According to Maywood Park President Duke Johnston, if legislation in Illinois fails to lead to the implementation of expanded gaming options for state racetrack, Maywood could be the first Illinois raceway to close its doors
.
In a report by myfoxchicago.com, Johnston says that his racetrack is just holding.
"Right now, we're just in survive mode," Johnston said. "Business is down 30 per cent from last year which is down 30 per cent from the year before."
The article cites multiple sources within the Illinois racing industry as saying that this could be the last viable summer for the state industry, which is represented in part by its five racetracks.
If the Illinois industry goes down, it will bring an estimated 40,000 jobs down with it.
The report explains that if the bill passes, the tracks claim they can stop laying workers off and start hiring for 1,200 to 1,500 new positions. It is estimated that expanded gaming at the tracks could result in $100 to $300 million in annual tax revenue for the state.
(With files from myfoxchicago.com)