New racino proposed for Chicago suburb as lawmakers seek to eliminate Hawthorne Race Course’s veto power

New racino proposed for Chicago suburb as lawmakers seek to eliminate Hawthorne Race Course’s veto power

Article brief provided by Chicago Tribune
  • Robert McCoppin and Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune
March 23, 2023 10:20 PM
  • Robert McCoppin and Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune

A group of investors wants to build a casino and horse race track in south suburban Richton Park, officials said Wednesday, and Illinois lawmakers have proposed eliminating a major roadblock to the idea.

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The recently-formed Greenway Entertainment Group stated that it is actively pursuing a “racino” in Richton Park, with the blessing of village officials. Greenway’s plans became public when discussed at an Illinois Senate executive committee hearing Thursday.

To clear the way for such a deal, a bill in the Senate would eliminate Hawthorne Race Course’s power to veto any competing racino within 35 miles of its track in west suburban Stickney.