The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Brian Moline and Carolina Garibay
 
LeRoy First United Methodist Church has hosted two COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

LeRoy First United Methodist Church has hosted two COVID-19 vaccination clinics. LeRoy First United Methodist Church/Facebook

Listen (Duration: 10:31)
Download

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.