Best Buddies Friendship programs represent one of our organization’s four key mission pillars. These programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences and activities that many other individuals enjoy.
Illinois Chapter Listing
Colleges
High Schools 
Middle Schools 
Citizens programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
Colleges
- Augustana College (Rock Island, IL)
API address [ 639 38th St, Rock Island, IL, 61201-2210, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bradley University (Peoria, IL)
API address [ 1501 W Bradley Ave, Peoria, IL, 61625-1048, US, null, null, 40.6968581, -89.61665780000001, null]
- Concordia University Chicago (River Forest, IL)
API address [ 7400 Augusta St, River Forest, IL, 60305-1402, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL)
API address [ 600 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, IL, 61920-3011, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, IL)
API address [ 190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL, 60126-3271, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Illinois State University (Normal, IL)
API address [ 100 N University St, Normal, IL, 61761-4402, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Knox College (Galesburg, IL)
API address [ 2 E South St, Galesburg, IL, 61401-4938, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lewis University (Romeoville, IL)
API address [ De La Salle North, Romeoville, IL, 60446-2200, US, null, null, 41.6025982, -88.08044450000001, null]
- Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 1032 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60660-5761, US, null, null, 41.9986438, -87.657844, null]
- Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL)
API address [ Lowden Hall, DeKalb, IL, 60115-3080, US, null, null, 41.9339073, -88.76401729999999, null]
- Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, IL)
API address [ 6601 W College Dr, Palos Heights, IL, 60463-1768, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Urbana, IL)
API address [ Admissions and Records Building, Urbana, IL, 61801-3444, US, null, null, 40.1083548, -88.22066269999999, null]
High Schools
- Addison Trail High School (Addison, IL)
API address [ 213 N Lombard Rd, Addison, IL, 60101-1906, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire, IL)
API address [ 1 Stevenson Dr, Lincolnshire, IL, 60069-2824, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Amundsen High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ Amundsen High School, Chicago, IL, 60625-1317, US, null, null, 41.9750696, -87.6800719, null]
- Batavia High School (Batavia, IL)
API address [ 1201 Main St, Batavia, IL, 60510-1607, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Belvidere High School (Belvidere, IL)
API address [ 1500 East Ave, Belvidere, IL, 61008-4563, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Belvidere North High School (Belvidere, IL)
API address [ 9393 Beloit Rd, Belvidere, IL, 61008-9735, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bolingbrook High School (Bolingbrook, IL)
API address [ 365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL, 60440-4893, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School (Bradley, IL)
API address [ 700 W North St, Bradley, IL, 60915-1013, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Canton High School (Canton, IL)
API address [ 1001 S Main St, Canton, IL, 61520, US, null, null, 40.5437219, -90.03525700000002, null]
- Centennial High School (Champaign, IL)
API address [ 913 Crescent Dr, Champaign, IL, 61821-4243, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Central High School (Burlington, IL)
API address [ 44W303 Plato Rd, Burlington, IL, 60109-1086, US, null, null, 42.01826940000001, -88.4796671, null]
- Champaign Central High School (Champaign, IL)
API address [ 610 W University Ave, Champaign, IL, 61820-3918, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Chicago Vocational Career Academy (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 2100 E 87th St, Chicago, IL, 60617-3011, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Clinton High School (Clinton, IL)
API address [ 1200 IL-54, Clinton, IL, 61727, US, null, null, 40.1443655, -88.97855559999999, null]
- Columbia High School (Columbia, IL)
API address [ 77 Veterans Pkwy, Columbia, IL, 62236, US, null, null, 38.4468439, -90.2160538, null]
- Dunlap High School (Dunlap, IL)
API address [ 5220 Legion Hall Rd, Dunlap, IL, 61525-9589, US, null, null, 40.8548076, -89.675303, null]
- East Peoria High School (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 1401 E Washington St, East Peoria, IL, 61611-2863, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Elgin High School (Elgin, IL)
API address [ 1200 Maroon Dr, Elgin, IL, 60120-8145, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Eureka High School (Eureka, IL)
API address [ 200 W Cruger Ave, Eureka, IL, 61530, US, null, null, 40.718852994366955, -89.27182304173327, null]
- Glenbard East High School (Lombard, IL)
API address [ 1014 S Main St, Lombard, IL, 60148-3938, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Glenbard North High School (Carol Stream, IL)
API address [ 990 Kuhn Rd, Carol Stream, IL, 60188-9227, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Glenbard South High School (Glen Ellyn, IL)
API address [ 23W200 Butterfield Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137-6974, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Glenbard West High School (Glen Ellyn, IL)
API address [ 670 Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137-4286, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Grayslake Central High School (Grayslake, IL)
API address [ 400 N Lake St, Grayslake, IL, 60030-1430, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Herrin High School (Herrin, IL)
