PROTEST MANDATE–On Oct. 13, several state employees, including some from Chester Mental Health Center and Menard Correctional Center, gathered by the Chester Marketplace to show their disagreement with Governor JB Pritzker’s mandate requiring them to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
Among his many mandates issued over the course of the pandemic, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker had mandated that some people get the COVID-19 vaccine.
He issued executive orders in late August/early September that required state employees, contractors and vendors that work in congregate facilities, as well as certain health care workers, school personnel and higher education employees, all to be vaccinated. The order did allow for exemptions for medial or religious reasons, however, employees approved for the exemption would be subject to additional testing requirements.
Originally, the deadline to get the first dose of vaccine was by Oct. 4, but the deadline has been extended several times. Most recently, it was extended out to Oct. 26.
It was noted in a press release from the state on Oct. 7 that “State employees who remain unvaccinated pose a significant risk to individuals in Illinois’ congregate facilities. Therefore, if employees do not receive the vaccine or an exemption by the dates identified, progressive disciplinary measures will be implemented, which may ultimately lead to discharge.”
For more information regarding the vaccination mandate, please see this week’s print edition.