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* FOP…
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge has expressed its opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order that certain law enforcement officers employed at Department of Corrections and Juvenile Justice facilities must receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are not opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine, we are opposed to being forced to take it,” said Scot Ward, president of FOP Corrections Lodge 263, whose members work for the Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice. “It is always dangerous when the state unilaterally decides to deny the Constitutional rights of targeted groups of citizens, such as our members who work in prisons and juvenile facilities. Even the detainees we supervise are not being forced to take these vaccinations.”
The FOP is also opposed to the move made recently by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who ordered that any Secretary of State employee who cannot provide proof of vaccination must submit to a COVID-19 test every two weeks.
“The government has resorted to ‘vaccine shaming’ its public safety employees rather than convincing them that getting an immunization is the best course of action,” said Terry Trueblood, president of FOP Illinois Secretary of State Lodge 95, whose members include Secretary of State Police officers. “The state should instead do a better job of convincing its citizens, regardless of where they work, to choose to take the vaccine.”
As subscribers know, a much higher percentage of detainees are taking the shots than their guards. And, please, whining about a test every two weeks? C’mon.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:01 pm
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=== “The government has resorted to ‘vaccine shaming’ its public safety employees rather than convincing them…”
Take the vaccine or be free to find another job. How’s that for better convincing?
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:07 pm
==It is always dangerous when the state unilaterally decides to deny the Constitutional rights of targeted groups of citizens==
“Constitutional rights”??? I’m looking over my copy of the Constitution and fail to find a “right to not get vaccinated.”
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:07 pm
DOC workers who work within fences are required to test weekly, now 2x weekly if not vaccinated. Been that way off/on since last summer, depending on intensity of the infection rates.
Comment by DevotedCardsFan Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:08 pm
work requirement has nothing to do with the Constitution. Illinois FOP, YOU are a vaccine shame.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:10 pm
If you define freedom by not having to get a vaccine or taking a test every couple of weeks to show you’re free of a dangerous virus, public service is probably not the right field for you.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:11 pm
Better job convincing?
Let’s see- tons of medical evidence, a year and a half of dealing with the pandemic, almost all hospitalizations are unvaccinated folks, recently deceased head of AFL-CIO endorsement……I guess that’s not enough compared to the kid you went to high school with who got a C in biology junior year and tells you it’s a big bad conspiracy to control you?
Comment by Frank talks Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:11 pm
“Terms of employment”
Simple, straightforward, and for a safer Illinois.
You can choose to vaccinate or choose another job. Those are the choices.
*Any* organized labor group opposed to vaccination mandates is in actuality going against what being organized is all about.
And let’s be clear;
Anyone not vaccinated is part of the problem, any group not supporting mandatory vaccinations is part of the problem too.
Got it? Good.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:12 pm
I was unaware one had a Constitutional right to be a corrections officer.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:13 pm
Agree with all of you. Hearing so many complaints from SODC staff also. Get the vaccine. If you don’t care enough about the most vulnerable individuals you care for, then get a different job!
Comment by Grateful Gail Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:15 pm
- state unilaterally decides to deny the Constitutional rights of targeted groups of citizens -
That’s pretty rich coming from a cop.
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:18 pm
And I’m sure Terry Trueblood has spared no efforts trying to convince his fellow officers to get the vaccine using scientifically valid information. You can’t convince the closed minded, but you can fire them.
Comment by Jibba Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:18 pm
Do they want to strike over this?
If I fault JB for anything it’s that the mandate doesn’t go far enough.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:18 pm
“The government has resorted to ‘vaccine shaming’ its public safety employees“
1. Yes, because people have forced them to by them not doing their civic duty. 2. How can you allow “public safety employees” to recklessly inhibit public safety?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:20 pm
So much to unpack here, fortunately my fellow posters have done a great job.
Here is maybe a different take- The more I hear from law enforcement. law enforcement leadership, and unions (especially over the last 2 years)the more puzzled, concerned, alarmed I am. We have sheriffs (who are really an issue) selectively refusing to enforce laws. More and more we discover that a growing number of law enforcement have joined or are sympathetic to radical movements like the 3% or proud boys. I am concerned as to whether they can objectively do their job.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:23 pm
Too bad the IFOP leadership has no clue about constitutional rights. Someone might ask them if they had kids go to school in Illinois?
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:25 pm
Police: Mandating vaccines violates the constitution.
Also, Police: Writes seatbelt ticket.
Comment by Moby Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:45 pm
LOL, Demoralized for the win
Comment by LakeCo Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:47 pm
These are pretty much my people. However, I disagree with them on this point. But the bigger question is, why are we not hearing support for these workers from Gary Rabine and Darren Bailey, et al?
Comment by Cheswick Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:51 pm
I’m not in favor of “defunding the police,” whatever that means, but I am warming to the idea of decertifying the FOP.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:01 pm
If they have a constitutional right not to be vaccinated, the State has a constitutional right to fire them. Goes both ways.
Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:19 pm
“The government has resorted to ‘vaccine shaming’ its public safety employees rather than convincing them that getting an immunization is the best course of action,”
The majority of people in IDOC I know who aren’t vaccinated are tin foil hat wearers who there is no way of convincining.
Comment by MrX Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:27 pm
From ILFOP Preamble:
“Support the improvement of the standard of living and working conditions of the law enforcement profession through every legal and ethical means available;”
Isn’t improving working conditions one purpose of a vaccine mandate by keeping employees healthy?
Comment by Steve Polite Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:27 pm
==It is always dangerous when the state unilaterally decides to deny the Constitutional rights of targeted groups of citizens, such as our members who work in prisons and juvenile facilities.==
So I guess they’ll be taking their case to Clay County, then.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:36 pm
For perspective….Terry Trueblood worships Darren Bailey and Adam Niemerg.
