Pritzker Allowing Legislature to Jump the Line for Vaccinations
Governor JB Pritzker says he’s allowing lawmakers to jump the line to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.
Many lawmakers have complained publicly and privately in recent weeks about returning to Springfield before receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, but Governor JB Pritzker had resisted, claiming they should be vaccinated at their place in line.
Pritzker changed his mind Wednesday, allowing lawmakers to jump the line to receive the vaccine, even though there is limited supply in places and thousands of Illinoisans with serious medical conditions and pre-existing comorbidities have yet to get in line.
Speaking at a mass vaccination site in Champaign Wednesday morning, Pritzker defended the move, saying the state can’t wait for a functioning government.
“Many legislators asked if they could be vaccinated because there is so much work that needs to be done,” Pritzker said. “We need the state of Illinois and its legislature and its government to function well. We had seven months or so, even longer, without any legislation, there was no meeting of the General Assembly from May all the way through to the lame duck session. I now believe that we’ll be able to move forward.”
Republicans were critical of the announcement even before it was made. Speaking at an unrelated news conference about 90 minutes before Prtizker spoke to media, Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) said politicians should not be allowed to skip the line.
“I think [it] is ridiculous,” said McConchie. “Yesterday, in my office, I had a transplant recipient, who, necessarily has to take Immunosuppressant drugs and is very vulnerable to COVID-19. Because they are 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. “
House Speaker Chris Welch posted a statement on Twitter Wednesday commending the Governor’s decision.
“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,” said Welch. “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.”
Welch was infected with COVID-19 last year.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) also criticized the decision, saying lawmakers over 65 or who have pre-existing conditions would be vaccinated before the general public.
“We need to wait our turn,” Durkin said. “And if we have members of the General Assembly who have preexisting conditions, they will have an opportunity to go before most of the public, but we should not leapfrog over anyone in this crisis.”
Pritzker says he won’t jump the line.
“I’m waiting my turn,” he said.