by Andrew Mack. Mack Communications

Editor’s Note: This statement, from members of the Illinois Horse Racing Industry, was released in response to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s budget address today.

Naperville, IL — While there are no easy answers to solving the state’s budget woes, there is a simple solution that would allow Gov. Quinn to bring in new revenue for education, capital projects and safety-net programs.

A gaming solution that includes adding slot machines to existing racetracks, where gaming has existed for nearly a century, would generate nearly $1 billion in new annual revenue for our state.

Most importantly, this solution will ensure the retention of more than 28,000 agribusiness jobs and the creation of 5,000 more. It would also allow Illinois to catch up and compete with the 13 other horse racing states, including Iowa and Indiana, which already have slots at racetracks.

The alternatives being discussed include making drastic cuts in human services that would adversely impact our most vulnerable residents.

Many Illinois lawmakers and the public agree that generating new revenue opportunities — at no cost to taxpayers — by saying “yes” to slots at the racetracks will create new Illinois jobs and ensure the economic future of our children and our state.

— from the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, Arlington Park, Hawthorne Race Course and Maywood/Balmoral Park