* As you can see, these districts aren’t nearly as Democratic leaning as they were portrayed by some folks last night. Several close or even lean-GOP districts were declared Democratic. Ignore presidential results and focus more on races like the 2018 attorney general contest…
* Also, keep in mind that these maps are first drafts. So, while Lipinski might like what he sees now, things could look a whole lot different by the end of this process in two weeks…
* On to another topic…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s high-stakes standoff with the police union over the city’s vaccine mandate landed in court Friday, with a judge doing what the mayor could not — temporarily silencing Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.
Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan granted the city’s request for an injunction, but only to the extent that Catanzara be precluded — at least until the next hearing Oct. 25 — from making any further YouTube videos or otherwise using social media platforms to encourage his members to defy the city’s mandate to enter their vaccine status on the city’s data portal.
Horan rejected as “unenforcible” the city’s request that FOP members be enjoined from engaging in a “concerted refusal” to submit their vaccine status information or comply with the policy.
Also rejected was the city’s request that Catanzara be ordered to “retract or disavow” his previous statements encouraging his members to ignore the city’s order.
“A restraining order is designed to be preventative. It’s not designed to remedy past harms,” Horan said.
* This is so often the case…
“What’s truly extraordinary is they want to silence somebody who is the elected president of the union,” said D’Alba, who in the course of the hearing noted that Catanzara himself is vaccinated.
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to adopt the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ (CSTE) guidance for PreK-12 school-associated outbreaks. Previously, CDC recommended that two cases associated with a school would constitute an outbreak. The new national recommendation that Illinois is adopting defines a school outbreak as either (1) multiple cases comprising at least 10% of students, teachers, or staff within a core group or (2) at least three cases within a specified core group. A core group means only those individuals who were together during an exposure period. For example, this could be limited to a classroom, a sports team, before/after school care, performing arts, or other groups and likely does not apply to the entire school population.
More information about school outbreaks, exclusion, guidance, and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the IDPH website on a new COVID-19 Youth and School Resources page, including youth vaccination rates by county, youth cases over time, and youth emergency department visits. https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/youth-school.html.
“In an effort to more confidently establish whether transmission of COVID-19 occurred in school versus another location, IDPH is following CDC’s recommendations and adopting Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ guidance, which updates what is considered to be a school-associated outbreak,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “This change in criteria will continue to identify outbreaks and help prevent further spread, but also help rule out outbreaks that are not associated with the school.”
To be considered part of an outbreak in a school, cases must meet the criteria for a probable or confirmed school-associated case with a positive test result, or the start of symptoms within 14 days of each other. These individuals are identified to be close contacts with each other while in the school setting and not another setting outside of school. The cases must also be epidemiologically linked to the school setting or extracurricular activity, meaning they were at the same place at the same time.
Masks continue to be required to be worn in schools by students, staff, and visitors to help protect the health of those in schools and prevent further transmission in the community among vulnerable populations.
More information about the importance of using layered prevention strategies, including universal masking, to stop the spread and minimize disruptions to school operations for safe in-person education can be found in three new studies. These studies found that school districts without a universal masking policy in place were more likely to have COVID-19 outbreaks. Nationwide, counties without masking requirements saw the number of pediatric COVID-19 cases increase nearly twice as quickly during this same period. Masking also helps keep students in school. In Illinois, a student who was within 3-6 feet of a case in a classroom setting is not considered a close contact if both the case and close contact were consistently masked for the entire exposure period.
IDPH recommends vaccination for individuals 12 years and older, including students. School personnel are required to be fully vaccinated or tested at least weekly for COVID-19, per Executive Order.
IDPH has also teamed up with SHIELD Illinois to provide free COVID-19 testing to all K-12 public schools across Illinois outside of Chicago. As an alternative to exclusion from school, unvaccinated students and staff who have been identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case now have the option of a Test-to-Stay protocol, as long as both the case and contact were masked during the exposure. Close contacts must be tested on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after exposure. As long as close contacts remain negative, they are allowed to remain in school. Participation in weekly screening testing at school is strongly encouraged as an added layered mitigation strategy and to support implementation of Test-to-Stay.
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Question of the day
Friday, Oct 15, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Which Republican who is not already in the race would you like to see run for governor? Explain.
