East Central Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg hopes to spread a little holiday cheer — and boost his re-election campaign — with a Dec. 16 Christmas party from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.at Kountry Kitchen in Teutopolis. 

The event is free and open to the public, though free will donations will be accepted for Niemerg’s campaign, according to a Facebook post. Cookies, appetizers and beverages will be provided, and Santa will be on hand for photos. 

According to his website, Niemerg, a Republican, was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020. A native of Teutopolis, he currently lives in Dieterich. During his freshman term, he’s voiced his support for teachers. According to the East Central Reporter, he pointed out that retired teachers can play a key role in education today. 

“Many of our retired teachers actually use their experience to serve as some of our best substitute teachers when our schools need them,” he said, according to the publication. “I say 'thank you' to all of our teachers in Wayne County and around the state.”

Niemerg also has taken aim at the Illinois High School Association for its mask mandates, claiming it us pressuring districts to comply, according to SE Illinois News. He also claims that every aspect of mask mandates at schools is political, according to the publication. 

“It is about control and bullying people into submission,” Niemerg said. “No one pushing for school mask mandates can back up these requirements with actual data. These policies are about control and about the state trying to step in and co-parent our kids.”

Niemerg claimed that a CDC study of mitigation strategies followed by schools, including mask mandates, offered no data to prove masks stop the spread of COVID-19 in any real way.