Police pass the torch on June 10

Bourbonnais, IL – The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois will make its way through Kankakee County Wednesday, June 10th. Police officers throughout the county will be participating in the intrastate relay. Bourbonnais Police will be passed the Flame of Hope and begin their role as “Guardians of the Flame” beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. from 9000N Road in Manteno and heading southbound on N. Convent St. (Route 45/52).

Officers will pick up additional runners and bicycle riders at 5000N Rd (formerly 1 Cigna Dr.) and continue south on N. Convent St. to the Olivet Nazarene University ROTC building on S. Main St. in Bourbonnais, with an approximate 3:00 p.m. arrival. The torch will then be passed to City of Kankakee officers to complete the final leg in Kankakee County concluding at Bird Park in Kankakee.

Approximately 3,000 officers carry the Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles, running and biking through thousands of Illinois communities to its final destination - the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Normal, Illinois.

“We always appreciate the community coming out and supporting us and this special cause,” stated Bourbonnais Deputy Police Chief, Jason Sztuba. “Spectators are invited and encouraged to cheer on officers and families throughout the route.”

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run hosts a variety of annual fundraising events such as the Polar Plunge and Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop, which recently took place May 15th, at both Bourbonnais Dunkin’ locations as well as the Polar Plunge, which took place on March 1st.

The Bourbonnais Police Department is pleased to announce, based upon the generosity of officers and the greater community, they were able to raise $14,000 for Special Olympics Illinois athletes.