National teachers union pushes mandatory masking, vaccines

07/07/2022

Delegates to the National Education Association’s annual meeting again called for mask and vaccine mandates, as well as remote learning. On Nov. 8 voters will decide whether to grant Illinois union bosses more power to set school policy.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, masks, vaccine mandate

Chicago cops must get COVID-19 shots, arbitrator rules

By Dylan Sharkey

02/23/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot won a round in her fight to make Chicago Police Department workers get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Now all city employees, including police officers, must be vaccinated.

TAGS: FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate

Lightfoot vaccine deadline could trigger city worker firings

By Patrick Andriesen

02/03/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot pledged unvaccinated city employees will soon be placed on “no-pay status” and face potential termination for failing to comply with her COVID-19 ultimatum. City lists 550 firefighters as unvaccinated.

TAGS: Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate

Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate

By Dylan Sharkey

01/21/2022

Illinois teachers currently face mandated COVID-19 testing if unvaccinated. The Illinois State Board of Education might remove that option depending on whether it follows Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate or a high court decision.

TAGS: ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, public schools, vaccine mandate

Chicago’s COVID-19 rules hit minority neighborhood restaurants harder

By Patrick Andriesen

01/19/2022

Restaurant owners in Chicago communities with low COVID-19 vaccination rates, mostly on the city’s South and West sides, say pushback against the vaccine proof mandate has hurt sales and cost them customers.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, vaccine mandate

High school parents sue to block Pritzker COVID-19 vax mandates

By Patrick Andriesen

01/14/2022

Illinois parents of athletes sued to prevent school districts and state powers from mandating vaccinations for high school students. The lawsuit argues such an order would be arbitrary and violate students’ rights.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, vaccine mandate

St. Charles City Council rejects vaccine mandate

By Dylan Sharkey

01/06/2022

Chicago and Cook County have implemented vaccine mandates, requiring proof of vaccination to enter gyms, restaurants and other venues. St. Charles, which is in Kane and DuPage counties, does not fall under the purview of these mandates, but has pre-emptively opposed such a rule.

TAGS: Illinois, St. Charles, vaccine mandate

Chicago now requires COVID-19 vaccination, ID for public venues

By Dylan Sharkey

01/03/2022

Planning an evening out in Chicago? You now need proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a photo ID to get in most places.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, vaccine mandate

Vaccination proof, ID required to enter Chicago restaurants, bars, gyms

By Patrick Andriesen

12/21/2021

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s new mandate will require Chicagoans ages 5 and older to prove they received a COVID-19 vaccination and to show a photo ID before entering restaurants, bars and gyms starting Jan. 3.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, vaccine mandate

Lightfoot’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate upheld for Chicago firefighters, city workers

By Patrick Andriesen

12/20/2021

The ruling upholding Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s vaccination mandate for city workers, except police, sets a precedent ahead of arbitration between the city and more than 20 Chicago labor unions.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate