Chicago City Wire

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has decided to not enforce a vaccine mandate for Chicago Police Department officers and is blaming the Fraternal Order of Police. 

Lightfoot appeared set to suspend a large number of police officers for not complying with the vaccine mandate but has opted out. 

Frequent Lightfoot critic Dan Proft, host of The Morning Answer on AM 560, said he was unsurprised. 

“As I said on @MorningAnswer, Mayor Triple Threat is just another in the long line of press release pols in Chicago, her "bring it on" bravado notwithstanding. She blinked. Chicago police who fail to comply with vax mandate will not be placed in no-pay status at this time,” Proft said on Twitter. 

Instead, she has set her sights on the Fraternal Order of Police for organizing officers.

"As Chicago's Mayor, I cannot and will not stand idly by while the rhetoric of conspiracy theorists threatens the health and safety of Chicago's residents and first responders," Lightfoot said in a statement.

Lighfoot filed an injunction seeking to stop Chicago Police officers “from engaging in, supporting or encouraging any work stoppage or strike by refusing to comply with the City’s lawful” vaccination policy.  

The FOP responded on Twitter.

“President John Catanzara has never engaged in, supported, or encouraged a work stoppage. @LoriLightfoot is the only one who has said she will send our dedicated Officers home without pay if they choose to reject her unlawful orders. Hold the line, CPD, like you always do,” the FOP posted.