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COVID-19 roundup
Friday, Oct 15, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Center Square…
Six nurses employed by Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee have filed a lawsuit against the hospital over their right to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, citing the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act.
The Liberty Justice Center, a national nonprofit law firm, is representing the nurses. The nurses have religious beliefs they say conflict with getting the vaccine, Liberty Justice Center attorney Daniel Suhr said. […]
“At Liberty Justice Center, our job is to fight against overreach and protect people’s rights,” Suhr said. “This is not only overreach, it is wrong and it is illegal.” […]
Panozzo, a nurse practitioner for over 24 years at Riverside, said her faith is the reason for her decision.
“I have dedicated my life to living out my faith by serving my patients,” Panozzo said in a statement. “I believe I am called to love and serve my patients especially those who are frail and vulnerable, I am also following my faith teaching when I say I can not accept this vaccine.”
I just can’t understand someone who would not only knowingly work around “frail and vulnerable” people without being vaccinated against a disease that could kill her charges, but would put up a legal fight to do so.
* Effingham Daily News…
A temporary restraining order that allowed three Teutopolis students to attend classes without masks has been vacated by the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Douglas L. Jarman.
“Since the judge vacated the order, it requires masking for all students in the school district as per Executive Order No. 24 from the governor,” said Unit 50 Superintendent Matt Sturgeon.
Scroll down…
DeVore said in a telephone interview Thursday that he plans to transfer the Teutopolis case out of Effingham County to Macoupin County early next week. He said the Effingham County case would be transferred along with similar cases in Clinton and Montgomery counties to Macoupin County, where he currently has an existing case.
I’m not sure how he plans to pull off that transfer, but it’s part of a wider effort…
Sommer Stuehlmeye, a parent said she and a group of Unit 5 parents are raising funds to be considered for representation from Thomas DeVore, a lawyer who has successfully restored two Illinois school districts to regular status after a court dispute with the Illinois State Board of Education. […]
Who exactly is taking this case?
Stuehlmeye said she and the other Unit 5 parents linked up with a website called ‘Speak for Students.’
“It is a website that is an avenue to hire Tom DeVore, is his name the attorney, he’s been successful in some school districts south of us in the exact same thing as what we’re trying to do. Were raising funds to be considered by him. The funds would hire him, but we have to raise the funds before we can be considered,.for him to take on our case for the freedom of choice for parents. We’ve gone through this website and we need a certain number of parent representatives, or plaintiffs, to move forward,” said Stuehlmeye. […]
Stuehlmeye said the community has to raise the funds before they can submit a request for counsel on ‘Speak for Students.‘ […]
It costs $5,324 dollars. Right now the group of Unit 5 parents are at about $2,300.
* Cook County Record…
The possibility of natural immunity to COVID acquired by prior infection shouldn’t allow a group of Naperville firefighters to escape COVID vaccine and testing mandates, lawyers for Gov. JB Pritzker has argued in new court filings.
Further, the governor asserted state and local COVID vaccine and testing orders don’t violate the firefighters’ constitutional rights, as they claim.
“Even if all of the Plaintiffs (Naperville firefighters) did previously contract COVID-19, … the level of immunity can vary based on viral load and the severity of the infection,” lawyers for Pritzker wrote. “If Plaintiffs’ infections were early in the pandemic, then their immunity may have waned and vaccination is necessary to boost their immune response. If their cases were mild, then they may not have any immunity at all.
“Considering the nature of Plaintiffs’ jobs, they not only are at a higher risk of either infection or reinfection, but there is a higher risk that they will spread the disease as well.”
* More from the filing…
Moreover, one month before the Governor issued EO 2021-22, this very district court mandated that its employees be vaccinated, or otherwise get tested twice a week. As Chief Judge Pallmeyer stated when announcing the Northern District’s vaccination requirement, “COVID-19 vaccinations are the very best available line of defense against this virus. Many of us work directly with the public, and all of us have a responsibility not only to one another, but also to the members of our community who come before us.”
Emphasis in original.
* NBC 5…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it remains too early to give an indication of when he might lift Illinois’ indoor mask requirement, even as state COVID-19 metrics continue to dip.
