Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting Special Olympics kicks off Sunday

[June 07, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Police announced that the 2008 Torch Run will begin on Sunday and end on Friday. The Torch Run will go through the Springfield area Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, local Special Olympians and their parents and coaches will cheer on the torch runners from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Illinois State Police Armory Building, Second and Monroe streets. The torch will then make its way across the state, ending in Normal for the start of Special Olympics Summer Games at Illinois State University on June 13-15.

The Illinois State Police agency gives special recognition to Sgt. Diane Vanderkooy for her hard work and dedication to the Illinois Special Olympics and Law Enforcement Torch Run. In 2002, Vanderkooy was appointed as the coordinator for the Torch Run for Special Olympics, an event in which officers and athletes run the "Flame of Hope" to the opening ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state and provincial games, and the National Summer or Winter Games. Every two years, law enforcement officers from around the world gather to carry the flame in a final leg of the run in honor of the Special Olympics World Summer or World Winter Games.

The Torch Run initiative includes a variety of fundraising activities in addition to the run itself. Examples of Torch Run fundraising are T-shirt and merchandise sales, donations or pledges for runners in the Torch Run, corporate donations, special events such as Polar Plunges, golf tournaments, and many other local events. Vanderkooy, along with 39 Illinois State Police liaisons, have raised close to half a million dollars since 2002. This year's Illinois State Police goal for the Torch Run is $40,000, with more than $20,000 having been raised so far.

This year, the first Trooper Brian McMillen Memorial Run benefiting the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a leg of the Torch Run, will be on Thursday from 9 to 9:35 a.m. The route is from Peoria Road and Dirksen Parkway in Springfield to the Sherman Family Video.

For more information, contact Vanderkooy at 217-971-6126 or [e-mail].

The Law Enforcement Torch Run schedule is as follows:

2008 Law Enforcement Torch Run
June 11-13

Day 1
Wednesday, June 11

Exit 52 to Gillespie fire station

Contact people: Trooper Gillock and Capt. Reents, Illinois State Police

7-9:10 a.m. -- Gillespie to Carlinville, Route 4, 13 miles, District 18

9:10-11 a.m. -- Carlinville to Nilwood, Route 4, Shell station restroom stop, 11 miles, District 18

11-11:40 a.m. -- Nilwood to Girard, Route 4, 4 miles, District 18

11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -- Girard through Virden to Sangamon County line, Route 4, 5 miles, District 18 and academy staff

2:30-3:50 p.m. -- Chatham to Veterans and West Monroe, Route 4, 8 miles, academy staff, inspections and audits

4-4:30 p.m. -- Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Veterans and West Monroe, to Armory, Monroe Street, 3 miles, ISP cadets if in house, command personnel, academy staff, area officers, FBI and any others

Day 1 total: 55.5 miles

Day 2
Thursday, June 12

8-9 a.m. -- Armory Building to Peoria Road and Dirksen Parkway, Freedom gas station, 5 miles, Springfield Police Department and SERT, contact person Lt. Dennis Arnold

9-9:35 a.m. -- Peoria Road and Dirksen Parkway, Freedom gas station to Sherman Family Video, 3 miles, 183rd Fighter Wing Air National Guard, first Trooper Brian McMillen Memorial Run, benefiting Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois

9:35-10:35 a.m. -- Sherman to Williamsville, 6.2 miles, Williamsville Police Department officers and chief

10:35-11:35 a.m. -- Williamsville to Elkhart, 5.8 miles, Williamsville Police Department officers and chief

11:35 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- Elkhart to Broadwell, 3.9 miles, ISP forensic guys and gals

12:15-1:20 p.m. -- Broadwell to Lincoln city limits, 6.4 miles, ISP forensic guys and gals

1:25-2:05 p.m. -- through Lincoln: Lincoln Parkway, Fifth Street, South Logan, Pulaski Street, around square, north on Kickapoo, 3.4 miles, Lincoln Police Department, Logan Sheriff’s Department

2:05-2:50 p.m. -- North Lincoln city limits to Lawndale, 4.6 miles, runners TBA

2:50-3:45 p.m. -- Lawndale to Atlanta, 4.5 miles, runners TBA

Day 2 total: 42.8 miles

Day 3
Friday, June 13

Bloomington Police Department -- Atlanta exit, hotel on left

9-9:20 a.m. -- Atlanta to McLean County line, 1.5 miles, Bloomington and Alton police departments, McLean County state’s attorney’s office

9:20-9:45 a.m. -- McLean County line to McLean city limits, 3 miles

9:45-10:45 a.m. -- McLean to Funks Grove, 4.8 miles

10:45-11:15 a.m. -- Funks Grove to Shirley, 4.1 miles

11:15 a.m.-noon -- Shirley to Bloomington, 3.6 miles, city limits

12:30-12:45 p.m. -- to host hotel, Chateau Bloomington, Veterans Parkway, 1 mile

Lunch provided at end of run

Day 3 total: 18 miles

___

Wednesday, June 11 -- 55.5 miles

Thursday, June 12 -- 42.8 miles

Friday, June 13 -- 18 miles

Total Leg 17: 116.3 miles

[Text from file received from Illinois State Police]