230 ILCS 5/4

The Board shall consist of 11 members to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, not more than 6 of whom shall be of the same political party, and one of whom shall be designated by the Governor to be chairman. Each member shall have a reasonable knowledge of harness or thoroughbred racing practices and procedure and of the principles of harness or thoroughbred racing and breeding and, at the time of his appointment, shall be a resident of the State of Illinois and shall have resided therein for a period of at least 5 years next preceding his appointment and qualification and he shall be a qualified voter therein and not less than 25 years of age.