Amid Gloomy Forecast, Illinois Sets Dates
The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 27 approved a coordinated racing schedule for 2017 after hearing gloomy predictions about the industry's future absent an infusion of alternative revenue.
Illinois Racing Board
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Arlington, Hawthorne Reach Dates Agreement
The two remaining Chicago-area tracks, for the second straight year, have submitted coordinated dates requests for the coming year to the Illinois Racing Board.
IRB Passes Rules Amid Industry Turmoil
The Illinois Racing Board Jan. 26, over the objection of horsemen and breeders, advanced a request by the state's three remaining tracks for more flexibility in carding races.
IL Group Restates Opposition to Rule Changes
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Jan. 24 said proposed changes in state racing regulations, as well as another rule that allows racetracks to "recapture" purse money, "threaten to crush" horse racing.
IRB Member Pulls Slaughter Rule, Resigns
A proposal designed to prevent shipment of horses from racetracks to slaughter facilities stalled Nov. 17 at the Illinois Racing Board meeting as its sponsor withdrew the plan and abruptly resigned.
IRB Approves Racing Consolidation Plan
The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 29 voted to consolidate all 2016 Chicago-area racing at Arlington International Racecourse and Hawthorne Race Course, averting potential draconian cuts at both those tracks.
Beverly D. DQ Of Secret Gesture Upheld
The Illinois Racing Board upheld the stewards' decision to disqualify Secret Gesture in the 2015 Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT) from first to third place and also confirmed a $1,500 fine against her rider Jamie Spencer.
Byrne Seeks Safeguard for IL Horses, Workers
In an effort to provide a measure of protection for horses and racetrack workers in Illinois, an Illinois Racing Board commissioner wants to require tracks to consider their welfare in the event of track shutdowns.
Illinois Vote Could Impact Thoroughbred Dates
The Illinois Racing Board Aug. 27 granted Maywood Park permission to scrap the final three months of its harness season, a controversial decision with implications for the coming year's Thoroughbred dates.
Arlington, Hawthorne Mesh '16 Dates Schedules
Amid uncertainty about the future of Illinois racing, the state's two Chicago-area tracks July 31 submitted live racing dates requests for 2016 that fit together like puzzle pieces.
IRB Nixes Arlington Request to Trim Programs
The Illinois Racing Board June 23, amid warnings the state's racing industry is at "death's door," narrowly refused to let Arlington International Racecourse trim its daily programs to fewer than eight races.
Horsemen Oppose Reduction in Arlington Races
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association is at odds with Churchill Downs Inc. over the company's plans to reduce the number of races it offers at Arlington International Racecourse.
Illinois Financial Crisis Impacting Racing
The Illinois Racing Board May 19 approved summertime racing at two state fairs and one county fair amid uncertainty about funding from the cash-strapped state and a wrangle about advance deposit wagering.
Illinois Racing Board Appointments Announced
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has announced four appointments to the Illinois Racing Board, including a consumer loan executive and campaign contributor as chairman.
New Leadership Coming for Illinois Board
Newly inaugurated Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is shaking up the Illinois Racing Board, ousting chairman William Berry and appointing three new members -- one perhaps only for transition purposes.
Court Decision Threatens Illinois Racing
The Illinois Racing Board is scrambling to cope with a huge civil judgment against the state's harness tracks that probably will push them into bankruptcy and threatens to impact Thoroughbred operations.
Laino Retiring From Illinois Racing Board
Marc Laino announced Nov. 14 he is retiring as executive director of the Illinois Racing Board, effective at the end of the year. He has worked at the IRB for 28 years and served in his current post for 12 years.
Status Quo Dates OK'd for Illinois in 2015
The Illinois Racing Board has approved a 2015 racing schedule similar to this year, with questions remaining about how purses for those dates will be funded.
Illinois Board Has Tough Call on 2015 Dates
The future of Illinois racing hangs in the balance as the Illinois Racing Board ponders a 2015 racing schedule for the Chicago area.
Illinois Horsemen Representation Discussed
The Illinois Racing Board Aug. 14 took the first formal step toward creating rules for handling a potential dispute about which organization should formally represent horsemen at the state's tracks.
Illinois Tracks Seeking Fewer Dates in 2015
Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course both applied for fewer racing dates in 2015 than they were awarded this year and the tracks again are competing for simulcast revenue during dates when there is no live local racing.
Hawthorne Drops Race Dates, Cuts Fall Stakes
The Illinois Racing Board July 31 approved a request from Hawthorne Race Course to drop 13 racing dates from its fall schedule and slash its stakes program.
Dispute Threatens Illinois Legislative Agenda
A bitter dispute between harness horsemen and Chicago-area tracks, threatening the industry's crucial legislative agenda, came to a head Feb. 17 with a victory for horsemen before the Illinois Racing Board.
Illinois Horsemen Object to Stake's Inclusion
The Illinois Racing Board approved this year's Chicago-area Thoroughbred stakes schedule Jan. 31 despite strong opposition by horsemen to the continuation of one race.
