ALBANY PARK — Bikes 'N' Roses lost close to $300,000 in state funding when Gov. Bruce Rauner froze the disbursement of millions of grant dollars in January.
Now participants in the youth job training program are planning to put a face to those numbers with a ride to Springfield in mid-May.
The three-day, 200-mile ride will "show Governor Rauner our resolve despite his attempt to slash our tires along with the budget," according to a statement on BNR's web page.
"We need to preserve programs that strengthen our neighborhoods, not quash them," the statement continued. "There are real costs to the cuts — our communities must come first and everyone needs to pay their fair share."
Riders will set out May 16 and, following stops in Wilmington and Normal, will arrive in Springfield May 18. Team BNR has been prepping for the jaunt with training rides, including a recent trek to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
Those interested in contributing to the cause can sponsor a rider via BNR's GoFundMe campaign, which has raised $11,000 toward its $70,000 goal.
BNR will also accept in-kind donations for the ride in the form of food, cycling gear or other supplies, which people can drop off at 3448 W. Lawrence Ave. Contact Oscar Rivera, BNR program director, at rivera@communitiesunited.org for more info about what items are most needed.
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