# Illinois SB2885: HORSE RACING-VARIOUS

Illinois SB2885, HORSE RACING-VARIOUS, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) Senate bill sponsored by Bill Cunningham (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-05-22 (Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB2885-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois SB2885
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: HORSE RACING-VARIOUS
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-16
- Last action: 2026-05-22, Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
- Sponsor: Bill Cunningham (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: assignments, executive
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that the Illinois Racing Board, in lieu of obtaining a court reporter to make accurate transcriptions at each regular and special meeting and proceeding, shall create a verbatim record of each regular and special meeting in the form of an audio or video recording, unless an emergency situation precludes the creation of a transcript or recording. Allows the Board to refuse an occupation license to any person for any other just cause. Requires an applicant for an employment position as a pari-mutuel clerk, parking attendant, or security guard to include in the application whether the applicant has ever been convicted of any theft, fraud, wagering during the course of employment, touting, bookmaking, or any other act which is detrimental to the best interests of racing. Requires a licensee to forward a copy of the application form to the Board prior to extending an offer of employment to an applicant (rather than upon its decision to hire the applicant) and certify that it has checked the applicant's background. Removes language requiring the Board's review of an applicant to include an inquiry. Provides that no organization license may be granted to conduct a horse race meeting to any person who does not, at the time of application for the organization license, have plans certified by a licensed architect and confirmed financing for construction of a race track suitable for the type of racing intended to be held by the applicant and for the accommodation of the public on property that the applicant owns or has a contract or lease for possession of with completion scheduled before the meet applied for begins. Requires an application to conduct a horse race meeting to be delivered with a certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Board for $10,000 (rather than $1,000). Allows the Board to impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 (rather than $5,000) for individuals and up to $25,000 (rather than $10,000) against licensees for each violation of the Act. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Bill Cunningham (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (11)

- 2026-05-22: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (Senate)
- 2026-05-22: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (Senate)
- 2026-05-15: Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 22, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-04-24: Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-27: Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: To Gaming, Wagering, and Racing (Senate)
- 2026-02-03: Assigned to Executive (Senate)
- 2026-01-16: Referred to Assignments (Senate)
- 2026-01-16: First Reading (Senate)
- 2026-01-16: Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill Cunningham (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB2885.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB2885.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB2885-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).