State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, responded today to Governor JB Pritzker’s decision to give members of the Illinois General Assembly priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine, reversing his previous position that Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan be limited to seniors age 65+ and frontline essential workers:
“I am disgusted with the Governor’s decision to put legislators at the front of the line for the COVID-19 vaccine. As with many of his other decisions, there is definitely no science behind this decision. Legislators over age 65 should wait in line with other senior citizens to receive the vaccine during Phase 1B. That would be appropriate. No member of the legislature under the age of 65 should have priority access over the elderly, patients waiting for an organ transplant, or those with pre-existing conditions. The Governor has buckled under pressure from politicians in his party who want to put themselves ahead of our seniors and the most vulnerable. It’s a shame.
“I would expect my colleagues to do the right thing and save the vaccines for those who are most in need.”
Representative Sosnowski serves the 69th District, which includes portions of Boone and Winnebago Counties.