State Reps. Adam Niemerg, Blaine Wilhour, Chris Miller, and Brad Halbrook take oath of office at the Illinois State Capitol

For Immediate Release – January 8, 2025

State Reps. Adam Niemerg, Blaine Wilhour, Chris Miller, and Brad Halbrook take oath of office at the Illinois State Capitol                                                                    

Springfield, IL – Instead of participating in the political theater at the University of Illinois, Springfield, State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) and other like-minded Republicans will be sworn in at the Illinois State Capitol.

“We made the decision to be sworn in at the Illinois State Capitol because the Capitol is both the cause of our state’s problems and simultaneously is a vital part of the solutions we need,” Niemerg said. “The Lame Duck session just ended and instead of taking the time to address sky-rocketing property taxes or the influx of illegal immigrants into our state, the Democrats in the House and the Senate not only ignored these problems but pushed through legislation to make them even worse. Taking the oath of office at the State Capitol is intended to highlight the need for better policies in Illinois.”

Wilhour said what Illinois citizens want is for their elected leaders to put their needs first for a change.

“The Democrats running our state learned nothing from the last election,” Wilhour said. “They are doubling down on more spending for illegals and more soft on crime policies to make our communities less safe. The people of Illinois are tired of their interests taking a back seat to the radical policies of the far left. They are tired of seeing their friends and neighbors leave Illinois for other states and they are tired of paying some of the highest taxes in the nation and getting little to nothing in return. They want solutions not more political theater and gamesmanship.”

The legislators said they decided to be sworn in at the State Capitol to make a statement about the need to address the issues of most importance to the people of Illinois.

“When families are struggling to afford groceries and to heat their homes, the last thing they want is flowery, self-congratulating speeches,” Halbrook said. “They want action. They want solutions and above all, they want legislators who will put their needs first. We are sending a message that we will keep fighting for the working families in this state.”

Judge Mike McHaney administered the oath of office.