Gov. Blagojevich signs bills to help protect thousands of jobs in the state's horse racing industry 

New laws will allow Illinois racetracks to remain viable and competitive

[MAY 31, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed two bills into law May 26 that are designed to help protect thousands of jobs associated with the state's horse racing industry and help Illinois racetracks remain viable and competitive. The governor signed House Bill 1918, creating the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund, which will provide $36 million a year for racing purses and racetrack improvements for the next two years. In addition, the governor signed House Bill 4377, which reduces the state tax due on bets placed at Fairmount Racetrack in Collinsville from 1.5 percent to 0.25 percent.

"These bills will help protect the jobs of thousands of hardworking people who depend on the horse racing industry for their livelihood," Blagojevich said. "They will also create a more level playing field that will allow the horse racing industry to remain competitive in Illinois."

House Bill 1918, sponsored by Rep. Robert S. Molaro, D-Chicago, and Sen. James F. Clayborne Jr., D-Belleville, creates a new Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund to give Illinois racetracks funding for races, track improvements and promotion. It requires the four largest riverboat casinos to pay 3 percent of their adjusted gross receipts for two years to the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund. The estimated $36 million in annual revenues will be distributed from the trust fund in the following way:

• 60 percent of the overall funds will be distributed in the form of purse money -- prize money that is paid to the winners of the races. Thoroughbred racing will receive 57 percent of that amount, and Standardbred racing will receive the remaining 43 percent. Each racetrack will receive purse money equal to the track's percentage of total purse money for that breed in the prior year.

• The remaining 40 percent of the funds would go to track improvements and promotion. Fairmount Racetrack will get 11 percent of that amount, while the rest will be divided between the other Illinois racetracks, based on the percentage of total bets placed on races at that track in 2004 and 2005.

"I would like to thank Governor Blagojevich for signing these bills," said Molaro. "The Illinois agribusiness industry employs between 30,000 and 40,000 people across the state. It would be a tragedy to see these people's lives put at risk. These bills will keep the Illinois' horse racing industry competitive with our neighbors and ensure that our agribusiness has a viable future."

"Illinois has had a long and illustrious history with horse racing," said Clayborne, "and with a $1.4 billion impact on the Illinois economy, it's vital that we assist this struggling industry."

House Bill 4377, sponsored by Rep. Jay C. Hoffman, D-Collinsville, and Sen. William R. Haine, D-Alton, will reduce the state tax due on bets placed at Fairmount Racetrack in Collinsville from 1.5 percent to 0.25 percent. The Fairmount Racetrack employs more than 2,000 people and is a vital center of commerce for the city of Collinsville.

"Fairmount Park Racetrack has been an economic engine in the Metro East area for decades," said Hoffman. "This legislation will allow Fairmount Park Racetrack to remain competitive by increasing live racing dates and will provide thousands of employees job security."

"With 1,500 good-paying jobs at stake, I, along with my good friends state Senator James Clayborne, Representative Jay Hoffman and Representative Tom Holbrook, knew we had to do something to keep Fairmount Park viable in the near future," said Haine. "We decided to step in and work to keep horse racing alive in the Metro East. This bill will go a long way in helping us do just that, especially with the 10th riverboat license in limbo."

"I've been in this industry for 30 years now," said Dr. Terry Morgan, horse breeder and practicing veterinarian at Fairmount Racetrack whose wife owns the local tack shop. "Fairmount has been through some tough times. We have been waiting for a way to revitalize this business for some time now, and Governor Blagojevich provided us with the means to do so. This will affect everybody here at Fairmount, and we are extremely grateful for this opportunity. It means the world to us."

House Bill 1918 and House Bill 4377 become effective immediately.

[News release from the governor's office]