ILLINOIS — The Illinois Department of Corrections is the Top Fundraising Agency for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois for the second straight year and a Centralia Correctional Center correctional officer has received the highest recognition given by Special Olympics Illinois.

The announcement was made at the Torch Run Kick-Off event in Bloomington last Friday. IDOC raised a total of $169,215 in 2018, which broke the Department’s 2017 record of $148,042.

Throughout the year, staff at each of IDOC’s 29 correctional facilities participate in Torch Run fundraising events such as Polar Plunges, Plane Pulls, Cop on a Rooftop, and more.

They also coordinate their own events that raise thousands of dollars for Special Olympics Illinois.

Chuck Mattmiller, a correctional officer at Centralia Correctional Center, was presented with the Flame of Hope Award on Friday.

The Flame of Hope is the highest honor of recognition given by Special Olympics Illinois.

The award is based on an individual’s ingenuity, drive, commitment and dedication to the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Officer Mattmiller is the first IDOC staff member to receive this prestigious award. He serves as the IDOC’s Law Enforcement Torch Run coordinator and oversees the agency’s fundraising efforts.