Adam Niemerg, a representative for Illinois' 102nd House District, announced his participation in a lawsuit against Senate and House leadership. He alleges that Democrats violated the state constitution by passing the fiscal year 2026 budget on May 31.
"Today, I joined fellow lawmakers in taking legal action to challenge the most bloated, lawless budget Illinois has ever seen," said Adam M. Niemerg, State Representative for 102nd District (R). "In the early hours of the morning, Democrats shoved this $55 billion spending spree through the legislature—violating the Constitution, silencing debate, and keeping both lawmakers and taxpayers in the dark. This wasn't a budget process. It was a political ambush."
According to ABC 7, the fiscal year 2026 budget was introduced in the Illinois House on May 30, 2025, just one day before the legislature's deadline to pass it with a simple majority. The more than 3,300-page spending plan included nearly $1 billion in new taxes on tobacco, vaping products, and gambling but did not change state income or sales taxes.
In a letter attached to his June 5 post on X, Niemerg explained that the constitution requires each bill to be read on three separate days in both the House and Senate. "Springfield insiders have resorted to taking unrelated bills, gutting them with amendments, and forcing through thousands of pages of last-minute government spending—often just hours before a vote is called," he wrote. Niemerg added that this process is "a slap in the face to Illinois taxpayers" who are unaware of these actions as they prepare for their workday. He emphasized that "the money being spent belongs to the people" and described the situation as wrong, asserting that "this lawsuit is calling the Democrats on their unconstitutional budget process."
Niemerg is part of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, which includes several other plaintiffs in the lawsuit: Representatives Chris Miller, Blaine Wilhour, David Friess, and Jed Davis. State Senator Andrew Chesney is also involved as a plaintiff. They are suing House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, both Democrats. The lawsuit was filed in Sangamon County according to WAND News.
Niemerg has served in the Illinois General Assembly since January 2021 and resides in Dieterich with his family. Outside of his legislative duties, he works as a senior claims adjuster with Country Financial and is an active member of the Farm Bureau.
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