Decatur racino bill stalls in Illinois
The Illinois House adjourned without addressing the bill.
US.- The Illinois House adjourned on Friday without addressing a proposal for a race track in Decatur , Macon County. The bill had passed the Senate on a 49-8 vote the previous day but will now remain on hold until January unless lawmakers return for a special session before the end of the year.
The proposed mile-long harness racing track would feature grandstands, a sports complex, recreation fields, a gaming facility, retail, restaurants and lodging.
Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) commented: “This is a crucial piece of legislation because it creates a unique opportunity for economic benefit in both counties located within the 48th district. There is also a commitment for infrastructure upgrades at the Illinois State Fairgrounds that will expand year round training opportunities while strengthening the entire regional horse racing ecosystem.”
Turner said the racino would be a $220m investment for Decatur and could potentially generate $27m in annual revenue.
Decatur Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe added: “The horse racing industry in Illinois is ready to ride again thanks to the Decatur Racino project. The racino is a game-changer for Decatur and Macon County as we revitalize horse racing in our state.”
The Virginia Lottery Board recently approved the operator’s licence for Norfolk casino. Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe plan to open a temporary venue in November with 130 slot machines. Located near Harbor Park, the permanent venue is expected to open in 2027 and will feature 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel and eight food and beverage outlets. Norfolk voters approved the casino via referendum in November 2020.
