North Cook News

The Village of Hoffman Estates Board of Trustees recognized Police Lt. John Bending during its March 6 meeting for his work with Special Olympics.

During the meeting, which was streamed on YouTube, Police Chief Kasia Cawley introduced Bending, a recipient of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope Award from the Special Olympics committee.

“I just wanted to say that as long as I have known John, he has had a passion for Special Olympics,” Cawley said. “He has spent countless hours helping the organization, and a lot of that he has done on his own time.”

Cawley added that Bending has an uncanny ability to get people to work together, and noted the day before the meeting he was instrumental in putting together the Polar Plunge.

“We had 31 people plunge yesterday and that was all under his leadership,” she said at the meeting. “It’s an honor to be able to work alongside him and the work that he does with Special Olympics. As police officers we’re not only here to enforce the law but we’re here to support the community, and there’s no better way to do that than through special Olympics.”

Bill Devine, a sergeant with the Tinley Park police department and state director of the Torch Run law-enforcement fundraiser for Illinois Special Olympics, presented the award. He noted the Flame of Hope award is equivalent to an Officer of the Year award, with more than 4,000 eligible.

“When John’s nomination came before the board,” Devine said,"for the first time since I have been on the board, it was a unanimous decision.”

Devine lauded Bending for his leadership in the community and noted he also coordinates more than a dozen other departments for local fundraisers, including the Special Olympics.

Bending thanked the board for its support for the police department and Special Olympics.

“All of you have come out to the Convoy, come out to the Polar Plunge and all that kind of stuff,” he said when he accepted the award. “I really appreciate the support that you guys have. 

"I might be getting the award today but it’s not me that does all the work, it’s these guys here, all the officers and cadets, and the village board," Bending said. "It’s a team effort and I’m just lucky enough to be getting the award here today.”