About
Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs offers karate and other martial arts classes at the Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs (ISKC) dojo. The program includes structured karate training led by experienced senseis.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
In 1978, John DiPasquale created his own karate dojo, which became Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs. Since 1978, the club has expanded to serve more than 75 park districts throughout the Chicagoland area and now includes 60+ dojos, 60+ Chicagoland locations, 15 instructors, and a thriving dojo of 6,000 students. The staff at ISKC is highly experienced, with senseis that have world class experiences. ISKC offers programs with classes for ages 4 and up and provides a member portal to train from home. Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs has been featured in outlets including The Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, The Patch, Make-a-Wish, Shaw Local, Dream it, Your Chicago Guide, and Journal Times.
Parents describe their experiences with ISKC in several ways. One parent, Midori D., says their family loves karate because it instills mental discipline, focus, self-responsibility, and cultural appreciation rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy. Dr. Allan H. shares that his son has been a student with ISKC for 6 years and that the senseis are great with young kids, foster fun and accomplishment, and have the expertise for students to be competitive at national or international levels, and that ISKC has become a family and community for them. Anthony B. notes that AJ has been with ISKC for 2.5 years, looks forward to each new belt, and that the senseis are encouraging, boost self-confidence, and know how to push students to bring out their best, and that they experienced strong community support at their first nationals tournament. Sue B. states that her family has been part of ISKC for over 40 years and multiple generations, and that karate teaches discipline, focus, and builds self-esteem, and she highlights that the staff is highly experienced with senseis who have world class experiences. Samantha I. explains that she signed Ilana up because karate builds more than strength and endurance, including character, respect, confidence, and good sportsmanship, and that she views it as a sport with lifelong benefits. Rochelle B. shares that karate with ISKC has been an amazing journey for their family, and that Olivia and Ethan have grown in confidence, discipline, perseverance, respect, focus at school, and goal setting, and that the supportive environment and dedicated senseis make it a place where their family learns and grows together.
Last updated August 11, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
In 1978, John DiPasquale created his own karate dojo, which became Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs. Since 1978, the club has expanded to serve more than 75 park districts throughout the Chicagoland area and now includes 60+ dojos, 60+ Chicagoland locations, 15 instructors, and a thriving dojo of 6,000 students. The staff at ISKC is highly experienced, with senseis that have world class experiences. ISKC offers programs with classes for ages 4 and up and provides a member portal to train from home. Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs has been featured in outlets including The Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, The Patch, Make-a-Wish, Shaw Local, Dream it, Your Chicago Guide, and Journal Times.
Parents describe their experiences with ISKC in several ways. One parent, Midori D., says their family loves karate because it instills mental discipline, focus, self-responsibility, and cultural appreciation rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy. Dr. Allan H. shares that his son has been a student with ISKC for 6 years and that the senseis are great with young kids, foster fun and accomplishment, and have the expertise for students to be competitive at national or international levels, and that ISKC has become a family and community for them. Anthony B. notes that AJ has been with ISKC for 2.5 years, looks forward to each new belt, and that the senseis are encouraging, boost self-confidence, and know how to push students to bring out their best, and that they experienced strong community support at their first nationals tournament. Sue B. states that her family has been part of ISKC for over 40 years and multiple generations, and that karate teaches discipline, focus, and builds self-esteem, and she highlights that the staff is highly experienced with senseis who have world class experiences. Samantha I. explains that she signed Ilana up because karate builds more than strength and endurance, including character, respect, confidence, and good sportsmanship, and that she views it as a sport with lifelong benefits. Rochelle B. shares that karate with ISKC has been an amazing journey for their family, and that Olivia and Ethan have grown in confidence, discipline, perseverance, respect, focus at school, and goal setting, and that the supportive environment and dedicated senseis make it a place where their family learns and grows together.
Last updated August 11, 2026.
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