CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago Public Schools teachers and staff may soon be required to disclose to the district whether or not they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19.
A new policy proposed Monday by CPD officials would require the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. According to the Sun-Times, the new policy will be voted on by the city’s school board at its monthly meeting Wednesday. CPS said it wouldn’t immediately use that authority if the policy is approved.
Current and newly hired CPS teachers and staff would also be required to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status to the district. Though the district did say employees could request “reasonable accommodations” for valid medical or religious reasons.
If the policy is approved, Chicago Public Schools could become one of the first districts in the nation to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for staff.
The proposal comes as thousands of teachers have returned to classrooms for in-person learning for the first time since March 2020, under an agreement between CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union.
As part of the agreement, the city set up an expedited vaccination schedule for all school workers, as students and staff return to school buildings in the coming weeks.
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The Chicago Teachers Union said it would review the policy and intends to negotiate any changes that affect its members.