East Central Reporter

Adam M. Niemerg, State Representative for the 102nd District (R) of Illinois, expressed concerns over the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. "The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a whopping $2.6 billion more than last year’s enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and a staggering $1 billion for non-citizens," said Niemerg.

"The Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a whopping $2.6 billion more than last year's enacted budget and includes pay raises for politicians and a staggering $1 billion for non-citizens," said M Niemerg, State Representative for 102nd District (R), according to Facebook. "Moreover, Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax hikes to pay for their record-breaking spending."

According to WGEM, the budget, which was reported on May 29, is now awaiting Governor J.B. Pritzker’s approval. The budget consists of three bills: one for appropriations, one to implement spending, and a third that creates new taxes. It allocates $20 billion for education, $500 million for quantum technologies, $115 million for migrant welcoming centers, and almost $630 million for immigrant healthcare upon their arrival. Additionally, it includes a $1 per hour raise for direct support personnel working with people who have disabilities and $290 million for Home Illinois, a plan to address homelessness in the state.

Screenshot of Rep. Adam Niemerg's May 31 Facebook post | State Representative Adam Niemerg Facebook page

Niemerg issued a statement on May 29 criticizing the budget. "Working families are struggling to heat and cool their homes and pay for groceries and we are giving legislators a 5 percent pay increase," he said in the news release. "This budget prioritizes the Democrats’ far-left agenda and does nothing to help working people. The budget is nothing more than a goodie bag for the woke left. The idea that we would spend three times what we spend on services for veterans on programs for illegals shows the lack of empathy for our own citizens."

Other elements in the budget include $20 million allocated to the Coalition Against Sexual Assault to support rape crisis centers in Illinois. The newly established Department of Early Childhood received more than $10 million, while the Illinois Department of Education will receive $2 million for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, according to OurQuadCities.com.

Niemerg was first elected in 2020 and describes himself as a "fiscal conservative focused on reducing taxes and fighting for limited government and pension reform," according to his official biography. He is also a senior claims adjuster with Country Financial and holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University.