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* Press release…
As Gov. JB Pritzker takes the helm in Illinois, horsemen throughout the state, are urging his administration to include horse racing and its enormous contribution to the agribusiness industry when they explore new avenues to expand gaming.
“With more than $1 billion in contributions to the agribusiness economy of our state, horse racing must be included in any conversations about gaming,” said Tony Somone, Executive Director of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association (IHHA). “Ours is the only segment of the gaming industry that has significant room to grow and provide real and sustainable jobs in agriculture.”
Former Governor Jim Edgar who is a part of Governor Pritzker’s transition team is aware of the economic impact that horse racing can have in Illinois having raced his own horses for many years. “Horse racing and the thousands of jobs it creates remains an important part of the agricultural economy of our state,” former Governor Edgar said. “Ensuring its viability in the overall gaming environment is in the best interests of the state of Illinois.”
Studies show that every race horse employs as many as ten workers across Illinois. From grooms and trainers to breeding farms, grain dealers, veterinarians, track officials and many more, horse racing is a solid job creator that has been badly neglected in Illinois in recent years.
“It is true that horse racing is struggling in Illinois because of casinos, but we know that with additional gaming assistance, other states have seen their horse racing industry rebound to previous heights of employment and business,” said Marty Engel, President of the IHHA. “We earnestly hope that Gov. Pritzker sees fit to include horse racing in any gaming legislation that emerges in the months ahead. We are one segment of gaming that will more than pay its way through the creation of new and sustainable jobs throughout our economy.”
In the last decade, legislation in Illinois has allowed the development of slot machines at taverns and the construction and opening of the 10th casino in Des Plaines. Illinois horsemen have survived despite all of those changes but not without losing thousands of good agribusiness jobs to places like Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and virtually every other horse racing state that has actively worked to grow the sport.
Engel added, “Make no mistake; horsemen will come back to Illinois to race if the prizes or purses are competitive with other states. And they will bring jobs with them. We have seen it happen throughout the country in states that have boosted their purses with money from slot machines. Those states now offer purses much larger than Illinois and their horse racing industries are booming as a result, adding tens of thousands of jobs.”
Historically, the tracks can’t agree with each other and the horsemen (they really need to think about changing that moniker, by the way) haven’t found a way to agree with the tracks. I mean, why they weren’t able to get video gaming terminals when everyone and his brother got one ten years ago still boggles my mind. Truck stops got them, but not the tracks? Ridic.
The last governor to pass a comprehensive gaming bill was George Ryan, who knocked some heads together when sweeteners weren’t enough. I’ve written this so many times in the past that I could probably write it in my sleep, but everybody at the top has to be pulling together as one to complete a gaming deal. We haven’t had a governor with the capacity to lead on something like this since Ryan left office. If you’re anti-gaming, that’s a good thing, I suppose. I prefer progress.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 3:39 pm
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Rich, the Wolves Gaming, is more like geeky kids playing fortnight
not that there is anything wrong with that 
Comment by Someone you should know Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 3:44 pm
===more like geeky kids playing fortnight ===
Yeah, I get it now. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 3:45 pm
Illinois has three remaining tracks in the entire state (Arlington, Fairmont and Hawthorne). The racing industry has really suffered for a long time. Most of the horses running here are usually second rate since the top owners are opting to race elsewhere unless there are special racing events with bigger purses for the winners. On those dates, highly rated horses are shipped in and quickly sent to the trailers after copping the prize money. On any normal day, Hawthorne is using only a fraction of its building space because the crowds are not large enough to warrant opening the top floors.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 3:55 pm
The reason the tracks didn’t get slots is because of Madigan. He hates Duchossois. It goes back a long way and continues to this day: https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/26/catching-up-with-the-lipinski-newman-primary/
Comment by Occam Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:04 pm
horsepeople is much better
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:05 pm
===horsepeople is much better===
“Persons of Equestrianism”?
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:16 pm
horsehumans
Comment by anon Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:20 pm
I hope JB gets it done, the tracks need gaming desperately.
Comment by Pyrman Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:21 pm
It’s no wonder nothing gets done.
The problem with “horsemen” is all they can say is “neigh.”
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:26 pm
For a dude who never drank or smoked, Edgar sure loves those ponies. Definitely not the typical railbird you see at the tracks.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:47 pm
While they may not be as big as Arlington’s, there are way more than three tracks left in the state. Even tiny Clark County has two, and they used to be packed during race weeks until the state support for prize money was eliminated.
Comment by Still Waiting Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 5:04 pm
I went to Arlington last year for an event and was surprised by the limited fields for each race. Racing in Illinois is in trouble, and given that the facilities already exist, it would be beneficial for all those working in this business if gaming expansion were considered as a possible solution.
It isn’t a positive for me that Edgar is involved. A little too self serving.
Comment by SSL Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 5:22 pm
@wordslinger:
Edgar not only plays the horses, but owns several.
One of his horses that raced in Illinois was named “Shadrach Bond” after the first Governor of the newly admitted State of Illinois.
Comment by Two Dollar Bettor Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 5:57 pm
“…that every racehorse employs as many as ten workers across Illinois.” How exactly do they sign the workers’ paychecks with their hooves?
Comment by striketoo Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 6:17 pm
Jim Edgar’s horses had very few starts this past year at Arlington or Hawthorne. Most of his horses ran at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino. They have much larger purses there than back here in Illinois.
Comment by Occam Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 6:33 pm
My Dear Good Man, I find myself in some small measure of disagreement with the idea that this, the expansion of gaming as such, represents any reasonable measure, though certainly good and wise individuals could disagree, of “progress”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/legalized-video-gambling-illinois-bad-bet-poker-slot-gaming-machines-propublica-wbez/
Comment by ad absurdum Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 6:33 pm
Unlike casino profits, horse and harness racing purses trickle down to thousands of ordinary working people with limited employment opportunities.
Comment by James Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 8:06 pm
Rich, you’ve had pics up of your 4-H showman days. Given where you’re trying to drive “horsemen”, should one assume that at some point back then you had a Grand Champion critter?
(I grew up on a farm. Am I the only one who sees what Rich is trying to do, or am I just the only one to comment on it?)
And to the commenter who suggested “horsepeople”, have you seen the movie, “Sorry to bother you”? You might find the last 1/2 hour or so… interesting…
(Definitely a good movie. Saw it after Christmas with a group of friends.)
Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 9:25 pm
Jim Egnar has never did anything for horseracing that didn’t benefit him. If he is involved it is a sure thing he will have his hand in the pot. Jim Egnar is one of the reasons for the failing horseracing.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 18, 19 @ 8:00 am