Pritzker defends state’s vaccine distribution efforts as Illinois falls behind other states 

Marking the start of Illinois’ next phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday celebrated the opening of a new mass vaccination site in a southwest suburb of Chicago while defending the state’s approach to coordinating immunizations. 

Appearing at the new vaccination site at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Pritzker heralded the state’s early vaccination efforts. “Nearly three-quarters of a million doses of vaccine have been administered in Illinois already,” he said, calling the start of Phase 1B, which began Monday, “an exciting development.”