The 2021 vaccine mandate was challenged by over 20 labor unions before the Illinois Labor Relations Board. The group filed an unfair labor practices charge against the actions of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration.

Administrative Judge Anna Hamburg-Gal wrote that Chicago "failed and refused" to deal in good faith with unionized city workers who resisted the controversial vaccines.

A broad swath of city employees are affected by the ruling, including carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, machinists, and other unionized workers.

And not only must the Windy City reinstate those wrongfully terminated, it must pay them back wages and benefits with 7% annual inflation tacked on.

It was 2021 when Mayor Lightfoot announced that every Chicago city employee must be fully vaccinated, no matter their risk factors or preference. She chided hesitant workers that they would encounter "consequences" for failure to follow the edict.

In a press release, she warned that noncompliance would result in being placed in a "non-disciplinary, no pay status." This led to her being booed while addressing a union fundraiser a short time later.

The mayor's office expressed its unhappiness at the repeal of the city's action. In a statement, Chicago officials said "yesterday's ruling was an erroneous decision that does not follow the law, facts, nor importantly the science."