East Central Reporter

State Representative Adam Niemerg criticized Governor JB Pritzker's recent State of the State Address, stating that the governor's focus on former President Donald Trump does not address Illinois' pressing issues. Niemerg highlighted that the governor did not mention property tax relief, pension reform, or public safety concerns in Chicagoland during his speech.

"Not once did the Governor mention property tax relief. Not once did he mention pension reform. Not once did he mention the public safety concerns in Chicagoland," Niemerg said. "He did however mention Donald Trump at least six times in his speech. How is this helpful? We all know JB Pritzker hates Donald Trump, but the State of the State is the Governor’s opportunity to lay out his vision for the state. Instead of focusing on President Trump, the Governor should focus on the issues Illinois residents actually care about."

Niemerg also questioned Pritzker's claim of presenting a balanced budget, arguing that it relies on misleading accounting practices.

"For years, the state has been using creative accounting gimmicks to create the illusion of a ‘balanced’ budget," Niemerg said. "They increase income projections and then lower spending projections and viola – the budget is ‘Balanced.’ But then when the bills come due, the payment cycle is stretched out longer and longer and, in the end, taxpayers take it on the chin because there is a monthly penalty for delayed state payments."

He proposed creating an Illinois version of a Department of Government Efficiency to manage resources better and prevent budget shortfalls.

Niemerg pointed out that Illinois had high outbound migration rates in 2024 due to high taxes, poor leadership, and rising crime. He criticized state leaders for not prioritizing citizens' needs and mentioned that Governor Pritzker failed to address illegal immigration costs.

"The vast majority of Americans support President Trump’s efforts to secure our borders and deport criminals here illegally," Niemerg said. "The Governor and Democratic majority in House are out of touch with majority American people."

Niemerg urged state leaders to focus on citizens' needs rather than funding programs for illegal immigrants.

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