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A shot and a beer? Bill filed to allow Illinois bars to give a free beer if you get a COVID-19 vaccine

Rep. Michael J. Zalewski files bill to allow bars to reward those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 13, 2021 file photo, Allison Richter drinks her free shot at the bar, after receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, during a vaccine event hosted by Nola Ready, where people get a free drink at the bar if they received a COVID-19 vaccine, at The Howling Wolf, a music venue and bar, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)

By John Sahly

Free beer.

Now that Illinois state Rep. Michael J. Zalewski, D-Riverside, has your attention, he’d like to reward people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Zalewski filed House Bill 4078 on Tuesday morning to allow for bars to give one free beer to any customer that can provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Provides that a retail licensee may provide a single drink of alcoholic liquor at no charge to a customer as part of a publicly advertised promotion to encourage participation in any COVID-19 vaccination program if the customer provides proof of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, and that the provision is inoperative on and after 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately,” according to the bill synopsis.

If the bill is passed, Illinois would join New Jersey, which has a “shot and a beer” program running, along with certain vaccination sites in Connecticut and Washington, D.C., that are rewarding vaccinated customers with a free beer.

COVID-19 Vaccine
John Sahly

John Sahly

John Sahly is the Managing editor for the Shaw Local News Network. He has been with Shaw Media since 2008, previously serving as digital editor, and the Daily Chronicle sports editor and sports reporter.