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Local law enforcement plan ‘torch run’ Sunday to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois

June 2, 2011

Logo of the Special Olympics IllinoisMembers of the local law enforcement will help raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics during the 25th running of the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run from Sunday, June 5, through Friday, June 10.

The week-long intrastate relay will feature 3,000 officers representing each branch of law enforcement.

Officers from the NIU, DeKalb and Sycamore police departments, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department will run in their communities Sunday, June 5.

NIU Department of Police and Public Safety is very much looking forward to participating with fellow local law enforcement officers  as well as public safety agencies from across the region and the state in this worthwhile and rewarding endeavor,” said Deputy Chief Darren Mitchell of the NIU Department of Police and Public Safety.

Representatives of the Belvidere Police Department and Boone County Sheriff’s Department take to the streets of Belvidere Monday, June 6.

The Rockford and Rockford Park District police, as well as the Loves Park, South Beloit, Rockton and Roscoe police departments will run with Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies, Illinois State Police troopers and FBI agents in their respective communities Wednesday, June 8.

The relay reaches its conclusion as officers from each of the 23 legs enter Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium for the opening ceremonies at dusk Friday, June 10.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single-largest, year-round fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. Each year, officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games in Normal.

The inaugural Torch Run raised $16,000 in 1986. In 2010, the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run raised more than $2.9 million, making it the second-highest-grossing program in the world.

For more information, contact Rockford Police Sgt. Pat Hoey at (815) 987-5041 or (815) 222-3324 or via e-mail at patrick.hoey@rockfordil.gov.