CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Amid harassment allegation, Illinois senator loses leadership spot and a scramble to fill investigator’s job – Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger (DIERSEN: I hope that the next Legislative Inspector General has far more qualifications than I have: almost 18 years working for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $94,610-$122,991; almost 9 years working for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173; CPA (1979); Certified Internal Auditor (1981); Licensed CPA (1981); Certified Fraud Examiner (1990); Certified Government Financial Manager (1994); Certified Financial Services Auditor (1996); Forensic Accountant (1997); B.S. in management from NIU (1970); MBA from Loyola (1976); M.S. in accounting from DePaul (1980); and M.S. in financial markets and trading from IIT (1997).)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-capitol-sexual-harassment-changes-20171101-story.htm
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cullerton also said he “anticipates” an interim legislative inspector general will be named as soon as next week.)
— Trump calling harassment accusers liars was just a political opinion, his lawyers say – Chris Dolmetsch
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-sexual-harassment-accusations-20171101-story.html
— Suddenly, Springfield is aghast about sexual harassment – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-springfield-harassment-madigan-cullerton-20171101-story.html
— The language of Islamic terror in America – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-terror-attacks-immigration-kass-1102-story.html
— Russian Facebook ads, now publicly released, show sophistication of influence campaign – Craig Timberg, Elizabeth Dwoskin, Adam Entous and Karoun Demirjian
http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/technology/ct-russian-facebook-ads-20171102-story.html
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Mystery shrouding harassment cases called ‘absolutely outrageous’ – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/leadership-post-stripped-for-senator-named-at-harassment-hearing/
— Obamacare enrollment opens, launches local ad campaigns – Taylor Hartz and Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/affordable-care-act-get-covered-illinois-obamacare-barack-obama/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Bradley Tusk promotes pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/mexico-should-legalize-drugs-and-so-should-chicago/
DAILY HERALD
— State senator Karen McConnaughay from St. Charles tells of 27 mystery harassment complaints
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171101/state-senator-from-st-charles-tells-of-27-mystery-harassment-complaints
— Without respect, there’s no ‘more perfect union’ – Jim Slusher (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, members of Group A disrespect members of Group B. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171102/slusher-without-respect-theres-no-more-perfect-union
— Newly disclosed Facebook ads show Russia’s cyber intrusion – AP (DIERSEN: From what I see, beyond tragically, more and more and more activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. who state that they are conservative and/or Republican a) submit themselves to Facebook’s domination, b) dump their websites, and c) stop using email.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171101/news/311019913/
CBS2
— Illinois Tollway Delivers New Illinois Route 390 Tollway
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/11/01/illinois-tollway-delivers-new-illinois-route-390-tollway/
ABC7
— Michelle Obama speaks, Chance the Rapper performs on last day of Obama Foundation Summi – Leah Hope and Eric Horng (DIERSEN: During his 8 years in office as President, Obama promoted individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors. That is why Trump was elected.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/michelle-obama-speaks-chance-the-rapper-performs-on-last-day-of-obama-foundation-summit/2591352/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Officials want 7-day cap on opioids – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171101/BLOGS02/171109985/opioid-limits-called-for-by-rahm-emanuel-toni-preckwinkle-dan-cronin
QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Ives-Morthland ticket would give GOP voters choice – Editorial
http://www.qconline.com/opinion/editorial-ives-morthland-ticket-would-give-gop-voters-choice/article_0d566a24-bbf3-5805-b6a6-75a7e72ff55a.html
NORTHERN STAR
— Rauner invests in candidacy – Michael Urbanec
http://northernstar.info/news/dekalb_county/rauner-invests-in-candidacy/article_5d7b66ea-bf5f-11e7-8709-e787bc15eafa.html
TIMES
— The party’s over; what will replace it? – Jim Nowlan (DIERSEN: What do your critics/opponents do? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) promote patronage and b) reject some, most, or all of the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/editorial/state-affairs-the-party-s-over-what-will-replace-it/article_da7f26bf-d629-5c92-a223-8741e364bbe2.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Parties were held together by union or business philosophies, respectively, plus the glue of patronage jobs (jobs awarded by a political patron, such as an urban boss or governor) for precinct workers who linked themselves directly to voters. For my master’s thesis on the Illinois Republican Party of the 1950s and 1960s, I found that at one time 82 of the state’s 102 GOP county chairmen held state jobs courtesy of a Republican governor. The push by reformers for selection of state government employees on merit and court decisions that prohibited job largesse based on party affiliation have largely eliminated patronage jobs. The resource that patronage provided parties has now been replaced, ever more expansively, by the money of mega-millionaires. So today, party organizations are shells of their past importance, and big-money candidates use parties almost solely as labels by which to get onto the ballot. This coming year in Illinois, for example, two billionaires are spending hundreds of millions—at current spending rates—to win the governorship a year from now. Incumbent governor Bruce Rauner also is funding the campaigns of favored legislators, a job traditionally left to the candidates themselves (in my era) and more recently by legislative leaders who raised money for their troops. In the past, when party organizations helped win elections, a wannabe candidate was asked: How much work have you done for the party, and how loyal have you been? Now the question is: How much money do you have or can you raise?)
ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Farmers Ask for Harvest Emergency – Benjamin Yount
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=254531#.WfrqhYzR-M8
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Republicans prepare to lay out their vision on taxes GOP delayed announcement one day – LAUREN FOX (DIERSEN: Are you a Republican? Have you been asked what specific changes in the tax law that you want? Have you been asked to comment on specific proposed tax law changes?)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/republicans-prepare-to-lay-out-their-vision-on-taxes/849753337
WJBC
— Sanguinetti: Opioid crisis ‘doesn’t discriminate’ – Greg Halbleib
http://www.wjbc.com/2017/11/01/sanguinetti-opiod-crisis-doesnt-discriminate/
WILLIAM J KELLY
— Kelly: Sen. Silverstein should be run out of Springfield on a rail
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-sen-silverstein-should-be-run-out-of-springfield-on-a-rail
DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Wehrli asks who’s watching Mautino if state audit is approved – Angela Underwood
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511256797-wehrli-asks-who-s-watching-mautino-if-state-audit-is-approved
COOK COUNTY RECORD
— Seventh Circuit strikes down IL ‘full slate’ 3rd party election rule, says state blocked election participation – Elizabeth Alt
https://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/511256295-seventh-circuit-strikes-down-il-full-slate-3rd-party-election-rule-says-state-blocked-election-participation
WEST COOK NEWS
— Ives seen as offering ray of hope in dark clouds over Illinois GOP
https://westcooknews.com/stories/511257742-ives-seen-as-offering-ray-of-hope-in-dark-clouds-over-illinois-gop
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Leef, who recently launched his campaign against U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Illinois) in the Seventh Congressional District, said he has felt betrayed by Rauner ever since supporting him his gubernatorial campaign in 2014. “In the last election for governor, I voted for Bruce Rauner,” he said. “I felt that despite his undisputed liberal ideology on several important issues, I believed him when he assured the voters that he would govern as a fiscally principled conservative and keep his and his wife’s role as social warriors in check. As it turns out, Bruce Rauner has done the exact opposite.” Leef said GOP politicians like Rauner, who have ascended to public office only to forget their principles along the way, have left the state’s Republican party in tatters. “A Republican Party barely exists in Illinois,” he said. “This has been a result of decades of neglect by national party leaders, as well as a seeming total lack of vision or consistency of direction and narrative. Combine this with a complete lack of ability by the GOP to govern, and you have the disaster we see today in Illinois.”)
ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— The Equal Rights Amendment and Abortion – Kathy Valente
https://illinoisfamily.org/uncategorized/equal-rights-amendment-abortion/
REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— Rauner candidates face backlash after sanctuary state, abortion bills
https://realgopillinois.com/2017/11/01/rauner-candidates-face-backlash-sanctuary-state-abortion-bills/
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Why isn’t there an IG? & Who should be the IG? – Natasha Korecki (DIERSEN: I hope that the next Legislative Inspector General has far more qualifications than I have: almost 18 years working for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $94,610-$122,991; almost 9 years working for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173; CPA (1979); Certified Internal Auditor (1981); Licensed CPA (1981); Certified Fraud Examiner (1990); Certified Government Financial Manager (1994); Certified Financial Services Auditor (1996); Forensic Accountant (1997); B.S. in management from NIU (1970); MBA from Loyola (1976); M.S. in accounting from DePaul (1980); and M.S. in financial markets and trading from IIT (1997).)
