CAPITOL FAX
— STATEMENT FROM BURT MINOR, Candidate, 42nd House District
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/22/gop-township-chairman-alleged-to-have-directed-racist-homophobic-remarks-at-black-female-gop-candidate/
(THE STATEMENT: Last October, I met with Erika Harold in my capacity as Winfield Township Republican Chairman, at her request, to discuss the challenges she might face in her campaign for the Republican nomination for Attorney General. Our meeting has been greatly misrepresented. Not all Republican voters are comfortable discussing issues of race and sexual orientation. I wish it were different, but it is a reality those of us active in the Republican Party’s leadership confront, not infrequently. My discussion with Erika was an attempt to point out this unfortunate reality, it was in no way meant to be offensive. I honestly left our meeting unaware that our conversation might have made Erika uncomfortable. My apologies to Erika if she was in any way offended. Erika is a great candidate who has a bright future in the Republican Party. Throughout my 23 years in the military, I worked alongside people of all faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. We worked together to get the job done, and that is the way it should be. Period. Ironically, at the 2016 Illinois Republican State Convention I was vilified for defending fellow Republicans who were advocating for a more inclusive and tolerant Illinois Republican Party Platform. I was also upset with Gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives recent television advertisement. Interestingly, many of the individuals criticizing me over this misunderstanding remain silent about that disgustingly provocative television ad. The hypocrisy is stunning. Peter Breen and Kevin Fitzpatrick, who are attempting to capitalize on this misunderstanding for the benefit of one of my opponents, tried to bribe me months ago with the offer of a government job if I were to get out of this race. They told me that they wanted another candidate to win because Peter Breen would be able to control her. When I declined the offer, they said they would support my daughter if she were ever to run for higher office. This morning, when Peter sent his letter to the media he attempted to follow through on a promise to destroy my reputation. I completely understand the fierce reaction this misunderstanding has generated, but I wish those who rushed to judgment would have gotten all the facts first. I intend to discuss those facts and the many issues of importance to the residents of Illinois’ 42nd District in the days leading up to Election Day. So there is no further misunderstanding, let me be clear, I believe there is no place for racism or intolerance in the Republican Party and the State of Illinois.)
— Harold speaks to Sun-Times *** Schneider, Ives, Rauner campaign, Durkin call on Minor to withdraw *** GOP township chairman alleged to have directed racist, homophobic remarks at black female GOP candidate
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/22/gop-township-chairman-alleged-to-have-directed-racist-homophobic-remarks-at-black-female-gop-candidate/
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Illinois GOP contender Burt Minor called AG candidate racial, gay slurs, colleagues say – NATASHA KORECKI
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/22/illinois-republican-attorney-general-candidate-racial-slur-421732
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A Republican candidate for the Illinois state Legislature is under fire by his own party amid allegations that he asked an African American attorney general candidate if she were a “lesbo,” and used the N-word during a conversation with her. Now, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois’ Republican House floor leader, Peter Breen, are calling for the candidate, Burt Minor, to drop out of a race for state representative. “He’s not fit to be a Republican nominee for office, especially not the General Assembly,” Breen told POLITICO. “His conduct was outrageous.” At issue is a conversation that took place last fall between Minor and Republican attorney general candidate Erika Harold. Harold, the party-backed candidate for the GOP, who is also a Harvard Law graduate and former Miss America, was talking to Minor in his capacity as a Winfield Township chairman. “[Minor] asked Ms. Harold personal questions about her marital status, and even her sexual orientation, going so far as to inquire whether she was a ‘lesbo,’ Breen wrote in a letter to other Republicans this morning. “The chairman also used the full n-word repeatedly in front of Ms. Harold and her assistant, asking whether she found its usage offensive.” Breen told POLITICO that in a meeting with Minor, he admitted to using the N-word and had “tried to