Saturday, Feb. 6th

IHHA Executive Director Tony Somone deserves a pat on the back, as on Thursday, February 4, he procured a one-on-one lobbying session with arguably one of the most powerful men in the Illinois Legislature, Speaker of the House Michael Madigan. During the meeting, Executive Director Somone argued the case of hard working Illinois horsemen telling him that past legislative efforts to help the horse industry have fallen flat. In addition, he told the Speaker that the harness industry is in a state of crisis and without legislative assistance in the current session, the whole industry risks collapse and the loss of thousands of jobs. He reported that Speaker Madigan listened intently and paid particular attention to the discussion of the prospect of future jobs and the fact that a properly written slots bill could raise millions of dollars for both the cash strapped state of Illinois and the dying horse racing industry.

Between Executive Director Somone, President McCaffrey and Legislative Co-Chairmen Hunt and (Hosea) Williams, the IHHA has now met with and personally lobbied Governor Quinn (and his Chief of Staff), Senate President John Cullerton, Senate Minority Leader Christine Rodogno, Asst Majority Leader Art Turner, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross.

The stage has been set and the pieces are in place for this upcoming legislative session. The IHHA strongly encourages all its members to personally contact their Legislators and continue these lobbying efforts. Let them know that the business of horseracing in Illinois is dying and needs legislative assistance to survive. Click on the “Legislative” link on this website to find out who represents you. Illinois harness racing’s survival is dependent on a massive purse producing bill to be passed quickly and it can’t be done without everyone’s assistance!