Though the state’s test positivity rate is down to 2.5%, Pritzker said health officials must consider all metrics, in addition to other factors.
Pritzker cited rising cases in other states, including nearby Minnesota and Michigan, as well as current hospitalizations here in Illinois, where 1,500 people are in the hospital with coronavirus.
“If you go look at the hospitalizations — the new hospitalizations, as well as the ones that are, you know, existing in total — they are not dropping at the rate that they were dropping even a couple of weeks ago,” Pritzker said Thursday at an unrelated news conference while answering reporter questions. “So I’m concerned about that.”
OK, yesterday, there were 1,550 people in the hospital. Two weeks earlier, 1,744 were hospitalized (11 percent reduction). Two weeks before that, 1,962 were hospitalized (11 percent reduction). And two weeks before that, 2,305 were in the hospital (15 percent reduction).
I mean, I get why he doesn’t want to lift the mask mandate while some states to the north of us are surging again because he’ll only have to reimpose it, but it’s still a steady decrease.
* On to those aforementioned states…
We talked about that state earlier this week…
Intensive care units are nearing capacity and health care workers are in short supply in Minnesota, as coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths all reach levels not seen since vaccines became widely available.
All of the state’s counties are at high risk for community transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New daily cases have risen by 29 percent in the last two weeks and hospitalizations by 17 percent, according to a New York Times database.
While a monthslong increase driven by the Delta virus variant is waning in much of the country, Minnesota is just one of several Upper Midwestern and Mountain West states where the virus is surging. Cases are up and hospitals have been overwhelmed in North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, all of which have low vaccination rates. Some areas have had to ration care and send patients to distant hospitals for treatment.
The Minnesota Department of Health said the state’s surge is overwhelming hospitals, with rural and metropolitan areas equally stretched.
Google is your friend, Amy.
* Related…
* The Great Resignation Is Accelerating: A lasting effect of this pandemic will be a revolution in worker expectations.
* Chicago police union also heads to court over vaccine mandate, hours after city sues FOP over threats to ignore today’s reporting deadline
* COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on police, but suburban departments avoid vaccine mandates: “We are not requiring (Palatine Police Department) employees to be vaccinated because we are under no mandate to require it,” Palatine Chief David Daigle said. It was the same refrain elsewhere. Police departments and sheriff’s offices from Lake County to Bloomingdale to St. Charles are leaving the vaccine decision up to individual officers.
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* This is just a taste of a very well-researched and clearly written story by Rick Pearson. Lots of stuff in here, so go read it…
In launching his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor, 37-year-old political unknown Jesse Sullivan has touted his background as a venture capitalist as a key pillar of his campaign.
But public records show the entity Sullivan has described as a “venture capital firm,” Alter Global, was created in February 2016 as a tax-exempt charity. Alter Global made limited financial investments and was heavily dependent on cryptocurrency for its funding.
It wasn’t until January of last year that Sullivan created a more traditional for-profit venture capital firm, the similarly named Alter Global LLC, with more than two dozen investments, largely in developing countries, none in Illinois.
“I’ve been a venture capitalist. The other one I would not list as venture capital,” Sullivan said of his initial Alter Global nonprofit venture. “I’d list it as an entrepreneurial support organization, nonprofit.”
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* From the governor’s campaign…
Attached are the state and federal tax return summaries for JB and MK Pritzker for 2020.
They never disclose much of anything about the trusts, so we have to take their word for it.
Anyway, click here to see what they are willing to disclose.
…Adding… Good stuff here…
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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 15,669 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 184 additional deaths since reporting last Friday, October 8, 2021. Of Illinois’ total population, 69% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 54% of Illinois’ total population is fully vaccinated.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,665,777 cases, including 25,407 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Since reporting on Friday, October 8, 2021, laboratories have reported 780,699 specimens for a total of 33,718,807. As of last night, 1,500 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 341 patients were in the ICU and 172 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from October 8-14, 2021 is 2.0%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from October 8-14, 2021 is 2.5%.
A total of 14,994,065 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 27,051 doses. Since reporting on Friday, October 8, 2021, 189,357 doses were reported administered in Illinois.
