Rep. Niemerg Calls for End to Illinois’ Sanctuary State Policies After Fatal Crash (Dieterich, IL) – State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is renewing his call to repeal Illinois’ Sanctuary State policies following the deaths of Mike and Gail Clayton, a Coles County couple killed in a car crash allegedly caused by an intoxicated driver who was in the country illegally.
Niemerg, the Republican Spokesman on the House Immigration and Human Rights Committee, said the tragedy underscores what he views as the public safety risks of current state laws limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
“This incident raises all kinds of questions,” Niemerg said in a statement. “Why was this illegal alien in Illinois? Where did he get the money to buy alcohol and a vehicle? How was an illegal immigrant with no license or insurance able to be on the road driving? We need answers.”
The fatal crash occurred in Coles County, far from Chicago, which Niemerg said proves that the issue is not confined to urban areas.
“This is Coles County,” he said. “Two upstanding, honest citizens—one of whom served on the Coles County Board—are dead because of the insane policies our Governor continues to support. Make no mistake about it. This insanity has to stop.”
Niemerg is calling for the repeal of the state’s TRUST Act, which restricts local police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement in certain cases. Legislation to roll back the policy has been introduced in the Illinois House, but Niemerg said the Democratic majority has so far refused to allow it to advance in committee.
“We need Illinois law enforcement to work with ICE, not against them,” Niemerg said. “We need to get serious about keeping our communities safe—and this needs to happen now.”
The Democratic-led General Assembly and Gov. J.B. Pritzker have defended Illinois’ sanctuary policies as measures that build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, arguing they help ensure all residents feel safe reporting crimes or cooperating in investigations.
The debate over immigration enforcement has intensified in Illinois amid growing concerns about migrant arrivals and their impact on local resources—an issue expected to play a central role in next year’s legislative elections.
Rep. Niemerg Calls for End to Illinois’ Sanctuary State Policies After Fatal Crash
