As I reflect on these early months of the year, I am struck by how many meaningful moments are being created not only on the field of play, but in classrooms, meetings, and spaces where inclusion is shaped and strengthened across Illinois.
One of those moments took place recently at Heartland Community College, where we hosted the second training of our Athlete Leadership University. More than 40 athletes came together to build skills, confidence, and leadership capacity that extends well beyond Special Olympics Illinois. Experiences like Athlete Leadership University reinforce that inclusion is an active commitment. It means creating pathways for athletes to grow, lead, and influence the communities around them.
That same sense of progress was evident at the inaugural meeting of the Illinois Legislative Neurodivergent Caucus, launched by Representative Manley and Senator Cappel. We were honored to be invited to speak at this first gathering, which encouraged meaningful dialogue about the issues facing our athletes and others across the state. Bringing together policymakers, advocates, and people with lived experience is an important step toward more inclusive systems and solutions.
We are also seeing momentum take shape through thoughtful legislative conversations. House Bill 4284 focuses on updating Illinois state law to reflect person-first language rather than disability-first language. This shift recognizes people before labels and helps reinforce dignity and respect across systems. Representative Cochran, the chief sponsor of the bill, joined a recent Family Leadership Team meeting to share more about its intent and impact.
Just days later, a powerful moment occurred in Springfield. Our board member, coach, and athlete, Taylor Sweeting, testified in support of House Bill 4284 before a House Committee on March 19. We believe Taylor may be the first Special Olympics Illinois athlete to testify before a House Committee, an important milestone for our movement. His testimony was supported by Mo Khan, who introduced Taylor to Representative Cochran and worked closely with him to prepare his remarks. Taylor’s voice was a clear reminder that inclusion is strongest when those most impacted are part of the conversation.
Another piece of legislation we are watching is House Bill 5704, introduced by Representative Chung, which seeks $1 million in financial support for Special Olympics Illinois. Representative Chung is currently working to build bipartisan support by securing additional co-sponsors. If this effort resonates with you, reaching out to your state representative to encourage their support can play an important role in helping this bill move forward and in sustaining opportunities for our athletes statewide.
Looking ahead, excitement continues to build for the Special Olympics USA Games. Our Team Illinois 80-person delegation, including athletes, Unified partners, and coaches, and support staff, is set and preparing for an unforgettable experience. Thank you to everyone who supported the Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving campaign to send Team Illinois to the Games. Your generosity helps ensure our athletes have the resources they need to compete, represent our state, and shine on a national stage.
And in the months ahead, we will have opportunities to come together to celebrate our Team Illinois delegation. Each of these moments serves as an important reminder of the light our athletes bring to their communities and of the work still ahead to ensure everyone has the opportunity to belong.
Thank you for standing with us. Every training, conversation, and shared experience helps create more opportunities for inclusion and ensures that those moments continue to matter.
Pete Beale DelVecchio
President and CEO Special Olympics Illinois