SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker on Monday vetoed a bill that would provide paid administrative leave for public school and university employees who miss work because of issues related to COVID-19. and instead negotiate a "compromise" law that would grant such leave only to those in need. who have been fully vaccinated.
In his veto message, Pritzker said, "Vaccines are an important tool to prevent the deadly effects of COVID-19, and those who take steps to be fully immunized against this virus are doing their best to keep everyone safe." playing a role." "They deserve to be able to take the time they need to respond to the devastating effects the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on them and their families."
House Bill 2778 passed the General Assembly during the collapse veto session with a broad bipartisan majority, 53–1 in the Senate and 92–23 in the House.
It would provide paid leave for any workers, including support workers and contractors, who missed work because they or someone in their family had contracted COVID-19, if they or a family member were forced to stay home. was done because they were in close contact with someone who had tested positive, or if they could not work because the school building was closed due to COVID-19.
To be eligible, however, the bill provides that the employee must have either been vaccinated or participated in a COVID-19 testing program provided by the district.
In September, Pritzker issued an executive order requiring school workers to undergo vaccinations or weekly tests. But his veto action on Monday means those who do not want to be vaccinated will not be eligible for paid administrative leave.
Since the passage of that bill, however, Pritzker said he has been in talks with teacher unions and other groups to negotiate a separate package with a stronger vaccine requirement.
“Many organizations are affected by this law, and my administration has listened closely to all of them, including the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, parents, our partners in school districts, community colleges, and universities, and our partners. ," They said. In your veto message. “Through a collaborative, cooperative process, we have negotiated an initiative that would provide paid administrative leave for teachers who, despite doing their best to keep themselves and their communities safe, have been exposed to COVID- continue to disrupt their lives and livelihoods by 19."
Under that initiative, which still needs legislative approval, public school and university employees will receive paid administrative leave if they have been fully vaccinated and they or their child are tested positive for COVID-19. Must be kept out of school or have close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
It also maintains the pay protection in HB2778 for all out-of-hours school workers – including patrons, bus drivers, food service workers, classroom assistants and administrative staff – who miss work because of the school building assigned to them. Gaya is one that is closed due to COVID-19. the outbreak. This protection will be retroactive to the entire 2021-2022 academic year.
"Keeping schools open and keeping them and their families safe has been our number one priority since the start of the pandemic," IEA President Cathy Griffin said in a news release. “We want people to be able to stay home when they are sick, to be able to care for their children when their children need them most, and to be paid when the circumstances that close their buildings are completely out of their control. Get out."
"The pandemic has been challenging physically, emotionally and financially for all of us, and certainly no less so for teachers, school staff and their families," said IFT President Dan Montgomery. "This law provides significant relief and ensures that education workers can take time off if they or their families become ill with COVID."