SE Illinois News

Illinois State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) has expressed his concern over changes to the Healthcare Right of Conscience Act, claiming that Democrats misled the public about the implications of these changes. Niemerg's comments come in response to an Illinois state appeals court ruling that allows for the termination of employees who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, citing the altered law.

"When I debated against the changes to the healthcare right of conscience last year, Democrats made it clear it was just a clean-up and nothing like this would happen," Niemerg said on Facebook. He went on to criticize what he perceives as lies from the left, stating, "if you disagree with the narrative big government says you are unemployed."

The ruling by the Illinois state appeals court came in the case of Laura Lenz, a nurse who was fired from Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation for refusing to comply with the company's vaccine mandate. The court's decision pointed out that the amendments to the Conscience Act specifically excluded mandates related to COVID-19, allowing private employers to terminate workers who refuse vaccination unless they acknowledge a religious exemption request.

Niemerg, who previously sponsored the COVID-19 Freedom Act, which aims to protect individuals from discrimination based on their refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, has been a vocal advocate for safeguarding medical decisions and individual liberties. The legislation would also prevent discrimination in public assistance and would take effect immediately upon passage.

In a separate case related to vaccine mandates, Chicago city employees who were fired or disciplined for violating COVID-19 vaccination requirements have been ordered to be reinstated and compensated for any loss of wages or benefits. The ruling, which cites violations of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, is seen as a rebuke of the city's vaccine mandate and could potentially impact a few dozen employees.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about potential contamination in COVID-19 vaccines. Maryanne Demasi, PhD, has reported on the discovery of DNA contamination in Pfizer's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers fear that these foreign DNA fragments could integrate into a person's own genome and pose potential health risks such as cancer. They are calling for further testing to determine if vaccinated individuals have had foreign DNA integrated into their stem cells and are emphasizing the need for more rigorous safety measures in vaccine production.

As the debate over vaccine mandates and individual rights continues, politicians like Niemerg are vocalizing their concerns over the implications of changes to healthcare laws. The court rulings in Illinois and the reported contamination in COVID-19 vaccines add to the ongoing discussion surrounding the safety and efficacy of vaccination efforts.