Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics Illinois, 2324 West Fulton Street, Chicago, IL 60612
About
Special Olympics Illinois 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 began with its first-ever games at Soldier Field in July 1968 and is recognized as the birthplace of the global Special Olympics movement. It was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation and is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was involved in making possible the first-ever games in July 1968. The organization is a non-profit that 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 community that unites 5.3 million athletes, Unified Partners, and volunteers across 200 countries. 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, with a focus on physical fitness, courage, joy, and shared experiences with families, other athletes, and the community. The program offers year-round opportunities in sports, leadership, and health, and its health programs include ongoing access to community-based care services through free screenings at events. Special Olympics Illinois notes that 75% of its resources go to programming, 19% to fundraising, and 6% to management and general (unaudited), and it follows a strategic plan anchored by Core Four priorities guiding its work from 2025 to 2027. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is described as 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 the program. Families are described as the heart of the Special Olympics Illinois community, with support, resources, and inclusive experiences as part of the program’s approach, and athletes and advocates are described as being empowered to foster acceptance and friendship and to drive positive change statewide.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
Special Olympics Illinois began with its first-ever games at Soldier Field in July 1968 and is recognized as the birthplace of the global Special Olympics movement. It was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation and is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was involved in making possible the first-ever games in July 1968. The organization is a non-profit that 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 community that unites 5.3 million athletes, Unified Partners, and volunteers across 200 countries. 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, with a focus on physical fitness, courage, joy, and shared experiences with families, other athletes, and the community. The program offers year-round opportunities in sports, leadership, and health, and its health programs include ongoing access to community-based care services through free screenings at events. Special Olympics Illinois notes that 75% of its resources go to programming, 19% to fundraising, and 6% to management and general (unaudited), and it follows a strategic plan anchored by Core Four priorities guiding its work from 2025 to 2027. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is described as 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 the program. Families are described as the heart of the Special Olympics Illinois community, with support, resources, and inclusive experiences as part of the program’s approach, and athletes and advocates are described as being empowered to foster acceptance and friendship and to drive positive change statewide.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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