In Illinois, horse racing advocates are rallying to rejuvenate the struggling industry and its associated betting activities. As the legislative session nears its end, city officials from Decatur, alongside advocates, are supporting Senator Patrick Joyce’s initiative to pass a bill aimed at reviving a long-stalled “racino” in the south suburbs and facilitating the establishment of a new racetrack and gaming facility in Decatur.

Senate Bill 1473, introduced by Joyce, seeks to amend a 2019 law that currently allows Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney to veto the development of other racecourses within a 35-mile radius. This legislative change is seen as crucial for fostering competition and revitalizing the horse racing landscape in Illinois.

The push for this bill reflects a broader effort to address the decline in horse racing and betting in the state, with advocates emphasizing the potential economic benefits and job creation that could result from new racing and gaming facilities.