Bidder for Hawthorne Race Course expected to end horse racing unless another buyer steps in

Robert McCoppin and Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune on Jun 27, 2026

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CHICAGO — Hawthorne Race Course has reached a preliminary agreement to sell the track for $90 million to a company that’s expected to close down the racetrack unless another bidder comes to the rescue in bankruptcy court.

The west suburban track submitted a “stalking horse” proposal Thursday in bankruptcy court to sell its real estate assets only to ALLIMAC 2023 LLC, a Delaware-based shell company that may be representing an unknown corporate buyer.

Hawthorne President Tim Carey previously has said that proposals for the site include turning it into a data center.

While track officials declined comment, members of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association held out hope that Hawthorne may yet be saved as the last professional horse racing track in the Chicago area.

“The highest and best use of Hawthorne Race Course is horse racing, a sport and industry supporting multiple economic sectors from backstretch workers and horse trainers to truck drivers and hay and feed suppliers,” association Executive Director David McCaffrey said in a statement. “We remain hopeful the property will sell to a gaming entity that recognizes the enormous potential of Hawthorne as a racino entertainment destination, and in turn, save the thousands of jobs reliant on Hawthorne Race Course.”

It has taken years to get to this point, but events accelerated in the past few months. In February, Hawthorne filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, allowing it to continue racing at the track in Stickney while trying to sell it to pay off more than $100 million in debt.

Since then, Hilco Real Estate and Province LLC have contacted nearly 8,000 potential buyers. Forty parties executed nondisclosure agreements to conduct due diligence in connection with a possible acquisition and were given access to Hawthorne’s financial information, court records showed.

Besides marketing the site as a racetrack, Hilco also highlighted its heavy industrial zoning and strategic location as one of the largest parcels available close to Chicago, “supporting the opportunity to develop modern logistics, distribution, manufacturing or mixed industrial uses.”

Hilco and the Hawthorne have conducted multiple telephone conferences, in-person meetings and site visits with potential bidders. Hawthorne received offers from several potential bidders.

A hearing Monday will address whether Bankruptcy Judge Timothy Barnes will authorize ALLIMAC as the stalking horse bid. If so, that would set the floor for the minimum bid for the property.

Other interested parties have until Tuesday to submit formal bids. There would be an auction if necessary July 7, and a hearing to finalize the sale July 13.

Hawthorne has state authorization to build two combined race tracks and casinos, known as “racinos,” which should be potentially attractive to gaming companies. One would be at its current location, and the other would be in the south suburbs.

State lawmakers authorized Hawthorne in 2019 to build its racinos. Despite repeated promises, Hawthorne was never able to get approved financing for the projects.

Since Churchill Downs Inc. closed Arlington International Racecourse in 2021, Hawthorne has been the last track in the Chicago area to keep alive harness and thoroughbred racing.

With competition from casinos and video gambling at bars across the state, horse racing has been fading. Horse owners have held out hope that racinos would generate enough revenue to save the dying industry.