(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago City Council voted 30-13 against a proposed ordinance that would have vacated Mayor Lightfoot's COVID-19 vaccination mandate for city workers, including police officers.
The debate Friday over the vaccine mandate was long, and often heartfelt on both sides.
Ald. Silvana Tabares, 23rd Ward, spearheaded consideration of an ordinance to repeal the city’s vaccine mandate, especially a provision that allows pay to be withheld from police officers who are not vaccinated or refuse to disclose their status.
But 33 Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez said the city’s vaccine requirement isn’t about liberty but rather safety.
“What I’m hearing today is that some people seem to be okay with sending first-responders whose vaccination status we don’t know to interact face to face with our neighbors,” she said.
The council vote comes as the Chicago police union is battling the Lightfoot Administration over the policy. A legal challenge by the police union continues in court.
Related