https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/illinois-playbook/2017/11/02/politico-illinois-playbook-evidence-of-sickening-culture-in-statehouse-reick-retunes-remarks-chris-kennedys-problem-donor-223128
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “We’ve talked to a couple of people who for various reasons didn’t want to do it. This is a job that is a part-time job,” state Sen. Terry Link, the commission chairman, told POLITICO. “We’ve been previously trying to get an inspector general but we haven’t been able to, we keep on trying.” It’s up to the four legislative leaders to choose a person who the commission then approves. Not that everything is about gender but we’ll point out the eight member board is made up of six men and two women (each leader appoints two people). The four legislative leaders are all male. Senate President John Cullerton on Wednesday said an interim IG could be appointed next week. . .In McConnaughay’s opinion, the job should go to a former federal prosecutor. “I think the only way to go is we hire or find a former U.S. attorney. I’m guessing one of them will take the job and they are the only ones who are beyond approach,” she said. “Clearly, the General Assembly is incapable of policing itself.”)
CAPITOL FAX
— Ives calls sexual harassment bill “virtue-signaling legislation,” while Reick walks it back
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/02/ives-calls-sexual-harassment-bill-virtue-signaling-legislation-while-reick-walks-it-back/
(FROM THE IVES PRESS RELEASE: The role of Illinois Legislative Inspector General, an agency responsible for uncovering wrongdoing at the highest levels of Illinois government, has been vacant since December 2014. Yesterday it was reported that legislative staff in Springfield is holding up to 27 separate sexual harassment complaints against members of the Illinois General Assembly. A complaint must be filed with the Legislative Inspector General to be considered a “case.” Through that loophole, the political establishment in Springfield has been able to claim that there are no pending cases of sexual harassment. State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) issued the following statement calling on Governor Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to fill the position immediately: “Illinois has a reputation for political corruption. Government transparency and accountability should be top priorities for any leader who is serious about reform,” said Ives. “The charges of sexual harassment recently brought to light by Denise Rotheimer went unheard for a year. She was forced to suffer Senator Silverstein’s unwanted advances for a year. It was only out of political necessity that she was given a hearing at all. Twenty-seven other complaints of sexual harassment are being held by staff members and do not count as cases. Through its inaction, the ILGA has reaffirmed to women across the state that speaking up about the harassment of someone who is politically powerful will get you a one-way ticket to nowhere. They have reminded women and girls that they will just have to deal with it, because that’s the way it is. It is an inexcusable injustice.” “Sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination have a detrimental impact on institutions. This is a very serious charge. While the problem is rampant in Springfield, it has not been taken seriously by this state’s political leadership over the past two years. I understand the importance of protecting the women working in state government. And I take it seriously regardless of who is implicated. In order to properly prosecute offenders, legislative leaders must appoint a Legislative Inspector General.” “The fact that we have gone three years without a Legislative IG in place is a failure of both parties. starting with those in the majority party in both chambers. We should know if other members were being protected as Cullerton protected the complaint against Sen. Silverstein from a proper and timely investigation.” “We should have an expeditious appointment of a Legislative IG to exercise oversight and provide a channel for any persons who believed they were wronged to lodge a complaint. This is more important than the virtue-signaling legislation being advanced at present by people who were unserious about predatory behavior for too long to now pretend they are serious.” “Illinoisans have seen too many instances in which those in power look the other way to protect those who keep them in power. I am running for Governor to restore accountability and respectability to state government.”)
— McConnaughay walks back part of allegation, but she isn’t wrong that it’s a mess
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/02/mcconnaughay-walks-back-part-of-allegation-but-she-isnt-wrong-that-its-a-mess/
— Rauner wants Illinois to be host state for Puerto Rico hurricane victims (DIERSEN: Which states want to be host states for Illinois victims?)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/02/rauner-wants-illinois-to-be-host-state-for-puerto-rico-hurricane-victims/
GOPUSA
— Time to suspend Islamic immigration?
