The Illinois Racing Board consists of eleven members appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board is responsible for enforcement of the statute governing horse racing in Illinois known as the Illinois Horse Racing Act.
Each year the Board issues racing licenses and establishes a racing schedule for each of the state's operating racetracks, both thoroughbred and harness. The race date allocation process involves an assessment of each racetrack's application for a racing license in view of the best interest of Illinois racing and such factors as the racetrack's facilities and accommodations for the public, the tax revenues to be generated for the state from various race meets, the extent of promotional and marketing activities, the character, fitness, reputation and integrity of the racetrack's owners and operators, and each racetrack's compliance with affirmative action plans.
