According to the Paulick Report: “The Illinois Racing Board has ordered financially strapped Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Ill., to cease live horse racing and off-track betting operations – at least temporarily. The order, made late Friday afternoon, came after Standardbred horsemen at the current harness meet were issued a second round of checks with non-sufficient funds to cover purses and, according to communications within the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association board of directors, Hawthorne failed to secure required bonds for 2026.”