Illinois Facing The possibility Of Little Live Racing in 2014

[pezz97]

I am sure the Politicians will find a way for it to be the worst case scenario!! 


http://www.harnessracing.com/news/illfacingpossibilityoflittleliveracingin2014.html

[pope of vegas]

I think the Illini politicians should be required to wearJumpsuits with ALL their sponsors' logos on them. Kinda like Nascar drivers.

  Amazing how harness racing in Ill has come to this. And they say the politicians in Capone's era were the most corrupt..

[careless hal]

The real bad thing is that Quinn will be re-elected.  I may register as a Democrat and work for his re-election.  If you can't beat them, join them. (We can't beat them!)  I'm going to call my Congressman, The Hon. Bobby Rush and ask how I can get involved. Quinn sure had some hot looking chicks working the Democratic tent at the state fair.   I can see long discussions on how best to promote Obamacare, increase the welfare rolls and kill off horse racing altogether. Also, maybe we can make Spanish the official language of the State.  Field offices could be set up in Mexico where advice could be given on entering the countryillegally without documentation.  I have to go now.  My picket duty outside the local Fox News office starts soon.

[MichiganDale]

Clever thinking, Hal!  That's what it takes to be involved with Illinois politics.  I'm surprised nobody developed a board game (like Monopoly for example) about Illinois and Chicago style politics.  Could be a big hit.  Capone and his thugs would be oh so proud of how things have evolved in Illinois.  I'll always be a Chicago guy at heart but it really is pathetic and I worry about my kids and two granddaughters living in such a screwed up State.

[cashman]

I wouldn't miss Maywood a bit. Can't imagine the state would let ADW expire again.

[NIATROSS]

I wouldn't miss Maywood a bit. Can't imagine the state would let ADW expire again.

im not sure the horsemen tracks and adws are even in agreement yet on the splits for the adws
no agreement delays the process

[jordanjacob]

"If the IRB doesn't have enough money in its budget to regulate live racing, it may be forced to slash live racing dates, with harness racing facing a possible reduction to just 13 live programs at Balmoral Park and no live racing at all at Maywood Park"


How much does it cost to regulate live racing?

doesn't racing earn the state money in tax receipts?

[beans and weenies]

Some horsemen or rep.  in Ill.  musta really really really ticked off some impotent dick or didn't share properly the $$ to get racing shut down like this.  So very very sad. 

[Just Saying]

Some horsemen or rep.  in Ill.  musta really really really ticked off some impotent dick or didn't share properly the $$ to get racing shut down like this.  So very very sad. 

Must be the case. The tracks average $1mil per card and they can't afford a couple of chuckle-heads to sit up there and pretend to know something?

They say they can't afford to regulate racing, yet won't consider unregulated or self-regulated. This smells of a huge donation to the pols from the casinos.

[Danville]

Many years ago a very wise man told me that the world of harness racing was on a very slippery slope, headed for oblivion in the Peoples Republic of Illinois. This was before the days of the OTB's, ADW's, Pick6's, Pick 4's etc., etc.
His premise was that when the sport began to turn (and depend) on wagering gimmicks, manipulated handles and takeouts, and all other forms of man made numbers juggling the sport had reached a point of no return----It was over and especially so in a political entity like Illinois.
There was absolutely no way anyone sitting on the IHHA board could outsmart a Chicago politician.
He was right. Even if the very best scenario plays out the sport is dead in the republic and the tb's aren't far behind. No politician (and you need look no furthur than Illinois' favorite son) will provide funds for horse racing when they must buy the votes of the 51% who do not participate in the economy other than take, take. and take again.
Problem was that no one on the IHHA board wanted to listen and he was voted out after one term.
Again HE.......WAS......RIGHT !!! Someone at the IHHA offices please turn out the lights when you close the doors for good.

[The Skipper]

I am sure the Politicians will find a way for it to be the worst case scenario!! 


http://www.harnessracing.com/news/illfacingpossibilityoflittleliveracingin2014.html

Yes we have the worst pols in the nation IMO but the horsemen have been helping them along the past

20-25 years by caving in to the idiots who run the harness racing here, say what you want about Mr

Tony Morgan but he saw what was coming, fought all he could against it (recapture  ) and

when the horsemen would not take a stand he got the hell outta dodge. RIP IL harness racing