With Legislative Session Ending Soon, ITHA is Pursuing More Dollars for Hawthorne Purses

The state government’s Horse Racing Fund is again accumulating a surplus of dollars — and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association is again urging Illinois lawmakers to direct those funds to Hawthorne purses for the benefit of our sport and industry.

The ITHA successfully lobbied the General Assembly last year to transfer surplus funds in the state's Horse Racing Fund to purse accounts at Illinois tracks, resulting in across the board purse increases at Hawthorne.

This year, we remain cautiously optimistic that the legislature will agree with our position that excess dollars in the Horse Racing Fund are best spent supporting the men and women who continue to work in the service of Illinois thoroughbred horse racing. We continue to work closely with the Illinois Racing Board on this matter and are grateful for the IRB's participation.

Illinois lawmakers reconvene Monday for the final stretch of spring legislative session, which is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 24. We will do our best to push this over the finish line — and will keep you posted.