By IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Legislation designed to boost the struggling horse racing industry in the Metro-East is on its way to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The proposal passed the state Senate on Monday with minimal opposition. It reduces the tax paid on winngs at Fairmount Park race track in Collinsville.
Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) sponsored the bill, saying it will allow the track to offer larger purses and therefore schedule more races.
And Haine also said during the debate that the park's 1,500 jobs aren't the only consideration, but also people in southern Illinois who help raise horses. He says competition from casinos in Illinois and Missouri have cut the number of races during the past six years.