A Chicago Original: Special Olympics Turns 50

Mar 12, 2018, 10:09am CT

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, July 23, 2014, in Chicago. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP File

A Chicago Original: Special Olympics Turns 50

By Jason Marck

Mar 12, 2018, 10:09am CT

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In 1968, Anne McGlone was a college student here in Chicago working with kids with disabilities in Park District program. McGlone then had the idea to bring more of these kids together for a day of athletic competition at Soldier Field. Half a century later, Anne McGlone is known as Anne Burke, Illinois State Supreme Court Justice. And the day of athletics became the Special Olympics. We talk to Justice Burke about the past, present, and future of the Special Olympics as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

GUEST:

Justice Anne Burke, Illinois State Supreme Court