2024 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games

Volunteers needed for the 2024 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games!

Summer Games is the largest Special Olympics Illinois sporting event and it’s coming to Bloomington-Normal on June 7-9!

Volunteers are needed to help at the Summer Games in various ways – sign up to volunteer today at soill.org/volunteers

The 2024 Summer Games is a full weekend of celebration gathering thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families to promo inclusion with a wide range of competitions happening at various location around town including Illinois State University, Normal Community High School, Kinglsey Junior High, and Grossinger Motors Arena.

Opening Ceremonies take place on Friday evening (6/7) at Hancock Stadium including the Parade of Athletes, National Anthem, Athlete Oath, and the lighting of the Flame of Hope.

Victory Dance takes place on Saturday evening (6/8) in Uptown Normal, giving athletes a chance to celebrate their accomplishments in the community.

Olympic Town takes place on Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm consisting of family-friendly activities, vendor booths, and entertainment to add fun and community to Summer Games.

More specific event timeline can also be found at soill.org/summergames

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…