State employees working in some congregate settings now have until mid-November to get fully vaccinated.

Governor JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, announced the deadline extension on Monday, Sept. 20.

The extension is only for the approximately 260 supervisory employees at the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) represented by VR-704.

The workers have to get the first COVID-19 vaccine dose by Oct. 14, 2021.

They must then receive the second dose by Nov. 18, 2021.

“With new variants among us, the quick spread of COVID-19 in congregate settings in Illinois and across the nation continues to harm the most vulnerable among us," said Governor JB Pritzker. "We have a safe and proven tool to end this pandemic, and vaccination remains the most effective way to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. I’m proud to reach this agreement with these critical labor partners and applaud VR-704 for taking this critical step to combat the virus and keep all of our State residents safe."

The vaccine mandate deadline extension is thanks to an agreement between the state and the VR-704 union.

State employees who do not get vaccinated or get an exemption by the dates provided above will face "progressive" disciplinary measures. Those measures could ultimately lead to "discharge."

To further encourage vaccinations under the agreement with VR-704, employees will receive an additional personal day. If the vaccine administration is not available during an employee’s regularly scheduled shift, the employee may be compensated at their regular pay for the time taken to receive the vaccine. In addition, vaccinated employees will receive paid “COVID time,” so that if a vaccinated employee gets COVID-19, or must quarantine due to COVID-19, they will receive a period of paid time off without using their benefit time.