Excerpts from Fox32chicago.com:
A federal judge on Friday denied a motion by 130 Chicago firefighters and other city employees to temporarily halt enforcement of the city’s requirement that all its workers report whether they’ve received the COVID-19 vaccination or risk being put on no-pay status.
During an hourlong hearing, U.S. District Judge John Lee methodically dismantled arguments made in the lawsuit. He said, for example, that he saw no evidence that either Mayor Lori Lightfoot or Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker exceeded their authority by imposing mandates earlier this year to slow the spread of the deadly virus.
Lee said employees were making the same arguments that the Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of appeals rejected just this summer when it ruled that Indiana University could proceed with its plan to require students and employees to get vaccinated for the virus. And he said the court had rejected the argument made by the students and the city employees that forcing them to receive an unwanted medical treatment was a violation of their constitutional rights.
While the judge said attorneys for the city employees had shown a likelihood that they would ultimately be successful in any of their claims, he did not dismiss the lawsuit and told the attorneys to return by the end of next week to provide more information.
Lee’s ruling comes amid a heated battle over the vaccine mandate ordered by Lightfoot, with the police officers’ union arguing she has no right to penalize officers who defy it.
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#1 by rich s. on November 6, 2021 - 8:03 AM
A few thoughts here. The Covid-19 vaccine does NOT prevent infection first and foremost! Those who have chosen to be vaccinated can, do and will still get the virus and can and WILL still spread the virus. This mandate is a violation of the CBA between the City and Local 2. The Mayor does not have the right to unilaterally change the conditions of employment to existing members, that is exactly why there is a CBA. This should be negotiated in good faith and compromises made between the parties involved. Most of the members are already either vaccinated of have had the virus already and have natural immunity. Those of you who are comparing this to other diseases should rethink your comments.
#2 by Mike on November 5, 2021 - 6:01 PM
The city is wrong and breaking the law by enforcing this vaccine mandate without negotiating in good faith or even negotiating at all with the unions. This vaccine mandate is a change in working conditions and there is a lot to it that needs to be negotiated. Don’t you find it interesting that every other fire department in this state isn’t going through the same issue? The union departments have negotiated with their employers and the non union just either comply or quit. The city is creating several grievances and unfair labor practices by doing this and the mayor and law department know this.
The employer is allowed to enforce a vaccine mandate for all newly hired employees but current employees covered under the contact cannot be forced to get vaccinated.
#3 by Admin on November 5, 2021 - 5:31 PM
From the CDC;
COVID 19-vaccines are effective and can reduce the risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about the different COVID-19 vaccines.
#4 by Dan on November 5, 2021 - 4:01 PM
Vaccines don’t prevent infection. Vaccines mitigate the effects of the virus. Vaccinated people still get sick and transmit the virus.
I guess the “my body, my choice” only applies to certain social circumstances.
#5 by D on November 5, 2021 - 1:35 AM
I’m only a citizen/taxpayer. I have a good deal of respect for municipal firefighters most of the time. If I were to call call 911 for medical assistance for my mother or grandmother, I would expect those responding to help us out would be taking ALL precautions mandated to keep my family safe. This would include a vaccine. Set your selfish views aside. You are being paid to help us in our time of need. You would risk your life for rescuing us in the midst of a fire, but you would risk getting my family sick with something that could very well kill them?
#6 by Michael on November 3, 2021 - 9:16 AM
Yea lets bring back small pox, measles whopping cough. If you don’t like me making pizza with Hep A don’t eat it. . While we are at it to hell with building codes and zoning .I have a right to do what want to with my property. I like raising swine in my suburban yard.
PS if you do not like my driving, stay off the sidewalk.
Good luck everyone
#7 by John Antkowski on November 1, 2021 - 8:12 PM
Another reason not to live in a corrupt blue state!! I wouldn’t stop the fight. There is no law on the books to enforce the vaccine. Don’t give up!