The local leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run was held on June 13, beginning at the Westchester Police Department and ending at Constitution Court on Madison Street in Forest Park.
The run is a fundraiser that benefits Special Olympics Illinois, with the goals of raising money for the event and spreading awareness of the athletes who participate in Special Olympics.
Forest Park runners from left: Deputy Police Chief Ken Gross, clerk Maria Jimenez, Officer Daysi Riglos, Police Chief Tom Aftanas | Shanel Romain, Contributing Photographer 
Law enforcement runners from Forest Park and surrounding areas make their way east on Madison Street to Constitution Court on June 13. | Photo by Jason Maxham 
Photo: Torch Run 2021 3 Runners cool off in spray from a fire engine on Roosevelt Road during the Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 13 | Shanel Romain, Contributing Photographer
An intrastate relay, the run covers 1,500 miles through thousands of Illinois’ communities via 23 different legs or routes, according to the Torch Run website. The final destination is the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Normal.
Locally, participating police departments included Forest Park, North Riverside, Broadview, Maywood, Bellwood and Westchester.
Forest Park Police Officer Mike O’Connor coordinated the event, and Forest Park runners were Police Chief Tom Aftanas, Deputy Police Chief Ken Gross, Officer Daysi Riglos and desk clerk Maria Jimenez.
Along the route, fire trucks sprayed runners with water during the 4.5-mile course.
The run finished at Doc Ryan’s on Madison Street, where owner Matt Sullivan hosted runners, athletes and their families, which he’s been doing since 2017, said Aftanas. Sullivan donated pizza, beer and soda to the runners and their families.
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