Illinois Senate committee approves Decatur racino bill, but plan may not pass both chambers this week

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan moving in Springfield could allow for development of new horse racing tracking in Illinois, including a facility in Macon County.

The Decatur horse track casino, or racino, would be privately funded and not require state dollars.

Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) said the mile long harness racing track would feature grandstands, a sports complex, recreation fields, a gaming facility, retail, restaurants, and lodging.

Advocates believe the project could create 300 full time jobs, and stressed that the facility would be built with 100% union labor. They explained the Decatur racino could generate $27 million in annual revenue.

"The amount of people that feed them, train them, hot walk them, the veterinarians, blacksmiths - there's a lot of employment that goes along with these tracks," Joyce said. "Not to mention the gaming revenue that we should have."

Senate Bill 1473 passed unanimously out of the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday and now moves to the Senate floor. However, Joyce said he will continue to talk with Hawthorne Race Course, veterans, and Decatur small business owners who oppose the plan.

Carl Muench, owner of Lindy Lu's and LuLu's Pizza in Decatur, said he strongly opposed the idea of adding more gaming to the city. He noted that Decatur has nearly 485 video gaming terminals, with city council members and citizens pushing back against adding more gambling options.

"The proposed Decatur racino would add up to 900 more gaming positions, which would more than double the number of video gaming terminals," Muench said. "This goes against the wishes of the citizens, according to what we've heard at Decatur City Council meetings in the last two years."

The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 31.