Racetracks in Illinois to Shut Down

The owners of Arlington Park closed the racetrack 18 years ago, saying that competition from casinos was killing horse racing. Two years later, under Governor George Ryan, the Horse Racing Act was amended to subsidize horse racing by reducing or eliminating taxes.  Richard Duchossois led the drive by track owners for at least $67 million in annual tax breaks and subsidies as compensation for business siphoned off by Illinois riverboats, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The racetracks have been lobbying for years for slot machines.  Now, the tracks want table games and slots to transform their facilities into full-blown casinos.  Legislators are led to believe this will “save horse racing” and agriculture jobs.  However, this is not true.  The number of “live” racing days has been reduced at all tracks and eliminated altogether at two.