Bidwill family members

The Bidwill family owned Sportsman's Park, which was remodeled to include the Chicago Motor Speedway to host both horse and auto races. In December, 2002, the state paid $750,000 to Sportsman's, which was shuttered at the time of the grant. Sportsman's Park was demolished in 2009, to be replaced with an outdoor festival park and retail. The Bidwills are also associated with the National Jockey Club, which merged with Hawthorne Race Course in July, 2002 to form Hawthorne National; Charlie Bidwill III remains a vice president of the merged company. A Chicago Tribune article from March 6, 2003 on Sportsman's Park can be found here: Closed track got $750,000 in Ryan pork. Members of the Bidwill family include Charles "Stormy" Bidwill II and Patricia Bidwill of Winnetka, and Charles Bidwill III of Northfield and East St. Louis.

Last revised June, 2011.