Illinois horsemen frustrated when meeting canceled

On Monday, April 5, the Illinois Racing Board (IRB) called a meeting between horseman’s groups and racetrack representatives to discuss the future of “slots at the tracks” legislation. The IRB agreed not to negotiate for either party, but merely to facilitate the meeting.

 

The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, at the James R Thompson Center at 10:30 am. Several racing board commissioners expressed an interest in observing this meeting. The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) and the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association (IHHA) were very excited about the prospects of a meeting with a third party involved.

 

Then on Tuesday, April 6, both horsemen's groups were informed that the racetracks (collectively) canceled the meeting.

 

"The IHHA and the ITHA are extremely disappointed with this latest development," the two groups said in a joint statement. "The racetracks have been preaching that time is running out on legislation, yet when a potentially fruitful negotiation was to be held, they canceled the session."