State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) has successfully advanced House Bill 4300 to safeguard the annual 9-Day Trail Ride, a nearly 60-year-old Southern Illinois tradition. The bill updates state law, expanding the statutory definition of “campground” from 6 to 10 days of operation per year. This change addresses a recent ownership transition that could have threatened the event’s future due to regulatory issues.
The 9-Day Trail Ride, held each July in the Shawnee National Forest, draws visitors from across the region and is a significant contributor to local tourism and small businesses. Windhorst emphasized the event’s importance to both the community and the regional economy, stating that prompt legislative action was needed to ensure its continuation.
The measure passed unanimously in the Illinois House and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.