API address [ 710 N 10th St, Herrin, IL, 62948, US, null, null, 37.8090234, -89.02181279999999, null]
- Herscher High School (Herscher, IL)
API address [ 501 N Main St, Herscher, IL, 60941-9595, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hinsdale South High School (Darien, IL)
API address [ 7401 Clarendon Hills Rd, Darien, IL, 60561-4288, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hoffman Estates High School (Hoffman Estates, IL)
API address [ 1100 W Higgins Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60169-4050, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Huntley High School (Huntley, IL)
API address [ 13719 Harmony Huntley Rd, Huntley, IL, 60142-9792, US, null, null, 42.16558029999999, -88.4641978, null]
- ITW Speer Academy (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 2456 N Mango Ave, Chicago, IL, 60639-2313, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Kenwood Academy High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 5015 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL, 60615-3086, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lake Zurich High School (Lake Zurich, IL)
API address [ 300 Church St, Lake Zurich, IL, 60047, US, null, null, 42.2044175, -88.0838168, null]
- Larkin High School (Elgin, IL)
API address [ 1475 Larkin Ave, Elgin, IL, 60123-5173, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Libertyville High School (Libertyville, IL)
API address [ 708 W Park Ave, Libertyville, IL, 60048-2604, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lincoln Park High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 2001 N Orchard St, Chicago, IL, 60614-4404, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lincoln Way Central High School (New Lenox, IL)
API address [ 1801 E Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, IL, 60451-3801, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lincoln Way West High School (New Lenox, IL)
API address [ 21701 Gougar Rd, New Lenox, IL, 60451-1576, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lincoln-Way East High School (Frankfort, IL)
API address [ 201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL, 60423-1333, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lockport Township High School (Lockport, IL)
API address [ 1333 E 7th St, Lockport, IL, 60441-3823, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lyons Township High School (Western Springs, IL)
API address [ 4900 Gilbert Ave, Western Springs, IL, 60558-1717, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 4445 S Drexel Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60653-3551, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Metea Valley High School (Aurora, IL)
API address [ 1801 N Eola Rd, Aurora, IL, 60502-7065, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Morton High School (Morton, IL)
API address [ 350 N Illinois Ave, Morton, IL, 61550-2206, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mundelein High School (Mundelein, IL)
API address [ 1350 W Hawley St, Mundelein, IL, 60060-1504, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Naperville North High School (Naperville, IL)
API address [ 899 N Mill St, Naperville, IL, 60563-2909, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Neuqua Valley High School (Naperville, IL)
API address [ 2360 95th St, Naperville, IL, 60564-8934, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Normal Community High School (Normal, IL)
API address [ 3900 E Raab Rd, Normal, IL, 61761-9487, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Normal Community West High School (Normal, IL)
API address [ 501 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL, 61761-2780, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Northridge Prep (Niles, IL)
API address [ 8320 Ballard Rd, Niles, IL, 60714, US, null, null, 42.0446109, -87.834944, null]
- Northside College Preparatory High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 5501 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625-3923, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Oak Park River Forest High School (Oak Park, IL)
API address [ 201 N Scoville Ave, Oak Park, IL, 60302-2264, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Olympia High School (Stanford, IL)
API address [ 7832 N 100 East Rd, Stanford, IL, 61774, US, null, null, 40.3966521, -89.2476102, null]
- Oswego East High School (Oswego, IL)
API address [ 1525 Harvey Rd, Oswego, IL, 60543-8290, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Oswego High School (Oswego, IL)
API address [ 4250 IL-71, Oswego, IL, 60543-8341, US, null, null, 41.6801073, -88.34100029999999, null]
- Palatine High School (Palatine, IL)
API address [ 1111 N Rohlwing Rd, Palatine, IL, 60074-3777, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Pekin Community High School (Pekin, IL)
API address [ 1903 Court St, Pekin, IL, 61554-5212, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Prospect High School (Mount Prospect, IL)
API address [ 801 W Kensington Rd, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, US, null, null, 42.0789422, -87.9498691, null]
- Rantoul High School (Rantoul, IL)
API address [ 200 S Sheldon St, Rantoul, IL, 61866, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Red Bud High School (Red Bud, IL)
API address [ 815 Locust St, Red Bud, IL, 62278, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Richland County High School (Olney, IL)
API address [ 1200 E Laurel St, Olney, IL, 62450, US, null, null, 38.73431890000001, -88.0721355, null]
- Riverside-Brookfield High School (Riverside, IL)
API address [ 160 Ridgewood Rd, Riverside, IL, 60546-2408, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Rock Island High School (Rock Island, IL)
