East Central Reporter

State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is backing the Illinois Farm Bureau's push to alleviate the burden on families who are forced to close down their farms and small businesses due to the estate tax in Illinois. Rep. Niemerg is the sponsor of House Bill 1576, which aims to double the exemption in Illinois to $8 million.

"I have been fighting for two years to at least double the death tax exemption from $4 million to $8 million and then to $12 million to match the federal exemption level," Rep. Adam Niemerg explained. He believes that families should not be subjected to taxes when a loved one passes away. "It is wrong to penalize the widow and children of the deceased who worked hard their whole lives to build something to leave to their children and the next generation of farmers. But a reduction in the tax liability is a good start."

Rep. Niemerg has been in communication with fellow legislators and the Governor to discuss the possibility of reducing the tax burden on families through changes to the estate tax. He remains cautiously optimistic that there may be a change in policy by the Democrats in the General Assembly and the Governor's office.

House Bill 1576 was initially assigned to the Revenue & Finance Committee last year. However, it was later reassigned back to the Rules Committee, where it has not received any testimony or vote yet. To stay updated on the progress of Rep. Niemerg's legislation, interested individuals can visit ilga.gov.

The Illinois Farm Bureau appreciates Rep. Niemerg's support in their efforts to reduce the estate tax burden on families. They believe that eliminating the "death tax" altogether would be the ideal solution. The organization emphasizes the need to protect the hard work and legacy of farmers and small business owners.

In conclusion, Rep. Niemerg's sponsorship of House Bill 1576 demonstrates his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by families affected by the estate tax. While the bill is awaiting further action, Rep. Niemerg remains hopeful that a reduction in the tax liability will be achieved, allowing families to preserve their legacies for future generations.