Illinois
Illinois Racing Board suspends Hawthorne Race Course’s license, putting future in jeopardy
STICKNEY, Ill. (WLS) — The future of racing at Hawthorne Race Course in south suburban Stickney is in jeopardy.
The Illinois Racing Board suspended its harnesses racing license. In a letter sent Monday to Hawthorne’s president and general manager, the state agency said the track failed to prove its financial integrity.
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Jeff Davis, president of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, says the past two months have been rough.
“We don’t really know details, but what we do know is people have not been paid since before Christmas,” Davis said.
Davis says checks started bouncing, which led to races being canceled over the past few weekends.
SEE ALSO | Hawthorne Race Course not offering window betting for Kentucky Derby amid Churchill Downs dispute
“Six weeks ago, they couldn’t cash a $400 check to a trainer,” Davis said.
The remaining three races left this season are unlikely unless Hawthorne owners can prove financial stability. Hawthorne officials have not returned messages seeking comment on the issue. But it is just one of many issues facing the track. There has been an effort for nearly six years to get an approved casino up and running, but the owners cannot find a partner.
“Horse racing in every state now only survives because it has additional forms of revenue from casinos, slot machines,” said Paulick Report Publisher Ray Paulick.
Hawthorne is the only racetrack in the Chicago area and has the right to veto another one built within 35 miles. But those in the industry hope a bill before the state legislature will repeal that.
“The harness horsemen are asking the state legislature to take away that exclusivity, because Hawthorne isn’t in a position to build another track if they can’t keep the one they have going,” Paulick said.
READ MORE | Hawthorne Race Course, Illinois’ oldest horse racing track poised to be first with casino
In the meantime, Davis says he hopes the season can be salvaged.
“It really is sad. It’s a 100-year-old business. They’ve been trying, but I don’t know if they have the ability to actually get done what they’ve been awarded to do,” Davis said.
The Illinois Racing Board will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, and Hawthorne’s owner is scheduled to give an update on the track.
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An ice cream shop in Plainfield, Illinois, has launched an anti-bullying campaign after an incident with a customer.
Hazel Marie’s is located at 24030 Lockport St. in Plainfield. Owner Tammy Barvian said on Memorial Day, a customer crossed a line.
“We had a customer that felt that it was OK and appropriate to throw — not toss, but throw — a banana split at the back of one of our employees’ heads and hit her in the back of the head,” said Barvian. “Not going to be tolerated here. Not something that we’re going to allow.”
On Sunday, the store asked people to bring bananas and wear yellow for $5 Sundays. The owners said they wanted to raise $10,000 for their Bananas Against Bullies campaign.
According to the Patch, Plainfield police officers responded to the scene after the incident on Monday, May 25, but could not identify the man involved.
The employee who was hit was doing OK days later.
On this episode of ‘Oskee Talk’ I discuss how Andrej Stojakovic’s return impacts the Fighting Illini’s bid for another Final Four (3:51) as well as incoming freshman Quentin Coleman earning a spot on Team USA (17:02).
I also introduce Illinois’ newest women’s basketball recruits (23:15) and criticize the NCAA’s new international eligibility rules (30:20). Finally, I provide updates on Illinois’ football schedule (43:25) and the program’s newest signees (51:43).
Join the conversation! Comment below and make sure to subscribe to Oskee Talk wherever you find your podcasts!
Saturday, May 30, 2026 10:40PM
NILES, Ill. (WLS) — A driver was injured in a large north suburban crash on Saturday afternoon, police said.
Niles police said an elderly man shifted his vehicle into drive instead of reverse inside his garage.
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The driver crashed through his garage before going through the wall and door of his neighbor’s garage near Harlem and Howard, police said. He then struck two houses.
The driver was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt.
Police did not immediately provide further information.
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