CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Police Department is restricting officers' time off until further notice. It's the latest move in a stalemate between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the police union over the city's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Police officers must get approval for any vacation or personal time, according to a department memo that's being read at all roll calls.
It came after the Friday deadline for officers to enter their vaccine status into a city portal and a judge's restraining order preventing Fraternal Order of Police president John Catanzara from publicly encouraging members to defy it.
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement in support of Lodge 7, saying it's difficult to imagine how the mayor thinks a collective bargaining agreement can be unilaterally tossed aside or that she has the right to silence those who speak out against her.
