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Pete Kendrick only buys a state lottery ticket if he gets the right change when buying gas.

But the record-breaking $1.5 billion Powerball prize convinced the Freeport resident to purchase a Powerball ticket today.

“Everyone’s buying one and talking about it,” he said, pushing some groceries and carrying his ticket while leaving the Cub Foods grocery store. “You’re crazy for getting one because the odds are worse than anything in the world.”

Yep, the odds are horrible. From Rep. Ron Sandack’s Facebook page…

The $1B plus Powerball prize is all the rage now. The odds of winning are 1 in 175M, roughly. So, I started looking at “equalizing” odds. 1) “Thus, if you drive to the store to buy your Powerball ticket, your chance of being killed (or killing someone else) is about 10 times greater than the chance that you will win the Powerball Jackpot.” 2) “Alternately, if you “played” Russian Roulette 100 times per day every day for 79 years with Powerball Jackpot odds, you would have better than a 99% chance of surviving.”

And even after reading that, I still bought ten tickets Monday night.

* The Question: Have you purchased a Powerball ticket? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

survey software

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:48 pm

Comments

someone has to eventually win, whatever the odds. Might as well be me!

Comment by Capitol View Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:49 pm
With all due respect to my friend Rep. Sandack, the odds are approximately 1 in 292 million.

They also expect about 80% of the potential combinations to be played which means that there is a 1 in 5 chance that it rolls over again.

Comment by Hon. John Fritchey Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:51 pm
Hope spring eternal. And as the saying goes, you can’t win if you are not in.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:51 pm
Actually, the odds are 1 in 292 million. They revamped the game to make it harder to win — and to produce billion-dollar jackpots. Mission accomplished!

And I look at it this way: I can put down $2 and have a very slight chance to win more than a billion dollars, or I can put down zero dollars and have no chance at all. I’ll take $2 worth, please.

Comment by South of Sherman Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Yeah, so I lose a buck. But you can’t shoot yourself in Russian Roulette if you don’t pull the trigger. Um…well…maybe that’s not the best analogy…

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:54 pm
The odds are 1 in 292 million.

So what, 3 bucks allows you to participate in the conversation about how you could do rich better than anyone else.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:54 pm
Capitol View said my response. Went in with 8 co-workers at $10 per.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:54 pm
We have found that listenin’ to SlickHead Sandy Advice is the pivot point for doin’ the opposite. Stocked up earlier in the week.
Maybe SlickHead should focus on his delegate race (TeeHee)

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Hey, it’s fun to dream a little. If you’re actually spending it before you get it, that’s a problem. But a little dreaming never hurt anyone.

Of course, statistically speaking, your odds of winning are nearly identical if you buy a ticket versus not buying one.

Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Yeah, I’ve bought one for the last two drawings and one for the upcoming. It is a fun little game that allows you to fantasize about what you would do if you won the big prize, versus the hellacious reality of everything coming apart because of money. And even that is fun to fantasize about….

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Yes, I bought tickets. While I fully realize that I have essentially zero chance of winning…it did provide a spirited and enjoyable dinner table discussion with my wife and kids about ‘what we would do if we won’.

I learned that I would be doing A LOT of travel, all over the world, in some very expensive cars. And my daughters would be going shopping with my wife. Daily.

For the conversation and laughs, I gladly paid $20.

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:56 pm
Yes I did.

“Why?”

To leverage a ILGOP “buyout”

I’ll walk my D-1 over to the state board of elections.

I’ll let my A-1 and my first D-2 speak to the rest…

Lots of golf and Cannoli, maybe finally get Tom Cross out for a quick 9 holes at Fox Bend…

Rich, you get my first, and probably, only interview, until State Fair, lol.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:57 pm
yep got one and only one. Didn’t know how you do it so the lady just printed a random one. Lots of 30s in my winning numbers

Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:57 pm
I bought my tickets online. Do the folks waiting in the mile-long lines realize that’s an option? Takes about 2 minutes.

Comment by jobs Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Yeah. Let’s me daydream “What would I do with Rauner’s money?”

