Starting Today, Illinoisans 16 And Older Are Eligible For Vaccine If you've been patiently (or otherwise) waiting for your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccinations taken care of, your chance to roll up a sleeve is here. The State of Illinois has expanded COVID vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 and older as of today (Monday), although the expansion does not include Chicago. Chicago's residents will have to wait one more week until April 19th to get the vaccine in the city, but, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Chicago residents are eligible to get themselves vaccinated at suburban vaccination sites.