In a desperate attempt to skirt the blame of her own mishandlings, Chicago’s Mayor Lori Lightfoot attempted to blame former President Trump for Chicago’s public school issues. Chicago teachers were supposed to return to in-person learning on Monday but the Chicago Teachers Union refused, saying they would not return until every teacher can be vaccinated. The union is also demanding that teachers who live with “vulnerable” persons be allowed to teach from home indefinitely. However, instead of taking responsibility for her own shortcomings as mayor, Lightfoot attempted to pin the blame on Trump’s vaccine rollout strategy.
According to The Daily Wire:
“Lightfoot didn’t invoke the name of the nation’s 45th president but she suggested the ongoing impasse between Chicago Public Schools and CTU, over whether it is safe to return to in-person instruction as early as Thursday, stems from the failed vaccine rollout under former President Donald Trump,” the Chicago Tribune reported.
“This is a very difficult situation and we’re in it, still, because of the incompetence of the previous administration,” Lightfoot said. “So I think it’s important for both sides to come to the table in good faith, recognize that we’re both trying to work through a very challenging situation but we must get a deal done.”
Illinois’ state government, which was responsible for dolling out vaccines once they were distributed to states, struggled with the vaccine rollout. Per WGN, Cook County, home to Chicago, launched its vaccine appointment website just last week, nearly a month after shots became available, and has struggled to organize vaccine sites.
“Compared to other states, Illinois has among the lowest percent of its population which is vaccinated so far, although it ranks among the top in the total number of doses administered to date,” the outlet reported.
Chicago private school re-opened in September. Lightfoot also commented that massive funds were poured into Chicago public schools and they are safe and ready for students to return. President Trump constantly pushed for students to safely return to schools, especially once evidence showed how low transmission rates were.