Illinois Reauthorizes ADW at Last Minute
Acting under a looming deadline, the Illinois legislature Jan. 29 reauthorized advance deposit wagering in the state, staving off a draconian cut in 2014 racing dates.
One Last Hope to Salvage Illinois 2014 Season
Without action during a one-day session on Jan. 29, the Illinois Racing Board will be without funding to regulate a full season of live racing and will implement a doomsday schedule.
ADW Extension Agreement Reached in Illinois
Illinois horsemen and representatives of the state's racetracks and Advance Deposit Wagering providers have reached agreement on an extension of ADW for three years.
IL Racing Gutted Unless Legislature Acts
The Illinois Racing Board approved four alternate schedules Sept. 24 for 2014 racing with legislative action--or inaction--left to determine which one is put into effect.
Illinois Facing Cutbacks in 2014 Racing Dates
The 2014 Illinois live racing schedule likely will be trimmed back significantly as a result of revenue shortfalls, the Illinois Racing Board indicated Sept. 11.
Illinois Board Starts 2014 Dates Deliberation
No decision or recommendation will result from the preliminary hearing, but it will launch deliberations and clear the way for a vote a week later.
Illinois Approves Maywood ADW License
The Illinois Racing Board, over the strong objections of horsemen groups, approved an application from Maywood Park July 25 to act as its own Advance Deposit Wagering licensee.
Illinois Tracks Officially Get Casino Money
The Illinois Racing Board June 25 formally allocated $23 million in casino money to the state's racing interests amid hopes it will bridge a financial gap until a broader gaming expansion bill is approved.
Illinois Makes ADW Legal Again
Advance deposit wagering companies were accepting wagers from Illinois residents June 7.
Racing Issues on Illinois Legislature Agenda
Issues critical to the future of Illinois horse racing hung in the balance May 28 as the legislature entered the final scheduled week of its spring session.
First Step Toward Cutbacks in Illinois Racing
The Illinois Racing Board on May 21 took the first, tentative step toward cutting back the state's racing schedule in light of a looming funding shortage and legislative inaction on corrective measures.
IL Racing Threatened by Legislative Stalling
Illinois racing dates may be vacated and laboratory operations curtailed if the state legislature does not quickly reauthorize advance deposit wagering, Illinois Racing Board officials said April 30.
Internet Gambling Issues Add to Illinois Rift
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association believes recent overtures by Arlington Park to the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation may be an end-around on proposed Internet gaming legislation.
ADW Companies Stop Taking Wagers in Illinois
At least two of the four companies conducting advance deposit wagering in Illinois are shutting down operations for Illinois residents because that form of wagering is now illegal in the Land of Lincoln.
ADW Companies Taking Illegal Illinois Wagers
At least three of four major advance deposit wagering companies continue to take bets from Illinois residents even though the action is illegal as of the beginning of the year, the Illinois Racing Board said Jan. 3.
Arlington Files Suit Over Simulcast Dates
In a lawsuit filed last month, Arlington Park contends the Illinois Racing Board acted improperly when it seized 18 simulcast host days and awarded them to rival Hawthorne Race Course.
Hawthorne Approved to Drop Seven Racing Days
The Illinois Racing Board Nov. 27 approved Hawthorne Race Course's request to drop seven Wednesday cards because of the effects of an outbreak of neurological equine herpes on the backstretch.
Illinois Board OKs Hotly Contested '13 Dates
A below-strength Illinois Racing Board, after a grueling day of testimony and deliberation, required two voice votes Sept. 25 to approve a hotly contested schedule for 2013 live racing.
Purse Bonus for Field Size Gets Illinois OK
The Illinois Racing Board agreed July 26 to require race tracks to include "field size bonus" money in the base purse amount used to calculate owners' and breeders' awards.
Arlington Park Racing at Night July 5
Due to the extreme heat, Arlington Park has moved its first race post time for its July 5 racing program to 5 p.m. CDT.
Jockeys' Guild Seeks KY Legislative Support
The Jockeys' Guild has sent letters to Gov. Steve Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly, asking that jockeys not be forgotten when the legislature considers any changes in the laws concerning the equine industry.
IRB Protects Spring Meet at Hawthorne in 2012
The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 27 rejected a 2011 racing dates proposal that would have eliminated the spring meet at Hawthorne Race Course, including the grade III Illinois Derby.
Illinois Board Hears Plea on Purse Accounts
The Illinois Racing Board Aug. 30 referred to staff a request by a horsemen's group to require racetracks to hold newfound purse money in segregated, interest-bearing accounts.
Officials Argue Over Illinois Racing Future
The fate of Illinois racing increasingly seems to be held hostage in a tug-of-war between Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel--a showdown that involves both substance and a test of wills.
Report: Illinois Racing Gets Escrow Funding
Roughly $141 million in an escrow account has been freed up for use by the Illinois horse racing industry, according to published reports.
Illinois Dates Approved for 2011
Fairmount Park in southern Illinois received approval Sept. 28 for 75 racing dates in 2011, up from the 52 days of live racing this year.
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