Hawthorne Race Course to Resume Horse Races Amid Financial Woes

Bankruptcy proceedings allow Stickney track to start season, but long-term future remains uncertain.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented horse race, with overlapping planes of muted browns, grays, and greens conveying the financial troubles facing the Hawthorne Race Course.Hawthorne Race Course, the last remaining horse racing venue in Northern Illinois, faces an uncertain future as it struggles to find a buyer and keep its operations afloat.Stickney Today

Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Illinois will resume its thoroughbred racing season on Sunday after a judge allowed the track to operate while it continues bankruptcy proceedings and searches for a buyer. The track had its license suspended earlier this year due to financial troubles, but the bankruptcy judge has guaranteed purse money to allow racing to resume, even as the harness racing season ended in February without all expenses paid.

Why it matters

Hawthorne is the last remaining horse racing track in northern Illinois, an area that once had a thriving horse racing industry. Its survival is critical to preserving the livelihoods of trainers, workers, breeders, and others in the regional equine economy. However, the track's long-term viability remains in question as it seeks a buyer amid ongoing financial struggles.

The details

Hawthorne Race Course was originally scheduled to begin its thoroughbred racing season at the end of March, but the suspension of its license earlier this year due to financial troubles delayed the start. Now, a bankruptcy judge is allowing the track to resume racing starting this Sunday, April 17, 2026, while it continues to search for a buyer. The track's owners had previously planned to build a casino on the property to boost revenue, but that plan fell through due to lack of funding.

  • Hawthorne's typical thoroughbred racing season would normally begin at the end of March.
  • Earlier this year, the track had its license to hold races suspended.
  • The bankruptcy judge is allowing Hawthorne to start its thoroughbred season on Sunday, April 17, 2026.
  • The harness racing season at Hawthorne ended in February without all expenses paid.

The players

Hawthorne Race Course

A horse racing track located in Stickney, Illinois that is the last remaining such facility in northern Illinois. The track is currently in bankruptcy proceedings as it seeks a buyer to secure its long-term future.

Chris Block

A representative of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, who expressed hope that the resumption of racing at Hawthorne will help restore confidence and participation among horsemen in the region.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're hoping once we get started here. The horsemen get confidence and want to come back here and participate the rest of the season.”

— Chris Block, Illinois Thoroughbred Horse Association

“This year in particular, we're so thankful for the horsemen, our staff and everyone who is working together to sustain Chicagoland racing during this critical time.”

— Hawthorne spokesperson

“We look forward to our next bankruptcy hearing on Monday and we are hopeful that Illinois Harness Horsemen will soon be paid the $2.5 million that is owed to them.”

— Harness Horsemen

What’s next

The bankruptcy judge has said that if there is no progress on finding a buyer and a new source of funding for Hawthorne, the track may not be able to complete the full racing season that is scheduled to run through November.

The takeaway

The resumption of racing at Hawthorne Race Course is a critical lifeline for the remaining horse racing industry in northern Illinois, but the track's long-term viability remains in jeopardy as it navigates bankruptcy proceedings and searches for a buyer to secure its future. The loss of Hawthorne would be a devastating blow to the regional equine economy and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.