More Vaccine Incentives For State Frontline Workers: Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD, IL —Building upon the $10 million "All In for the Win" lottery promotion for all vaccinated Illinoisans, Gov. J.B. Pritzker formally introduced a new package of incentives Wednesday for vaccinated frontline state employees who work in care facilities.

The pilot program will include a series of drawings where frontline state employees with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can win prizes like: cash bonuses, airline vouchers, lifetime hunting and fishing licenses and sports tickets, according to a release.

In late June, the program was unveiled to employees of several state agencies, including: The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)

The drawings will take place on July 19 and be conducted by the Illinois Lottery. Frontline state employees with at least one dose of the vaccine by July 12 are eligible.

"Our state employees have worked tirelessly on the frontlines throughout the pandemic and I'm thrilled to announce this new opportunity to encourage them to get vaccinated," Pritzker said. "By further increasing state employee vaccination rates, we're not just protecting our staff, we're protecting our vulnerable residents in state facilities and our surrounding communities. Getting vaccinated is truly how we protect ourselves from new variants and put this pandemic behind us."

According to the state, more than 7.1 million Illinois adults (72.2 percent) have received at least one dose of the vaccine, a number that surpasses President Joe Biden's goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adults before the Fourth of July.

However, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), said this is no time for Illinoisans to let down their guard.

"Across Illinois, we are seeing COVID-19 variants that spread more easily and quickly, and are more dangerous," Ezike said. "Right now, the vaccines available have proven to be effective against these variants. However, if the virus is allowed to further circulate, it can and will mutate further. Getting vaccinated now can help stop the spread and mutation of the virus, and protect you and those around you."

That is why the state has developed incentive programs to encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. The programs have proven effective in increasing vaccine rates in several other states.

The first of Illinois' nine "All In for the Win" vaccine lottery drawings was set for Thursday afternoon, where a $1 million winner and three $150,000 scholarship were scheduled to be chosen.

Among the prizes available in the frontline employee drawings, are:

• Cash bonuses: ranging from $5,000 to $10,000
• State prizes: a choice among lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum passes or memberships, State Fair admissions and concert passes
• Airline vouchers: first-class tickets to any domestic U.S. destination or coach tickets to any international destination on American Airlines
• Sports tickets: home game tickets for the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire FC and St. Louis Cardinals

The state reminds Illinoisans that vaccines remain widely available at no cost to residents. To find the nearest provider, they can visit vaccines.gov, text their zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233.