Chicago public health commissioner Dr. Alison Arwady says she is fighting myths: “We still hear a lot of people sharing that the vaccine affects fertility, which it does not; millions of people die from the vaccine, which is not true,” she told a panel of lawmakers Monday. “We still hear that there is a chip in the vaccine, coming from a long history of mistrust of government.”

Still, Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) was able to get his point across.

“I see the CDC guidance is ‘recommended,’” he said. “I see the IDPH guidance is ‘recommended.’ Local control is universally what is being recommended here. It greatly concerns me that we have a governor who believes he can edict the entire state a universal mask mandate.”

Niemerg’s voice was not the only one of dissent. State Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) disdained the “talking heads” who suggested many sources of information – such as a pharmacist – when, Flowers said, the true direction should come from your doctor.

A state House health care committee met virtually to hear roughly ¾ the state has had at least one dose of the vaccine.