by Michelle Mayer | Jun 19, 2025 | Mission Focused, Organizational Impact, Uncategorized
We’re thrilled to see an exciting surge in athlete registrations for this year’s Summer Games—a true reflection of the growing energy and spirit within our Special Olympics Illinois community.
As our athletes prepare to compete at the state level, we’re reminded of the Special Olympics Athlete Oath:
“Let me win. But, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
This oath captures the courage, joy, and sportsmanship that will be on full display throughout the weekend. With so many athletes coming together, it’s a celebration of dedication, tenacity, and inclusion that we can all be proud of.
And, behind every great athlete is a coach who inspires and supports them—if you feel called to be part of that vital role, now is the perfect moment to join this incredible team. Together, we make every moment meaningful.
We’re beginning a full rollout of the Center of Excellence (COE)—an easy-to-use online portal that simplifies registration and communication for athletes, their circle of care, coaches, and volunteers. Designed to improve accessibility and efficiency, the COE helps everyone stay informed with faster, clearer connections. You’ll hear more about the roll out in the coming months.
Looking ahead, we’ll be setting our organizational goals for 2026 in the coming months. These goals will build on the foundation laid in 2025 and focus on our Core Four priorities from our strategic plan: expanding our roster, building the movement, changing the game, and championing inclusion. This goal-setting process will also guide our 2026 budget, the process for which begins in July.
The progress we’re making today is setting the stage for even greater impact tomorrow. Thank you for being part of this important work.
With gratitude,
Pete Beale-DelVecchio
President & CEO, Special Olympics Illinois
by Michelle Mayer | Jun 16, 2025 | Athletes, Families, Healthy Athletes, LETR, Sports, State Tournaments, Statewide, Volunteers
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of competition and celebration at the 2025 Summer Games! Athletes, families, coaches, and fans will gather in Bloomington-Normal for three inspiring days packed with more than just sports. From health and wellness offerings to family-friendly fun, here’s your guide to everything you won’t want to miss.
Momentum Refresh
Come check out the Momentum Refresh vehicle located in the parking lot at the south end of the ISU track. We are proud to offer this universally designed, ADA-compliant mobile restroom and changing area, bringing a new level of accessibility and inclusivity for all participants, families, and fans.
Healthy Athletes
Athletes may take part in free screenings in Special Smiles, Healthy Hearing, Opening Eyes, and FunFitness on Friday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at CEFCU (Redbird) Arena. Plus, don’t forget to visit the Healthy Habits Station for water refills and healthy living tips, located at the top of the Redbird Ramp.
Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg
Members of Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run will conclude the Final Leg of their week-long, intrastate relay, carrying the Flame of Hope to its final destination of Opening Ceremony on Friday. Officers will run from The Shoppes at College Hills to Hancock Stadium starting at 7:30 PM.
Opening Ceremony
This momentous evening will feature the Parade of Athletes, Athlete Oath, special guest speakers, live entertainment, and the famous lighting of the cauldron. The event kicks off at Hancock Stadium at 8:00 PM on Friday. Can’t make it in person? Watch the inspiring ceremony as we live stream the event.
Young Athletes Statewide Culminating Event
Witness the joy of our Young Athletes program as kids ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities participate in a series of obstacles on Friday at 2:00 PM at Hancock Stadium. Pre-event registration is required.
Olympic Town
Open at ISU’s Turner Hall Parking Lot on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Olympic Town will offer a variety of family-friendly activities, including carnival games, an LETR dunk tank, live entertainment, a dance party, and more. We encourage everyone to come and take part in this free and fun event.
Families
Special Olympics Illinois celebrates families at Summer Games with activities like Family Registration at Horton Field House, Olympic Town, Grossinger Arena and Normal Community High School. Stop by for event flyers, Fan Zone fun, and a free raffle! Families can also attend the free Family Tailgate Picnic on Friday night from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Pre registration is required.
Victory Dance
Dance the night away on Saturday from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in Uptown Normal. Athletes can enjoy the chance to celebrate the weekend’s accomplishments, socialize with old and new friends, and just let loose!
View the Summer Games event website for more. Want to get live event updates? Text “summer” to 844-393-0980.
by Michelle Mayer | Jun 12, 2025 | LETR, State Tournaments, Statewide
Over the next two weeks, thousands of law enforcement officers across Illinois are lacing up their running shoes, not for speed or medals, but for something far greater: to promote inclusion and to celebrate the accomplishments of athletes of all abilities.
The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is officially underway, with more than 3,000 officers carrying the Flame of Hope across 1,500 miles through cities, towns, and neighborhoods.
Countdown to the Cauldron
The excitement will build toward a grand finale on Friday, June 20, when officers run the final leg of the relay at 7:30 PM at The Shoppes at College Hill in Normal. There, they’ll carry the Flame of Hope to Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University for the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Games, lighting the cauldron and officially kicking off the state’s largest competition of the year.
This annual intrastate relay is more than an annual tradition, it’s a powerful show of support for the more than 60,000 athletes, Unified partners, Young Athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families that make up the Special Olympics Illinois community.
A Commitment to Inclusion
For the officers of Illinois LETR, the Torch Run is about more than a run—it’s about fueling the mission. LETR is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois, raising more than $5 million in 2024 alone. The relay offers officers a unique opportunity to connect with athletes and show their support in a public, visible, and meaningful way.
The 2025 Torch Run includes more than 30 individual legs throughout Illinois, with regional runs scheduled across the northern, central, southern, and metro areas of the state. From Rockton to Robinson, from Chicago to Springfield, the Flame of Hope will pass through communities large and small, igniting awareness for a more inclusive future.
