Vaccine mandate refusal sidelines 2 dozen Chicago Fire Department personnel; judge hears police union bid to pause shot reporting rule

CHICAGO — A judge heard arguments Thursday in the Chicago police union’s lawsuit challenging the city’s vaccine mandate, while the union representing Fire Department employees confirmed about two dozen firefighters and paramedics have been placed on no-pay status for their refusal to report their vaccine status.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 sued the city earlier this month over Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s shot reporting rule. At the same time, the city also took the FOP to court after its leadership openly encouraged members to defy the rule.

Thursday’s hearing in front of Cook County