The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Friday Feb. 12, 2021

Brian Moline and Olivia Butts
 
Tama County Public Health Executive Director Shannon Zoffka (right) speaks to a volunteer at the county's COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the former Girls State Training School in Toledo, Iowa.

Tama County Public Health Executive Director Shannon Zoffka (right) speaks to a volunteer at the county's COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the former Girls State Training School in Toledo, Iowa. Natalie Krebs/Side Effects Public Media

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Friday Feb. 12, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • Gov. JB Pritzker's administration is getting pushback from some overwhelmed local health departments after his decision to further expand eligibility for the current phase of COVID vaccine rollout.

  • Southern Illinois University leaders say they intend to hold the line on tuition and fees in the coming academic year.

  • The City of Urbana is looking for thoughts and suggestions from the public, as officials look to update the city's comprehensive plan.

  • So far, about 21 percent of Champaign County's eligible population has received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. About five percent of those eligible have received both doses.

In today's deeper dive, the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine has been challenging everywhere, and rural areas have faced some unique problems. We learn more from Side Effects Public Media's Natalie Krebs.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Jennifer Fuller, Jim Meadows, and Natalie Krebs.