Arlington Racecourse Officially Up For Sale As ‘Redevelopment Opportunity’

Written By Joe Boozell on February 23, 2021

Churchill Downs announced on Tuesday that it had officially started the sale process for Arlington International Racecourse.

While it may not be shocking to those following Arlington news in recent years, it is still worth noting that Arlington is one of the top three horse racing tracks in Illinois.

Churchill Downs plans to keep hosting horse races until 2021, as they do not expect any changes in pricing before then.

According to a statement released by Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen:

Located in the ideal area of Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Arlington presents a rare chance for redevelopment with convenient access to downtown via the on-site Metra rail station. Anticipating high demand for this site, we are eager to work with interested parties and the Village of Arlington Heights to transform this historic building into its next chapter.

Meanwhile, we remain resolute in our choice to relocate Arlington’s racing license to a different area within Chicagoland or elsewhere in Illinois. We are actively investigating options that involve the track’s condition, nearby towns, and the numerous Illinois residents who rely on thoroughbred horse racing in some capacity. We are confident that we can identify solutions that benefit all parties involved.

We are dedicated to supporting the thoroughbred racing industry in Illinois and will consider all options to promote its continued development.

The key term may be “redevelopment” or “next,” as it appears that racing is not in the track’s future plans.

Churchill Downs in Waukegan, exactly?

Carstanjen announced in his speech that Churchill Downs plans to move its passport to a new location in Illinois.

The Waukegan casino is the most probable destination, as it is currently in the process of applying for the license.

It is not certain that the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) will select Churchill’s bid, despite having valid reasons to do so. Full House Resorts and North Point Casino are also in the running for the Waukegan registration.

The city of Waukegan would need to give approval for the racino’s horse racing component if selected.

At the peak of Arlington sale rumors, Mayor Sam Cunningham of Waukegan remarked:

Ignoring a developer’s request in any financial situation would be a mistake. However, given the current circumstances, our main priority should be supporting our citizens during these difficult times. We hope that they can anticipate the opening of a new casino in the latter part of next year.

We are approaching a decision on the available game bids.

At the beginning of this month, the IGB determined that Hard Rock Casino Rockford was “preliminarily suitable” for a casino license. This marks a significant step towards obtaining final approval.

People from different areas, including Waukegan, remain unsure about what lies ahead for them. However, more details are anticipated to be released by the end of April.