SE Illinois News

State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is pointing out the tens of millions Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state’s Democrats donated to two Illinois Supreme Court justices in the last election campaign prior.

Niemerg said the investment was made so unpopular and unconstitutional state laws are upheld by the court, regardless of merit.

“The political leaders in Illinois are about one thing – self-preservation,” Niemerg said on Facebook. “JB Pritzker contributed millions in the last election cycle to elect Democrats to the Illinois Supreme Court and his reward is the mental gymnastics used to justify eradicating cash bail which is enshrined in our Constitution in the very first article. What has happened today is another example of the culture of corruption that has been the hallmark of Illinois politics for far too long. The ruling gives trial courts 60 days to prepare for the new rules, with cash bail to be eliminated on September 18, 2023. On that date, bail will no longer be a factor in whether someone is released from jail while awaiting trial.” 

Niemerg’s comments come in the wake of a highly controversial decision by the state’s high court to reinstate a no-cash bail policy. In the historic decision, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the provision of the SAFE-T Act, which ends cash bail, as constitutional, positioning Illinois as the first state to eliminate cash bail. The 5-2 vote came after a six-month delay caused by legal challenges against the provision. Critics argued that the law restricts judges' discretion in detaining individuals. Courts across the state will have a two-month preparation period before the new bail rules take effect.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker donated $2 million to two Illinois Supreme Court justices' campaigns, Mary O'Brien and Elizabeth Rochford, despite a law capping campaign contribution limits at $500,000. Both justices voted in favor of reinstating cashless bail in the SAFE-T Act, according to The Heartlander. Critics have expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest and call for oversight and recusal to maintain public trust in the judicial system.

“If we don’t have confidence in the opinions the judicial branch issues then our judicial branch is failing,” Chris Forsyth with the nonpartisan Judicial Integrity Project told The Center Square. “Political donations can lead to issues of judicial integrity and the United States Supreme Court has said so. In some cases, they have found political donations to be so grave that there is a conflict of interest that is impermissible.”

Niemerg, who is seeking reelection in the 102nd District is also a founding member of the Illinois Freedom Caucus. Apart from Niemerg, the Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Oakland), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), and Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City). It is part of the broader State Freedom Caucus Network. 

Wilhour, who also has expressed his concern on the ruling said "The SAFE-T Act, and the end to cash bail, puts all of our citizens at risk. We’re going to be the only state in the country that’s doing this and there’s a reason why the other states aren’t doing this: because it doesn’t work. This was tried in New York City, and it was such an abject failure that they’ve backpedaled on it. We’ve just got a bunch of politicians in this state that are trying to out progressive each other, and it’s not good for the citizens of Illinois," according to East Central Reporter.