Comment by Gunslinger Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 2:06 pm
“It is always dangerous when the state unilaterally decides to deny the Constitutional rights” If you think Pritzker is unilaterally doing something unconstitutional, contact your Representative (you know the one who was elected democratically to represent you?) and have him/her start proceedings to have JB removed from office…you know, like it says in the Constitution.
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 2:43 pm
It’s real simple. Take the shot or find somewhere else to work. I have zero sympathy for them. This crap really needs to end and like yesterday.
Comment by Manchester Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 2:52 pm
How much more convincing is needed for people to get vaccinated. You speak about rights for those who don’t want to get vaccinated yet what about the rights of those who do not want to get sick. Your rights argument does not hold any water. Vaccination is to protect yourself as well as others you have to interact with.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:14 pm
Just got an email from AFSCME that says in part, “AFSCME has already made clear to the Administration that our union opposes a rigid, universal vaccination mandate. Our fundamental priority is to protect the lives and health of every union member and the people they serve.”
What? Protect the lives and health of union members by opposing a vaccine mandate? As an AFSCME member, I feel like AFSCME is failing to protect my health in the workplace by opposing a vaccine mandate. I am working remotely and do not want to go back to the office unless everyone is vaccinated. Side note: I know some don’t have that option, and I feel for you.
Comment by Steve Polite Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:18 pm
Jacobson v. Mass, SCOTUS, 1905
– States may mandate vaccinations.
– No right is absolute.
Still good law, and used to uphold numerous laws, rules, orders, etc. during Covid. FOP continues to talk out of its holster.
Comment by thisjustinagain Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:20 pm
“The government has resorted to ‘vaccine shaming’ its public safety employees rather than convincing them that getting an immunization is the best course of action,”
They’ve tried convincing public safety employees for months, and it hasn’t worked for many of them. Is it really surprising the government wants to help people by controlling the spread of a virus which kills the elderly at high rates and causes lingering health issues for months or years for many others?
Comment by Techie Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:24 pm
===“AFSCME has already made clear to the Administration that our union opposes a rigid, universal vaccination mandate. Our fundamental priority is to protect the lives and health of every union member and the people they serve.”===
This is utter and embarrassing gibberish. Pathetic too.
*Any* organized labor group opposed to vaccination mandates is in actuality going against what being organized is all about.
AFSCME is not a serious group. Nope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:25 pm
Your right to swing your arms ends at the tip of my nose. Do whatever you want, but stay home until you’re vaccinated. And if that costs you your job, it was your choice.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:38 pm
As I read this I wonder…1. How many of you have had the vaccine? And 2. Until this vaccine is FDA approved, there it is a voluntary thing only, perhaps when approved it may be mandated, we shall see. . IDOC has survived so far, so why the additional push? And, anything like this must be negotiated with their union.
I think each of you need to find a “beat up” topic for awhile. If they said it was voluntary and everyone wanted it, some of you would still complain. Go outside, enjoy the fresh air for awhile, get out of your basements.
Comment by Not a expert Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:56 pm
I think everybody on here you are complaining about have said they are vaccinated, me included. As for mandates, courts have begun to say that it can indeed be mandated right now and some places are in fact enacting those mandates. And, it is being negotiated, but I fully expect the mandate to stick regardless of what the union wants.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 4:01 pm
=== Until this vaccine is FDA approved, there it is a voluntary thing only, perhaps when approved it may be mandated, we shall see. . ===
All over the country, it *is* already mandate by employers. It’s being done. It’s not a question of appeasement, it is a question of when it should be mandated, and Labor will lose in court like others are already losing in court trying to fight mandates.
=== IDOC has survived so far, so why the additional push?===
Because a global pandemic is getting worse. Yesterday Mississippi had SIX beds available for ICU. You wanna be Mississippi?
=== Go outside, enjoy the fresh air for awhile, get out of your basements.===
Hey.
Tough guy.
You can’t un-die.
===If they said it was voluntary and everyone wanted it, some of you would still complain.====
Yeah, your straw man built on silly won’t stand… AFSME, FOP, they already aren’t for full compliance. Voluntary vaccines already don’t work, otherwise since February they’d already *be* vaccinated… but you know that, don’t you?
I mean, Jiminy Crickets…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 4:06 pm
=== As I read this I wonder…===
… “…as I admit I’m not an expert I think being a tough guy makes my thoughts ‘science-y’…”
I know, I wonder about your take too, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 4:08 pm
How many of you have had the vaccine?
I thought my position made it clear, but since you ask, I am fully vaccinated. I have been fully vaccinated, since I first became eligible.
Comment by Steve Polite Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 4:11 pm
=== IDOC has survived so far, so why the additional push? ===
Don’t follow the news much do you. Prisons did have Covid problems and this was during a time when there was a hold on transfers from locals.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 4:28 pm
=== Don’t follow the news much do you.===
- Norseman - bringing the heat.
It’s the want to be ill-informed to have takes that can be justified and reconciled internally, the wonder is why not be more informed instead of the rigidity of facts one may want to compute.
Good stuff, bud.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 4:44 pm
Are the FOP even capable of being on the right side of an argument? The devil doesn’t need an advocate, and I don’t think the police need the FOP. Only makes them all look like crazy far/alt-righters.
Comment by Commissar Gritty Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 6:25 pm
Also, while I’m at it, prisoners have a right to serve their complete sentence and not a death sentence because some meathead with a punisher tattoo got his medical advice from facebook memes. (Also also the punisher hated the police so it astounds me that they idolize him.)
Comment by Commissar Gritty Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 6:27 pm