(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Cook County judge has put the brakes on the city of Chicago's requirement that police officers get vaccinated against COVID-19 or be sidelined.
In a written ruling Monday, Circuit Court Judge Raymond Mitchell granted a Temporary Restraining Order against the enforcing of the Lightfoot Administration’s vaccine mandate for members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7.
The police union requested the TRO, arguing that the vaccine requirement is an item for arbitration under officers’ contract with the city.
Judge Mitchell noted the court usually doesn’t get involved in labor disputes because collective bargaining spells out how conflicts are to be resolved.
And both sides say this disagreement — with the FOP defying the vaccine mandate — is headed for arbitration.
The judge said requiring police officers to report their vaccination status by Oct. 15 and to be vaccinated by Dec. 31 or face punishment could render the arbitration meaningless.
The ruling puts the city enforcement on hold and forces both sides back to the bargaining table.
Judge Mitchell said officers are still obligated to report their vaccination status to the city and potentially be subject to twice-weekly coronavirus testing.
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said 73% of officer have now reported their vaccination status in the police department’s web portal.
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