Evanston residents press council to restore Special Olympics services after coach’s termination

Dozens of Evanston residents and athletes told the City Council on July 28 they want the city to restore Special Olympics programming after the termination of long-serving coach and program lead Leonard Woodson. Public commenters said the change, which they said occurred in mid-July, led to canceled activities and left athletes without coach support.

Speakers described the Special Olympics program as a long-standing, community-supported service and said recent staffing changes disrupted scheduled competition and travel. Council members said staff is working to reestablish programming and that they will seek further review with city management.

The concerns matter because the Special Olympics and accessible recreation services provide coaching, travel coordination and community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; speakers said cancellations denied athletes expected competition and social opportunities. At least one regional competition and several upcoming state-level events were described as jeopardized by the service disruption.

Bob Houser,…