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:59 pm
Yes, it’s $2. Simple as that.

–“Alternately, if you “played” Russian Roulette 100 times per day every day for 79 years with Powerball Jackpot odds, you would have better than a 99% chance of surviving.”–

The House might not be in session, but the bong apparently is.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 1:59 pm
Yes. It’s not the odds of either thing happening, is the possible results.
a- I’m out three bucks.
b- I’m temporarily a billionaire until the taxman takes half and still leaves me with hundreds of millions.

Comment by mcb Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:01 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m coming up with a completely different number on the Russian Roulette claim.

There’s roughly a 1 in 297 million chance of surviving just 107 “games” of Russian Roulette (assuming it’s a six shooter). Those odds equal hitting the jackpot.

Comment by illini97 Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:01 pm
Years ago, I had a work-related, all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas. I lost 35 cents in a nickel slot machine, hitting my ceiling for risk tolerance, and that was the extent of my gambling career. My husband, on the other hand, bought five Powerball tickets last week and another five this week. I answered “yes” to your survey question, because I’ll gladly help him manage the winnings should he win. We normally don’t buy tickets. We rationally understand the probability, but it’s just hard to ignore all the buzz.

Comment by Dome Gnome Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:04 pm
Can’t win if you don’t play

Comment by L.A. Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:04 pm
Sandack, as usual, is wrong. He’s wrong about the odds.

Sandack needs to calm down and work to get stuff right — and not freak tweet. Or freak Facebook.

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:04 pm
I bought 6 or 7 of them before the Wed drawing and then tried to imagine how I could use the dough to make more…it was pretty insane but fun. I think I am over it now.

Comment by Belle Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:05 pm
For $2 I get to spend the rest of the day dreaming about what I’d do with that kind of cash. It’s cheaper than a latte.

As long as the odds are, the fact is, somebody is going to win it eventually. Why not me?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:06 pm
Bought a couple of them, and I had my has been by a couple of them in a different location. And if I win I’m going to take $25 million, form my own PAC, and issue a press release supporting unions and progressive Democrats. And then I think I’m going to call Mike Madigan and ask him to come in and have a talk.

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:10 pm
If you do win, some good advice on “On Point” today

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2016/01/13/lottery-powerball-odds-billion-dollar-winning

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:10 pm
Where else can you buy so many dreams for $2?

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:11 pm
I surprised myself and thought how much good could be done with it……lots of homework to put most of it toward something that would have a meaningful change for good for thousands of people. I don’t need or want more than a million $

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:12 pm
I hate Autocorrect. My husband is not my has been.

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:12 pm
The Responsible Budget Coalition purchased a power ball ticket, and if we win, we will be turning the money over the comptroller to put into GRF to reduce the revenue hole for this fiscal year. Of course, she won’t be able to actually pay anyone with it because there’s no budget.

Baby steps.

Comment by Emily Miller Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:12 pm
Your chances of winning are the same whether or not you play.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:13 pm
I’m an expert on wasting money. At least my $10 has some remote chance of a return, unlike my usual endeavors

Comment by oldman Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:13 pm
Had a winning $2 ticket from a Christmas gift. Decided to “reinvest” it.

Figured if I won, I could either (a) buy myself a state and have the taxpayers then buy me a CapFax subscription or (b) decide I no longer cared about Illinois politics and after making sure the family had some trust funds, just buy the collector cars I don’t have the money for.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:15 pm
I’ll also try to buy CLTV…

Why not?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:16 pm
Want to join the $100,000 wine club.

Comment by Anotherretiree Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:19 pm
My kid bought a few. He hopes the net winnings will pay off part of his student loan debt.

Comment by My New Handle Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:22 pm
Yes.

I will hire an IG to investigate Austin and Burke with my $, since they are apparently so afraid of anyone looking into their activities.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:22 pm
I hit the powerball last Saturday, well the powerball number anyway-four Bucks said the lady Mon morning. Let it roll I said, I feel lucky.

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:24 pm
Not me. I’m afraid I wouldn’t get paid, even if I did win.

