Horse racing can return to Fairmount Park Racetrack this summer. State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) released the following statement after the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) made the announcement that horse racing is returning to Illinois tracks in June:
“I will be very happy to see the day come when we can watch horse races in person, however, I am happy that patron free racing is now coming to racetracks in our state. I applaud the horse racing industry for finding a way to operate in a manner that is safe for employees and spectators. With no other LIVE sports going on right now, the viewership from across the nation will be good exposure for Illinois racetracks. Comparable racetracks conducting patron free racing throughout the country have seen online wagers increase as high as 1,300 percent. This revenue should be beneficial for the Metro East. I hope we will see a rebirth of horse racing in our state.”