A Palatine man who bought his Powerball ticket at Lamplighter Inn is $1 million richer.

Well, make that half of those winnings [less taxes], because he reportedly split the prize with one of his friends, according to Kathy LaDore, a 10-year manager/bartender at Lamplighters who knows the winner. 

The winner, whose name has not been released, went to the 7-Eleven on Quentin and Palatine Roads to check if his ticket was a winner. LaDore said the clerk there initially told him he won $10,000 - before realizing it was actually a $1 million prize winning ticket. 

LaDore said it couldn't have gone to a nicer person. 

"The best thing about it is I heard him say he planned on paying off his children's student loans," LaDore said. "The winner and his wife are the classiest, nicest people, we're lucky to have them as customers here."

Lamplighters started selling Illinois Lottery and scratch off tickets within the last six months, according to LaDore.

Apparently, it's a lucky place to buy a ticket. A $10,000 winning scratch off ticket was sold there just a few months ago, LaDore said. 

The Palatine connection to lottery winnings over the last couple of months has been rather strong.

In early October, a Palatine couple accepted a $3.75 million check after purchasing the winning quick pick ticket at Meijer in Rolling Meadows. 

And in late September, a Cary couple won $3.25 million from a lottery ticket purchased at Mr. A's Liquor World in Palatine. 

Since the only number the Palatine winner didn't get was the Powerball itself, the prize will rollover and the winning ticket would be worth $90 million.  

The Powerball drawing will be held Wednesday, October 24.