explain it away, saying that she wanted him to ask the question so she could get it on the record, which is obviously absurd.” The Harold campaign confirmed to POLITICO that the conversation did occur. According to the campaign, Minor asked Harold: “Are you a lesbo?” and she replied: “No, and that’s offensive.” The campaign also confirmed he used the N-word multiple times and she told him that was offensive. “Erika found it offensive and said it was offensive at the time,” her spokesman Jason Heffley said. Minor is running for the 42nd District state representative seat that is being vacated by Jeanne Ives, who is challenging Rauner in the March 20 primary. Also running in the primary is DuPage County Board member Amy Grant and Ryne Byrne. Minor did not respond to a request for comment from POLITICO today. But in a recent interview with POLITICO, Minor adamantly denied using the word “lesbo” or the N-word. “Absolutely not. No, no. I talked with Erika last night, in fact. We’re friends, we support and respect each other,” he told POLITICO. “There was never any inappropriate [conversation]. That word never came out of my mouth and it wouldn’t.” Another lawmaker, state Rep. Mark Batinick, said he was pushing for Minor’s removal from the ticket. “A few weeks ago, I became aware of very troubling statements made by township chairman Burt Minor who is a Republican State Representative candidate. I have since had those statements confirmed by multiple sources and have been working with party officials in an attempt to remove him from the race. It is my understanding that those attempts have been futile. This sort of conduct does not belong in our party and will not be tolerated. He needs to immediately withdraw,” Batinick said. Rauner’s campaign said Thursday that Minor should drop out. “Erika Harold is a star attorney and candidate who is a bright part of the future of the Republican Party of Illinois,” said Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison. “Burt Minor’s racist and demeaning language has no place in the GOP or our society. He should drop out of the race.”)
THE HILL
— Illinois GOP candidate Burt Minor pushed to drop out for allegedly using racial, gay slurs – AVERY ANAPOL
http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/375107-illinois-gop-candidate-urged-drop-out-of-race-for-allegedly-using-racial
IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Calls on Minor to Withdraw from State House Race
https://mailchi.mp/95dbd272a1b9/ives-calls-on-minor-to-withdraw-from-state-house-race
(FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT: Conservative reform Republican candidate for governor Jeanne Ives released the following statement following revelations about Burt Minor, a Republican candidate for the state legislative seat she currently holds. Based on the letter from my colleague Rep. Peter Breen and the corroboration of the accusations against Burt Minor, I join my colleagues in calling for Mr. Minor to withdraw from the primary election to be the nominee for the seat I currently hold. Mr. Minor’s alleged comments are inexcusable, indefensible and disqualifying. For more information or to book Jeanne Ives, contact Kathleen Murphy at 630-329-4680 or kathleenemurphy26@gmail.com.)
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Erika Harold to House candidate Burt Minor: Drop out for using n-word, lesbian slur – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ag-hopeful-harold-to-house-candidate-drop-out-for-using-n-word-lesbo-slurs/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Harold — a Harvard Law graduate and former Miss America — said it happened in early October as she was meeting with various people in DuPage County to introduce herself and get advice about how to campaign in the county. “We had a meeting with [Winfield Township Republican Chairman] Burt Minor, and during the course of the conversation he asked me if I had children. I said no. He asked me if I was married. I said no. He then asked me if I had ever been married. I said no. And then he said. ‘Well then are you a lesbo?’” Harold said she told him no. “But then I also made it clear that someone’s sexual orientation should not be used to disqualify them for running for office,” Harold said. Harold said Minor seemed “surprised” that she was standing up for herself. Within the same conversation, Minor also asked Harold whether it was ever appropriate to use the n-word, “but he said the full word,” she said. “I haven’t heard anyone use that word in a very long time, and I told him it was inappropriate for anyone to say that,” Harold said, adding he used the word “about three or four times and did not apologize for doing so.” Harold said she discussed the incident with fellow Republicans at the time, but did not go public because Minor was not running for office.)
