From a Five-Dollar Bet to 23 Years of Impact: Celebrating Judy Illingworth

Sometimes, the biggest chapters in our lives begin with the smallest moments. For Judy Illingworth, her nearly 23-year career with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago began with a five-dollar bet. 

After 14 years as a stay-at-home mom raising her three children, Judy was looking for a part-time job that would allow her to contribute to her family while still being there for her kids. Her spouse challenged her to find one. 

“Challenge accepted!” 

What Judy found was the YMCA. The Y offered her the opportunity to work while providing child care for her children at no cost, allowing her to pursue meaningful employment while knowing that her children were nearby, safe, and thriving. 

She began with a part-time position at the Grayslake YMCA before moving into a full-time role at the Hastings Lake YMCA. Over the years, her responsibilities grew, and her career evolved, but her belief in the YMCA’s mission never changed. 

Looking back, Judy’s favorite memories aren’t defined by job titles or accomplishments. They’re about people. She remembers celebrating members’ achievements, watching children gain confidence and independence, supporting families through challenging times, and building lifelong friendships with colleagues. 

The YMCA also became a place where Judy grew personally and professionally. The values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility became guiding principles throughout her career. 

“The YMCA has a unique way of bringing people together,” Judy said. “It creates belonging. It builds confidence. It forms connections that last far beyond a class, program, or event.” 

Now, as Judy prepares to retire, she looks back on her Y journey with deep gratitude. She is thankful for the colleagues who taught her, the leaders who believed in her, the members who shared their stories, and the children and families who allowed her to be part of their lives. 

What began as a search for a part-time job became nearly 23 years filled with purpose, friendship, laughter, learning and service. And, of course, there’s still that five-dollar bet. 

Judy may have started her YMCA career trying to prove she could find a job that worked for her family, but she ended up finding something much more meaningful: a career, a community and a place where she could make a difference. 

As she begins this next chapter, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago thanks Judy for her years of dedication and service. Her impact can be found in the countless people she supported, encouraged and inspired along the way. As for that original bet? Let’s just say her spouse owes her much more than five dollars. 

Congratulations on your retirement, Judy! We wish you all the happiness you deserve. The YMCA will always be a part of your story — and you will always be a part of ours.