Dear IHHA Members,

As the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly wraps up, I want to give you a clear and honest update on our legislative efforts.

While SB 1473 did not pass before adjournment and bridge funding was not secured, we made significant progress. With your support and the strategic collaboration of Revolutionary Racing, SB 1473 advanced out of the Senate Executive Committee and is now on 3rd Reading—marking the first standalone gaming bill to pass committee in Illinois in a decade.

This is meaningful progress and sets the stage for action during the fall veto session.

Conor Lucas of Revolutionary Racing summed it up well:

“After a well-devised plan in conjunction with the horsemen, we were able to pass SB 1473 out of Senate Executive Committee to 3rd Reading. While this may not seem important, it is the first standalone gaming bill to pass committee in 10 years. Decatur Downs is committed to working through the summer into the fall with House and Senate leadership to negotiate a gaming bill with the other gaming interests in Illinois.”

Our chief sponsor, Senator Patrick Joyce, reaffirmed his commitment as well:

“My support for the harness racing industry is as strong as ever. I’m committed to the work of passing this legislation.”

All parties are aligned to keep working this summer. We’ll continue to push forward to ensure this critical legislation crosses the finish line during veto session.

Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us get this far. We’re not done yet—but we are in a much stronger position than ever before.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis

President, Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association