Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center at Jackson Park in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 2:15 PM PT – Saturday, October 2, 2021
Workers in Chicago could see backlash for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. On Friday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) threatened workers who defied the vaccine mandate.
Lightfoot went on to warn, “there will be consequences if people are not complying with what the policy is by October 15.”
Friday became the last day to get a second COVID-19 shot for employees attempting to meet the deadline. However, the Fraternal Order of Police announced if a negative COVID-19 test was shown, no one would be out of a job after the deadline regardless of the mayor’s threats.
President John Catanzara was live this evening, addressing our @FOP7Chicago membership about #FOP negotiations with the City related to the mayor’s vaccination mandate.
Click the link below to hear directly from President Catanzara:
🔗: https://t.co/DtjrKV3WHT pic.twitter.com/ggXQECZBrb
— Fraternal Order of Police – Chicago Lodge #7 (@FOP7Chicago) October 2, 2021
When reporters asked Lightfoot on the union’s statement, she said the deadline was mandatory to follow.
“No, they have to be vaccinated,” she mentioned. “Every employee in the city of Chicago has to be vaccinated.”
However, the union has claimed victory by saying the testing option would last through the end of the year. Despite further discussions, Lightfoot said that wouldn’t be the case.
“It is foolish, foolish to be trying to take a victory lap when so much is at stake,” she asserted. “Unfortunately, that is in keeping with the leadership of the Fraternal Order of Police. They will be vaccinated. ”
Email sent to all City of Chicago employees on the vax mandate. pic.twitter.com/T3xzA1Q7hQ
— Ryan Johnson (@Ryan_Johnson) October 1, 2021
Meanwhile, members on Chicago’s City Council have been voicing their opposition.
“We just think it’s wrong. We’ve been talking about this for a while,” expressed Ald. Nick Sposatom, 38th Ward Chicago. “We thought this mandate was wrong, especially with the labor unions, without negotiating it.”
Next week, Lightfoot said she would be announcing further developments as discussions with union members take place.
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