The House returned to Springfield last Monday, January 3 to finish up business in a lame duck session before the new Illinois General Assembly takes over next Wednesday, January 12, 2011. ITHA continues to work towards making Senate Bill 737 a part of the legislature’s final action.
As of this morning, SB 737 which passed the Senate in early December 2010, is scheduled to be heard in the House Executive Committee (Wednesday, January 05, 2011). If the Committee passes this bill out of Committee, the bill goes to the Floor of the House where each legislator has an opportunity to vote for the bill.
Changes are expected to be made to SB 737 while it is in the House, however, these changes are not to affect the horse racing portion of this bill. This means if the bill passes the House with changes, it must return to the Senate for the Senate to accept or reject those changes.
SB 737 is supported by ITHA. The bill allows Illinois racetracks to operate electronic gaming. For our industry, the bill could create an estimated 1200 to 1500 new permanent jobs at the racetracks as well jobs for construction projects at the tracks. This bill is supported by the entire horse racing industry.
Please call your Representative NOW in Springfield. Do not delay. Urge them to support Senate Bill 737. THEN, let us know your legislator’s response. Call 217/782-2000 and the state operator can connect you to your legislator’s office.
