Chicago's Polar Bear Plunge Registration Now Open

Take part in the fundraising event to benefit Special Olympics Chicago.

Calling all fearless weather warriors! Registration is now open for the 13th annual Chicago Polar Plunge, benefitting Special Olympics Chicago. The Chicago Polar Plunge, one of the largest fundraising events for Special Olympics Chicago, will take place Sunday, March 3 on Chicago’s icy lakefront at North Avenue Beach from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. This year, Special Olympics Chicago is aiming to make a “big splash” by surpassing all previous fundraising records for the Chicago Polar Plunge, and reaching the $1 million mark. Known for its festive costumes and courageous participants, last year’s event attracted more than 2,000 participants, and raised more than $650,000. Whether plungers want to go waist high or take the full plunge, the Chicago …

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Weekend in Photos: Area Officers Participate in Torch Run

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run stretches hundreds of miles and involves officers from across the state. The race raises money and awareness for Special Olympics. On Sunday, area officers participated in the race.

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LITH Special Olympics Athlete Joins Local Officers in Annual Torch Run

Around 50 officers from law enforcement agencies throughout McHenry County will take part in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run this Sunday

For 23 years, James William of Lake in the Hills, a Special Olympics athlete, has ran alongside local law enforcement officers in the annual Torch Run. This year is no exception. “He really has been with us since the beginning,” said officer Chris Filippini of the Algonquin Police Department. “He will run through a portion of Algonquin with us (on Sunday).” Around 50 officers from law enforcement agencies throughout McHenry County will take part in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run this Sunday to help support and raise awareness for Special Olympics. In total, 3,000 officers representing law enforcement agencies across the state will carry the “Flame of Hope” torch nearly 1,500 miles and through thousands of Illinois …

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Police Officers To Stake Out Dunkin' Donuts Rooftops for Charity

Annual fundraiser benefits Special Olympics Illinois.

Last year, Lake in the Hills Police Department officers perched themselves on the rooftop of the Dunkin' Donuts on Randall Road to raise funds and awareness for the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics. On Friday, they will do the same. As will hundreds of law enfocement officers from across the state.  LITH officers will be on the rooftop of Dunkin' Donuts from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and are encouraging people to stop by to donate to Special Olympics Illinois. Last year, the Lake in the Hills Police Department raised $2,000 and Chris Miller, police officer for the Lake in the Hills Police Department, hopes this year they will surpass that goal.  In addition to the Lake in the Hills Dunkin' Donuts, officers will …

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Algonquin, LITH Police Square Off in Charity Ball Game

The Lake in the Hills Police Department won the game, and $1,000 was raised for Special Olympics.

They've played one another before. But this is the first time the Lake in the Hills Police Department has taken on the Algonquin Police Department in a charity basketball game to raise money for a Special Olympics fundraiser. The "Battle of the Badges" contest was played Saturday morning at H.D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin. The Lake in the Hills Police Department left as the game's winner with a final score of 41-32. The game raised $1,000 from donations and entry fees. Trailing early in the game by 15 points, the Lake in the Hills squad bounced back and dominated in the second half, thanks mainly to the playing of Spencer Deacon, a 21-year-old resident of Lake in the Hills and a member of the Jacob’s Special Olympics Basketball Team…

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Tip a Cop Raises Money for Special Olympics

Algonquin police officers play waiters for a day at Red Robin to raise money in tips for the Special Olympics Illinois, as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

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Whiz Kids: Jacobs' Special Olympics Team

The team took home a bronze medal at the State competition.

The District 300 Special Olympics basketball team came home with bronze medals after competing in the state tournament over the weekend. The team traveled to Bloomington-Normal where they lost their first game but went on to defeat Matea Valley High School to cinch the bronze medal. The final score of that game was 38-20. The Special Olympics team was recognized for their achievement at the District 300 school board meeting Monday night.

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Jacobs' Special Olympics Team Earns Bronze Medal

The team was recognized during Monday's school board meeting.

The District 300 Special Olympics basketball team came home with bronze medals after competing in the state tournament over the weekend. The team traveled to Bloomington-Normal where they lost their first game but went on to defeat Matea Valley High School to cinch the bronze medal. The final score of that game was 38-20. The Special Olympics team was recognized for their achievement at the District 300 school board meeting Monday night.

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Algonquin Police Officer to Enter Lake Michigan Every Hour for 24 Hours

Officer Josh Latina will be running into the frigid Lake Michigan water as part of the Illinois Torch Run Super Polar Plunge.

While most of us are staying dry inside, today at 2 p.m., 26-year-old Patrol Officer Josh Latina of the Algonquin Police Department will plunge into Lake Michigan. He’ll do the same thing an hour later at 3 p.m., and again every hour for 24 hours. Latina is participating in the Super Polar Plunge at Northwestern University’s North Beach in Evanston. It is one of several events throughout the year that make up the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics. “It’s a big event,” Latina said, “You do your best to sleep, but you only have 45 minutes at a time.” One of the biggest challenges is keeping warm throughout the event, Latina said. “It’s a struggle… Around 2 a.m. it can get tiresome—the water is not exactly warm…

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Jacobs' Special Olympics Basketball Team Set to Play in United Center This Weekend

Ticket sales are down from last year, but Coach James Blaseck remains positive for for another high turnout.

This weekend Jacobs' Special Olympics basketball team won't be playing on just any basketball court—the team will be playing on the very same court that the legendary Chicago Bulls plays on. On Saturday, Nov. 13, the team will take the court at the United Center before the Chicago Bulls-Washington Wizards game to play a pre-game scrimmage against Vernon Hills High School Special Olympics Team. This is the second year in a row the team will be opening at the United Center and Coach James Blaseck said he is hoping for a similar turnout to last year's event. "Ticket sales are a little bit down from last year," Blaseck said. Last year, the program sold 150 tickets to it's game at the United Center. The team is hoping they can sell more before …

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