Illinois State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) said he is “deeply disturbed” by reports that the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) mailed voter registration materials to noncitizens applying for state benefits. He delivered the remarks on the Illinois House floor, warning that the practice raises serious concerns about election integrity and administrative safeguards.
“Let that sink in: a state agency under Governor Pritzker’s administration is admitting that non-citizens were sent voter registration packets that were pre-addressed to their local clerks. The director admitted this in a Senate hearing,” Niemerg said on the Illinois House floor. “This is unacceptable and must stop immediately.”
Niemerg characterized voting as a right reserved exclusively for citizens and called for federal action. He urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and referenced support for federal legislation he said would strengthen citizenship verification requirements in voter registration systems.
“I’m calling on President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice to investigate these actions immediately,” Niemerg said.
He also raised concerns about the role of county clerks, arguing that they process incoming registration forms without direct access to immigration status verification, and suggested this could create vulnerabilities in the voter roll system.
Separately, Illinois State Sen. Steve McClure has also criticized the Department of Human Services over the same issue, opposing the confirmation of DHS Secretary Dulce Quintero. In a video interview, McClure said the agency had been mailing pre-filled voter registration forms to noncitizens applying for state benefits, and that county clerks are required to process them under current state law.
McClure said he raised the matter directly with DHS leadership and described the agency’s response as insufficient, adding that he did not receive a follow-up after initial discussions. He encouraged constituents to raise concerns with the governor’s office and DHS.
“At the confirmation hearing, the secretary’s only response was that yes, this is happening,” McClure said in the interview.
Illinois State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) represents the 102nd District in the Illinois House of Representatives, according to his official government bio page. First elected in 2020 and sworn in on January 13, 2021, he serves communities across southeastern Illinois, including portions of Clay, Effingham, Jasper, and surrounding counties. Niemerg is a member of several House committees and previously worked in the insurance industry as a senior claims adjuster before entering public office.
