Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) | Photo Courtesy of Adam Niemerg
Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) | Photo Courtesy of Adam Niemerg
State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) urged that the mask mandate should cease.
He pointed out that leaders should start showing the public that vaccines are effective protection against COVID-19 so people could have confidence in getting inoculated.
“We’re standing in this chamber today where every single one of us has had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” he said. “The COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective in fighting COVID-19. So why are we here, wearing masks, pretending there is a risk when there is little to no risk? What message are we sending? If the vaccine is really effective and we want people to take the vaccine then what are we doing in this chamber wearing masks?"
Niemerg announced last week that he is filing pieces of legislation to end the mandate—at least at the House floor and in schools.
“I’m introducing a bill with chief co-sponsor Blaine Wilhour to end the mask requirement within this chamber,” he said. “We are at little risk of COVID-19 on this floor and if we want our constituents to understand the importance of vaccines we have to end this policy. Additionally, I’m introducing a bill to end the mask requirements in schools. We need to be an example to our children that we no longer need to fear each other."
Niemerg wants to pass the bills before the 102nd General Assembly ends and be effective immediately.
“Before we leave Springfield the mask mandates need to go,” he strongly urged.
HB4080 “Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that the wearing of masks shall not be required for any member of the House of Representatives, or the staff thereof, while present on the floor of the House of Representatives. Provides that any such rule or provision of law mandating the wearing of masks on the floor of the House of Representatives is void.”
HB4083 “Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education, school districts, and elementary and secondary schools from requiring the teachers, other staff, or students of a school to wear a face mask due to the COVID-19 public health emergency disaster declared by the Governor pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.”
Early this year and before his COVID-19 mask and social distancing order was to expire on Jan. 4, Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the mandates for another 150 days, which is expected to end June 3—less than a month from now.
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