athletes
partners
inclusion
Let’s work toward a world where we are not labeled as ‘disabled,’ but a world that sees us as equals where we are all included.
Dave Breen, President & CEO
Triumph As A Team
usa
Games
When the 2022 USA Games took place on June 5-12, 68 Special Olympics Illinois athletes, 8 Unified partners, and 22 coaches were ready to let the games begin. The USA Games is a national sports competition that occurs every four years, and this year, the team proudly representing Illinois took Orlando, Florida by storm. The cherished event brought more than 5,000 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and drew in crowds to witness the perseverance and inclusivity of the games. Team Illinois took home a total of 39 gold, 39 silver, and 34 bronze awards, as well as 44 additional medals or ribbons and everyone came out on top as champions.
healthy
Athletes
In addition to year-round sports competitions, Special Olympics also provides leadership, personal development, and health education opportunities to its athletes. The screenings at USA Games covered seven health disciplines: podiatry, vision, dentistry, physical therapy/fitness, nutrition, healthy habits, audiology, and emotional well-being. More than 12,000 free screenings were conducted in total at USA Games. Region B athlete Rebecca Davis received life-changing hearing aids, free of cost, at USA Games’ Healthy Athletes. Prior to USA Games, Rebecca was hearing at a level four, and she left hearing at a level 10!
leadership
Academy
More than 80 athletes from all over North America convened in Chicago for the two-day Special Olympics Illinois Leadership Academy at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. For athlete leader Ryan Murray, it was a weekend filled with workshops, fellowship, and fun. The weekend’s workshops were tailored to different aspects of each Athlete Leader’s growth as well as workshops for parents, mentors, and coaches.
chicago
Ducky Durby
The 17th annual Chicago Ducky Derby took place on Aug. 4, 2022, as more than 75,000 rubber ducks raced their way down the Chicago River. The race made a splash as a record-breaking and sold-out fundraising event—raising more than $450,000. Special Olympics Illinois athlete Kyle Tuckey, the 2022 Chicago Ducky Derby ambassador, helped pull the lever during the Splashdown and selected the winning duck.
law enforcement
Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the single largest year-round fundraising movement benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. Since 1986, LETR has raised funds and increased awareness for Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments. LETR hosts many fundraising events including Cop on a Rooftop, Plane Pull, Truck Convoys, and more.
As a father of a Special Olympics Illinois athlete, I see firsthand the importance of our movement and its impact on the athletes and their families. The camaraderie between the athletes and our officers is genuine and rooted in mutual respect. There’s a bond that can’t be broken!
Sergeant Bill Devine,
Illinois LETR State Director
Dunkin’ Cop
On A Rooftop
2022 marked the 19th anniversary of the Dunkin’ and Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois partnership and police officers joined together again this year to show their support. Across the state, law enforcement officers rallied support for the Special Olympics Illinois athletes, by sitting, standing, and cheering on the rooftops of participating Dunkin’ locations, raising more than $925,000 for Special Olympics Illinois.
Amazon Fresh
In November, Amazon Fresh hosted Job Shadow Day at the Oak Lawn location. The day was filled with hands-on training including stocking inventory, working in the kitchen, order preparation, and greeting customers. Not only did this empower athletes to learn about the ins and outs of the job, but it also allowed them to potentially claim the job as their own.
Thank you to our sponsors for helping Special Olympics Illinois foster inclusivity in the workforce
regional
spotlights
I have been involved with Special Olympics for 55 years. I am currently the head coach of Rockford SO. I was at the very first games at Soldier Field in 1968. One of my favorite memories from the 1968 games was the fact that they set up a pool in Soldier Field. Being a coach for Special Olympics has been such a rewarding experience for me, as I have gotten to know many athletes and their families, and encourage them to do the best they can, and be brave in the attempt.
