|
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who had mandated the vaccine for several
groups including K-12 school staff and state colleges, said it's
up to lawmakers to make the call.
“We’re not currently requiring that,” said Pritzker. “That is
something that goes through the General Assembly, all of the
vaccination requirements are heard by the General Assembly.”
His opponent in the Nov. 8 election, Republican Darren Bailey
said on Twitter his administration would oppose mandating COVID
vaccines for schools.
State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, who is being challenged by
Republican Desi Anderson, said kids should get the shot but he
is not in favor of a mandate.
“I think it should be available and schools ought to push it,
especially if we see any kind of increase this winter,” said
Koehler.
Republican Lisa Smith, who is running for the 96th House
District seat against incumbent Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, told
WMAY in Springfield that the decision should be left to parents.
“I feel that parents have the right to refuse vaccines for their
children and they are the persons who need to be in charge of
this,” said Smith.
There is a movement to do away with any kind of exemption to
avoid the vaccine, like a religious exemption as Illinois has.
Smith said such a movement is un-American.
“So that parents have no right to say I don’t want my child to
have this vaccine. That is totally against our freedoms in this
country and we should not be allowing that,” she said.
Illinois law says immunizations shall be required to go to a
K-12 school in accordance with rules created by the Illinois
Department of Public Health. It is unclear if they plan to
follow the CDC’s recommendations.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
|
|