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=32730
— Kasich 2020: Pro-immigration, pro-environment, anti-nationalism
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=32662
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— David Perdue: ‘National Debt Surpassed $20 Trillion and No One in Washington Blinked’ – Conor Beck
http://freebeacon.com/issues/david-perdue-national-debt-surpassed-20-trillion-no-one-washington-blinked-eye/
BREITBART
— Poll: NFL More Polarizing Than ABC, CBS, Huff Po, and Breitbart News – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2017/10/31/poll-nfl-polarizing-abc-cbs-huff-po-breitbart-news/
— Lindsey Graham Sees DACA Replacement as ‘Down Payment’ for Further Amnesty – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/01/report-lindsey-graham-daca-payment-amnesty/
DAILY CALLER
— Terrorism Only Warrants A Solution When It’s Non-Islamic – Scott Greer
http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/01/terrorism-only-warrants-a-solution-when-its-non-islamic/
THE HILL
— First details emerge of GOP’s sweeping tax bill – NAOMI JAGODA AND SCOTT WONG
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/358399-first-details-emerge-of-gops-sweeping-tax-bill
— Thousands attended Trump protest organized by Russians on Facebook – ALI BRELAND
http://thehill.com/policy/technology/358025-thousands-attended-protest-organized-by-russians-on-facebook
POLITICO
— House GOP releases sweeping plan to cut taxes The tax overhaul is Republicans’ top priority ahead of next year’s elections, and lawmakers are desperate for a victory after the Obamacare repeal failed. – BRIAN FALER
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/02/tax-reform-house-gop-plan-244453
NEW YORK TIMES
— Leading Western Publisher Bows to Chinese Censorship – Javier C. Hernández (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who state that they are conservative and/or Republican, but who bow to my critics/opponents. My critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois. They can destroy just about any individual, any organization, any company, or any government that they want to.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/01/world/asia/china-springer-nature-censorship.html
— Just Say No to Opioids? Ads Could Actually Make Things Worse – Austin Frakt and Keith Humphreys
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/01/upshot/why-advertising-is-a-poor-choice-to-tackle-the-opioid-crisis.html
— Republicans Release Tax Plan, Cutting Corporate and Middle-Class Taxes – JIM TANKERSLEY and THOMAS KAPLANNO
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/us/politics/tax-plan-republicans.html?emc=edit_na_20171102&nl=breaking-news&nlid=5208581&ref=headline
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— ISIS is over here now: We don’t fight them overseas or at home; it’s both – S. E. Cupp
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/isis-article-1.3604202
WASHINGTON POST
— Republican tax plan to lower cap on mortgage interest deduction to $500,000 loans – Damian Paletta and Mike DeBonis
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/republican-tax-plan-to-lower-cap-on-mortgage-interest-deduction-to-500000-loans/2017/11/02/c0f594d6-bfd5-11e7-8444-a0d4f04b89eb_story.html
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s Immigration Scapegoat The diversity visa program is far from the main terror threat.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-immigration-scapegoat-1509578419
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who push legal pot oppose taxes on legal pot.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/high-on-incentives-1509578847
— Republicans Stick With Big Corporate Tax Cuts in House Bill The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act seeks the biggest transformation of tax code in more than 30 years; leaves top individual tax rate at 39.6% – Richard Rubin
https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-stick-with-big-corporate-tax-cuts-in-house-bill-1509629510?mod=djemalertNEWS
USA TODAY
— Russian meddling a wake-up call for Facebook users – Jessica Guynn (DIERSEN: From what I see, beyond tragically, more and more and more activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. who state that they are conservative and/or Republican a) submit themselves to Facebook’s domination, b) dump their websites, and c) stop using email.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/usa-today-us-edition/20171102/281659665305832
U.S. NEWS
— Union uses Amazon argument to push for universal child care (DIERSEN: Would universal child care helped your parents? Because my outstanding mother never attended high school, her earning power was severely limited.)
http://www.usnews.ws/breaking/union-uses-amazon-argument-to-push-for-universal-child-care
WASHINGTON MONTHLY
— Establishment Republicans Will Lose Their Civil War With the Insurgents – Nancy LeTourneau (DIERSEN: In your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, who are a) the establishment Republicans and b) the insurgent Republicans? In Illinois, establishment Republicans support Rauner and the insurgent Republicans support the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2017/11/01/establishment-republicans-will-lose-their-civil-war-with-the-insurgents/
FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Longer probationary periods will get another look in Congress this week – Nicole Ogrysko (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious that when I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, because I had been under a probationary period at IRS, I was not under a probationary period at GAO. Nevertheless, they did everything that they could to get rid of me. In my defense, I completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, became a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, a Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and a Forensic Accountant in 1997. In addition, completed the requirements for a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/legislation/2017/11/longer-probationary-periods-will-get-another-look-in-congress-this-week/
VOA NEWS
— Iraqi Parliament Criminalizes Display of ‘Zionist’ Symbols Across the Country (DIERSEN: Anti-Americans in America want to a) criminalize the display of American symbols and b) abolish Independence Day.)
https://www.voanews.com/a/iraq-parliament-criminalizes-zionist-symbols-israel-flag/4094476.html
