SE Illinois News

State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is criticizing a recently enacted law allowing residents to change the gender marker on their birth certificates without requiring a medical note.

House Bill 9 was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker in February and took effect on July 1. 

"This woke agenda, this social wokeness, everything the left is pushing. Unfortunately, this bill does not surprise me and I expect many others to follow," Niemerg told The Center Square. "I think the people of Illinois vastly oppose this." 

Niemerg believes this wokeness is being shoved down the throat of Illinoisans opposing the ridiculous concept by the Democrats.

"I think the vast majority of Illinoisans see this for what it is," he said. "We are at the point where we ask what are we going to argue about next? What color the sky is? Or whether water is wet? There's two sexes, a boy and a girl and that is all there is to it." 

Previously, Illinois residents had to provide medical certification of gender reassignment surgery or other clinical treatment to change the gender on their birth certificates. The new law allows individuals to self-identify for gender marker corrections by submitting a notarized affidavit of correction, a current ID copy, and a processing fee to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Pritzker signed the law in February. It eliminates the previous requirement of medical certification for gender reassignment and instead allows individuals to affirm their gender identity or intersex condition through a signed statement, making gender-affirming documentation more accessible.

The update is noted on the Illinois Department of Health website. 

“The department will review the request and if all requirements are met, will create a new birth record reflecting the new sex designation and name change, if appropriate. The original birth certificate and all documents submitted are placed in a sealed and impounded file which cannot be opened except upon order of the circuit clerk, request of the person, or as provided by regulation,” IDPH’s website reads.

People seeking a gender change may also alter their names.