SARAH MANSUR Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD â Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a new state program Monday that aims to increase vaccine access in low-income, vulnerable communities and to connect residents across the state to COVID-19 assistance programs for transportation, food, utilities or other resources. The COVID-19 Pandemic Health Navigator Program serves areas of the state outside of Chicago and Cook County, and is funded by $60 million in grants from the Illinois Department of Public Health to regional organizations. âThis program is about one-on-one connections involving established, trusted members of the community, whether that's a federally qualified health center or a church or an LGBTQ+ center, a senior center or a local branch of the NAACP,â Pritzker said at a news conference at VNA Health Care in Aurora.