Southeast Side to see more jobs

By Kevin Lee
Illinois Statehouse News

The Ford assembly plant on the Southeast Side will see 1,200 new car manufacturing jobs this year. Ford wants a second shift of Chicago union workers to help construct new Ford Explorers. The automobile company also plans to invest $400 million in the manufacturing facilities.

Ford has selected Illinois for new investment partly as a result of a new tax credit. Lawmakers passed and Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law last year a tax credit for auto manufacturers.

Mark Fields with Ford Motor Company says the new jobs will be implemented this year.

Fields adds that the production of the new Explorers in Chicago is scheduled to begin by the end of this year.

Contact Kevin Lee at 217-528-9604. Illinois Statehouse News is a non-profit journalism organization committed to writing for the betterment of society.

More news about Ford's finances from CNBC.

Casablanca's Steak House closes

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Casablanca Steak House, 17344 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, became the latest restaurant casualty of the economy when it closed on Jan. 1.

The former Bogart's Charhouse was renamed Casablanca after it was reacquired by the Nolan family in February 2009.

A manager at Bogart's Charhouse, 18225 Dixie Highway in Homewood, said the Tinley location "just wasn't doing enough business to keep it open."

Bogart's in Homewood remains open for anyone wanting to try their luck at the Bogie Sirloin AKA "The Big One."

The corner at 173rd and Oak Park Avenue will also soon be losing My Bike of Tinley Park, which shared the building with Casablanca.

Owner Brian Poncin said he's moving four blocks south to 17747 Oak Park Ave. Poncin said it was time to move.

"We're paying three times the rent we should," Poncin said. "The landlord didn't want to work with us, so we decided to leave. I'll be paying half as much in rent and have 1,000 more square feet of space."

Poncin said he's working on renovating the new location, which used to be home to Rosemary's Garden, a flower shop that relocated to 171st Street.

"We're in limbo for the next couple of months," Poncin said. "We'll be going back and forth." He suggests customers call first to make sure someone is around.

Poncin said he's contemplating a name change, as well. "I may change the name to My Bike Tinley Schwinn. We sell a lot of Schwinns and it might make sense to incorporate that into our name."

For more information, call Poncin at 708-444-2453 or visit My Bike Tinley.

Mokena gets new Eggcetera

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Eggcetera Cafe, a popular breakfast and lunch restaurant at 19709 Mokena St. in Mokena, is branching out. A second location is expected to open by the end of the month next to El Cortez Mexican restaurant in the 10100 block of West 191st St. in Mokena.

The new location looks to be a lot bigger than the original restaurant, which is right next to the railroad tracks in downtown Mokena.

Eggcetera is well known for its friendly staff and good food.

Villa Rosa screams for ice cream
Villa Rosa Pizza has added an ice cream parlor at 7717 W. St. Francis Road in Frankfort Square.

Coming soon
A Mattress Zone outlet store is coming soon to 16010 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.

Closet closed
Magical Closet has closed its door at 12228 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights.

Catching up
Barb's Place, a restaurant that features fast food such as tacos and hot dogs, opened a few months ago at 5201 W. 167th St. in Oak Forest in the old Deputy Dog hot dog stand. The phone number is 708-321-1490. The eatery is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.