*All data are provisional and will change. Additional information and COVID-19 data can be found at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19.
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
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* Press release…
The House and Senate Redistricting Committees have released a proposed map of new congressional boundaries designed to comply with federal law and ensure the broad diversity of the state is reflected in the elected officials sent to represent Illinois in Washington D.C.
The release of this draft comes after a series of public House and Senate hearings held across the state intended to collect as much input and testimony as possible. The proposal can be viewed at www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting and www.ilsenateredistricting.com. The public is encouraged to provide feedback during additional hearings that will begin next week.
“This proposal is an excellent first draft that amplifies diverse voices and gives every person in our state a say in government,” said Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, Chairperson of the House Redistricting Committee. “I look forward to ongoing discussion with members of the public, advocacy groups, and community organizations as we continue this effort to ensure our congressional boundaries reflect the diversity of this great state.”
“Population changes over the last decade meant many of the current districts were unbalanced. This proposed map is an effort to ensure every community across our state receives fair and equal representation in Washington,” said Sen. Elgie Sims, Vice Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “We thank those who have taken time to participate in this process and look forward to receiving continued feedback from voices across Illinois.”
Finalized hearings for the House and Senate are as follows:
· House Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 114
· Senate Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 2 p.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 212 (Virtual Hearing – participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)
Additional hearing information will be forthcoming as dates and locations are finalized. These will be hybrid hearings with the opportunity for in-person and virtual testimony. Those wishing to provide testimony, submit electronic testimony or submit electronic witness slips can do so in advance of the hearing via the General Assembly website www.ilga.gov or through email at redistrictingcommittee@hds.ilga.gov and redistrictingcommittee@senatedem.ilga.gov. The General Assembly is expected to vote on new congressional boundaries by the end of the scheduled fall veto session.
Demographics are here. As expected, there’s only one Latino district.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Democrat Marie Newman and Republican Adam Kinzinger are in the same district (CD3).
*** UPDATE 2 *** Republicans Mary Miller and Darin LaHood are in the same district (CD16).
Also, US Rep. Robin Kelly’s district now goes south to… Ashkum in Iroquois County, and even further west it goes south past Fairbury in Livingston County.
…Adding… ILGOP…
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy released the following statement in response to Democrats unveiling their proposed congressional redistricting map:
“Illinois Democrats, led by Governor JB Pritzker, have made it clear that they are willing to disenfranchise Illinois voters and break repeated campaign promises to do the bidding of Nancy Pelosi and DC power brokers. Call this new Illinois map the Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan. It’s appalling that fair representation, keeping communities of interest together, and transparency in the mapmaking process in Illinois all had to take a back seat to the demands of national politics. No one has done more to degrade the Democratic process here in Illinois and add to the issue of hyper-polarization of elected representatives than JB Pritzker.”
…Adding… Durkin…
Below is a statement from House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) on the recently released Illinois Congressional maps:
“In another insult to Illinois voters, Democrats drew more partisan maps to benefit their incumbent politicians and protect Nancy Pelosi’s failing majority.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** You can view this map as a series of messages to some Democrats and Democratic constituencies. For instance, the message to Newman seems to be: You have a choice between running against Kinzinger with relatively few Chicago precincts or you can represent a Latino district. I’m told Newman made huge demands and was generally uncooperative.
…Adding… Kinzinger…
Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement after Illinois Democrats in Springfield released their proposal for the state’s congressional map:
“I have proudly served six terms in the U.S. House and it has been an honor to do so. Following the release of the new congressional maps for Illinois, my team and I will spend some time looking them over and reviewing all of the options, including those outside the House.
“This redistricting process has been anything but transparent, which comes as no surprise to anyone. I believe the people of Illinois deserve better.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Rodney Davis currently lives in what will be the 15th District, which does not appear to lean Democratic, despite what some other outlets are reporting. Tribune…
The map would put Republican U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Mike Bost of Murphysboro into their own districts, though Davis’ district would lean Democratic.
Crain’s…
Davis’ district would be converted into a skinny Democratic-tilting district in which he might have a difficult time winning re-election.
Both of those articles appear to claim he’s in the 13th CD. Nope. Click here to look up Davis’ home address, then click here and input that address into the map search and see for yourself.
