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PRITZKER
VETOES COVID-19 SICK LEAVE FOR SCHOOL WORKERS, SAYS ONLY VACCINATED
DESERVE IT
Illinois Policy Institute/
Dylan Sharkey
Gov. J.B Pritzker vetoed a bill
guaranteeing sick leave for school and college employees related to
COVID-19. He said he would rather sign a bill reserving compensation for
employees fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
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 Unvaccinated teachers and school employees don’t deserve COVID-19 paid leave, so
no educators will get it until a bill excludes the unvaccinated, Gov. J.B.
Pritzker said.
He vetoed the bill Jan. 24 after allowing it to sit on his desk for months.
The bill passed with bipartisan support in October 2021 and would’ve given paid
administrative leave to school, college and university employees for absences
related to COVID-19 rather than making them take sick time. Pritzker said it
should only apply to those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The governor’s office simultaneously announced efforts with two of Illinois’
teachers unions to provide paid leave for every public school and higher
education employee who is “fully vaccinated or has received the required doses
to become fully vaccinated within five weeks” of the law passing.
“This joint initiative renders the contents of HB 2778 moot, and today I veto
House Bill 2778 from the 102nd General Assembly in its entirety,” Pritzker said.
The replacement bill hasn’t been filed yet but would be identical to the
original except for discriminating against unvaccinated employees. It would also
cover vaccinated employees who miss days to quarantine or take care of their
children.
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“This collaborative
initiative will provide paid administrative leave for education
employees who, despite doing all they can to keep themselves and
their communities safe, continue to have their lives and livelihoods
disrupted by COVID-19,” Pritzker said in a statement.
The vetoed bill took more than eight months to pass both chambers,
and the replacement will face a shortened legislative session. HB
2778 passed with a veto-proof majority, meaning lawmakers could
override Pritzker’s veto when they return Feb. 1.
Alison Maley, public relations director for the Illinois Principals
Association, said she supports the decision but staffing at schools
is still an ongoing problem.
“We continue to be concerned about the shortage of substitute
teachers and staff to accommodate administrative and sick leave and
look forward to working with the General Assembly and the governor
on addressing short- and long-term solutions for this ongoing
crisis,” Maley said.
A study revealed nearly 90% of Illinois schools are experiencing a
staffing shortage. Eliminating paid leave for employees who aren’t
fully vaccinated may further complicate the issue. |