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois attorney general candidate Erika Harold says DuPage Republican official Burt Minor used N-word, asked if she was a ‘lesbo’ – Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-erika-harold-republican-racism-sexual-orientation-20180222-story.html
— Endorsements for the Illinois Senate
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-senate-endorsements-elections-20180218-story.html
— Disney workers accuse company of withholding their Trump tax cut bonuses – Danielle Paquette
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-disney-workers-bonuses-20180222-story.html
— Gov. Rauner drinks chocolate milk to demonstrate his commitment to diversity – Kim Janssen (DIERSEN: If you would ask my Democrat superiors in the federal government what demonstrates their commitment to diversity, a) my Democrat GAO superiors should respond that they forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors should respond that they did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors should respond that they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-rauner-chocolate-milk-0223-chicago-inc-20180222-story.html
— After Gov. Rauner’s chocolate milk incident, a handy guide to beverage politics – Steve Johnson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-ent-rauner-chocolate-milk-beverage-politics-0224-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— Breen: Minor used sexist, racist language during meeting – Burt Constable
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180222/lawmaker-candidate-used-sexist-racist-language-during-meeting
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican State Rep. Peter Breen is emailing party members asking them to withdraw support for Winfield Township Republican Chairman Burt Minor in the GOP primary for the 42nd Illinois House District because of comments Breen calls “outrageous,” sexist and racist. During a Republican Party meeting months ago between Minor and Erika Harold, 37, a candidate for Illinois attorney general, Minor “asked Ms. Harold personal questions about her marital status, and even her sexual orientation,” including asking whether she was a lesbian, said Breen, the Republican House floor leader who lives in Lombard and represents the 48th District. “The chairman also used the full N-word repeatedly in front of Ms. Harold and her assistant, asking whether she found its usage offensive.” Minor, 58, did not respond Thursday to requests for comment, but Harold spokesman Jason Heffley confirmed Minor’s choice of words.)
— Twitter suspends thousands of suspected bots, angering Trump boosters – Eli Rosenberg
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180222/twitter-suspends-thousands-of-suspected-bots-angering-trump-boosters
WHEATON PATCH
— State GOP Candidate Allegedly Used Racial Slur Against AG Hopeful State GOP candidate Burt Minor allegedly asked Harold if she was a “lesbo.” – Lisa Marie Farver
https://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/state-gop-candidate-allegedly-used-racial-slur-against-ag-hopeful
NBC5
— Bruce Rauner’s $95 Million Campaign – Carol Marin and Don Moseley
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Bruce-Rauners-95-Million-Campaign-474892873.html
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner aims to hit Ives—but undermines his integrity – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180222/NEWS02/180229943/rauner-aims-to-hit-ives-but-undermines-his-integrity
JOURNAL TOPICS
— Elk Grove Township Republicans Back Ives, Corrigan, Bernas, Studenroth – Tom Robb
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/elk-grove-township-republicans-back-ives-corrigan-bernas-studenroth/
HERALD & REVIEW
— More Democrats want probe into misconduct at Madigan offices – AP
http://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/more-democrats-want-probe-into-misconduct-at-madigan-offices/article_768ede6a-1d0b-55f2-8792-a1b1a339db59.html
LINCOLN COURIER
— Recreational marijuana ballot question clears committee – Brenden Moore (DIERSEN If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.lincolncourier.com/news/20180221/recreational-marijuana-ballot-question-clears-committee
WQLZ
— Seven Republicans Calling on Rauner to Stop Misrepresenting Ives
http://www.wqlz.com/2018/02/22/seven-republicans-calling-on-rauner-to-stop-misrepresenting-ives/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Governor Rauner comments on Florida shooting – Breanna Lea
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/governor-rauner-comments-on-florida-shooting/987301661
WAND TV
— Pot legalization question to appear on ballot (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37562424/pot-legalization-question-to-appear-on-ballot
SUBURBAN CHICAGOLAND
— Liz Gorman named as new Illinois Tollway director
https://suburbanchicagoland.com/2018/02/22/liz-gorman-new-illinois-tollway-director/
CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Can the Parkland Teens Organize a Political Movement? Sure, Just Look at Chicago Survivors of last week’s deadly shooting have taken the lead on political activism in its wake. It’s surprised a lot of adults, but they have plenty of company, now and in the past. – WHET MOSER (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries will support this movement? ANSWER: Those that 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.)
