Des Plaines taking the (frigid) plunge for Special Olympics

Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz is challenging residents to take a dip in the frigid waters of Lake Opeka later this month for a good cause.

Bogusz this week announced plans for the 2015 Penguin Plunge to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the lake, near Howard Avenue and Lee Street. Bogusz is organizing a plunge team and challenged others to put together teams of their own to raise money for Special Olympics. Donations of $50 are suggested.

At Monday's city council meeting, Bogusz invited aldermen to join his plunge team and asked City Manager Mike Bartholomew to assemble a team of his own.

"Are you joining Mike's team?" Bogusz asked 4th Ward Alderman Dick Sayad, a political rival.

"No, I wanna be on your team," joked Sayad, before saying he'd be on his own team.

The Des Plaines plunge will be the day before the 15th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach in Chicago - an event that also raises money for Special Olympics.

Participants in the Des Plaines plunge can register at desplaines.org/penguinplunge. Those who register by Feb. 20 will get a free T-shirt. Participants must be 21 or older.

Awards will be given out in individual and team categories for best style and dollars raised. A party will be held afterward with music, food and drink provided by Tap House Grill.