Success in Springfield!

Illinois Lawmakers Approve ITHA Initiative to Move Horse Racing Fund Surplus to Purses Hawthorne Thoroughbred Purse Account to Receive Additional $2.295 Million

Illinois lawmakers, as part of the state's next budget, agreed to transfer $5.1 million of the surplus in the state's Horse Racing Fund to purses.

The thoroughbred purse account at Hawthorne Race Course will receive $2.295 million of that sum. That fund transfer will occur after the state's next fiscal year begins on July 1, and purses will increase accordingly thereafter.

The ITHA, which advocated in Springfield for this objective, will work with Hawthorne to determine the precise timing and size of purse increases.

We thank Hawthorne for its collaboration on this effort and ongoing cooperation toward a better future for Illinois thoroughbred racing. We also thank all Illinois House and Senate members who backed our initiative as part of the budget plan for the next fiscal year — and Illinois Racing Board Chairman Daniel Beiser and IRB Executive Director Domenic DiCera for their support of our pursuit to transfer the funds for the betterment of purses.