By: Mark Glennon*
The latest of Gov. JB Pritzker’s edicts, his Bridge to Phase 5 announced Thursday, includes capacity limitations for a long list of ordinary public places from amusement parks to restaurants to zoos, indoors and out. To be excluded from the limits, you will have to be vaccinated or show that you’ve recently tested negative. Those who run those public places apparently will be expected to collect proof in order to comply.
It’s a de facto vaccination mandate, and it’s wrong. Individuals should be free to choose whether to skip or delay the vaccine. They shouldn’t be forced, in effect, to carry a vaccination license to go about life. My colleagues wrote yesterday why the General Assembly should terminate Pritzker’s his emergency powers. The vaccination requirement is now an additional reason. Enough of this.
Here’s the exact language:
Additionally, this updated guidance establishes new capacity limits for settings determined by risk level. In an update to current Phase 4 mitigations, individuals with proof of full vaccination—defined as 14 days after receiving a final vaccine dose —or a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) 1-3 days prior to an event do not count against capacity limits. Following the latest studies on virus transmission, lower risk activities that were either not permitted or allowed at a lower capacity have been expanded in Phase 4.
It shouldn’t matter whether you believe generally in the vaccine, as I do. Some people don’t or want to wait, for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons are based on simple generosity. Others stem from cynicism understandably generated by the endless incompetence, errors, politicized “science” and junk data about COVID they’ve been hearing for a year from government officials and supposed experts.
Among those who might choose to delay vaccination are young, healthy people who would prefer to let those at risk go first. Pritzker himself said he was holding off getting the vaccine even though he is eligible. That’s particularly commendable since it appears he is not in good general condition.
But that’s inconsistent with a rule that penalizes those who let others go first. He and others who elect to let those who are more at risk go first should be praised and encouraged. Pritzker is doing the opposite.
Others who might rationally choose to delay getting the vaccine are those who were already infected. Illinois now has 1.2 million reported infections, which means the number of actual infections is over 7 million — well over half the state. They have a very high degree of natural immunity, particularly if they are younger, and it’s in the interest of those truly at risk to let them choose to wait on the vaccine.
Forcing vaccination, some might argue, isn’t a matter for personal choice because it would reduce exposure to others who aren’t vaccinated. That just doesn’t fly anymore. Front line workers had priority for vaccination. Others who choose to go to public venues and aren’t vaccinated or aren’t naturally immune are assuming their own risk. It’s now incumbent on them to avoid public places if they want no exposure.
This is not an anti-vaccination message. While I have heard some plausible opinions from smart people who oppose vaccination in some cases, I say get vaccinated. The balance of the evidence and of the more credible expert opinion say you should, as I see it. But that’s not what this is about. This is about freedom to choose on one’s own.
Look at the list of venues where tough capacity limits will still be imposed during the “Bridge” period, especially the outdoor venues, still with distancing and mask requirements. Pritzker’s imperium has gone beyond the point of needing a rebuttal. It’s indefensible.
Enough of the autocratic, oppressive emergency orders. End the imperium.
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
Read more about COVID-19 in Illinois:
- Illinois legislature should strip Gov. Pritzker of his COVID emergency powers
- Why Peoria County is doing COVID vaccinations right
- Illinois elderly still dying of COVID in vast disproportion to others, showing many vaccines are going to the wrong people
- Jumping the COVID vaccination line: the next casualty of common sense
- True inequality: In-class education at Chicago’s Catholic schools but remote learning at public schools
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
No to mandatory vaccines or vaccine papers
Why have I not heard this or seen on fbook?
I have reasons I don’t want that vaccine and I should be able to say if I want one or not without my movements and activities stopped because I don’t. Evil
Not getting his stupid shot. He can kma! He needs to be stripped of all his powers. Illinois is going down the sewer thanks to him!
The government has no say in how I live my life. Where is the government when people are dying from cancer? Nowhere because the government does not care about you and if you think they do you are sadly mistaken. The government only cares about its pockets and nothing else, the more control they have over you the better and this is just about control. Before telling people to get vaccinate read what the objective of this vaccine was: to decrease the effects of it. It does not guarantee that you will not get it nor does it save you… Read more »
Other than the dictatorship that’s trying to be established in this state and country, it violates HIPAA laws.
We’ve fought against tyranny in this country for almost two hundred and fifty years. This is a slap in the face of every U.S. veteran, past and present. We still send troops to engage in war to other nations to help those that are for forced to live under tyranny to rid those radical regimes and bring freedom to the citizens of those countries.
Bring the troops home, the fight is here in there own backyard!
This whole COVID vaccine is a farce, people are being used as human test tubes, don’t let the government dictate your life, there philosophy is that people are like sheep, if one leads, the rest will follow, not happening here, I’m a free American, and I will retain my freedom by not taking a shot that is nothing but a test, wake up America, take a stand for what is right
Agree
The Dems want to control our lives permanently, regulate and tax, then repeat, has little to with public health policy, keep alerting with summers like this
If you tell me the vaccine are safe good but my religion doesn’t let me i am very healthy and i never been vaccinated… i am not crazy to put me something is still A trial … they are experimental and are using humans been in this thing …how many has to die to stop this ??
