Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health today announced a metrics-based, vaccination-informed framework for Illinois to advance to Phase 5 of the state's Restore Illinois Plan. The Governor also announced that all residents age 16+ will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 12.
Currently, every region of the state is in Phase 4 of the five-phase Restore Illinois mitigation plan. The newly announced metrics offer Illinois a bridge between the state's current Phase 4 restrictions and the "new normal" operations of Phase 5. This "Bridge Phase" will serve as a transition period with higher capacity limits and increased business operations. All regions of the state will move through the Bridge Phase and ultimately to Phase 5, together. The state's mask mandate will continue in accordance with current CDC guidance.
To advance into the Bridge Phase, the entire state must reach a 70% first dose vaccination rate for residents 65 and over, maintain a 20% or lower ICU bed availability rate and hold steady on COVID-19 and COVID-like illness hospital admissions, mortality rate, and case rate over a 28-day monitoring period. To advance to Phase 5, the state must reach a 50% vaccination rate for residents age 16 and over and meet the same metrics and rates required to enter the transition phase, over an additional 28-day period.
All Illinois residents 16+ will be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning April 12. On that date, all state-supported mass vaccination sites, pharmacy partners and others will be instructed to move to widespread eligibility. Currently, all vaccines are administered by appointment only. While vaccine eligibility is expanding on April 12, making an appointment to receive a shot may take time. Information regarding vaccination locations as well as details on how to book an appointment to receive the vaccine can be found at the state's COVID website at coronavirus.illinois.gov. Residents who do not have access to or need assistance navigating online services can call the toll-free IDPH hotline at 833-621-1284 to book an appointment. The hotline is open 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight with agents available in English and Spanish. The IDPH continues to encourage patience in the days and weeks following April 12 as vaccination appointments may be limited.
For more information and resources regarding COVID-19, please visit the Village website at www.lagrangeil.gov.