie's in the Brementowne Mall at 159th Street and Oak Park Avenue.

Powerball now available in Illinois

By Kristi Eaton
Illinois Statehouse News

Illinois is again looking to the lottery to pump millions of dollars into the beleaguered state budget. Powerball is now available in Illinois. Starting today, you'll be able to purchase tickets for both Powerball and Mega Millions.

“Here in Illinois, we are estimating an additional $54 million annually in net proceeds from the sale of this game to benefit Illinois,” said acting Illinois Lottery superintendent Jodie Winnett in a statement. “Plus, retailers will have the potential for even more sales commissions.”

That potential is one reason Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, thinks the addition of Powerball is a good move for the state.

“Oftentimes people will buy their lottery tickets at a convenience store or a grocery store or a pharmacy, and better to have them do that in Illinois because, perhaps, they’ll purchase other things while there,” he said.

Although the money may bring in profit for stores, Lang said he doesn’t think it’ll solve the state’s budget problems.

“I don’t think it’s going to be incredibly lucrative,” Lang said. “That would be my guess. Some may disagree. But I do think it will be helpful.”

Anita Bedell says the state shouldn’t expect a windfall from power ball. She says history has shown the lottery is a bad gamble, for players and governments.

“It promises more than it delivers,” said Bedell, executive director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems. “When you’re talking about Powerball, the lottery will get even less money that they do from selling Illinois lottery tickets, so it’s a huge gamble for this state and promises more than it delivers.”

Bedell said the timing of powerball is interesting.

“Gov. Quinn, when he was the lieutenant governor, came out against a massive expansion of lottery by Gov. Blogojevich. He said he didn’t want an expansion.

Drawings for Powerball will be Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m., beginning Wed., Feb. 3, 2010, with a starting jackpot of $20 million.

Contact Kristi Easton at 217-960-1332. Illinois Statehouse News is a non-profit journalism organization committed to writing for the betterment of society.

You @#$*$, don't light up my life

Here's a fellow worthy of enshrinement in the Southland's "Hall of Shame."

Maybe Barry Galloway thought the guy in the truck behind him was "winking" at him. A flashing of headlights in the drive-thru lane of an Oak Lawn fast-food restaurant on 111th Street last week apparently enraged the manly Galloway, who decided he could not sit idly by for any "winking" or "blinking" or headlight shenanigans.

Cops say the 38-year-old Galloway got out of his car and threatened the driver behind him -- with a stick. The truck driver told police he turned his lights off because they are too bright and usually bother people in the drive-thru. Galloway, of Chicago, was charged with assault.