Illinois reaches another agreement with unions over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration reached another agreement with unions representing state workers for a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, his office announced Monday.

The agreement with multiple trade unions covers approximately 470 employees at state facilities such as the Shapiro Developmental Center, Menard Correctional Center and Quincy Veteran’s Home.

“I’m proud to announce that Illinois has reached our fourth union agreement to ensure those we serve are protected,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Vaccination remains our strongest tool to stay safe from COVID-19 and protect our children.”

The administration previously announced similar agreements with the Illinois Nurses Association, Illinois Federation of Public Employees and VR-704, which represents employees at the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

The deadline for all employees covered by vaccine agreements to get their first shot has been extended to Oct. 26.

The administration said Monday that negotiations are ongoing with representatives from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The announcement comes as the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,327 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths on Monday.

The new cases bring the state’s total to 1,671,275, while the death toll is 25,470.

The seven-day average for new cases is 2,176, down 401 from a week ago. The seven-day average for daily deaths is 28, a weekly decrease of one.

As of Sunday, 1,419 Illinoisans were in the hospital with COVID-19, up 52 from Saturday and down 165 from the prior week.

Of the patients in the hospital, 338 were in the ICU, up 11 from Saturday and down 62 from the prior week. There were 168 patients on ventilators, up five from Saturday and down 25 from the prior week.

The seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases as a percent of total tests is 2 percent. The seven-day statewide test positivity using the number of COVID-19 positive tests over total tests is 2.4 percent.

Eighty-one percent of eligible Illinoisans ages 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 63.4 percent are fully vaccinated.

Illinois vaccinators have administered 15,075,110 COVID-19 vaccines, per state data. The seven-day average of doses administered is 28,875.