Sinopoli acting as Illinois chairman

Joseph Sinopoli, a former legal counsel and executive director of the Illinois Racing Board, is presiding as acting chairman of the board, but has yet to be named permanently to the position by the state government.

Sinopoli took over from Lorna Propes, who stepped down from the post in December. Propes had been appointed chairwoman in April 2003, taking over from Dennis Bookshester, who remains a board member.

Sinopoli, from Glen Ellyn, Ill., first served as the racing board's legal counsel before becoming executive director, a position from which he resigned. Sinopoli was appointed a commissioner on the 11-person board in September.