It’s happened before…

Comment by Sucker Born Every Minute Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:26 pm
My office is doing a pool. If I didn’t join-in they will likely win and I would be left with nothing.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:27 pm
When I translate Sandack’s guppie-speak, that paragraph means he did indeed buy a ticket.

I did. Two sets of “family numbers.” Three quick picks.

I loved the movie “The Adjustment Bureau,” from 2011 with Matt Damon. There just might be some intersections between Predestination and Free Will. A Powerball ticket is one of those.

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:28 pm
My wife bought a few tickets. I fully plan on buying a minor league baseball team if we win. First promotion of the season will be drunken bat races sponsored by Obed & Isaac’s.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Waste of money. I don’t play the lottery anyway. It’s a tax on those least able to afford it. However, why people chose to play when the odds are their absolute worst is beyond me. How many people could be helped if all those $2 increments were given to a worthy cause. Sad that “get rich quick” fantasy causes all sense to be pushed aside.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Heck yes I’m playing. And if I win, betting it all on red

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:30 pm
Never played before this pot. Will probably never play again. Fun to dream. I spend more on other vices. $10 isn’t going to break the bank for me.

Comment by Humboldt.Man. Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:30 pm
Yes, we’ve bought tickets for the last two drawings and for tonight’s as well. Last week, we won the grand sum of $12 (but spent more than that on tickets), and this past Saturday we won nothing. For tonight - at this moment - we have 11 tickets but maybe my husband will buy some more on his way home.

Comment by Christopher Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:32 pm
No, because I’m a cranky conservative who hates to waste money–and this isn’t one of my vices. A good steak, on the other hand…

Comment by Liandro Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Yes.

I play when pots get large enough to make news, because $2 is less than a trip to Starbucks so why not? I don’t play the lottery at other times.

Comment by ChicagoVinny Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:33 pm
@ Anon 2:28PM

You must be a blast at parties. I suppose as a child you only wished for socks and undies, ‘because they are practical” rather than dream about a new toy as well?

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:34 pm
==My office is doing a pool. If I didn’t join-in they will likely win and I would be left with nothing.==

I’ve always thought office pools were a bad idea. Too much money relying on too much trust in your office mates.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:34 pm
“Dad’s Home State” will be green lit for the foreseeable future…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:36 pm
I want to finally have the money to join the mass exodus of people leaving the state every day according to the Illinois Policy Institute. Yes! I will finally be able to live in Indiana! Or (insert girlish squeal here)Iowa!

Comment by A Parent Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:38 pm
While I’ll probably play Powerball, Ron Sandack has already made me feel like the biggest winner of all: https://twitter.com/MisterJayEm/status/687371169645891584

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:39 pm
Yes, we’ve bought two tickets. If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t be able to fully participate in these marvelous “what if” conversations in an atmosphere that feels almost festive. It’s a communal activity and kind of reminiscent of a time when everybody you knew was reading the same newspapers and watching all the same TV programs.

Comment by yinn Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:41 pm
I would use my winnings to finish the Red Line, and name it the Oscar Line, and Chicagoans would forever be able to bring their dogs onto the CTA.

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:42 pm
If I win the big one tonight, I’m going to buy Ron Sandack from Bruce Rauner. But I’m not gonna race him. I’m gonna put him out to stud.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Yes, You can win if you don’t play!!! I think the idea that you have a shot (although very slim) is lure enough. It gives you a way to dream about becoming a Billionare.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:43 pm
===But I’m not gonna race him. I’m gonna put him out to stud.===

You win…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:44 pm
For what it costs to go to the movie with my family, I can spent hours thinking about all the things I’d do with the money.

- House for each kid
- Payoff education loans - alright, not that glamorous - but a hope none the less
- Donate to Sandack opponent
- Really cool wheelchair accessible RV
- Travel through Europe, including cruise(s) through my Scandinavian homelands - Norway and Sweden
- Create a research center on politics and governing hopefully affiliated with NIU, DeKalb and Springfield offices hopefully with Willy’s participation
- Car tricked out with all the techie bells and whistles
- Have all the cool home upgrades from DIY channel
- Aquarium featured in Tanked
- Luxurious pool done by pool masters
- Fund Willy’s campaign for Gov against Rauner.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:45 pm
I look at it this way, while it’s unlikely that I will win, my $2 is very likely to go to someone who will have a lot of fun with the money. $2 is a little bit to pay for someone to get the opportunity to try to blow over a billion dollars.

