Ald. Silvana Tabares and her staff bravely jumped into the icy waters of Lake Michigan Sunday morning at North Beach Avenue to support Special Olympics Illinois.
Team Tabares dressed as DC Superheros, with Tabares as “Super Mom,” for their icy dip. They were part of the first wave of plungers alongside Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Ald. Matt O’Shea (19), Ald. Felix Cardona (31), dressed as Aquaman, and Ald. Peter Chico (10) and his team costumed as sharks.
The beach was crowded with plungers and spectators alike, waiting for the 10 a.m. commencement of the 2026 Polar Plunge Chicago.
The Polar Plunge is one of the most celebrated Chicago fundraising events presented by the Special Children’s Charities. Part of that reputation is due to Chicago being an important backdrop in the historical framework of the Special Olympics.
The Special Olympics were created in 1962 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister of President John F. Kennedy). It started as a day camp for children with intellectual disabilities, and six years later, in 1968, the first Special Olympics was hosted in Chicago’s Soldier Field and sponsored by the Chicago Park District and Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.
Sunday’s plunge kicked off with Special Children’s Charity Director Amy Taylor acknowledging the welcoming guests: elected officials, Near West Chicago Police (12th District), Chicago Fire Department, and cast members from Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med. All of whom braved the frigid temperatures for a great cause and had fun.
Taylor noted that over 4,300 participants raised over $1.5 million for the 2026 Special Olympics, including the Chicago Park District, Chicago high schools and sports teams, Peoples Gas, and more. Participants each raised a minimum $200 that also functioned as their entrance fee to plunge; from there, teams and individuals set their own fundraising goals.
Team Tabares raised over $2,158, which will help cover the expenses related to sports training, transportation, and sports gear for the athletes.
