SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Governor J.B. Pritzker says the Biden administration has started a new program with pharmacies to give Illinois 39,000 more vaccines each week.
On top of that, the state wants to re-direct nearly 97,000 vaccines from the Pharmacy Partnership Program. The state originally allocated those extra doses for long-term care facilities to ensure the program had enough for residents and staff.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike said facilities still remain a top priority, however, many of the doses could go to other eligible Illinoisans. In fact, the doses could go to anyone in Phase 1B, which now includes Illinois lawmakers.
Pritzker stressed the approval came after lawmakers called his office asking to be put on that list.
“Again, it’s not something that I am choosing to do. It’s not something that the Speaker of the House is choosing to do or the Senate President is choosing to do, but now, we are all waiting our turn,� said Pritzker. “We need the State of Illinois and it’s legislature and it’s government to function.�
Speaker Chris Welch commended the Governor’s decision to allow state legislators to get the vaccine. He said lawmakers have a choice when it comes to the vaccine but he encourages every member to consider it.
Across the aisle, Republicans feel lawmakers shouldn’t get to jump ahead of Illinoisans with life-threatening health conditions.
“I cannot tell my constituents who have life-threatening health conditions that I’m going to get the vaccine before they do,� said Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie. “We need to help those at most risk of death before giving it to politicians.�
