Hawthorne Racecourse, once a bustling hub for horse racing in the Chicago area, has seen a dramatic decline over the past two decades. Once hosting large fields and prestigious events like the Illinois Derby, the track now operates only twice a week with minimal horses and diminished facilities, reflecting the broader downturn in Illinois horse racing. This decline is largely attributed to the erosion of horse racing’s gambling monopoly by lotteries, riverboat casinos, and sports betting, while neighboring states have sustained their racing industries by integrating casinos (racinos) that boost purses and attract participants.

Despite Illinois legislation permitting racinos at racetracks, Hawthorne has struggled to secure financing for a $400 million casino project that could revitalize the track and industry. The failure to develop a racino has led to shrinking purses, fewer horses, and a near-collapse of the local breeding industry, pushing trainers and owners to race out of state. Advocates argue that without casino revenue, horse racing in Chicago faces extinction within a year, while animal rights groups contend that the sport’s decline reflects growing public concern over animal welfare and question whether it should be artificially sustained at all.