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Attorney General Upholds Shift Of Race Meets in Chicago Area f1 Illinois Horse Racing Code Permits Lincoln Fields and Arlington Park Transfers TransfersThe The way for the transfer of future race meetings from one track to another in the Chicago area so long as the dates do not conflict was paved by the states Attorney General in an opinion that was released yesterday by Major Ednyfed H Williams chairman of the Illinois Racing Board The racing board seeking legal approval of the transfer of the Lincoln Fields Jockey Clubs meeting to Hawthorne and the Arlington Park Jockey Clubs session to Washington Park because of the easier accessibility of those two tracks was advised by Attorney General Geo F Barrett that the Illinois racing code which limits the number of dates applies to an individual licensee but does not preclude the use of any track by other licensees licenseesIn In a letter to the racing board Attorney General Barrett wrote You advise that the Illinois race tracks with the approval of the Illinois Racing Board have been the first to work out their 1943 racing program cooperatively and in the spirit of war ¬ time needs needsYou You direct my attention to that portion of section 3 of the Illinois Horse Racing Act paragraph 37C Chapter 8 Illinois Revised Statutes 1941 which relates to the number of racing days at a particular track and inquire with respect to the au ¬ thority of the Illinois Racing Board to permit the transfers for which application has been made madeIt It is my opinion that the limitation contained in paragraph 37C applies only to the number of racing days conducted by an individual licensee on his or its track but does not preclude the use of the track by other licensees licenseesParagraph Paragraph 37B requires that each ap ¬ plicant possess a finished race track ready for racing and for the accommodation of the public publicNo No Conflict in Racing Dates DatesI I therefore assume that the licensees making the request would by lease or agreement obtain possession of and the right to use the premises of the other operators during the period and for the purpose indicated I further assume from the information you submit that a transfer of the sites of the particular meets in ques ¬ tion would not precipitate any conflict in racing dates in violation of the Illinois Horse Racing Act It is therefore my opinion that it is within the authority of the Illinois Racing Board to authorize the transfers contem ¬ plated Such transfers would not only relieve the burden of transportation facili ¬ ties and thereby aid the war effort but would also insure that the State of Illinois will receive revenues which otherwise would not be forthcoming forthcomingIn In requesting a clarification of the Illinois code Major Williams advised the Attorney General of racings laudable work in behalf of War Relief and of the importance of the sport as a medium of raising revenue for the state In his letter to the Attorney General Major Williams wrote wroteWe We desire to state that the Illinois race tracks with the approval of the Illinois Racing Board are the first to work out their 1943 racing program cooperatively and in the spirit of wartime needs Illi noise racing in recent years has acquitted acquittedContinued Continued on Page TwentyFour Shift of Illinois Meetings Is Given Legal Approval ApprovalLincoln Lincoln Arlington Transfers Upheld by Attorney General GeneralContinued Continued from Page One Oneitself itself with credit in assisting the improve ¬ ment of American racing as a sport and business Racing in the Chicago area is playing an important role in producing revenue for the state of Illinois as well as making a contribution to the community Many important businesses and business organizations recognize this fact and are lending their support supportThe The Illinois Racing Board is desirous of granting all racing dates it lawfully can because of the revenue which the state will receive namely 2500 daily license fee 2 per cent of the total parimutuels re ¬ ceipts arid 20 cents on each daily ticket of admission It has signified to the racing associations that it will authorize the transfer of the Arlington Park meeting to the Washington Park race track and the Lincoln Fields meeting to the Hawthorne race track subject however to the approval of the Attorney General to the transfer and to the conduct of more than sixty 60 days of racing at any race track place or enclosure
