A new mobile mass COVID-19 vaccination site will be available soon in southern Illinois.
Governor JB Pritzker Tuesday visited the World Shooting and Recreation Complex (WSRC) in Sparta to announce the opening of the clinic at the facility later this month.
Pritzker says the State of Illinois is offering an incentive to those who receive the one-time Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at the shooting complex.
“If you come and get vaccinated at the World Shooting Recreational Complex vax site – which is already completely free – you’ll get 100 FREE targets of trap, skeet, or sporting clays, to use any time before the end of October."
The site will be operated by the Illinois National Guard in coordination with the Randolph County Health Department and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th for adults 18 and over. Walk-ins are welcome.
Governor Pritzker also says the return of the Amateur Trapshooting Association Grand American at the Worldwide Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta this August will provide a much needed lift to the region's economy after the event was moved elsewhere last year because of the pandemic.
"The WSRC and the Department of Natural Resources along with the Department of Public Health have developed a terrific plan to keep everyone safe. I'm really grateful for their hard work in making this possible."
State Senator Terri Bryant says the shooting complex and the Grand American generate $20-40 million in revenue for the region.
"Reaching all the way over to say the Mt. Vernon area, as far south as Cairo and even into the St. Louis Metro East area. This is a big economic generator and economic engine for us."
The Grand American will be held August 4-14 in Sparta.
