Walker, Gillespie Advocate for Arlington International Racecourse License

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Recognizing the cultural, economic and historical importance of the Arlington International Racecourse for their districts, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, recently championed the Racecourse and its application for an organization license and 2020 race dates to the Illinois Racing Board.

Walker and Gillespie recently sent to the Racing Board a letter advocating for the Racecourse and have issued the following statement:

“Arlington International Racecourse holds important historical and cultural significance in Arlington Heights and the surrounding area. The Racecourse is a national destination for racing fans and the crown jewel of horse racing in Illinois and the Midwest.

The Racecourse is critical to the economy in our communities. The reduction or loss of an organizational license or race dates will impact over 800 working people. Moreover, such a decision would place a significant burden on the tax revenues of the Village of Arlington Heights and our local school districts. The FY20 budgets for the Village and school districts have already been finalized and the loss of this revenue will have an immediate impact on their ability to deliver basic services.

On behalf of our neighbors, we have urged the Illinois Racing Board to support Arlington International’s applications and grant them their requested organizational license and racing dates.”