4,300 people take part in Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois
An estimated 4,300 brave souls took part in the Polar Plunge in Lake Michigan this chilly Sunday, all to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
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An estimated 4,300 brave souls took part in the Polar Plunge in Lake Michigan this chilly Sunday, all to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
Some brave souls were set to take a dip in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan on Sunday for the Polar Plunge, to benefit the Special Olympics. Chicago Park District Special Olympics administrator Eileen Guinane, Special Children’s Charities director Amy Taylor, and Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Jason Lach join Suzanne Le Mignot with a preview.
Chicago's annual Polar Plunge returns to Lake Michigan this weekend.
The annual fundraising event benefits Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children's Charities.
The annual Chicago Ducky Derby will splash down in the Chicago River Thursday afternoon.
The Special Olympics is holding its annual Spring Games and the competition is coming to Chicago next week. Soldier Field is hosting the Special Olympics Spring Games Opening Ceremony on Thursday to kick things off.
Burbank Elementary School in Belmont Cragin received the honor. Meanwhile at Nathan Hale Elementary School, a band, Santa, and a real-life reindeer greeted students Thursday.
Thousands of rubber ducks splashed into the water and each duck was paid for online with money going to the Special Olympics. The first three to cross the finish line won a prize from their sponsors.
CBS 2's Marshall Harris talks to student-athletes at Homewood-Flossmoor High School including those involved in the Special Olympics team. It's a National Banner School for the Special Olympics.
The competition featured 150 athletes between the ages of 45 to 74.
They're going for the gold, even as the mercury was rising. That was the sentiment from players as the Special Olympics held its first-ever Golden Games for older competitors. CBS 2's Sara Machi was at the starting line with one participant who's been with Special Olympics since the very beginning.
There were more than 93,000 ducks in this year's race. The owner of the winning duck received a new SUV.
All those little rubber ducks are adding up to a big payday for the Special Olympics.
More than 93,000 adopted ducks swam up the river to benefit the Illinois Special Olympics.
The torch is headed to Bloomington for the summer games starting on Friday.
'That care and concern and bringing them in and bringing them to be part of that mainstream, it's happening and it's being led by the kids."
The Special Olympics Young Athletes Program brought together kids of all ages and skill levels. CBS 2's Andrew Ramos shows us the impact the games are having on the community.
This year's participating departments include Northbrook, Saint Charles, and Palos Park.
This year's participating departments include Northbrook, Saint Charles, and Palos Park.
This year's participating departments include Northbrook, Saint Charles, and Palos Park.
"I get emotional when I see him around other kids just like him because it's amazing what these kids can actually do. Especially in their situation."
It was a beautiful day to start the Special Olympics Chicago Spring Games, with track and field events. CBS 2's Shardaa Gray shows us the action from Dunbar Park on the South Side.
The games kick off Tuesday morning at Dunbar Park on the South Side.
Monday's rain couldn't dampen the spirits of thousands of athletes who took over Soldier Field. It was the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics Spring Games.
We showed you the celebration earlier this week, as De La Salle Institute and Southside Occupational Academy celebrated their unified team division two state championship.
Microphones are perched atop 45 buildings, helping to capture a picture of bird traffic in Chicago. But the buildings helping to monitor birds also threaten them.
Michael Busch added a solo homer as the Cubs lost for the 21st time in 28 games.
The second-place White Sox (35-31) moved within a half-game of scuffling Cleveland atop the AL Central.
The flames from the cross burning in the middle of Grant Park were visible to anyone driving or walking down Columbus Drive.
Residents say that one particular business is at the center of a number of incidents in the area.
Chicago City Council members on Tuesday continued to put pressure on the Johnson administration to replace the city's ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, as a top city official revealed it could be eight more months to get it done.
A partial transcript of grand jury proceedings in the "Broadview Six" case were released Tuesday, demonstrating what attorneys for the now-cleared defendants say are instances of misconduct by federal prosecutors looking for an indictment.
The next round of Cook County property tax bills will be delayed by approximately two months, officials announced Tuesday.
Two Illinois lawmakers are pushing new efforts to keep the Chicago Bears from leaving for Indiana, as the mayor of Hammond says the exact site for a new Bears stadium in the Hoosier state is still in flux.
Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, told a federal judge he has lost 30 pounds and is not receiving consistent medical care for Type 2 diabetes while held in an Indiana jail.
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
A new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the Illinois megaprojects bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.
As thousands of Chicagoans wrap up road trips over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, gas prices in the city have reached the highest levels seen in four years.
