Village Of New Lenox To Celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month

NEW LENOX, IL — The New Lenox Village Board of Trustees and Mayor Tim Baldermann are extending an invitation to community members who have Down syndrome to attend the board's Oct. 24 meeting for special recognition from the Village.

The special recognition had previously been planned for the board's Oct. 10 meeting.

Trustee Lindsay Scalise brought the idea for the special recognition to Baldermann, who decided to invite everyone in the community with Down syndrome to the Oct. 24 meeting at 7 p.m. for the celebration, Baldermann said.

The Village will issue a formal proclamation for Down Syndrome Awareness Month at the meeting to mark the occasion, Baldermann said, and those who previously preregistered with the Village and are present at the meeting will also be individually recognized.

"We've had for a long time in the village a strong connection with people with disabilities," Baldermann said. "... We've always really felt it was important to be inclusive of all of our residents and our friends with special needs. We're happy to recognize them whenever we can."

New Lenox is home to several organizations that serve those with disabilities, including Trinity Services and Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, and the New Lenox Police Department each year partners with Special Olympics Illinois in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and other event throughout the year.

October is national Down Syndrome Awareness Month. It was first designated in 1980 and has been recognized as such every year since then, according to Special Olympics.

"Down syndrome is one of the most common types of intellectual disabilities," according to information on the Special Olympics website. "So it’s no surprise that each year in October we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise public awareness about the condition, and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome."