Illinois Special Olympics Winter Games Canceled

The Special Olympics will not be coming to northwest Illinois early next year. Officials planning the organization’s 2021 Winter Games recently announced they’ll be canceling the event. According to a release from Special Olympics Illinois, the games were called off due to the threat of COVID-19 among athletes, volunteers, coaches and family members. The annual event – held at Chestnut Mountain Resort near Galena – has drawn more than 400 participants each year to the community. Special Olympics Illinois hopes to offer other winter-sports opportunities with smaller, regional events for people with intellectual disabilities.