A new bill in the Illinois state legislature could bring a $150 million racino development to Decatur, Illinois. The proposed facility would combine a harness racing track, casino, and sports complex in the self-proclaimed "Soybean Capital of the World."

Virginia-based Revolutionary Racing has pledged to invest in this project, which would create approximately 300 permanent jobs and generate up to $27 million in tax revenue. The company aims for a late 2026 opening, pending legislative approval.

The bill would authorize a license for harness racing in Macon County, where Decatur is located. While the 2019 gambling expansion package under Gov. J.B. Pritzker allowed existing racetracks to become racinos, this new legislation would create an additional opportunity in Decatur.

The legislation is also expected to address the delayed racino development at Hawthorne Race Course near Chicago. Despite receiving preliminary approval in 2019, Hawthorne's project has stalled due to financing difficulties and contractor debt issues. The track currently holds veto power over new racetrack proposals within a 35-mile radius, which the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association seeks to challenge.

The bill is anticipated to be a top priority when the new legislative session begins on Wednesday. If approved, it would mark a significant expansion of Illinois' gaming landscape, with the former Fairmount Park Racetrack already planning to open a temporary gaming facility in the second quarter of this year.

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