Newman Questions FEMA Over United Center Vaccine Plans

OAK LAWN, IL — Congresswoman Marie Newman (IL-03) and 10 other Democratic members of Congress representing northern Illinois signed on to a letter criticizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency's handling of the mass vaccination site at the United Center in Chicago.

Appointments for the site opened for four days last week to Illinois residents over the age of 65. Eligibility had been set to expand to everyone with an underlying medical condition increasing their risk of complications from COVID-19.

But at the last minute, officials announced appointments would be limited to residents of Chicago and Cook County.

In Friday's letter to Acting FEMA Administrator Robert Fenton, the 11 members of Illinois' congressional delegation acknowledged the goal of equitable vaccine distribution and ensuring doses are delivered to the state's vulnerable residents and populations with the highest rates of coronavirus infections and deaths.

"Nevertheless, many of our constituents who fall in the vulnerable category, but who don’t live in Chicago, felt frustrated with the recent determination to limit eligibility at the United Center Federal Mass Vaccination Center for Illinois residents outside of the city and county. Their confusion was exacerbated with the abruptness of the announcement, and the consequent uncertainty surrounding their future access to a vaccination appointment," the letter said.

"Pockets of vulnerability exist all across our state, both in the collar counties and downstate, and each of us represent underserved, socially vulnerable Illinoisans that are all hoping for timely and straightforward access to the vaccine," it continued. "Restricting these populations from seeking appointments at the United Center Federal Mass Vaccination Center is a departure from the site’s initial message of ensuring all underserved Illinoisans have access to COVID-19 vaccines."

Related:
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The joint letter was initiated by Rep. Brad Schneider, of Deerfield.

In addition to Newman, it was signed by Rep. Sean Casten, of Downers Grove; Rep. Danny Davis, of Chicago; Rep. Bill Foster, of Naperville; Rep. Chuy Garcia, of Chicago; Rep. Robin Kelly, of Matteson; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, of Schaumburg; Rep. Mike Quigley, of Chicago; Rep. Bobby Rush, of Chicago, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, of Evanston.

The representatives asked Fenton for details about the agency's plans for the site after the initial eight-week commitment, for including local providers in the implementation of federal sites and for more mass vaccination sites or mobile vaccination units.

The group's letter also called for FEMA to make sure future determinations about who is eligible for vaccines are fully communicated to all vulnerable residents of the state, not just those in Chicago.

Read more: Full text of March 12 letter from 11 Democratic members of Congress from Illinois to Acting FEMA Administrator Robert J. Fenton Jr. »