Columbus, OH – After the first two dates of Hawthorne’s 2026 harness racing meet were canceled last weekend, the Illinois Racing Board has granted approval for the track to resume racing on Saturday (Jan. 10).
According to a story in Harness Racing Update, “Hawthorne Race Course’s Suburban Downs meeting that began on Nov. 7 will resume on Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 10 and 11) after the first two scheduled programs of the year were canceled last weekend because of the track’s failure to meet the requirements stipulated for 2026 licensing by the Illinois Racing Board at its September dates hearings.”
In his story, Neil Milbert wrote, “’They were able to correct the deficiencies on Jan. 5 and are now in compliance,’” the Racing Board’s executive director, Domenic DiCera, announced in a Jan. 6 press release.
“The issuance of 2026 organization licenses for Hawthorne and Suburban Downs applies to betting at the track, advance deposit wagering, intertrack wagering, and betting at Illinois off-track locations in Joliet, Lansing, Prospect Heights, Crestwood, Oakbrook Terrace, Evergreen Park, Hoffman Estates, McHenry, North Aurora, and Villa Park.”
Milbert also detailed the status of pending legislation that would remove Hawthorne’s veto rights to prevent another racino within 35 miles of their location as well as to allow for another harness track to be built in Illinois.
“Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) is calling on his colleagues to immediately pass Bill 2724 that he is sponsoring and send it to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign upon receipt.
“The bill passed the State Senate on Oct. 30 at the fall veto session by a 49-8 vote.
“The bill would take away Hawthorne’s right to veto construction of a racetrack/casino within 35 miles of its Stickney location and also allow construction of a harness track/casino in downstate Decatur.”
To read the complete story in Harness Racing Update, click here.