…Adding… Leader McConchie…
“This week, the Speaker’s Office confirmed that the Governor’s Office was a part of drawing the gerrymandered maps released today,” said Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). “There is truly nothing you can trust about this Administration anymore. It is a sad day for democracy in Illinois.”
…Adding… Rodney Davis…
As expected, our lying Governor teamed up with state Democrats to draw a shameful, partisan gerrymander in a desperate attempt to keep Nancy Pelosi in power. This proposed map, along with this entire redistricting process, is a complete joke. It’s clear Governor Pritzker and the Democrats will stoop to any low if it means they can keep their corrupt system going.
…Adding… US Rep. LaHood…
When I served in the Illinois State Senate, I was proud to support a Fair Maps redistricting process because Illinoisans have made it clear that they are tired of politicians picking their voters. Illinois Democrats and Governor Pritzker have shown with their proposed map that they care more about doing the bidding of Nancy Pelosi than giving Illinois voters fair representation in Washington. The proposed maps are a slap in the face to good governance everywhere. Illinois voters deserve much better than this non-transparent, corrupt process.
…Adding… A very unhappy Democratic incumbent…
Representative Marie Newman (IL-03) released the following statement in response to the Illinois congressional map proposal that was released today:
“While our team continues to review the draft congressional map that was released earlier today, it is abundantly apparent that what has currently been proposed for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District is not only retrogressive but substantially diminishes the diverse and progressive voices of Chicago’s Southwest Side and suburbs. I know that IL-03’s constituents will ensure their voices are heard loud and clear at these public hearings over the coming days.”
“I look forward to continuing to represent the constituents of Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District.”
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* Politico…
The Democratic Party of Illinois’ third-quarter fundraising numbers aren’t remarkable for their size: The party raised a total of $286,000 during the July-through-September period. What is impressive is where the money came from.
Without sharing data (the party hadn’t yet filed with the Federal Election Commission), DPI executive director Abby Witt said “numerous donors” have given to the Democratic Party “for the very first time” and from across the state — 65 cities total.
“The party is charting a new course that includes more people, more voices and a renewed commitment to serving all Democrats across our state,” she told Playbook.
Over the three-month period, the party raised $186,00 in federal funding, Witt said. The party raised about $100,000 in local funding and in-kind donations, not a particularly remarkable number though Democrats are putting a positive spin on it given local fundraising didn’t start until halfway through the quarter.
DPI’s state report showed the party raised just $65K in cash during the quarter. The other $35K came in the form of in-kind IT services contributions from several individuals at a data company in Delaware.
* The Illinois Republican Party reported raising $75K in cash during the quarter, but reported no in-kinds. Two years ago, DPI reported raising $334K in cash and the ILGOP raised $36K.
…Adding… ILGOP spokesperson Joe Hackler points out that the Republican Party also outraised DPI on the federal level, pulling in $223K to the Democrats’ $186K. Hilarious.
Also, the state DPI committee transferred $70K to its federal committee, but I’m not sure if that was double-counted above or not.
* Back to the story…
Party chair Robin Kelly, who is not allowed to raise money personally for local races because she is a member of Congress, has established a separate fundraising committee within the party to focus on those contests. “Building Leadership, Unity, and Equity,” or BLUE, was started midway through the quarter in late August, so it’s still too early to analyze whether the fundraising mechanism is working.
Witt says BLUE is now funding support services that Democrats statewide can utilize, including data services, communications programs (that list Democratic accomplishments and talking points to counter Republicans) and helping individuals run their campaigns.
“These are the changes people wanted to see in their state party and this is just the beginning,” she said.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** Heh…
After bringing in a record haul last quarter, the Illinois Republican Party will report raising more than the Democratic Party of Illinois for the second quarter in a row. The ILGOP raised a combined $297,977 between our state and federal accounts. Despite some fuzzy math, the DPI was still only able to report raising roughly $286,000 total for this quarter.
“It’s safe to say Democrats in Illinois are in complete disarray with a state party in shambles, lacking leadership and vision. It could not be more clear that momentum is on the Republican side heading into 2022. The people of Illinois are fed up with a state government ran into the ground by corrupt and incompetent Democrats. Our fundraising strength is a testament to that momentum. We can’t thank every donor enough in partnering with the ILGOP in saving Illinois.” - ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler
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* Press release…
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced Friday that Chief of Staff Jake Butcher is recovering from a mild breakthrough case of COVID-19.
