Illinois legislators are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the move was initiated by members of the Legislature reaching out to the governor and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“Many legislators asked if they could be vaccinated, because there is so much work to be done. … We need the state of Illinois and its legislature and government to function. We can’t wait. We had seven months or so, or even longer, without legislation from May all the way through lame duck session. Now I believe that we’ll be able to move forward,” Pritzker said at a vaccination event in Champaign.
Pritzker said he would not be receiving the vaccine ahead of any others in the schedule.
House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) praised the move in a statement:
“I commend the Governor’s decision to allow state legislators to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the 1B phase. While part of my job as Speaker is to relay the range of opinions among all House members, it was important that this decision rest with the Governor and his team of health experts. The issues and challenges facing the General Assembly are enormous, so this is a welcomed step in the interest of government functionality and safety. Whether or not to get a vaccine is a personal choice for every member, but I encourage those who are at-risk or have vulnerable family members to strongly consider it.”
Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) called the move “ridiculous,” noting that he recently had a meeting with a constituent who has receive an organ transplant and is on immunosuppressive medications.
“They are very vulnerable to COVID-19, but because they're under 65, there is zero mechanism -- there is no ability for them to be able to get the vaccine, even if their doctor says their life depends upon it,” he said.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) agreed, saying legislators should not be able to “leapfrog” others in the public who are eligible.
Allison Richard
