Lawmakers Push for New Racetrack and Racing in Decatur

SPRINGFIELD, As the time to make laws in Decatur is almost done, those in charge in Illinois are looking at a plan meant to help the Illinois horse racing industry, which has been doing poorly. Senate Bill 1473 is at the heart of this try, pushed by Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex. The bill would allow a new racetrack and playing venue to move forward in Decatur while adjusting provisions in a 2019 law that have stalled similar developments elsewhere.

The legislation would remove a clause in current law that gives Hawthorne Race Course, located in suburban Stickney, the authority to block any new racetrack or racing casino project within 35 miles. Hawthorne was granted the right to build a racetrack in 2019 but has yet to begin construction, citing financial difficulties. The new bill would eliminate their exclusive control and create a path for a privately funded casino project to move forward elsewhere.

The plan for Decatur features a race track with seats for fans, a place to train, hotels, places to eat, and a casino. Those in favor say this plan could bring many job chances and good money effects for a long time to the middle part of Illinois. Sen. Joyce emphasized the broader workforce involved in the industry. “The number of people who care for horses, train them, and provide related services is significant,” he said during a committee hearing.

Nicole Bateman, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County, supports the bill and views the casino project as a way to draw more business and economic activity to the region. She noted that local leadership is ready to support the development of this size.

Despite support from various economic groups, the bill has drawn opposition from small businesses in Decatur. Many of these businesses rely heavily on revenue from video playing machines and fear that a large race could reduce their customer base. Nearly 300 witness slips opposing the bill were filed, with many opponents raising concerns about oversaturation in the playing market. In contrast, nearly 1,000 witness slips were submitted in favor of the legislation.

Rep. Brad Stephens, R-Rosemont, questioned whether expanding racing could harm other parts of the state’s gaming industry. “Are we just cannibalizing one industry for another?” he asked during discussions.

Some industry advocates, including Jeff Davis of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, disagree with that assessment. Davis pointed out that different types of gaming appeal to different people and argued that a racing venue would not necessarily affect existing video playing venues in Decatur.

Senate President Don Harmon, from Oak Park, showed his upset feelings in the meeting about no movement forward at Hawthorne Race Course. After several years of delays and no construction, Harmon questioned the long wait. “How long do we give you? Ten, twenty, thirty years?” he asked a Hawthorne representative before voting in support of moving the bill forward.

Governor JB Pritzker has not yet taken a formal stance on the bill. While he said he supports growth opportunities in smaller communities, he has not committed to this specific proposal.

Even with this legislative effort, the future of Illinois horse racing remains uncertain. The industry sees fewer people and more questions about how they treat animals. Kathy Guillermo, a top boss at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said that fewer people come because they don’t like shows where animals get hurt or die. “The American public has decided that it no longer wishes to support entertainment in which animals die,” Guillermo said.

Other states are also reconsidering how Illinois’ horse racing and gaming are tied together. Legislatures in New York and Florida have discussed separating the two, though no changes have been finalized. In Illinois, the current approach links casino revenue to racetracks as a way to attract investment and maintain operations.

With only days left in the session, lawmakers must decide whether to move ahead with the proposed changes. Sen. Joyce remains hopeful that his bill will be approved, saying it represents an opportunity to support a sector that once held a much stronger position in the state’s economy.