Butcher experienced symptoms earlier this week. He immediately self-isolated and sought testing. Contact tracing was implemented upon receiving the result.
Butcher was vaccinated this spring.
Harmon, who had a mild breakthrough case in August, reminded the public to remain vigilant against virus.
“I encourage everyone to get vaccinated but to also continue to take safety precautions and not let their guard down as we try to get back to normal,” Harmon said.
…Adding… Click here for the Senate’s veto session protocols.
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* I was told by the governor’s office this morning that the deadline for the state’s congregate-setting workers to receive their first vaccine dose has been extended to October 26, from October 14 (and that date was also an extension). “Negotiations are going well,” a Pritzker official said about the talks with AFSCME and the Teamsters. Here’s WICS…
Thursday marked the deadline for all state workers in congregate care facilities, like prisons and veterans homes, in Illinois to receive at least their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, or AFSCME, said they are still in negotiations with the state about the implementation of the governors vaccine mandate for congregate care workers and without an agreement, they say the deadline really means nothing to them. […]
According to employment lawyer Carl Draper, the governor and his departments are well within their rights to start punishing employees who are not vaccinated by the deadlines.
* Meanwhile, things aren’t nearly as professionally cordial in Chicago. FOP President John Catanzara took to YouTube yesterday to advise his members that the city had blinked and said they should refuse any direct order from superiors to disclose their vaccine status…
Apparently, the city blinked a little bit here and backtracked. Everybody will be getting paid come midnight tomorrow night. You will not be sent home from work. They are saying you still have to respond to the order by midnight tomorrow night or be subjected to possible discipline in the future, whatever that may be, whenever they determine.
The new thing seems to be that they are going to have supervisors give direct orders to enter information in the portal. I’m telling you right now. It is an improper order. It is illegal. It is the same as the mayor telling you. You have to refuse that order.
* Sun-Times…
“As you might imagine, it’s gonna take us a little bit of time to make sure that we’ve got information correct. And we want to make sure that we’re reaching out to people who appear not to be in compliance to determine if that’s, in fact, so,” Lightfoot told a news conference after Thursday’s City Council meeting.
“We want to do belt-and-suspenders on this and give people the benefit of the doubt. But, once we understand that people have not complied with the simple request to say yes or no or that I’m going to take the testing options, then, yes, we will be moving forward and putting people into no-pay status.”
Lightfoot hedged when asked how long it might take for City Hall to check and double-check.
“It’s not gonna be weeks. But it’s not gonna be Saturday or Sunday. It’s gonna take us … a couple of days to make sure that we’ve got the information correct… I don’t think that process will be complete over the weekend,” she said.
* And the city has asked for an injunction against the FOP. Friday morning press release from Mayor Lori Lightfoot…
Yesterday, at my direction the City of Chicago’s law department filed a Complaint for Injunctive Relief against the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 and its President John Catanzara for engaging in, supporting, and encouraging a work stoppage or strike.
As Chicago’s Mayor, I cannot and will not stand idly by while the rhetoric of conspiracy theorists threatens the health and safety of Chicago’s residents and first responders. President Catanzara has time and again deliberately misled our police officers by lying about the requirements of the policy and falsely claiming that there will be no repercussions if officers are insubordinate and refuse to follow a City and Department directive or order. Notably Catanzara has urged officers to reject the City’s vaccine policy and has repeatedly instructed police officers to refuse to comply with the City’s lawful directive which requires all City employees to report their COVID 19 vaccination status by October 15. By doing so, and by predicting that 50% or more officers will violate their oaths and not report for duty, Catanzara is encouraging an unlawful strike and work stoppage which carries the potential to undermine public safety and expose our residents to irreparable harm, particularly during an ongoing pandemic.
This action is brought pursuant to the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and Illinois common law which prohibits sworn officers from engaging in a strike. Additionally, the City and the FOP are parties to a collective bargaining agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of employment including Article 5 which includes a No Strike Commitment.
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