Illinois Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Lanny Brooks has been cited as saying that he is more optimistic than ever before about the possibility of racetracks in Illinois getting slot machines

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On behalf of the state's five racetracks, Brooks has been present during the Illinois' annual veto session. He has been helping convince legislators that a bill which would see slots installed at racetracks would be a boon for the state which is having debt issues.

A report by bnd.com explains that the proposed legislation calls for 900 slot machines at each Fairmount Park in Collinsville and Balmoral Park in Crete, and 1,200 additional gaming positions each at Arlington Park, Hawthorne Race Course and Maywood Park in the Chicago area. The legislation also calls for five new riverboat casinos designated for Chicago, Rockford, Lake County, the south Chicago suburbs and Danville.

"A lot of lawmakers are working hard to save horse racing," Brooks was quoted as saying. "I feel positive about this bill getting passed this year."

(With files from bnd.com)

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