Comment by CD Sorensen Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:46 pm
===- Fund Willy’s campaign for Gov against Rauner.===

Bud, you realize if “I” win as well, you’re on my “Call List”, right?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:48 pm
powerball ticket costs $2, with a 1/175M chance of winning $1.5B my theoretical payout is over $8. well worth the ticket.

Comment by Downstate Mom Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:48 pm
Statistically, my expected value is close to 0.

But since I brought lunch to work today, I figure I could use the money I’d normally spend anyway on something fun.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:50 pm
“powerball ticket costs $2, with a 1/175M chance of winning $1.5B my theoretical payout is over $8. well worth the ticket.”

Only true for a single winner. Multiple winners quickly drive the theoretical payout below the two dollar entry cost.

(That said, I’m still going out into subfreezing weather to get my ticket.)

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:55 pm
-illini97-
Sandack is using a gun holding 292,201,338 bullets.

Comment by CapnCrunch Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:57 pm
I went to Iowa and bought some tickets. Heck, match the five numbers without the PowerBall, and it’s a million dollars. Four numbers and the Powerball is $50,000. I’d be pretty excited if I matched four numbers it three numbers and the Powerball - that’s a quick $100 bill.

The jackpot? Fun to dream, but my wife and I are already arguing over immediate payout vs. 30 year payout!

Comment by RIJ (formerly PolPal56) Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 2:59 pm
You can’t win if you don’t play. In any event a coupla bucks buys a lot of dreams….short term dreams, but hey, its a pleasant, day-dreaming distraction.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:00 pm
Bought in to the pool that my employee’s put together. Didn’t want to see them all quit on me if they won so I figured I would join them. Even agreed to pay double whatever they pitch in and split any winnings equally. It’s been entertaining to hear what some of them would do if they win!

Comment by Anon2U Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:01 pm
===- Create a research center on politics and governing hopefully affiliated with NIU, DeKalb and Springfield offices hopefully with Willy’s participation===

If I wasn’t asked to participate, I’d be there trying to learn something.

Buy the “Corleone” homestead in NYC.

It was recently sold, but I’d make an offer they couldn’t refuse…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Yea, $2 is worth the thought exercises and daydreaming.

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:03 pm
***My office is doing a pool. If I didn’t join-in they will likely win and I would be left with nothing.***

This is my fear as well. Having had some training in statistics, I recognize that lotteries are a tax on people who are bad at math. Nonetheless, I enjoy the fantasy that spending the two bucks brings me.

Comment by Slick Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:04 pm
MrJM @ 2:39-

Looks like you’ve been “Powerballed”!

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:04 pm
I bought one. It’s my personal turnaround agenda. Odds are about the same as that other one.

Comment by Little Rico Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:05 pm
OW- Don’t forget the merchandise for “Dad’s Home State”! I still want a Goldberged T-Shirt:)

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:05 pm
OW if you win, I’d expect the daily rate for walk-on participants to double.

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:11 pm
If I win I’ll have enough to buy the Governor’s Office from Bruce.

Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Of course I did.

I don’t watch the numbers being drawn and I don’t check my numbers before going to bed. How many times can we you to sleep with something positive on our minds instead of the usual variety of worries that each of us has? This way, I can lull myself to sleep dreaming of being a gazzilionaire. When I wake up in the morning to the inevitable disappointment, I’ll have a whole day to forget about it!

Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:12 pm
I spent $4 on two chances. I only play when the number is obscenely large. For some reason, it is not worth the $2 or $4 “investment” for a paltry $20M.
It might be fun to buy a small island or something.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:12 pm
I heard the odds were 1 : 292 million. That is close to Zero. So folks buying 10 tickets really have nearly 10 X Almost Zero = almost zero.
But I bought one for me and one for my wife anyway. It is one of the things dreams are made of. I have no idea how to manage millions of dollars if I win and I am sure I will have to hire lots of people to help me.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:13 pm
- Anon221 -

Count on the full “Goldberg” catalog sent to you. The merchandising is the gravy…

- How Ironic -

Lots of walk-on roles, a reoccurring walk-on for ya, that work?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Back in the early 1980’s when the Lotto was very new, roll overs to get to a mere $ 2 million were rare.
A press assistant to then Gov. Jim Thompson won and the press coverage was wild for a time but generally fair.
I wonder what it would look like if Gov. Rauner played and won?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:16 pm
I bought one. It was a good entertainment value for $2.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:20 pm
OW- Thanks;)

Anonymous @ 3:16- could we withhold his payment until he promised to resign???

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:21 pm
Just got mine. If memory serves, the last time I bought a lottery ticket was in 1978.

Comment by Keyser Soze Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:30 pm
A bunch of us from work contributed $2 each. We have $284 worth of Powerball tickets. Our high school would have to close down if we won the big one, as we all have big plans. One can dream..

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Nope. I’ve got enough vices. Don’t think I should add another.

Comment by Jay Dee Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:41 pm
You may not have thought about it in these terms but, assuming you win and are still working, one of the most fun things to do would be to just go into work and do WHATEVER you have always wanted to do but didn’t because you needed to keep your job.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:42 pm
Mr/Ms OW & 47th Ward”
But I’m not gonna race him. I’m gonna put him out to stud.===”
As what snappin’ turtle?
Just hacked Goldberg SS# unsin’ the number jumble for final picks…. don’t forget to toss in the third $1 for the bonus payout

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:45 pm
Yes, because I am going to win!!

Comment by TiredOfIt Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:51 pm
- Annonin’ -

I think my, possibly “kraut-mick”, friend - 47th Ward - would consider your offer.

I’d like to split that ticket with ya, just email those numbers to me. The Internet is safe for that info…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:57 pm
I said yes - why not? The costs is the same as buying bottled water. Someone, somewhere will hit all the right numbers & win it! if I play, I have a chance (however slight) to win. If I don’t play, I have zero chances to win. I plan to win it!

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 3:58 pm
Yeah, I did. What the heck, I spent less on the tickets than I do on dinner out. And it’s got entertainment value if nothing else.

If I won? I’d share with my sibs, one of whom has no pension, has always held mostly freelance jobs, and pretty much lives paycheck to paycheck. I worry, and it would be nice to be in a position to help.

My charitable giving would increase exponentially; I might even set up a foundation to do that.

I’d do a lot more traveling, and it would be in first class, not coach. I’d move to an apartment that 1) has room for enough bookcases so I could get the piles off my floor, and 2) has a doorman to ward off the folks with their hands out.

Of course, the FIRST thing I’d do would be to consult with a tax lawyer and my financial advisor!

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:01 pm
===The odds of winning are 1 in 175M, roughly===

The odds of winning are actually slightly less than 1 in 292 million.

Comment by Hit or Miss Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Rich, if you win, please promise you will keep Capital Fax up and running…

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:03 pm
I rarely play. 5 times over 20 years…maybe.
But…when it gets this big, people talk about it everywhere. They ask “what would you do..?” If you haven’t bought a ticket, you’ve surrendered your right to either dream or talk about it.
If I win, I’ll cover the subscriptions of everyone here I’ve been arguing with for years. That’s 90% of you. Even Sling.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:12 pm
Maybe the state should buy a ticket to help balance the budget.

Comment by Angry Republican Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:15 pm
I bought 5 tix last night because the hubbub over this jackpot has allowed me to learn that my odds of dating a supermodel are better than winning the Powerball jackpot. Since I know I have a chance at the jackpot because I bought a ticket, I’m now just waiting for the doorbell to ring. Hey, I’d even settle for an “older” model like Christie Brinkley!

