CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to announce Thursday that anyone 16 and over will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 12, according to a published report.
Additionally, it is expected that Governor Pritzker a new phase in the Restore Illinois reopening plan.
Governor Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike are expected to deliver a COVID-19 update at 11:30 a.m. Thursday from the Thompson Center in Chicago, according to his public schedule. You can listen to it live on WBBM Newsradio.
Sources told multiple media outlets Wednesday that the update will include an expansion of eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine to all Illinois residents age 16 and older beginning on April 12. The expansion will not apply to the City of Chicago, which is following its own vaccination rollout plan.
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The expansion comes days after President Biden called on governors across the county to open eligibility to all adults by May 1. Pritzker last week that he felt "confident" Illinois could expand vaccine eligibility to all adults before that deadline.
“I am confident that not just by May 1, but maybe even a little bit earlier we could open up to everyone in the state, everyone that’s eligible,” Pritzker said.
Illinois expanded vaccine eligibility to people under 65 with certain underlying medical conditions, known as Phase 1B+, on Feb. 25. But the city of Chicago ans several suburban counties said at the time they would not expand eligibility along with the rest of Illinois, citing low vaccine supply.
Chicago gets its own pool of vaccine directly from the federal government and sets its own rules.
On Wednesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Chicago will move into Phase 1C of the coronavirus vaccine rollout plan on March 29. In Phase 1C, those 16 years of age and older with underlying medical conditions outlined in Illinois' Phase 1B+ will be eligible; along with all other essential workers, who have no yet qualified, including industries such as restaurants, construction, finance, media, and othes.
If the federal government can deliver on vaccine supply, city officials said, all Chicagoans will be eligible to be inoculated beginning May 1. That, of course, will depend on how soon the newly eligible can secure appointments to receive their dose or doses of vaccine.
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Also Wednesday, Cook County public health officials announced suburban residents who qualify under the state's Phase 1B+ will be eligible for the vaccine starting Monday. Mass vaccination sites run by Cook County Health in the suburbs also will begin accepting all Illinois residents.
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Sources also said Pritzker will also announce Thursday a new phase of the Restore Illinois reopening plan, bridging the gap between Phase Four, where the state currently is, and Phase Five, where the state will fully reopen after an appropriate number of individuals have been vaccinated and “herd immunity” is achieved, NBC 5 reported.
The new phase is expected to include larger capacity limits for bars and restaurants, retail stores, theaters, and outdoor venues, as well as social gatherings. Museums and zoos are also expected to be part of the new phase.
Pritzker hinted at the new phase of the reopening plan on Wednesday.
"Let me just say, you know, we're working with industry leaders, working with our doctors at IDPH, as well as other experts in the state to make sure that the phased opening reopening is not only healthy for everybody, but also good for the economy, as we're moving forward," Pritzker said at a news conference.