IL HR1375

Congratulates Marc Laino on his retirement as Executive Director of the Illinois Racing Board after 31 years of dedicated public service.

Recognizes Laino's tenure with the Illinois Racing Board since 1987 in various positions including Deputy Director, State Director of Mutuels, Board Investigator, and Executive Director.

Acknowledges his instrumental role in moving the Board's drug testing program to the University of Illinois at Chicago's Animal Forensic Toxicology laboratory in 2004 and amending medication rules in 2008 to include anabolic steroid testing and out-of-competition testing.

Honors his representation of the Illinois Racing Board on legislation including House Bill 1918 (creating the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund with a 3% riverboat tax) and House Bill 4758 (requiring Illinois casinos to pay 3% of adjusted gross revenue to horse racing).

Notes Laino's receipt of the 2014 Len Foote Award from the Association of Racing Commissioners International, the highest honor bestowed on racing commission executive directors in North America.