Illinois Summer Reading Challenge Gives Students Chance to Throw First Pitch at Wrigley Field

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois Literacy Foundation and the Chicago Cubs have launched Illinois Reads Together, a statewide summer reading challenge that gives students who complete their local library’s summer reading program a chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Cubs’ Sept. 16 game against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. Public libraries across Illinois will continue running their free summer reading programs, and students who meet their library’s reading goals will be entered into a statewide drawing. Twenty winners will be selected and recognized before the game, with one winner age 13 or older chosen to throw out the first pitch. The program is designed to help students continue reading during summer break and encourage more families to take part in local library reading programs.