State lawmaker introduces “Freedom Act”

Posted on December 8, 2021
State Rep. Adam Niemerg says this kind of bill doesn’t usually go far in Springfield, but he is counting on “every single patriot in Illinois” to pressure supermajority Democrats. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Denying someone their job because of their vaccination status is discrimination, according to State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich). His “Freedom Act” would outlaw it.

Shouldn’t people go to work with the assurance everyone around them is vaccinated?

“Well, shouldn’t everybody that has the right to go to work understand that they are not going to be discriminated upon as a condition of employment?” Niemerg responds. “Many nurses have called me over the last two months, and their concern is this: ‘Adam, we have had covid 19 and the vast majority of us have had antibodies; we don’t mind the testing, but now, as a condition of employment, we’re being (told) you must be vaccinated by a particular date; otherwise, you will be terminated.’

“This says that they could have that ability to say No to their employer against this discriminatory action.”

Niemerg says this kind of bill doesn’t usually go far in Springfield, but he is counting on “every single patriot in Illinois” to pressure supermajority Democrats.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…