SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Governor JB Pritzker announced Wednesday the launch of two additional state-supported mass vaccination sites in Des Plaines and Quincy.
According to the Governor, the sites will launch Thursday, March 4 and provide a combined nearly 4,000 doses per day at full capacity.
The Des Plaines mass vaccination site is located in a former K-Mart store at 1155 E. Oakton St. It marks the fourth such site in Cook County alone.
About 20,000 vaccine appointments are expected to be available in Cook County for seniors and essential workers starting at 1 p.m. Thursday. Those interested can make appointments at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by phone at (833) 308-1988. The site will be open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Officials hope to begin vaccinations Friday or Saturday for those who qualify in Phase 1B.
The Des Plaines locations will be the state's first large-scale site to administer the new Johnson and Johnson vaccine that requires only one dose.
"The COVID-19 vaccine site in Des Plaines is our latest step forward in vaccinating Cook County and our most vulnerable communities," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "This new site, which is conveniently located for many residents of the northwest suburbs, will be utilized over the coming months as we progress in our program and vaccine supply increases."
With these new sites coming online, Illinois will have 18 mass vaccination sites across the state of Illinois. This is in addition to the state's mobile vaccination teams which are deployed statewide to reach rural and underserved communities. These teams will move from site to site within counties offering direct assistance to underserved communities with a focus on those unable to visit mass vaccination sites or other clinics, including rural, undocumented, and/or Black and Brown communities.
"With our new operations in Des Plaines and Quincy, Illinois is now operating 18 state-supported mass vaccination sites in addition to the network of more than 800 vaccination locations around the state all trained on one goal: vaccinating as many people as possible, as quickly as possible," said Governor JB Pritzker. "One in six Illinoisans have already received their first dose of vaccine, and as the federal government increases Illinois' deliveries to over 100,000 a day later this month, IDPH and our 97 local health departments are prepared to meet the moment. In the meantime, I encourage all Illinoisans to wear their masks and stay vigilant as we power through to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic."
The state-supported mass vaccination sites listed below are open to all Illinois residents, who meet the current eligibility requirements and have an appointment through the local health department.
• Tinley Park Convention Center - 18451 Convention Center Dr. - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• North Riverside Health Center - 1800 S. Harlem Ave., North Riverside - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Morton East School Base Clinic - 2423 S. Austin Blvd, Cicero - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Robbins Health Center - 13450 S. Kedzie Ave., Robbins - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Cottage Grove Health Center - 645 Cottage Grove Ave., Ford Heights - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Blue Island Health Center - 12757 S. Western Ave., Blue Island - OPEN NOW -https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Arlington Heights Health Center - 3250 N. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Triton College - 2000 5th Ave., River Grove - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• South Suburban College - 15800 State St., South Holland - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Thornton Fractional South High School - 18500 Burnham Ave, Lansing - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Orr Building - Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield - OPEN NOW - https://www.scdph.org/ - (217) 210-8801
• Belle-Clair Fairgrounds - 200 S. Belt E #2650, Belleville - OPEN NOW - https://www.co.st-clair.il.us/departments/health-department
• Banterra Center - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale - OPEN NOW - https://www.jchdonline.org/
• Carbondale Civic Center - OPEN NOW - https://www.wchd.org/
• Winnebago County - 1321 Sandy Hollow Rd., Rockford - OPEN NOW - https://www.wchd.org/
• Gateway Convention Center - 1 Gateway Drive., Collinsville - OPEN NOW - https://www.co.madison.il.us/departments/health/index.php
• Former K-Mart - 1155 E Oakton St, Des Plaines - OPEN NOW - https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov
• Oakley Lindsey Center - 300 Civic Center Plaza, Quincy - OPEN NOW - https://www.adamscountytogether.com/
• United Center - 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago - OPEN MARCH 10 - https://www.zocdoc.com/vaccine/screener?state=IL
There are now more than 880 vaccination locations in Illinois open to the public. While the state is working to increase the number of vaccines administered daily, it is limited by the amount of vaccine available and allocated by the federal government.
There is no charge to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Insurance is not required, and the vaccine will be administered regardless of your immigration status. Vaccinations are available only by appointment at this time and residents are encouraged to check back frequently for open appointments. Individuals should sign up for an appointment to receive their second dose while they are getting their first vaccination.
For more information on how to make an appointment to receive the vaccine, updates on the state's plan and eligibility, and answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, go to coronavirus.illinois.gov.
