HB 5469

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that, in addition to the appropriation for payment into the thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing purse accounts at Illinois pari-mutuel tracks, a one-time appropriation shall be made for the 3-year period before the effective date of the amendatory Act for which appropriations were not made. Makes conforming changes. Makes changes to provisions concerning the calculation of organization licensees' annual contributions to non-profit organizations that provide medical and family, counseling, and similar services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois racetracks. Provides that for the 10-year (rather than 5-year) period beginning on the January 1 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year during which an organization licensee begins conducting gaming operations, the organization licensee shall make capital expenditures to the improvement and maintenance of the backstretch. Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Requires a person or entity having operating control of a racetrack to pay an initial fee of $17,500 (rather than $30,000) per gaming position from organization gaming licensees where gaming is conducted in Cook County. Provides that a person or entity having operating control of a racetrack located in Cook County shall only pay the initial fees for 720 of the gaming positions authorized under the license. Provides that the required reconciliation payments for an organization gaming licensee who operates gaming positions may be made in installments over a period of no more than 12 (rather than 6) years.