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In June, Johnson and Chicago Public Schools officials announced
that school employees would get up to 12 weeks of paid paternity
leave.
That move has resulted in CPD wanting the same amount of
paternal leave. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John
Catanzara said he would take the city to court over the issue.
"He [Johnson] could do the right thing today. He could have done
it yesterday when I talked to his chief of staff. That did not
happen," Catanzara said. "We are going to explore every
possibility about taking this mayor to court. We will present
testimony, very emotional testimony from members who have been
affected and have not been afforded the ability to bond with
their children over the last six months."
Catanzara continued by calling out Johnson for his lack of
respect toward the police.
"He had several weeks now to do the right thing and grant
parental leave to our members. He claims this should have never
been a collective bargaining right and that it is just the
morally right thing to do, which is why he did it for the
teachers," Catanzara said. "Apparently, there is no morally
right thing to do when it comes to police officers in this
city."
Chicago Alderman Chris Taliaferro, D-4th, a former CPD sergeant,
told The Center Square that he supports the idea and hopes to
have the city council discuss it further.
"The same merit that the mayor expressed with the Chicago Public
School teachers certainly would be worth us looking into as a
city council," Taliaferro said. "I would support further
discussion on it."
Even if parental leave is granted, Taliaferro said several
issues still need to be addressed.
"There is a lot of impact that is involved," Taliaferro said.
"Whether it's fiscal impact or manpower impact. I don't know how
many folks will be allowed to be on leave at the same time in
one district."
Johnson has not commented on the matter.
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