Former Gov. Edgar
supports horsemen
HINSDALE--As Gov. JB Pritzker takes the helm in Illinois,
horsemen throughout the state, are urging his administration to include horse
racing and its enormous contribution to the agribusiness industry when they
explore new avenues to expand gaming.
“With more than $1 billion in contributions to the
agribusiness economy of our state, horse racing must be included in any
conversations about gaming,” said Tony Somone, Executive Director of the
Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association (IHHA). “Ours is the only segment of
the gaming industry that has significant room to grow and provide real and sustainable
jobs in agriculture.”
Former Governor Jim Edgar who is a part of Governor
Pritzker’s transition team is aware of the economic impact that horse racing
can have in Illinois having raced his own horses for many years. "Horse
racing and the thousands of jobs it creates remains an important part of the
agricultural economy of our state," former Governor Edgar said.
"Ensuring its viability in the overall gaming environment is in the best
interests of the state of Illinois."
Studies show that every race horse employs as many as ten
workers across Illinois. From grooms and trainers to breeding farms, grain
dealers, veterinarians, track officials and many more, horse racing is a solid
job creator that has been badly neglected in Illinois in recent years.
“It is true that horse racing is struggling in Illinois
because of casinos, but we know that with additional gaming assistance, other
states have seen their horse racing industry rebound to previous heights of
employment and business,” said Marty Engel, President of the IHHA. “We
earnestly hope that Gov. Pritzker sees fit to include horse racing in any
gaming legislation that emerges in the months ahead. We are one segment of
gaming that will more than pay its way through the creation of new and sustainable
jobs throughout our economy.”
In the last decade, legislation in Illinois has allowed the
development of slot machines at taverns and the construction and opening of the
10th casino in Des Plaines. Illinois horsemen have survived despite all of
those changes but not without losing thousands of good agribusiness jobs to
places like Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and virtually every other horse racing
state that has actively worked to grow the sport.
Engel added, “Make no mistake; horsemen will come back to
Illinois to race if the prizes or purses are competitive with other states. And
they will bring jobs with them. We have seen it happen throughout the country
in states that have boosted their purses with money from slot machines. Those
states now offer purses much larger than Illinois and their horse racing
industries are booming as a result, adding tens of thousands of
jobs.”
