Trio of Illinois Racing Board commissioners resign

CHICAGO – Three commissioners at the Illinois Racing Board, including chairman Jeff Brincat, resigned Thursday.

The departures were confirmed by IRB staff on Thursday, and the IRB website no longer listed the members.

Gone from the board are chairman Jeff Brincat, who was appointed in 2015 by former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. Brincat, from all appearances, was a strong backer of Arlington International Racecourse, which is owned by Churchill Downs Inc., and frequently clashed with horsemen’s groups. His departure from the board could considerably alter the balance of power within the Illinois racing industry.
Arlington and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association have no contract for the 2020 race meet that begins in early May and are set to begin mediation regarding the impasse on March 20.

Also departing the board are commissioners Greg Sronce, who was appointed in 2012, and Edgar Ramirez, a member since 2017.

The board is supposed to seat 11 members and already had three vacancies before this week’s resignations, leaving the body with only five current commissioners.