6 teachers win vaccine ruling
A downstate judge Friday issued a temporary restraining order that blocks Chicago Public Schools from taking employment action against six teachers who have refused to comply with the district’s vaccination or testing policies.
The district began mandating vaccines for teachers and district employees in August and added a testing option for unvaccinated staff in October. Two of the teachers weren’t in compliance with the testing policies and were “warned by CPS that they may be placed on unpaid administrative leave if they do not comply with the policy,” according to court documents.
The six teachers are represented by attorney Tom DeVore, who’s also running for Illinois attorney general. DeVore said an additional 13 teachers have joined the lawsuit.
“My clients are emotionally exhausted, they’re absolutely exhausted that their livelihood is being threatened because they don’t want to be subjected to vaccination or testing,” DeVore said Saturday.
CPS plans to appeal the decision, made by Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow.
“The district disagrees with the court’s decision and will continue to fight against this lawsuit and the TRO, as we believe our current health and safety protocols are in the best interest of our students, staff and school communities,” CPS said in a statement.