API address [ 1400 25th Ave, Rock Island, IL, 61201-5356, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Romeoville High School (Romeoville, IL)
API address [ 100 N Independence Blvd, Romeoville, IL, 60446-1801, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- South Elgin High School (South Elgin, IL)
API address [ 760 E Main St, South Elgin, IL, 60177-1702, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Streamwood High School (Streamwood, IL)
API address [ 701 W Schaumburg Rd, Streamwood, IL, 60107-1262, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Thornton Fractional North High School (Calumet City, IL)
API address [ 755 Pulaski Rd, Calumet City, IL, 60409-4030, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Thornton Fractional South High School (Lansing, IL)
API address [ 18500 Burnham Ave, Lansing, IL, 60438-3046, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Vaughn Occupational High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 4355 N Linder Ave, Chicago, IL, 60641, US, null, null, 41.9603258, -87.7644175, null]
- Vernon Hills High School (Vernon Hills, IL)
API address [ 145 Lakeview Pkwy, Vernon Hills, IL, 60061-1566, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 5039 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, US, null, null, 41.973213018837015, -87.71310303719393, null]
- Walter J. Payton College Preparatory High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 1034 N Wells St, Chicago, IL, 60610-2513, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Waterloo High School (Waterloo, IL)
API address [ 505 E Bulldog, Waterloo, IL, 62298, US, null, null, 38.3189601, -90.1394069, null]
- Watseka Community High School (Watseka, IL)
API address [ 138 S Belmont Ave, Watseka, IL, 60970, US, null, null, 40.7706572, -87.72900899999999, null]
- Waubonsie Valley High School (Aurora, IL)
API address [ 2590 Ogden Ave, Aurora, IL, 60504-5900, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Wauconda High School (Wauconda, IL)
API address [ 555 N Main St, Wauconda, IL, 60084-1229, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- West Leyden High School (Northlake, IL)
API address [ 1000 N Wolf Rd, Northlake, IL, 60164-1438, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westinghouse College Prep (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 3223 W Franklin Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60624-1502, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 211 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL, 60607-5305, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- William Howard Taft High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 6530 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL, 60631-3185, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- William Jones College Preparatory High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 700 S State St, Chicago, IL, 60605-2109, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Willowbrook High School (Villa Park, IL)
API address [ 1250 Ardmore Ave, Villa Park, IL, 60181-3205, US, null, null, 41.864607, -87.98232279999999, null]
- Woodstock High School (Woodstock, IL)
API address [ 510 W South St, Woodstock, IL, 60098-3749, US, null, null, 42.3127861, -88.45559390000001, null]
- Woodstock North High School (Woodstock, IL)
API address [ 3000 Raffel Rd, Woodstock, IL, 60098-8302, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- York Community High School (Elmhurst, IL)
API address [ 355 W St Charles Rd, Elmhurst, IL, 60126-3172, US, null, null, 41.890314, -87.9525958, null]
Middle Schools
- Bradley Central Middle School (Bradley, IL)
API address [ 260 N Wabash Ave, Bradley, IL, 60915-1668, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Butler Junior High School (Oak Brook, IL)
API address [ 2801 York Rd, Oak Brook, IL, 60523, US, null, null, 41.83825840000001, -87.92727540000001, null]
- Central Junior High School (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 601 Taylor St, East Peoria, IL, 61611-2685, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Central Middle School (Tinley Park, IL)
API address [ 18146 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL, 60477-3944, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Clinton Junior High School (Clinton, IL)
API address [ 701 Illini Dr, Clinton, IL, 61727, US, null, null, 40.1427728, -88.9751654, null]
- Coonley Elementary School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 4046 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL, 60618-2922, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Creekside Middle School (Woodstock, IL)
API address [ 3201 Hercules Rd, Woodstock, IL, 60098-6700, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Drauden Point Middle School (Plainfield, IL)
API address [ 1911 Drauden Rd, Plainfield, IL, 60586, US, null, null, 41.5568826, -88.2304478, null]
- Edison Middle School (Champaign, IL)
API address [ 306 W Green St, Champaign, IL, 61820-5007, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Emerson Middle School (Niles, IL)
API address [ 8101 N Cumberland Ave, Niles, IL, 60714-2736, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- George F. Cassell Fine Arts School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 11314 S Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL, 60655-2736, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Glenn Westlake Middle School (Lombard, IL)
API address [ 1514 S Main St, Lombard, IL, 60148-4502, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School (Oak Park, IL)
API address [ 325 S Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL, 60302-3597, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Herrin Junior High School (Herrin, IL)
