Pritzker: Phase 5 Not Anytime Soon in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Public Health Monday moved a number of regions into less restrictive tiers of mitigations. Two regions, 3 and 5, are now back off tiers and into Phase Four in the state's Restore Illinois plan. Phase Four means restaurants and bars are open, some youth sports can play games and gyms are operating again.

A full move into Phase Five, though, means widespread distribution of a vaccine or a readily available treatment for COVID-19. Governor J.B. Pritzker says the state isn't moving to Phase Five anytime soon.

On average, 22,000 people a day in Illinois are getting vaccinated and the state says there are 3.2 million people in the current Phase 1B of the vaccination rollout.

As of Monday, the State reported that just under half a million people have been vaccinated.

Region 6, including the Effingham area, was moved from Tier 3 to Tier 1 on Monday. Phase 1B vaccinations are underway in Effingham County this week.