Anne Vestal,
Coach Region A
Trent Geiger | 309-706-4563. tgeiger@soill.org
Katie Risley | 309-533-3725 krisley@soill.org
850 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61103
Jordan Feldman | 847-209-1247
jfeldman@soill.org
Jaimie Lieblich | 773-598-5605
jlieblich@soill.org
Michelle Mark | 331-205-8995
mmark@soill.org
1724 S. Finley Rd., Lombard, IL 60148
Katelin Zandi | 630-545-3402
kzandi@soill.org
Amanda Nelson | 331-725-0188
anelson@soill.org
Emily Sullivan | 331-256-5553
esullivan@soill.org
1724 S. Finley Rd., Lombard, IL 60148
Melissa Garritano | mgarritano@soill.org
Brenden Cannon | bcannon@soill.org
Megan Reaska | mreaska@soill.org
Caitlin Tipre | ctipre@soill.org
Katie McFadden | kmcfadden@soill.org
Darius Jackson | djackson@soill.org
Maeve Cooney | mcooney@soill.org
820 W Jackson Blvd., Ste 330 Chicago, IL 60607
Patty Welsh | 708-997-0701
pwelsh@soill.org
Annie Riddering | 708-991-7564
ariddering@soill.org
Christa Sullivan | 708-991-7564
csullivan@soill.org
Amy Bandstra | 708-991-7564
abandstra@soill.org
900 Maple Rd., Ste 1W, Homewood, IL 60430
Cathy Betar | 309-734-5903
cbetar@soill.org
Jennifer Davis | 309-337-9326
jdavis@soill.org
P.O. Box 104, Monmouth, IL 61462
Bailey Brenner | 309-888-2551
bbrenner@soill.org
Hillarie Hamblin I 309-245-1164
hhamblin@soill.org
605 E. Willow St., Normal, IL 61761
My wife and I were big supporters of Special Olympics Illinois before we even had an athlete involved with Special Olympics. The Region H Spring Games were Ella’s first Special Olympics Illinois event and it was incredible to be involved. The cheering, the abilities, and the sense of accomplishment make all the fundraising and supporting more than worthwhile. Ella is now a two-time state qualifier for track and field. She qualified in the 50m run and the tennis ball throw this year and won gold at Summer Games last year in the tennis ball throw. I have also hosted a local Row 4 Dough fundraising event for the last eight years. In 2022, we had an attendance of nearly 200 participants and raised more than $16,000 to support Region H.
Dr. Michael Jones,
Sponsor and Special Olympics Illinois Parent, Region H
Lynde Pavich | 217-544-3023 lpavich@soill.org
Tara Nickerson | 217-791-7291 tnickerson@soill.org
900 Christopher Lane, Ste 12, Springfield, IL, 62712
I love Special Olympics because of the gold medals, teammates who are now my friends, all the t-shirts, the Polar Plunges, giving speeches, meeting other athletes from other teams, games, competitions, opening ceremonies, and being included in all of it. In Special Olympics, we are a team of teams. Being a Special Olympics Illinois athlete has taught me to never quit or give up. If you don’t win at first, just keep trying and practicing. Eventually, you will earn that gold medal.
Rachel Zakutansky,
Special Olympics Illinois Athlete, Region I
Joanie Keyes | 217-428-9255 jkeyes@soill.org
Jackie Mendoza | 217-355-1750 jmendoza@soill.org
Vanessa Duncan | 217-273-4485 vduncan@soill.org
1950 N. Water St., Decatur, IL 62526
1120 1/2 Richmond Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938
704 N. Main St., Tuscola, IL 61953
Justin Dunning | 618-248-8558
jdunning@soill.org
Steve Whitlatch | 618-248-8555
swhitlatch@soill.org
Katy Gruen | 618-830-6713
kgruen@soill.org
1318 Mercantile Dr., Highland, IL 62249
Brittany Fuqua | 618-619-2450
bfuqua@soill.org
Amber Blythe | 618-892-9540
ablythe@soill.org
Trebor Mann | 618-636-7394
tmann@soill.org
2300 W. Main St., Ste C, Marion, IL 62959
diversity, equity,
inclusion and belonging
One incredible way Special Olympics Illinois promotes inclusion is by including athletes in leadership positions on the board of directors. One of those athletes is Zinyra “Z” Ross. Z has been involved with Special Olympics Illinois since she was 13 or 14 and has also become an Athlete Leader and member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee.
annual
milestones
Throughout the
State
Provided at 39
Clinics
to Participate
Champion
Schools
statement of
activities
| Revenues, Gains and Support | 2021 | 2022 |
| Direct Marketing, Contributions & Grant | $12,159,576 | $18,652,606 |
| In Kind Support | $2,523,597 | $4,633,918 |
| Interest, Gain, Other Revenue | $582,382 | ($675,463) |
| Total Revenue Gains and Other Support | $15,265,555 | $22,611,061 |
| EXPENSES | ||
| Program Services | $10,814,673 | $16,907,271 |
| Fundraising | $1,579,454 | $2,486,922 |
| Management and General | $667,321 | $966,055 |
| Total Expenses | $13,061,448 | $20,360,248 |
| Increase in Net Surplus/(Deficit) | $2,204,107 | $2,250,813 |
| Ending Net Assets | $10,987,142 | $13,237,955 |
of our budget goes to program expenses
recognition of
sponsors/donors
Special Olympics Illinois has changed my life. I have made life-long friends, learned how to better make healthy life choices, and gained skills as a leader.
Kyle Tuckey
Special Olympics Illinois Athlete