SE Illinois News

State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) views Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent decision to remove the state’s indoor mask mandate as just a step toward what needs to happen.

“Now the governor tells us he will rescind his statewide mask mandate based on the so-called science, yet he will not leave his political narrative for schools,” Niemerg said after the governor’s announcement. “He will not admit he was incorrect in masking our children for so long. He will not let go of this political narrative, a political narrative that has harmed a generation.”

With certain exceptions, Pritzker recently revealed he plans to lift the state’s indoor mask mandate by the end of the month. The plan falls short of ordering a repeal of the mask mandate in public schools.

“I have a preschooler,” Niemerg said. “My daughter is 3 years old and my son, he's 6 almost 7. So I come to you as a father as well as a state representative. Early on, the governor used fear of the unknown to keep folks compliant, shutting down schools and closing businesses. But it did not take long to see what was really happening. Here in Illinois, a political narrative is driving these COVID mitigations.”

With the overall number of COVID cases and hospitalizations both down, Niemerg argues it's past time to allow people the right to get back to living their lives without interference from Springfield.  

“We've seen our freedoms taken away for so-called security,” he said. “Many of you brought your child to school, scrambled to find that mask, placed it on your child's face and watched them walk into school knowing it was wrong, but feeling helpless to do anything about it. I speak with many students throughout my district and there's a common reoccurring question that they asked. When can we take our masks off?”

“It's heartbreaking to see these young children ask those questions and to know the truth that it's all done for a political agenda,” Niemerg said. “As a parent, I take this personally. We know children are least-susceptible to COVID, that the rate of hospitalization is low. We know that other states and countries are not mandating masks for their children, yet the governor, the IDPH, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Democrats here in Springfield have done nothing. Failure will be the legacy of this administration."

A Sangamon County judge recently rendered a temporary restraining order prohibiting certain school districts from enforcing the current mask mandate, though the governor has vowed to appeal it.