U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., is condemning federal guidance issued Tuesday that recommends Americans — regardless of vaccination status — again wear face masks in crowded indoor spaces if they are in states with "substantial" or "high" COVID-19 spread.
A top Hoosier Republican is urging Chicago police officers fired from their job for refusing to comply with the city's COVID-19 employee vaccine requirement to cross the state line and work instead for an Indiana law enforcement agency.
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., said the 4,500 Chicago cops at risk of losing their jobs for failing to comply with a direct order should come to Indiana where local police agencies "will welcome you with the respect you deserve," instead of subjecting them to "government overreach."
"Our police do the hardest job in the world, and they deserve respect — not losing their pay or being fired for refusing to comply with a ridiculous vaccine mandate," Braun said in a press release.
"My office stands ready to help connect Chicago police officers to an Indiana police department that is hiring now and doesn't have a vaccine mandate."
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Steve Scheckel, Munster police chief, told Fox News on Tuesday he would be happy to welcome displaced Chicago officers to the Munster police force, and he's confident other Region police agencies lacking a COVID-19 vaccine requirement also would love to add well-trained, experienced officers to their rosters.
"From the governor on down, in Indiana, we support our law enforcement," Scheckel said to Fox News. "I think there's a clear contrast between what's going on in the city of Chicago right now and what's happening in the state of Indiana."
Sgt. Glen Fifield, of the Indiana State Police, echoed that sentiment Wednesday. He tweeted: "Hey Chicago police officers, we're hiring! No vaccine mandate. Apply today."
Scheckel also told Fox News any Chicago officers who relocate to the Hoosier State can count on an improved quality of life compared to Illinois.
"Here in Northwest Indiana, in Munster, we have one of the top-rated school systems in the state," he said. "(Officers) can send their kids to public school. It's a low-crime community. Even though we're 30 minutes from Chicago, we're rated one of the 10 safest cities in the state of Indiana. So, it's really just a step across the state line to a better life for the officer."
The Indiana Department of Health is urging all Hoosiers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, particuarly the more infectious delta variant
According to the Indiana Department of Health, the 46321 ZIP code in Munster has one of the highest vaccination rates in the state with 77.5% of eligible individuals 12 and older protected against COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death.
Drew Anderson, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party, said Braun should be celebrating that result, and encouraging more Indiana communities to get vaccinated, instead of "acting like a bully on an issue that has nothing to do with Indiana or Hoosier families."
"Indiana Republicans need to stop prioritizing an extreme partisan agenda that invalidates life-saving vaccines, and it's our hope that Braun and the entire Indiana GOP starts a message campaign that gets more shots in arms because we must protect Hoosier lives during the pandemic," Anderson said.
"(We) suggest Braun turn his sights back to Indiana and issues that really matter, including broadband internet expansion and revitalizing the state's entire infrastructure system — issues he claims to care about but on which he's voted 'no' this year."
The Chicago vaccine mandate began in August when Mayor Lori Lightfoot directed all city employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than Oct. 15.
Join Cpl. Jerry Patrick, as he patrols the hallways of Lake Central and Kahler Middle School.
Records show the Chicago Police Department had the lowest vaccination rate of all city departments at the deadline with about one-third of the city's officers, or 4,500 cops, failing to report their vaccination status as required.
The Fraternal Order of Police has requested a judge issue a restraining order to prevent Chicago police officers from being put in "no-pay" status for noncompliance, ahead of possible termination.
The free COVID-19 vaccine is available without an appointment at 1,083 locations across Indiana, including most retail pharmacies, health clinics and hospitals. A vaccine site list is available online at ourshot.in.gov.
State data show more than 3.3 million Hoosiers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Braun repeatedly has refused to say whether he's gotten the shot.
Dan Carden
Chief Political Reporter
Dan has reported on Indiana state and local government for The Times since 2009. He also covers casinos, campaigns and corruption.
