CHICAGO – State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) is in full support of the Chicago Teacher’s Union decision to return to remote learning after a vote Tuesday night.

“With the recent rise in cases it is crucial that we keep our children and educators safe during this time, which makes remote schooling the best option,” Jones said. “It is shameful that the City of Chicago would lock teachers out of their portals, inhibiting them from doing their jobs and blocking access to the resources needed for teaching.”

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.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a resolution sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) urging the Attorney General to establish a task force examining the creation of a statewide conviction integrity unit.

The creation of the integrity unit will seek to identify and overturn wrongful convictions, setting anyone who has been falsely imprisoned free.