Harley-Davidson Raffle via Special Olympics Illinois

Photo provided via Special Olympics Illinois

NORMAL, Ill. – Special Olympics Illinois is holding their annual Harley-Davidson raffle sponsored by the Illinois State Chiefs of Police Association. 

The raffle which has been going on since 1998, is expected to sell around 7,000 tickets this year. That number is lower than years past because of COVID, but is expected to be on the rise this year. The prize this year is a 2022 Black Street Glide bike. The motorcycle is valued around $20,000 and was partly donated to the organization by the owners of the Chi-Town Harley in Tinley Park. The funds received from this raffle are expected to be placed into a multitude of programs at Special Olympics Illinois, one of those being their leadership program.

 “The money goes directly back to our athletes,” said Taylor Wiscons, Director of Development at Special Olympics Illinois.

Special Olympics Illinois puts on events year round for athletes with intellectual disabilities where the organization assists nearly 21,000 athletes.  9,000 of these athletes assisted are children aged 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.

“We give them training on how to be athlete leaders,” said Wiscons. “They’re some of the coolest people we know and they end up having so much to say. Giving them a voice and platform to make change for them and their peers. You can’t help but step back and think this is amazing.” 

The Illinois State Chiefs of Police Association have been helping with the raffle for two years now.

“It’s that partnership, the beautiful thing about non-profit is that you have these partnerships of people who are willing to help our mission,” said Wiscons.

The idea of raffling a Harley-Davidson might seem random, but the inspiration for this idea came about over 20 years ago when Special Olympics Illinois wanted to gain the attention of people and organizations whom wanted to help their mission but didn’t have extensive funds to or know how to help with the opportunity to assist with the incentive of a prize. 

The finalist drawing will be held at the Special Olympics Illinois headquarters in Normal, Illinois on Friday, October 14th. Tickets are available for purchase until Thursday, October 13th.