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Horse Racing Purse Awards
CSFA Number: 406-54-2648
Agency Name
Department Of Agriculture (406)
Agency Identification
n/a
Agency Contact
Bureau Chief County Fairs Horse Racing
217-785-0110
Scott.Halpin@Illinois.gov
Short Description
To encourage the breeding of standardbred and thoroughbred horses in this State and the ownership of such horses by residents of this State in order to provide for sufficient numbers of high quality standardbred and thoroughbred horses to participate in race meetings in this State and to establish and preserve the agricultural and commercial benefits of such breeding and racing industries to the State of Illinois.
Federal Authorization
n/a
Illinois Statue Authorization
Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 (230 ILCS 5/29 Section 29(d), 30 ILCS 105/6z-129 Horse Racing Purse Equity Fund, and Public Act 104-0466 Article 60
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 (230 ILCS 5/29 Section 29(d), 30 ILCS 105/6z-129 Horse Racing Purse Equity Fund, and Public Act 104-0466 Article 60
Objective
To promote horse racing in the State of Illinois.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
n/a
Eligible Applicants
Other;
Applicant Eligibility
n/a
Beneficiary Eligibility
n/a
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specific Use
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
n/a
Preapplication Coordination
n/a
Application Procedures
yes
Criteria Selecting Proposals
n/a
Award Procedures
yes
Deadlines
yes
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
n/a
Appeals
n/a
Renewals
n/a
Formula Matching Requirements
No matching funds or in-kind contributions are required.
Uses and Restrictions
Grant monies are used to promote horse racing in the State of Illinois. Monies to be used for operational expenses, programs for backstretch workers, retirement plans, diversity scholarships, horse aftercare programs, workers compensation insurance fees, and horse ownership programs. Financial statements highlighting how the funding is spent shall be provided. The appropriate thoroughbred or standardbred horsemen organization shall make that information available on its website. Specifically, 45% being allocated to the thoroughbred purse account at a racetrack located in Stickney Township in Cook County, 30% being allocated to the harness purse account at a racetrack located in Stickney Township in Cook County, and 25% being allocated to the thoroughbred purse account at a racetrack located in Madison County.
Reports
yes
Audits
yes
Records
yes
Account Identification
0656-40654-4900-0055
Obligations
yes
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
n/a
Program Accomplishments
n/a
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Refer to Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 (230 ILCS 5/29 Section 29(d), 30 ILCS 105/6z-129 Horse Racing Purse Equity Fund, and Public Act 104-0466 Article 60
Regional or Local Assistance Location
n/a
Headquarters Office
n/a
Program Website
n/a
Example Projects
n/a
Published Date
7/1/2026
GATA Exceptions
None
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2027 : $2,500,000
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
None
None