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/January-2018/Can-the-Parkland-Teens-Organize-a-Political-Movement-Sure-Just-Look-at-Chicago/
UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Ives: Nobody Trusts Rauner
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/ives-nobody-trusts-rauner
MORNING ANSWER
— Illinois State Representative Jeanne Ives
http://morninganswerchicago.com/2018/02/22/illinois-state-representative-jeanne-ives-2/
PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Paying married Rauner staffers with state, political funds ‘blurs important line,’ reform group director says – W.J. Kennedy
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511348321-paying-married-rauner-staffers-with-state-political-funds-blurs-important-line-reform-group-director-says
ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Lawmakers move ahead with advisory referendum on recreational marijuana – Cole Lauterbach (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/lawmakers-move-ahead-with-advisory-referendum-on-recreational-marijuana/article_52a3652c-1795-11e8-a9d2-876afbe4c29e.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Trump Mocks School Gun Free Zones, Urges “Hardened” Schools, Armed Trained Teachers
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/02/22/trump-mocks-school-gun-free-zones-urges-hardened-schools-armed-trained-teachers/
BLAZE
— Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner chose a very awkward way to show his commitment to diversity – Aaron Colen
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/22/illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-chose-a-very-awkward-way-to-show-his-commitment-to-diversity
DAILY CALLER
— Illinois Gov Drinks Chocolate Milk To Show How Much He Loves Diversity – Amber Randall
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/22/illinois-governor-rauner-chocolate-milk-diversity/
FOX NEWS
— VP Mike Pence at CPAC: ‘Make No Mistake, We’re Going to Build That Wall’
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/02/22/mike-pence-cpac-make-no-mistake-were-going-build-wall
GOPUSA
— While Trump Listens, CNN Pushes ‘Scripted,’ Agenda-Driven Townhall
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=40020
— Parkland shooting survivor slams media for ‘politicizing this tragedy’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=39956
— Gun control groups, leftist leaders behind ‘student-led’ protests
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=39951
CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Twitter’s War On Conservatives – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/27452
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Illinois governor drinks chocolate milk to show he’s committed to diversity – Caitlin Yilek
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/illinois-governor-drinks-chocolate-milk-to-show-hes-committed-to-diversity/article/2649768
POLITICO
— At CPAC, NRA chief LaPierre singles out Democrats for politicizing school shooting – CRISTIANO LIMA
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/22/wayne-lapierre-cpac-2018-421685
WASHINGTON POST
— Illinois governor toasts diversity — with chocolate milk – Marwa Eltagouri
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/02/22/illinois-governor-toasts-diversity-with-chocolate-milk/?utm_term=.b5da5640406a
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Officer at Florida School Waited Outside Instead of Confronting Shooter, Sheriff Says Deputy should have ‘addressed the killer, killed the killer,’ Sheriff Scott Israel says – Jon Kamp
https://www.wsj.com/articles/officer-at-florida-school-waited-outside-instead-of-confronting-shooter-sheriff-says-1519341298
— Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens Indicted for Invasion of Privacy Former Navy SEAL accused of taking photos of his mistress to conceal relationship – Shayndi Raice
https://www.wsj.com/articles/grand-jury-indicts-missouri-governor-for-felony-invasion-of-privacy-1519339306?mod=djemalertNEWS
NEWSWEEK
— ILLINOIS GOVERNOR DRINKS CHOCOLATE MILK TO SHOW DIVERSITY IS ‘REALLY GOOD’ – GREG PRICE (DIERSEN: If you would ask my Democrat superiors in the federal government what demonstrates their commitment to diversity, a) my Democrat GAO superiors should respond that they forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors should respond that they did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors should respond that they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://www.newsweek.com/illinois-governor-chocolate-milk-video-816911
— AN EDGIER CPAC REFLECTS FRACTURES ON THE RIGHT – ALEXANDER NAZARYAN
http://www.newsweek.com/edgier-cpac-reflects-fractures-right-816407
ATLANTIC
— A Retirement-Savings Crisis Is Creating Lives of Never-Ending Work The predicament of many seniors is a worrying preview of what could befall millions in the coming decades. – ALANA SEMUELS
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/02/pensions-safety-net-california/553970/
COLDWELL BANKER
— FOR SALE: 408 West Elm Street, Wheaton – $399,000
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/il/wheaton/408-west-elm-street/pid_23115785/
