Last Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, NFL star Israel Idonije, Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon and Chicago Park District Superintendent Mike Kelly participated in the 14th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge, which benefits the Special Olympics.

During the first annual citywide Summer of Learning, Mayor Emanuel challenged children participating in the “Rahm’s Readers” program that if they read a total of 2 million books, the Mayor, Idonije, and Commissioner Bannon would jump into Lake Michigan.

“I’m proud to have taken the plunge into Lake Michigan today, both to highlight the tremendous accomplishments of Chicago’s children who read over 2 million books last summer and to benefit the Special Olympics, which serves thousands of Chicago athletes every year,” Mayor Emanuel said.

Last year, more than 2,800 people participated in the annual Polar Plunge benefitting the Special Olympics. The Games began in Chicago at Soldier Field back in 1968 and serves thousands of Chicago athletes. Chicago Special Olympics operates in the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools from funds raised by the Special Children’s Charities.