February 3... We expect to have Fairmount condition books next week. Also, we

have a new equine dentist who comes highly recommended. Her name is Tara Brooks

(no relation) her number is 314-568-6165.

ATTENTION HORSEMEN!!! The 2012 condition book and new purse

structure are now on line.

Just click on the horseshoe " condition book/overnights".

Remember in addition to the increased purses there will be a bonus

for eight seperate betting interests that show up in the paddock.

The bonus schedule is available in the H.B.P.A. office.

Here are some exciting projects that are under way:

Work on Barns 1 and 2 have been completed

The dorms are undergoing a complete renovation.

Roofs are being replaced on Barns K,W and U.

The track is being resurfaced and because of great weather it looks

as if we will have an excellent surface in 2012.

A new office for the Stewards is being prepared.

Other projects on the front and backside will begin as the previous ones

are completed.

And don't forget we will be racing for the highest purses in the 81 year

history of Fairmount Park.

Stall applications are due by February 4th and are available in the H.B.P.A.

office. Condition books should be available in a couple of weeks.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

My predictions for 2012:

1. A major gaming bill will be passed and signed by the Governor

in the spring session.

2. Starting April 3rd and in the 2012 meeting we will be racing for

the highest purses in the history of Fairmount Park.

3. The backside workers will have completely refurbished quarters

to live in thanks to backside improvements.

4. There will be signs of renewed interest in the Illinois breeding

program as a result of the passage of the gaming bill.

5. In the new year I, President John Wainwright and the H.B.P.A.

board will continue to represent all horsemen to the best of our

ability including but not limited to making sure that we receive a

fair and equitable share of any new monies that come

Illinois horsemen's way. That has not always been the case in the past.

*********************************************************************

December 10... Stall applications for Fairmount and the Hawthorne spring meet

are available in the H.B.P.A. office. We also have the first condition book for the

Hawthorne spring meet.

***************************************************************

Please call legislators and ask them to oppose any gaming bill that does not include slots at track

2012

(Download PDF Schedule)

We need to keep the pressure on and the slots bill will become law.

Send letters to this address: The Honorable Pat Quinn

Governor

State of Illinois

Office of Constituent Affairs

401 S. Spring St.

Springfield Il 62706

Call the Governor at this number. 217-782-0244 Ask the Governor to sign S.B. 744 to save horse racing jobs .

Just click on the link below for contact info. for all current members of the House of Representatives

ILreps2011

http://www.ilga.gov/senate/ ALL ARCHIVED NEWS

Free English as a Second Language Fall 2011

Southwestern Illinois College will begin a new on-site English as a Second Language class starting in August

Call 222-5363 or 345-7724 for more info.

Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday made his first public appearance since returning from China and said he plans to detail proposed changes to a major gambling expansion later this month.

The governor remained tight-lipped about what exactly he wants from lawmakers, who approved the gambling bill at the end of May but won’t send it to Quinn out of fear he’ll vote it. Quinn said he plans to “lay out principles, I think, that will be good for the legislature to listen to.”

Lawmakers return to Springfield at the end of the month for fall session. Sponsors have said they are willing to work on a compromise, but say the governor has yet to say what changes he’d like to see. That’s left lawmakers trying to interpret various criticisms Quinn has made over the summer, including concerns the legislation would weaken oversight of the gambling industry in Illinois.

- X
  
  Justice System
  
  Government
  
  Executive Branch
  
  Regional Authority
  
  Cook County
  
  Pat Quinn
  
  John J Cullerton

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, has said that lawmakers can reduce the number of gambling positions without eliminating any of the five new casinos.

On Wednesday, Quinn said the number of gambling spots needs to be lowered, but he also expressed concerns that increasing the overall number of casinos would cause them to draw business away from one another. Cullerton, however, has argued the locations designated in the bill were picked to stop gamblers from crossing state lines to place bets, and not compete with other Illinois casinos.

Still, Quinn said other major changes must be made to the gambling bill, including shoring up oversight and ensuring enough money is set aside for education. Quinn contends the legislation would give major tax breaks to a Chicago casino when that money should instead be funneled into schools.

“The whole idea of this gambling, whether it’s the lottery or casino gambling, is to help some good cause,” Quinn said. “And the cause I think all of us believe in is education, and I don’t feel the bill that I read through over the last several months properly invests in education in Illinois.”