State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is sponsoring legislation that will create the COVID-19 Freedom Act in Illinois. House Bill 4239 was filed November 30, 2021 for consideration by the General Assembly when the next Session convenes January 4, 2022.
“I have been contacted by concerned residents in my district and from Illinoisans across this state who are not happy with the unilateral imposition of vaccine mandates by the Governor and his administration related to COVID-19,” said Rep. Adam Niemerg. “With the Health Care Right of Conscience protection set to expire in June of next year, people want and need something to protect their individual liberties when it comes to medical decisions.”
The legislation makes it unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person’s refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to his or her belief.
“My proposal would make it illegal to mandate vaccinations on Illinois residents and deny admission or employment because of their coronavirus vaccine status,” added Rep. Niemerg. “We have an exemption form for every vaccine in the state of Illinois except COVID-19. That is unacceptable.”
Rep. Niemerg’s proposal would protect Illinoisans who receive public assistance through unemployment and LINK card food assistance could not be cut off from support or discriminated against based on their COVID-19 vaccine status. HB 4239 would make it illegal to refuse any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or to condition the reception in any way otherwise entitlement to such aid.
This law, when passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, would take effective immediately.