Peoria Standard

After Gov. J.B. Pritzker moved the state's legislators to the front of the line for the COVID-19 vaccine, Republican lawmakers who don't otherwise qualify for Phase 1B said they would wait for those who need the vaccine to get it first.

Pritzker said that his decision came in response to some legislators' requests to be moved into the earlier priority group, Peoria Public Radio reported.

State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Peoria) said that he would be excited to get vaccinated when his turn comes but that he isn't eager enough to push ahead of at-risk Illinois residents.

"I'm not going to take advantage of this because I just would feel bad that I might be taking somebody's spot that has a health risk, or they live with people that are at great risk," Stoller said, Peoria Public Radio reported.

Stoller said that the ability of legislators to do their jobs remotely makes it unnecessary to push them ahead of others in the line for vaccinations.

"To some extent, we can meet virtually," Stoller said. "I don't think it's really that necessary that we have to be pushed to the front of the line."

State Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason) said that she has no problem with legislators who fall into an at-risk group, such as, based on age, getting the vaccine sooner.

However, she plans to wait to ensure she doesn't take a vaccine from someone who needs it more, especially since she knows people personally who need it more.

"My brother-in-law who has an underlying health condition still doesn't have his yet," Turner said, Peoria Public Radio reported. "Those with underlying health conditions, no matter their age, still need to go before me."