CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) said additional funding the state will receive to expand Illinois’ vaccination program will save lives, especially in communities of color that have been hit hardest by the virus.

“This funding is necessary for our state to increase vaccine accessibility, especially for those communities disproportionately affected by the ongoing pandemic,” Van Pelt said. “I commend the CDC for their effort to expand the COVID-19 vaccination program.”

Illinois will receive an additional $124 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand the COVID-19 vaccination program, including more than $90 million for the state and $33 million for the City of Chicago. Approximately 75% of the funding will focus on underserved and disproportionate communities affected by the pandemic to ensure vaccines are distributed to people fairly.

The Illinois Department of Public Health will develop a distribution plan for the majority of funding to be allocated to local health departments and community-based organizations to help increase vaccination rates. A portion of the funding will also be used to expand the public health infrastructure needed to support additional vaccination efforts.

“With the ongoing pandemic, so many people have struggled to receive a vaccine,” Van Pelt said. “Now is the time for us to push to get everyone vaccinated.”

All Illinois residents will be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning Monday, April 12.

To make a vaccination appointment, visit coronavirus.illinois.gov or call the state’s Vaccine Appointment Call Center at 1-833-621-1284.