University Of Illinois To Require COVID-19 Vaccine For Students

CHAMPAIGN, IL — The University of Illinois is requiring all students at its three campuses to receive a COVID-19 vaccination before returning in the fall, representatives announced Monday.

The Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield locations will be among the first public universities in the state to require students to be fully vaccinated. Earlier this month, Illinois State University said they would not require students to be vaccinated before returning to campus, instead opting to continuously test those who would not show proof of inoculation.

Given U. of I.'s spearheading of COVID-19 tracking initiatives, such as vaccine status apps and streamlined testing processes, university officials said the updated health requirement was fitting.

"Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, students have helped make the University of Illinois System a model for the nation — a model of community, a model of safety and a model of pulling together for the common good," officials wrote in an email to students and staff.

If students opt to study remotely, they will not be required to get vaccinated. Officials said they expect further guidelines to come as the school year approaches.

With the University of Illinois at Chicago's campus following suit, almost all universities and colleges in Chicago will require students to be fully vaccinated. The University of Chicago, Northwestern, Loyola, Columbia College and DePaul have already announced their own vaccination requirements before in-person learning begins.