Special Olympics Illinois Sports Programs
Special Olympics Illinois, 2324 West Fulton Street, Chicago, IL 60612
About
Special Olympics Illinois Sports Programs offers year-round training and competition in 19 sports through traditional sports programs, Unified Sports® programs, and Young Athletes programs. The program also includes health programs with free screenings at events, along with leadership training and resources for athletes and advocates.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
Special Olympics Illinois Sports Programs began with its first-ever games at Soldier Field in July 1968. Its mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The organization is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. It provides free opportunities to a statewide community of more than 55,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and others, and is part of a global Special Olympics organization that unites 5.3 million athletes, Unified Partners, and volunteers across 200 countries. Its health programs include ongoing access to community-based care services through free screenings at events, and its leadership training and resources support athletes and advocates in fostering acceptance, friendship, and positive change statewide. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the single largest year-round fundraising movement benefiting Special Olympics Illinois, with goals to raise money and gain awareness for the athletes who participate in these programs. The organization follows a strategic plan anchored by four core priorities guiding growth and impact from 2025 to 2027, and allocates 75% of its resources to programming, 19% to fundraising, and 6% to management and general (cash and in kind, unaudited).
Last updated April 18, 2026.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
Special Olympics Illinois Sports Programs began with its first-ever games at Soldier Field in July 1968. Its mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The organization is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. It provides free opportunities to a statewide community of more than 55,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and others, and is part of a global Special Olympics organization that unites 5.3 million athletes, Unified Partners, and volunteers across 200 countries. Its health programs include ongoing access to community-based care services through free screenings at events, and its leadership training and resources support athletes and advocates in fostering acceptance, friendship, and positive change statewide. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the single largest year-round fundraising movement benefiting Special Olympics Illinois, with goals to raise money and gain awareness for the athletes who participate in these programs. The organization follows a strategic plan anchored by four core priorities guiding growth and impact from 2025 to 2027, and allocates 75% of its resources to programming, 19% to fundraising, and 6% to management and general (cash and in kind, unaudited).
Last updated April 18, 2026.
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