McLean County Times

In an Oct. 28 news release, Rep. Dan Caulkins issued a statement about the potential for COVID-19 vaccination to be mandated for students.

Caulkins was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. A Republican, his legislative experience includes serving on the Public Utilities and Prescription Drug Affordability. Caulkins is a state representative who resides in Decatur, according to the Illinois House.

“The decision to vaccinate children for COVID-19 should be a decision made by parents, not the government," Caulkins told the McLean County Times. "Politicians should not be the ones mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for our youth. I trust our parents to make this healthcare decision, not politicians."

Conversely, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to defer to the opinions of health experts. 

“The CDC has made a recommendation, that’s true, but this is a process that we need to consider,” Pritzker said. “All across the state we have representatives that want to be heard on this subject, I think it’s appropriate. I think we should follow the scientists and doctors, that’s what I’ve been doing all along. Make sure we’re doing the right thing here.”

As this debate rages on The Illinois Department of Health expressed concerns about a growing number of coronavirus cases.

"The CDC released data showing that 38 counties in Illinois are at an elevated community level for COVID-19, up from 26 counties last week," a press release said. "Five counties are rated a High level and 33 are at Medium. IDPH is reporting 13,642 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, and 67 deaths since October 21."