Thank you for taking a stand for the rights of individuals.
I personally don’t believe in the vaccine, especially with a survival rate of the virus being above 99%, but I also believe that if it makes someone “feel” safer they should have a right to do as they please. I feel that if they want to change their genetic makeup that it will not affect me personally, and if their personal decisions in life will not affect me or others around them in a negative way they should have the right to do so.
No way Jose’ 🤬🖕🖕
He needs a double dose of Covid-19
When the man making the dictatorial decisions owns the businesses he’s forcing people into, testing etc, there is a major conflict of interest. He is also forcing new world order agendas. He could not care less about individuals. He needs to be recalled. THE VACCINES ARE NOT APPROVED BY THE FDA AND CANNOT BE MANDATED. THEY ARE IN PHASE 3 TESTING WITH SERIOUS OUTCOMES DENIED. WE NEED TO RECALL HIM IMMEDIATELY! Florida has none of these outrageous democrat playbook mandates which is why the democrats are attacking the governor. He is proving these dictorial mandates are bullcrap and orchestrated for… Read more »
I thought it was „my body, my choice”?
JB: „This is all for the good of the people”. Hmmmm…. I seem to remember someone else saying this once upon a time…. small guy, little mustache, liked to paint….
I’m visiting family in another state. Having learned about this, I don’t plan on returning to Illinois. It’s the last straw.
Everyone in this state is getting everything they have asked for. You have voted for this in overwhelming numbers for years…so why should I care.
I’m a cancer patient I’m in remission yet i won’t be getting this vaccine it changes your dna and I can’t tidbit causing. It to return. The chemo my not react the same and not enough research for me
I agree! Same here!
The best way to fight this is through the courts and by just forgoing the events and activities and doing something else.
Looking forward to the day this fat bastard is gone!
I agree
Remember 2022 vote him out don’t make the same mistake twice people
Governor Pritzker Out!.
This is the only way.
Amen to that. Ask yourself WHY a billionaire would run for governor of a corrupt midwest state with major financial obligations due to decades of mismanagement. Because he was buying the businesses that he would MANDATE use of such as testing…and he knew it before the pandemic. Of course it wasn’t planned. Right. He is disgusting andour is time we collectively take our rights back.
It should be left up to the business owner. How can the state require a vaccination card to eat and not require ID to vote.
Remember you have a total idiot running Illinois
It is against federal law to mandate an experimental drug. These “vaccines” have not been fully approved for use — they’re approved for emergency use only but of course they’re not telling you that. They will not be fully approved for at least another 2-3 years while they complete the clinical trials. And I’ll give you three guesss on who those clinical trials are being performed. Anybody who has taken the “vaccine” is nothing but a guinea pig.
Why can Illegal Immigrants come into our country and not be vacinated🤔
Dem votes, to replenish their supply for human trafficking…so many underhanded reasons.
WHY don’t we all just stand up FOR OUR RIGHTS as free Americans?? He really doesn’t have the legal power to control our medical decisions even though he wants everyone to think he does.
This is ridiculous! I am not getting the vaccine as I don’t trust the long term effects. It’s not worth risking.
How can he get away with this?
Cant wait til I leave this state permanently. Two more years to retirement then gone.
I will get the vaccine only when and if the manufacturers assume liability for long-term consequences and it is proven safe and beneficial with long-term studies. Right now, if it causes an illness years from now manufacturers have no liability and their government customers will ignore your plight. No. I prefer to rely on my own immune system than the tinkering with mother nature that always worked out so well in the past. If healthy people obtained natural immunity from this virus it would be no more than a common cold (any other coronavirus) for all within a few years… Read more »
No vaccine manufacturers have had product liability for their products since 1986. People are not aware of this. It was after that oiunt that childhood vaccines went from only a few during childhood to over 72 now. Babies get nearly TWENTY in their first year. Look up Highwire Dell Bigtree for truth. This topic is censored. Drug companies are the largest source of revenue for media companies and payoffs to politicians. FACT.
Look at the bright side people. It’s Illinois so we will be able to buy a vaccine card for 20 bucks soon. TTH, Capitol Fax needs you back. The toilets are getting dirty.
Remove him. Remove him remove him
Has someone started this process? I have been out of state for 5 months. Where do we sign?
I’ve had COVID, barely walked away from it, and I’ve got part one of 2 vax’s. My choice to do so. It’s no one else’s damn business for me to get admission into places I want to go. This is BS and a HIPAA violation.
Getting the vaccine doesn’t buy me my right to no longer wear a mask, so my wife and I wont get it.
Amusement parks and zoos? I have to travel out of state to go to them.
I WILL NEVER get this vaccine it cannot be called a vaccine it is NOT FDA approved. I asked a scientist who WORKED on the Pfizer what is IN the vaccine and is it FDA approved. I received NO response. That tells me ALL I need to know.
I WILL NEVER bow down and take this EVER!
Yes, me too!
When the world expert in vaccines is very concerned you know there’s a problem. The High Wire interviewed him last week. Cant recall his name but can find it at their website with word “catastrophe” in the title.