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
One week away from Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer travel season, with gas prices remaining high, negotiations were set to resume Monday at the largest oil refinery in the Midwest.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
June is World Infertility Awareness Month, and Northwestern Medicine on Monday shared the story of a woman who is celebrating the birth of her second child after a tumor disrupted her fertility.
The Centennial Park Aquatic Center in the southwest Chicago suburb of Orland Park has been closed to the public after two recent cases of E. coli infection.
Menopause can feel like a major turning point for millions of women, with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog can make women feel like their bodies aren't their own.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
DraftKings announced Monday that it is closing its sportsbook operation at Wrigley Field after only about two years.
After more than 80 years, there will be no Ann Sather restaurant location in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview community, effective in June.
Flight attendants at Chicago-based United Airlines have approved a new labor contract, marking their first pay increases in six years.
Forty years ago last weekend, crowds turned out for the Chicago Blues Festival — an event studded with a roster of stars for a spectacle that's still talked about today.
Visitors will soon be able to check out the set from CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in Chicago, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
"Schmigadoon!" — which was tied for the most nominations, with 12 — won Best Musical, and "Liberation" took home the honor of Best Play at the 2026 Tony Awards.
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cover of Madden NFL 27, the first Bear ever to grace the primary cover of the massively popular video game.
The exhibit promotes bird-safe designs, treating glass with patterned dots spaced two inches apart.
Wednesday starts warm and dry, but severe storms are expected to move in by the afternoon, with damaging winds of up to 80 mph. Meteorologist David Yeomans is tracking the latest in First Alert Weather.
The flames from the cross burning in the middle of Grant Park were visible to anyone driving or walking down Columbus Drive.
Ald. Timmy Knudsen says he is now working with city departments to put some restrictions on nightlife along the corridor.
The Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information about the shooting that left one man dead, and three others injured on the city's West Side Monday evening.
CBS Skywatch was over the scene at 189th Street and Lorreto Lane, where multiple law enforcement officers, including members of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, were canvassing the area.
Microphones are perched atop 45 buildings, helping to capture a picture of bird traffic in Chicago. But the buildings helping to monitor birds also threaten them.
The flames from the cross burning in the middle of Grant Park were visible to anyone driving or walking down Columbus Drive.
A partial transcript of grand jury proceedings in the "Broadview Six" case were released Tuesday, demonstrating what attorneys for the now-cleared defendants say are instances of misconduct by federal prosecutors looking for an indictment.
Gov. JB Pritzker said he'd be willing to call a special legislative session this summer if the Bears and state lawmakers can reach an agreement on a plan to keep the team in Illinois.
The Crisis Alternative Response Evanston, or CARE, team responds to calls that, before July 2024, would have been lumped into police calls.
The system will provide all heating, cooling, and ventilation for the high school's new physical education facilities and contribute to the school system, saving the district nearly $400,000 a year.
The forecast for a summer reopening of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park is growing cloudy, as negotiations continue between the owners and landlord, after the safety net hospital abruptly shuttered its doors in March.
The Obama Presidential Center has been built with sustainability literally in its foundation. But its infrastructure for clean energy, environmentalism and climate change resiliency will also help the communities around it on Chicago's South Side.
A driver in Carol Stream says a band of hungry squirrels caused nearly $30,000 in damage to three different luxury vehicles because of plant-based parts they view as a tasty snack.
Michael Busch added a solo homer as the Cubs lost for the 21st time in 28 games.
The second-place White Sox (35-31) moved within a half-game of scuffling Cleveland atop the AL Central.
As much success as Loveland had as a rookie, especially down the stretch, he's locked in on getting better to be ready if that route tree is expanding.
Top prospect Braden Montgomery has joined the Chicago White Sox after the outfielder was brought up from Triple-A Charlotte.
Longtime CBS News Chicago sports and news anchor/reporter Ryan Baker announced he will be leaving his role after nearly 20 years to enter a new chapter in the nonprofit sector.
Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, told a federal judge he has lost 30 pounds and is not receiving consistent medical care for Type 2 diabetes while held in an Indiana jail.
Nick Reiner is accused of stabbing his parents Rob and Michele Singer Reiner to death at their home in December.
Prosecutors allege the suspects robbed a home in Warren, Michigan, killing two people in December 2024.
An Illinois investment advisor has been indicted by a grand jury on charges that he swindled his clients in a Ponzi scheme.
One person was arrested after a pickup truck struck an Illinois State Police squad car in Chicago's Grand Crossing community early Monday.