"Community Health Centers are a vital resource for so many Illinoisans, especially in underserved communities" Author: Kayla Wheeler Updated: 11:56 AM CST February 18, 2021 EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A local community health center is one of nine centers across Illinois that will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines through a federal program. Illinois community health centers missed out on the first phase of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Federally Qualified Health Center Program for COVID-19 Vaccination, according to a news release. So, U.S. senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth wrote to President Joe Biden’s administration urging them to prioritize community health centers in the state.