SE Illinois News

Adam Niemerg, a state representative for the 102nd District in Illinois, expressed concerns on social media platform X regarding state policies. He said that these policies prioritize illegal immigrants over residents, following a fatal DUI crash involving a noncitizen and a county board member.

"JB Pritzker is more worried about protecting illegal immigrants than protecting the people he was elected to serve," said Adam M. Niemerg, Illinois State Representative for 102nd District. "This weekend, an illegal immigrant killed a county board member and his wife in a horrific DUI crash. Two innocent people are dead — and it never should have happened. When you put illegal immigrants ahead of Illinois citizens, this is the result."

On October 24, 2025, the Illinois State Police responded to a head-on collision in Westfield that resulted in the deaths of Coles County Board Member Michael Clayton and his wife, Gail. According to authorities, Edwin Pacheco-Meza, aged 34, was driving under the influence and has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. Reports also indicate that an 18-year-old passenger, Juan Morales-Martinez, faced charges related to the incident. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials discussed Illinois' sanctuary limitations concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers following the arrests. Local media outlets confirmed the timeline and charges as investigations continued.

Illinois' TRUST Act limits local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement for civil matters. It prohibits detention based solely on immigration detainers or administrative warrants and restricts inquiries into immigration status. In 2021, the Illinois Way Forward Act further reinforced these provisions by authorizing the Attorney General to investigate violations and banning agreements to detain immigrants for federal authorities. Guidance issued in June 2025 reiterated statutory limits while allowing coordination when criminal warrants are present.

Niemerg is a Republican member of the Illinois House who was sworn in on January 13, 2021. Representing a downstate district, he has focused on fiscal conservatism, Second Amendment rights, and pro-life positions. His official member page highlights his service to several rural counties and community involvement, including membership in the Farm Bureau.