2 years, 6 months ago by Scott Hardy
Temporary restraining order granted Thursday in case brought by 11 Blessing, QMG employees
An Adams County judge has granted a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit filed by 11 employees of Blessing Health System and Quincy Medical Group, over an executive order from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker that requires all health care workers to get vaccinated for COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing.
That hearing was held Thursday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court in the lawsuit, filed Monday afternoon. Judge Tad Brenner granted the temporary restraining order for 10 days against QMG and Blessing. Court documents say the 11 wanted the order to keep both Blessing and QMG from requiring vaccinations or testing as a condition of their employment. They also want a permanent injunction, to keep the two organizations from firing or disciplining workers who refuse to get the vaccine or submit to weekly testing. A hearing on the injunction is set for Wednesday. The employees hired attorney Thomas DeVore, who has been representing plaintiffs who oppose the governor's mandates and has filed lawsuits against the state and local school districts during the last year.
Last month, a different Adams County judge sided with DeVore in a suit brought by three Quincy Public School District parents against QPS's quarantine rules and guidelines.