Comment by BigDoggie Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:16 pm
==Maybe the state should buy a ticket to help balance the budget.==

It’s just a drop in the bucket. How’s that for comparing $2 to $1.5 billion, as $1.5 billion is to the Illinois deficit, pension burden and unpaid bills backlog?

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:19 pm
Spent $4 on tickets. Why not? Risk vs. reward.

If I won I could…..

Start my own national investigative news service focusing solely on politicians.

That would be fun.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:27 pm
@ - Angry Republican - Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:15 pm:

Maybe the state should buy a ticket to help balance the budget.

Remember the Lottery is the same as the House in a casino. It rakes off about 50% of the gross with no risk…. Casinos know that gambling is risky and not good business. Running a business where other gamble is good business.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:32 pm
Heck yes, I’m in. The local exotic car dealer would see a nice uptick in business if I hit it, as would NetJets to get me outta the Patch to somewhere warm to find a second home. I’ll be back to drop off RNUG a nice example of his favorite classic brand and to put up some dough to reinvigorate the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership. Oh, and co-chair of OW’s 2018 Gubernatorial Finance Committee.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:43 pm
AA, I’d hope that Willy would like you to be the Lt Gov candidate.

Perhaps we could work on a Joint NIU/UIS center - if I win. UIS/NIU center if you win?

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:56 pm
Yes. I figure it’s a rent-a-fantasy. Cheap thrills for a couple of hours and costs less than a movie.

Comment by Another prof Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 4:58 pm
We’re all winners until we’re not, right?

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:12 pm
- Norseman -, I wouldn’t have it any other way, - AA - is the choice.

I also like the joint NIU/UIS Center premise…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:13 pm
Still better odds than Sandack being House Speaker.

I buy lottery tickets for the same reason Sandack shows up to session. Bruce Rauner told me to.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:30 pm
Norseman, deal! Willy, all the way with ya, man.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 5:36 pm
Sure. Why not. Just headin’ out now to buy two. Only GOD knows who’ll win anyway, so maybe it’s my wife’s and my time, and if not, oh well…some blessed Soul or Souls out there is gonna end up mighty happy, which should bring a smile to all of our faces, AND, as the old sayin’ goes when it comes to the Lottery, “Ya can’t win it if you’re not IN it!”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 7:48 pm
Working this week way out in Seattle, and Washington is part of the Power Ball; I donated $6 to the cause. If I were to somehow win, I may buy some sunshine for these people, so rainy and dreary here. After that I may buy myself a political office just for fun to really shake things up in a fun way instead of what we have now.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 7:56 pm
-AA-,

Given the choice, I’d probably take the car I couldn’t afford to insure in high school. 1970 Cougar Eliminator, rare Boss 302 / toploader 4 speed combo, preferably in green. Since that model and engine combination was only available in 1969 / 1970 and only a few hundred examples built each year, they don’t come up for sale very often.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 9:12 pm
The lottery is the best example of the free market at work. My right to spend the money I earn regardless of the socially determined “value” of the return, and another’s right to mind his own business about it, form a perfect bond.

Comment by Harvest76 Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 9:23 pm
Does anyone know why they advertise a “1.5 Billion Jackpot” and in the next breath say the winner gets a lump sum payment of $900-something Million BEFORE taxes. Where’s the other 5 or 6 Billion???

Comment by Behind the Scenes Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 9:34 pm
Spend more time on Craigslist.

Comment by Blago's Hare Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 9:46 pm
-Behind the Scenes-,

The advertised amount is the total over the 30 year payout period. It is discounted to its’ present value when you take a lump sum up front.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 9:54 pm
I bought one ticket. Hopefully I am old enough it doesn’t ruin my life if I should win.

Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 10:41 pm
Darn. See the big winner is in CA.

If I understand the payout rules, think I got $8 for my $12 “investment”.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 13, 16 @ 11:08 pm
I didn’t buy a ticket for the big jackpot and have never played the lottery. But, now that the hype is over, I think I’m going to throw in $2 for self-taxation.

Comment by Toothpicks and Ice Cream Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 2:07 am
Now this morning they are reporting at least 3 grand prize winners …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 8:09 am