API address [ 700 S 14th St, Herrin, IL, 62948, US, null, null, 37.7959645, -89.0258489, null]
- Hickory Creek Middle School (Frankfort, IL)
API address [ 22150 S Owens Rd, Frankfort, IL, 60423-9064, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Jay Stream Middle School (Carol Stream, IL)
API address [ 283 El Paso Ln, Carol Stream, IL, 60188-1736, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Jefferson Middle School (Champaign, IL)
API address [ 1115 Crescent Dr, Champaign, IL, 61821-4241, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- John L Nash Middle School (Clifton, IL)
API address [ 1134 3100 N, Clifton, IL, 60927-7084, US, null, null, 40.9596624, -87.9173919, null]
- L. J. Hauser Junior High School (Riverside, IL)
API address [ 65 Woodside Rd, Riverside, IL, 60546-1974, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mark Bills Middle School (Peoria, IL)
API address [ 6001 N Frostwood Pkwy, Peoria, IL, 61615, US, null, null, 40.761003, -89.662088, null]
- Momence Middle School (Momence, IL)
API address [ 801 W 2nd St, Momence, IL, 60954-1436, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Percy Julian Middle School (Oak Park, IL)
API address [ 416 S Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL, 60302-4010, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sandburg Middle School (Elmhurst, IL)
API address [ 345 E St Charles Rd, Elmhurst, IL, 60126-3655, US, null, null, 41.89062759999999, -87.92781169999999, null]
- Stevenson Middle School (Melrose Park, IL)
API address [ 1630 N 20th Ave, Melrose Park, IL, 60160-1904, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Unity Junior High School (Cicero, IL)
API address [ 2115 S 54th Ave, Cicero, IL, 60804, US, null, null, 41.85283810000001, -87.7569589, null]
- Washington Junior High School (Riverdale, IL)
API address [ 13900 S School St, Riverdale, IL, 60827, US, null, null, 41.6417495, -87.6299751, null]
- Washington Junior High School (Rock Island, IL)
API address [ 3300 18th Ave, Rock Island, IL, 61201-2946, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Watseka Junior High School (Watseka, IL)
API address [ 138 S Belmont Ave, Watseka, IL, 60970, US, null, null, 40.7706572, -87.72900899999999, null]
Citizens
- Carbondale Citizens Chapter (Carbondale, IL)
API address [ null, Carbondale, IL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Central Illinois Citizens (Peoria, IL)
API address [ null, Peoria, IL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Chicagoland Area Citizens (Chicago, IL)
API address [ null, Chicago, IL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Galesburg Citizens (Galesburg, IL)
API address [ null, Galesburg, IL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Good Neighbor Citizens (Bloomington, IL)
API address [ null, Bloomington, IL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Gym Buddies (Bloomington, IL) (Bloomington, IL)
API address [ 1111 Trinity Lane, Bloomington, IL, 61704, US, null, null, 40.4919234, -88.9175863, null]
- Maui Jim (Peoria, IL)
API address [ 1 Aloha Ln, Peoria, IL, 61615, US, null, null, 40.78786006521846, -89.62862376428689, null]
- Naperville Citizens (Naperville, IL)
API address [ null, Naperville, IL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Southwest Suburban Citizens (Brookfield, IL)
API address [ 8820 Brookfield Ave, Brookfield, IL, 60513, US, null, null, 41.8234812, -87.84108479999999, null]
- Springfield Citizens (Springfield, IL)
API address [ null, Springfield, IL, null, US, null, null, 39.884972, -89.60824579999999, null]
- Washington Citizens (Washington, IL)
API address [ null, Washington, IL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
Is your school not listed? Click here for info on how to start a chapter.
BESTBUDDIES® Middle Schools
Fosters one-to-one friendships between middle school students with and without IDD, in which they share interests, experiences, and activities. Students with IDD are often isolated and left out of social activities. Best Buddies Middle Schools helps to create an inclusive middle school culture for all students early on in their educational development.
Join a chapter
BESTBUDDIES® High Schools
Fosters one-to-one friendships between high school students with and without IDD. In this time of heightened social and emotional development that can be difficult even for teenagers without IDD, the Best Buddies High Schools program helps break through social barriers at an important time in a young person’s life.
Join a chapter
BESTBUDDIES® Colleges
Fosters one-to-one friendships between college students without IDD and their peers on campus or in the community with IDD. Young adults with IDD historically have been isolated at home or in work environments. The Best Buddies Colleges program is changing this by providing the opportunity for people with IDD to be involved in their local campus and community life.
Join a chapter
BESTBUDDIES® Citizens
Supports the development of friendships between adults with and without IDD in corporate and civic communities. Many people with IDD have limited opportunities for social interactions after they leave the school environment. This program helps people with IDD become part of mainstream society and creates an inclusive and diverse community for all.
Join a program
e-Buddies ®
e-Buddies provides opportunities for volunteers with and without IDD to develop friendships online and create connections using the power of technology. The program provides the opportunity for members to connect through the e-Buddies social platform, which is designed to expand friendships and create shared experiences through virtual social events. Anyone age 13 and older can participate in e-Buddies. Our program is available throughout the United States and internationally for English-speaking people.
More Info
