Chicago Police officers were expected to be vaccinated by a December 31st deadline until a cool county judge suspended the order.
The policy was initially announced several weeks ago by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration.
NBC Chicago reported, A judge on Monday suspended a Dec. 31 deadline for Chicago police officers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 but didn’t interfere with a requirement that they be regularly tested.
Disputes over vaccinations should be submitted to an arbitrator as a labor grievance, Cook County Judge Raymond Mitchell said.
Officers who remain unvaccinated will however, still be expected to receive a COVID-19 test twice a week indicating a negative result.
“The effect of this order is to send these parties back to the bargaining table and to promote labor peace by allowing them to pursue remedies under Illinois law,” the judge said. He continued, “The principal risk to those who are unvaccinated is to themselves and to others who choose to be unvaccinated.”
The super intendant of the Chicago Police Department indicated that they will continue helping officers get vaccinated, and making the case that the vaccine saves lives.
This decision is a major step in the right direction for ensuring medical freedom to American citizens and first responders.
