217 Today: Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Today’s headlines:

  • The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs says it’s working on a fix to allow veterans who got their COVID-19 shots at VA facilities to participate in Illinois’ vaccine lottery.

  • A new plan that just passed in Springfield and a recent report from the State Board of Higher Education come to the same conclusion: it’s time for Illinois to use an equity-focused formula to fund colleges.

  • With only 30% of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Vermilion County is turning to incentives for help.

  • The Macon County Health Department is offering walk-in Pfizer vaccination clinics in Decatur today.

In today’s deep dive, we head to McLean County to learn how health officials and faith leaders are trying to combat vaccine hesitancy among those yet to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Peter Medlin, Farrah Anderson and Eric Stock.

Carolina Garibay

Carolina Garibay is a senior journalism student at the University of Illinois. She’s a senior producer for the Illinois Student Newsroom and regularly covers arts and culture, education, and social justice issues affecting local communities. Along with her work for WILL, she was also the buzz Editor at The Daily Illini and hosts an arts and culture radio talkshow on WPGU 107.1 F.M.