Join the Movement at Summer Games
The Torch Run is just the beginning. As the Flame of Hope makes its way to Hancock Stadium, you’re invited to be part of the celebration.
Witness inclusion in action, discover ways to experience the power of Summer Games in Bloomington-Normal from Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 22.
by Michelle Mayer | Jun 10, 2025 | Athletes, LETR, Mission Focused, Region H, Sports
For families across Illinois, the Young Athletes program is more than a chance to run, jump, throw, and play. It’s the very first step into the Special Olympics Illinois community—a place where every child is seen, supported, and celebrated.
The Young Athletes program introduces children ages 2 to 7, with and without intellectual disabilities, to the joy of movement and the basics of sports. In doing so, it helps build physical coordination, social confidence, and lifelong friendships among participants.
This summer, the program takes center stage at the Young Athletes Culminating Event, held on Friday, June 20 at Hancock Stadium during the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Normal.
Finding a First Step and a Community
Amanda Workman first got involved in the Young Athletes program when her son Waylon, a Young Athlete with an intellectual disability, was just three years old.
“We were looking for a way for him to burn off some energy. He was full of life,” Amanda shared. “Coach Diane invited us to practice alongside traditional Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Even though we stayed off to the side at first, we were welcomed completely.”
What started as a practical outlet quickly became something more. Amanda eventually became a registered coach and learned more about the mission behind the program: to support children with and without intellectual disabilities through inclusive play and skill-building activities.
“Physically, it’s helped Waylon build coordination and confidence,” she said. “But emotionally and socially, that’s where we’ve seen the biggest growth. He feels accepted. He feels proud. He lights up when he sees the police officers who volunteer. Their kindness and support show him that the whole community is cheering him on.”
Amanda and her family have returned year after year, forming strong bonds with other families in the program.
“The kids grow up together, and so do we as parents. It’s become a community of people who understand and celebrate each other.”
Now, Waylon is starting to transition into other, traditional Special Olympics Illinois activities, carrying with him everything he gained through Young Athletes.
A Dual Perspective: Parent and Officer
Shannon Beauchamp, a member of the Young Athletes/LETR Committee, brings a powerful dual perspective to her role—as both a parent and a law enforcement officer involved in the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).
Her journey with Special Olympics Illinois began more than a decade ago when she attended LETR fundraisers with her agency. But it was not until she attended the Illinois LETR Kickoff Conference and saw a Young Athletes presentation that she truly felt the connection.
“Having a child diagnosed with autism really puts things into perspective,” Shannon said. “Seeing how much it meant for him to be included—on his terms and at his level—meant the world to us.”
The Young Athletes program has created a unique opportunity for both of her children. Her son benefits from the inclusive and sensory-aware environment, and her daughter—who does not have an intellectual disability—gets to participate alongside him as a Peer Partner.
“She takes his hand and helps him where he struggles. Watching them grow together is incredible,” Shannon said. “It’s emotional as a parent. You see other families cheering on their athletes, and then it’s your own child out there. It’s powerful.”
Shannon also sees firsthand how meaningful officer involvement can be.
“You go to your first LETR event and it pulls you in,” she said. “The hugs, the high-fives, just showing up makes a difference. And when families open up and share their journeys, you realize the events are about so much more than sports. The support is real. It stays with you.”
Looking Ahead
Both Amanda and Shannon have witnessed the lasting impact that the Young Athletes program has on children and families. For Amanda, the upcoming Summer Games is a chance to see Waylon participate in both Young Athletes and transition activities. For Shannon, the opportunity to support other families is a reminder of why this work matters.
“We keep coming back because we found something much bigger than we expected,” Amanda said. “It’s a program, yes—but it’s also a purpose, a support system, and a celebration of every child’s potential.”
The Young Athletes Culminating Event is held at the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games. Summer Games is held June 20-22 in Normal, Ill.
Learn more about the 2025 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games.
As Shannon said best, “These events are set up for your child. They don’t have to do anything they’re not comfortable doing. The joy you’ll see on their face—it will melt your heart. Take the chance.”
by Michelle Mayer | May 30, 2025 | Healthy Athletes, Mission Focused, Region F
At Special Olympics Illinois, health isn’t just a side benefit of sport—it’s central to the mission. Athletes are proving that with the right tools and support, people with intellectual disabilities can live longer, stronger, and more active lives.
Through the Healthy Athletes® program, athletes gain access to vital health education, fitness training, and preventative care—resources that are too often out of reach. And as we come to the end of Physical Fitness Awareness Month, no one embodies that mission more than Kaylee McLaughlin.
Kaylee, an Athlete Leader and Health Messenger from Region F, is living proof of the power of healthy habits—and she’s on a mission to inspire others to do the same.
“Be active so you can live a long life.”
That’s Kaylee’s motto, and it’s grounded in her own experience. With simple steps like taking the stairs, walking with family, doing arm lifts with water bottles, and adding squats to her routine, she’s built a more active lifestyle—one that fuels her energy, confidence, and independence.
Small Steps. Big Impact.
Physical fitness isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Kaylee encourages others to start small and stay consistent. Her favorite tips?
- Join free programs like Fit 5 and Weekend Warrior Workouts through Special Olympics Illinois.
- Find a workout buddy to stay motivated.
- Build in movement you enjoy, so it becomes part of your routine.
Healthy Living Is More Than Movement
Kaylee also champions nutrition and sleep as essential parts of her wellness routine. Her go-to choices: fruits and veggies, water instead of soda, and getting enough rest to recharge for the day ahead.
Wellness for All
Kaylee’s story shows that fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it should be accessible to everyone. Through programs like Healthy Athletes and leaders like Kaylee, Special Olympics Illinois is building a culture of health that lasts a lifetime. Discover how you can take the first step toward better health.
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