The tension between Chicago police and city officials continues after some police officers have failed to comply with the mayor’s vaccine mandate for all city employees.
The backlash began in late August when mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that all city employees would be required to get vaccinated or submit to routine testing by October 15. The pushback was instant, with the police department leading the resistance. In response to the pushback, mayor Lightfoot extended the deadline to the end of the year. However, the mandate still required that city employees would need to fill out a form on the city’s web portal that indicated their vaccination status.
Since the announcement, the resistance has been swift and consistent from police unions. While some officers contend that the web portal is a breach of privacy, others fear that letting the city know their vaccination status would put a target on their back.
As the deadline approached, the president of Chicago’s police union, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, John Catanzara, shared in a video message "It's safe to say the city of Chicago will have a police force at 50% or less for this weekend coming up." Catanzara has continually expressed that over 3,000 police or at least one-third of the department is prepared to leave the force if the vaccine mandate is enforced.
Officers Put On “No-Pay Status”
Now that the deadline has passed, it appears that the city is making good on its promise. On Tuesday, the City's Police Superintendent, David Brown, announced that 21 employees of the police department have been placed on a “no-pay status” because they failed to comply with the vaccine mandate. According to Catanzara, that number is closer to 50 officers. On Thursday, officials also shared that compliance has risen to 70% from the previous 64% on Monday. While the unions warn of a massive pushback, Superintendent Brown shared this week that no mass police shortage is expected. Lightfoot echoed the push to comply by sharing in a press conference, "I really hope that the men and women of the Chicago Police Department ... are not going to ruin their careers over going to a website and saying yes or no."
City Aldermen Push Back
On Thursday, the police unions saw a spark of support from two city Aldermen. City Aldermen Silvana Tabares and Anthony Napolitano filed an ordinance to repeal the vaccine mandate that the mayor put in place. They explained in their ordnance that their pushback against the mandate is not related to the vaccine, but rather union rights. Tabares shared with a local news outlet ABC7, "I filed an ordinance this morning that would repeal the vaccine mandate and to require city council approval on any future mandates.” Tabares adds, "What I disagree with is the mayor making this decision and forcing it down people's throats."
City officials have also focused their attention on Catanzara, explaining that he is encouraging police offers to illegally stop working and go on strike. Last Friday, a judge ruled in favor of the city's request to have Catanzara stop encouraging police officers to defy the mandate on social media. The ruling comes after the FOP filed a restraining order against the city pushing to block the mandate and push the city into arbitration.
Despite the legal action, the police unions continue to urge police officers to stand their ground. The Vice President of the FOP shared in a Facebook post “Welcome to day three of ‘The Hunger Games,’ where we find out who the city is going to offer up as tribute," likening the mandate to the dystopian young adult novel.
As the attention grows on Chicago's police department, neighboring states have taken notice. Indiana Republican senator Mike Braun welcomed Chicago police to join his state’s force.
"Our police do the hardest job in the world, and they deserve respect — not losing their pay or being fired for refusing to comply with a ridiculous vaccine mandate," Braun shared with Fox News. Braun later tweeted, "Indiana's police departments are hiring now and will welcome you with the respect you deserve."
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