Disclosed is a new ionic liquid monomer salt and methods of is synthesis and polymerization. The ionic liquid monomer salt is prepared by mixing equimolar amounts of an amine, such as tris[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethyl]amine and an acid functionalized polymerizable monomer, such as 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), which is stirred at ambient temperature until salt formation is complete. Also disclosed is a new ionic liquid polymer salts and method for making the same. The synthesis of AMPS-ammonium salt polymer is accomplished by adding 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) to the ionic liquid monomer salt and heating the homogeneous melt at 70° C. for 18 hr.