I am choosing not to get tge vaccine due to im not putting a foreign substance in my body that was thrown 2gether in 9 months with very little human testing, thus we do not know long term effects on our body.
We gave to show proof of a vaccine to non medical personnel, HIPPA violation for certain! But yet no ID needed to vote! Haul this white haired 76 year old intelligent lady off to jail, because you nor anyone else is taking my rights away!
2nd subject…how do we get this guy from being the governor?
Nice country we had, once upon a time. Our failing was in placing politicians upon pedestals rather than pikes.
Isn’t it illegal, or against HIPPA laws for someone to ask to see your medical information when they are not medical physicians? Because a vaccination record is considered private medical information covered by HIPPA and for you to be discriminated against for choosing not to get vaccinated because that is you given Constitutional right is just wrong!
This needs to be illegal. The vaccine is a death sentence.
https://www.facebook.com/210316635787434/posts/1807191129433302/
I have NO DOUBT that it IS illegal. People really don’t have to comply… not when push comes to shove.
government control…no one…I repeat…no one….should be required to put drugs into their body…unless “they” can guarantee 100% that there will be no side affects, no further illnesses from from it.. There are no guarantee how you will react to a drug. FREEDOM OF CHOICE is what this country is built on.
No mandatory vaccines especially when the manufacturer can’t be held accountable.
https://www.facebook.com/210316635787434/posts/1807191129433302/
My body, my choice.
With his “Bridge to Phase 5,” J.B. is careful not to take any action that would make it look like Illinois is actually reopening. He wants to make sure there is plenty of distance between Illinois and the states that failed to embrace his brand of Covid-19 lockdowns and “mitigations.” Now he’s backing us in to a vaccine mandate and “vaccine passports” scheme under the guise of offering expanded event capacity limits. This Dear Leader’s dictatorial emergency powers have definitely gone too far. The phony precision of the safety protocols that J.B.’s elves come up with are always such… Read more »
Is this edict be used as one reason in which Illinois can justify the “blue state bailout” it will receive from the most recent covid stimulus?
This not what our forefathers fought for, its not what our servicemen and servicewomen have fought for. Our government is out of control. I choose what goes in my body, just as my religion, just as my relationships, just as my ?!.
Its not a vaccine! Not FDA approved! Its allowed because it’s “EXPERIMENTAL” and you get to be the guinea pig! There are No dead corona cells in it for your IMMUNE SYSTEM to code it and be able to recognize it just incase you come into contact with it then your IMMUNE SYSTEM sends out an army to kill it! Biology 101. There’s man made dna (mRNA) and all kinds of other crap that should not be injected into your body!!! NO CLINICAL STUDIES! Btw THIS IS MODERNAS 1st TIME MAKING A “VACCINE”! The wonder mrna in it is called… Read more »
What happen to medical confidentiality?? It’s a person’s choice to tell who they want and not mandated to tell anyone the medical history or choice.
So we the American people are the test subject and then we are supposed to trust the science well approval is a lengthy process with test subjects and I choose not to be one my body my choice. I you agree with fat boy you need to do the research on your own and don’t believe everything you hear. Stand up.
A very well written article, Mark. Thank you.
For those who do not wish to get vaccinated, an Ivermectin based prophylaxis treatment could be an excellent alternative.
See the I-MASK+ protocol at
https://covid19criticalcare.com/i-mask-prophylaxis-treatment-protocol/i-mask-protocol-translations/
I have been doing it now for 2 months. Zero covid and zero side effects.
I work in healthcare and refused the vaccination when offered. I will not be forced to do something I DO NOT want to do. So PRICK-ster can inforce all he wants.
It is time to recall this Governor. He continues to overstep his authority and works to make Illinois ‘his kingdom’ and were supposed to do as he says as ‘his subjects.’ No one should be forced to take this “vaccine.” Nor should our rights as US citizens be denied. Enough is enough. Recall
Problem is it’s to late to recall the governor, you need x amount of signatures, and if I’m correct the senate must approve of his recall. Best thing now is to vote him out in 2022 if he runs for re-election and do everything within are powers to stop this man at the polls
Have had enough. As it is so many of my friends and family are moving out of Illinois. Go ahead Prick make my day!
Teresa, clean up your language and back off on the name calling. I deleted your other comment.
Hold on…I’ll get you your pacifier and blanket. Go down to your basement where it’s safe.
Censorship is cowardly and wrong.
Nobody is censoring any opinions here, just trying to keep the language reasonably clean and the conversation reasonably substantive.
Play it on a violin, Mark.
Isn’t this a violation of HIPAA?
No one other than myself. Should be able to tell me what to do with my body. And it’s not a vaccine it is a placebo. With aborted fetus and microbes
I wish it were a placebo. Instead, it’s genetic modification therapy.
HIPAA law apparently doesn’t apply now. What a moron.
You guys really need to learn where HIPPA applies
EXACTLY!!!!
Illinois voted this clown in, Vote him out of office or live with fool!
Most of the state thinks he is ‘keeping us safe’. My guess is that he’s reelected 60-40 against some unmemorable no-name non-politician Republican candidate absent a sex scandal involving him and a hot tub full of baked pork & beans.