Twins Take Sharing the Special Olympics Illinois Mission to the Next Level

Brett and Luke Hanson are 21-year-old twins – with Luke being just minutes older. They are also Special Olympics Illinois athletes having been involved with the organization for more than 15 years. Starting with the Young Athlete program, they now compete in multiple sports, including athletics, softball, basketball, and powerlifting. Brett also tried his hand…

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Our Life in Special Olympics

Each athlete at Special Olympics Illinois has their own unique story. We recently received a letter written by twin sisters, Jean and Jan, from Region I about their experiences with Special Olympics that we wanted to share. Jean and Jan are looking forward to getting back into Special Olympics. We started doing Special Olympics when…

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Inspiring Journeys Highlight 2021 State Bowling Tournament

by Rand Kindred There were roughly 400 athletes competing Saturday, December 4, in the Special Olympics Illinois State Bowling Tournament at Peoria’s Landmark Lanes. Each had a story unique to them. Amid this mass of heart-warming tales, played out in three shifts on Landmark’s 50 lanes, were two of the most inspiring stories you will…

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2021 State Flag Football: An Athlete Leader

Jonathan Steiner was one of 300 Special Olympics Illinois athletes who traveled across the state to compete in the 2021 State Flag Football last weekend in Peoria. Jonathan and his team, the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) Knights, came in from Crystal Lake, Ill., which is about a three-hour road trip. Jonathan says it’s…

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