Latest news with #AdamNiemerg
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Illinois bill strengthening rules on gun storage heads to Pritzker's desk
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — An Illinois bill strengthening the rules on storing firearms is headed to the Governor's desk. The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday evening requiring new rules for storing guns in homes where children and at-risk people are present. The proposal would also shorten the time firearm owners have to report a gun as lost or stolen. Illinois House passes bill to offer medical assist in dying to the terminally ill Also part of the bill is creating a registry for Illinois State Police to keep track of people who do not report lost or stolen firearms. The bill's sponsor said these changes will help guns from getting into the wrong hands. 'The number of guns stolen each year is rising, and this is a key factor in the cycle of gun violence,' Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-West Chicago) said on the House floor. 'Firearm theft compromises the effectiveness of our common sense gun laws. It often results in these weapons being acquired by people who are legally prohibited from possessing them.' Republicans criticized the bill, saying it targets legal gun owners instead of addressing criminal activity. 'Let's call this what it is: a reckless assault on the rights of honest citizens,' State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) said in a statement. 'Instead of addressing actual criminals, this legislation goes after hunters, sportsmen, and countless responsible firearm owners across our state.' Niemerg said he's confident that guns rights groups will challenge the constitutionality of the proposal in court if it's signed into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep., farmers, hunters discuss how to reduce deer population in Dieterich
DIETERICH, Ill. (WCIA) — A State Representative held a town hall meeting in Dieterich to discuss deer overpopulation, and solutions to solve an issue that farmers said is damaging their crops. State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) met with local farmers and hunters. The meeting focused on the high number of deer in downstate Illinois, which are eating and damaging crops. Effingham man sentenced to 20 years for child pornography The event was co-hosted by Jasper County Farm Bureau and the Clark County Farm Bureau. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources updated community members on the deer hunting program and learned more about local ideas to address the issue. 'This deer nuisance isn't just when these animals jump out in front of vehicles along the roads or highways but is also a continual and growing problem for the farmers in our area and around the state,' Rep. Niemerg said. 'There were some good suggestions at the meeting including extending the deer seasons, allowing for more permits to be assigned to our counties, and how data is reported on deer-vehicle accidents that is used to determine the number of permits in an area.' Illinois celebrated for clean energy efforts One option Niemerg gave to reduce the deer population is to apply for the Deer Removal Permit (DRP). The permits are available for 30 days and allow two people to hunt up to 10 deer. A farmer could receive the permit and designate two others to actually shoot the deer. Niemerg is working to inform more people about this option and said to contact his office for help to apply for an emergency permit. 'Thank you to the Farm Bureau and the IDNR for the opportunity to have good conversation with our local farmers,' Niemerg said. 'I am partnering with the farm bureau on legislation and working with local farmers and hunters on a variety of possible solutions to this growing problem. Just today, another farmer stopped by my office to find out what can be done because last year he lost over ten thousand dollars from deer damage to his crops.' You can contact Niemerg's office at 217-813-6036. His website can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
