Nearly 3,000 vaccinations provided last weekend under inaugural partnership

CHICAGO – Building on the successes of last week, the State of Illinois and Cook County Health are offering another Sunday of mass vaccination booster clinics in an effort to improve access and availability of the COVID-19 vaccine at a time when new variants and increased transmission levels threaten our most vulnerable residents.

The State of Illinois and Cook County Health will once again operate a one-day mass vaccination booster clinic on Sunday, December 19 at three regionally located clinics within Cook County: Blue Island, Arlington Heights, and North Riverside. Last week’s one-day booster clinics administered 2,886 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, further underscoring the need and demand for this vaccine.

“IDPH and Cook County Health were able to get thousands vaccinated on Sunday, so this week, we’re coming back for more,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s increasingly clear that the booster shot is the best protection against the COVID-19 Omicron variant, and in the truest spirit of the holiday season, getting one is a gift for our families and communities, too. I encourage residents to come get their booster shot this Sunday. It’s free and you don’t need insurance or an appointment.”

“We are pleased that we could accommodate nearly 3,000 people last week thanks to the partnership between the State of Illinois and Cook County Health. With the holiday season upon us, it is important that everyone get vaccinated and boosted to ensure our celebrations are safe as possible,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use as a booster in people ages 16 and 17. Just as with adults, 16- and 17-year-olds are now eligible – and recommended - to receive a booster dose six months after their second dose of the vaccine. At these three regionally located mass vaccination booster clinics, all three vaccines will be available for individuals in need of a booster. Anyone age 12 and older who needs a first or second dose may also utilize these free clinics. As with all state mass vaccination clinics, vaccines are available to any Illinois resident, and no appointment, no identification or health insurance will be required.

Location Hours Address Vaccines Offered
Arlington Heights 10:00am -4:00pm 3250 N. Arlington Heights Road
Suite 300
Arlington Heights, IL Pfizer
Moderna
Johnson & Johnson

North Riverside 10:00am -4:00pm 1800 S. Harlem Avenue
Suite A
North Riverside, IL Pfizer
Moderna
Johnson & Johnson

Blue Island 10:00am -4:00pm 12757 S. Western Avenue
Blue Island, IL Pfizer
Moderna
Johnson & Johnson

While adults have the ability to mix-and-match their booster vaccine, 16- and 17-year-olds are only authorized to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech booster.

Pfizer-BioNTech 16 years and older
Six months after second Pfizer-BioNTech dose

Moderna 18 years and older
Six months after second Moderna dose

Johnson & Johnson 18 years and older
2 months after initial vaccination

“We want to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible and we are happy to host another round of Sunday vaccination clinics with our Cook County partners,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "Boosters provide ongoing protection against COVID-19 and we’re excited about the turnout last Sunday. If you are planning to line up for your booster and know someone who has not yet received a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine, bring them with you. There are still roughly 4 million people in Illinois who have not yet been vaccinated and we need your help in getting them to get a shot.”

”We know that boosters are essential to increasing your body’s protection against the COVID-19 virus,” said Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha. “The omicron variant is spreading rapidly and showing some ability to evade one or two doses of vaccine. Booster doses provide significantly increased protection. Thanks to the resources and staff provided by the State, we will be able to increase access to boosters across suburban Cook County.”

As people gather indoors with family and friends for the holidays, state and local health officials urge residents to continue practicing preventive public health measures: vaccinations, booster shots, wearing masks, avoiding large crowds and social distancing where possible all remain our most effect tools for fighting COVID-19.

If you are unable to attend one of these three mass vaccination booster clinics, you can visit vaccines.gov to find a clinic near you.

CHICAGO – State Senator Emil Jones (D-Chicago) announced the driver services facility on Martin Luther King Drive on Chicago’s South Side is now offering drive-thru services for license plate sticker renewals only. 

“Drive-thru services are great alternative to make sure drivers can still renew their license plate stickers in a safe way,” Jones said. “Residents who have access to the internet should still take advantage of the online services offered by the secretary of state’s office to reduce the amount of traffic at the facility.”  

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CHICAGO – After yesterday’s launch of the Business Interruption Grant program, State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) encourages local businesses to apply for more than $540 million in grants.

“Businesses in disproportionately impacted areas were already in desperate waters, and it’s satisfying that the majority of these grants will be aimed towards helping restore these communities,” Jones said. “It’s important that opportunities continue to come to these neighborhoods, because they are ones who need it the most.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones (D-Chicago) voted today for a budget that increases violence prevention grants, education and DCFS.

“Our state was in a hostile place for a few years, but this year’s budget puts Illinois in better shape than before,” Jones said. “We are on a path toward stability and funding all the services Illinois needs.”

“Additionally, the budget is funding a program that helps our kids escape violence and creates new career opportunities,” Jones said.

The budget appropriates $12 million in grants to address violence prevention efforts state statewide, including downstate communities, Chicago and the suburbs.

P-12 education will have record-breaking funding of $8.8 billion, and higher education will receive a 5 percent increase to support community college and universities.

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) will receive $451 million in next year’s budget – a $50 million increase over last year.

AIM HIGH, a program that works to reduce the costs of college for working and middle-class students, will receive an additional $10 million in funding, a move Jones hopes will help combat student out migration.     

DCFS will receive an additional $100 million to hire 300 staff and caseworkers, reducing worker caseload and ensuring more attentive oversight for children and families under the agency’s care.