Special Olympics Illinois' Virtual Gala Saturday at Home

When it comes to serving 23,000 Illinois athletes with intellectual disabilities "virtually" anything is possible.

Special Olympics Illinois will host Saturday a "Virtual" gala streamed to the comfort of supporters' homes to sustain the momentum of athletes' efforts around the entire state.

The Saturday Night "In" Virtual Gala concept will capture the spirited efforts of its athletes, coaches and volunteers with Second City-based humor, entertainment, auctions and guest appearances by featured athletes.

In previous years, hundreds of attendees gathered in downtown Chicago for an extravagant black-tie event for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. This year, the gala is presented "virtually" with the help of Chicago-based talent, entertainers and personalities.

Saturday at 7 p.m. - through soill.org - viewers can access the musical offerings of the Bono Bros Band, featuring members of the Freddy Jones Band, Tributosaurus, Mr. Blotto and special guest guitarist Fran Banish.

The gala will begin with a live program at 7:30 p.m., with scheduled appearances by Jordan Klepper of “The Daily Show,” NBC Chicago’s Patrick Fazio, WXRT DJ Lin Brehmer, Olympic medalist Apolo Ohno and David Harlan, the featured athlete of Special Olympics Illinois.

The virtual gala will also include a live auction. Viewers can pre-register and bid on various items featured during the gala programming. Pre-registration and auction bidding is accessed through inspiregreatnessgala.org.

Joe Antunovich, president of Antunovich Associates, is the chair of the virtual gala, alongside Executive Vice-Chair Michael L. Scudder, chairman and chief executive officer of First Midwest Bancorp Inc.

The Saturday Night In Virtual Gala is a night for all to come together to celebrate the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

With large, in-person gatherings impossible to manage, everyone can still come together to support the amazing athletes who are excited to get back on the playing field. The early reviews from rehearsal indicate the evening will be filled with laughs, music and the joy that sports bring.

The Saturday Night In Virtual Gala sponsors include Antunovich Associates, First Midwest Bank, MAKE Corporation, Advocate Aurora Health, BCBSIL, Union Carpenters, Gelber Group, ITW, TransUnion, KMPG, Coupa, Piper Sandler, Wintrust, NBC 5 Chicago, the Chicago Sun-Times, WXRT and Entercom.

For more information or to donate before the event, visit inspiregreatnessgala.com or text Nightin to 243725.