Illinois Special Olympics taking place in Galena

The 44th annual Winter Games of Special Olympics Illinois is happening this week. The three-day event began Tuesday and is being held through Thursday with competition in alpine skiing at Chestnut Mountain Resort and snowshoeing at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa. Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit organization providing year-round training and competitions in 18 sports to thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities. The event annually draws more than 400 athletes to Jo Daviess County.