By Mark Weyermuller –
A year ago, nurses, doctors, firefighters, and police officers were considered essential workers as Chicago and the world faced the COVID-19 health crisis. Now Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to fire these same first responders, who will not report their vaccination status.
Monday morning, several hundred first responders – mostly Chicago police officers — gathered for a rally and protest at the City Hall in Chicago prior to the city council meeting. The group of perhaps 700 crowded the street on LaSalle and into the 1st floor hallways of City Hall. The Chicago City Council was meeting upstairs on the 2nd floor with very limited access to the public.
FOP President John Catanzara
At issue is the Chicago Police Department requiring their officers to report their vaccination status in order to get 100% of the force vaccinated. The fraternal Order of Police also known as the FOP is the union that represents them. Their president, John Catanzara held a press conference in the lobby of City Hall to say Mayor Lightfoot is violating their collective bargaining agreement by making them get the shot and report status mandatory.
As of Wednesday, they are reporting 22 officers have been furloughed without pay with perhaps hundreds more over the next week.
This in a city where last year I reported on the 792 reported homicides.
The city of Chicago is in turmoil over the increase in crime especially carjackings, shootings, and murder. The leadership from Mayor Lori Lightfoot is in question. During the rally there were calls and chants for Lightfoot’s resignation. Many hope she will back off the mandates so the city can get back to normal.
There are over 3000 officers who are being threatened with suspension. This would be a public safety risk for everybody in Chicago. Will Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the 50 Chicago aldermen continue to force the vaccine reporting mandate?
