ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: According to the Illinois Republican Party (IRP), the following were elected to the (IRP) State Central Committee yesterday evening:
Congressional District 1 – Shaun Murphy, Evergreen Park
Congressional District 2 – Judy Diekelman, Thornton
Congressional District 3 – Sean Morrison, Palos Park
Congressional District 4 – Jay Reyes, Riverside
Congressional District 5 – Jack Dorgan, Rosemont
Congressional District 6 – Bob Grogan, Downers Grove
Congressional District 7 – Mark Hosty, River Forest
Congressional District 8 – Ryan Higgins, Schaumburg
Congressional District 9 – Char Foss-Eggman, Park Ridge
Congressional District 10 – Mark Shaw, Lake Forest
Congressional District 11 – Roger Claar, Bolingbrook
Congressional District 12 – Barb Viviano, O’Fallon
Congressional District 13 – Fred Floreth, Springfield
Congressional District 14 – Stan Bond, Montgomery
Congressional District 15 – Chapin Rose, Mahomet
Congressional District 16 – John McGlasson, Pontiac
Congressional District 17 – Jan Weber, Geneseo
Congressional District 18 – Mike Bigger, Wyoming
https://illinois.gop/2018-scc/
SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Ballot hijinks lead Southern Illinois Republicans to challenge party leadership vote – W.J. Kennedy
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511395529-ballot-hijinks-lead-southern-illinois-republicans-to-challenge-party-leadership-vote
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Governor Rauner and his hand-picked state GOP Chairman Timothy Schneider are declaring victory in Southern Illinois. But did they actually win? State party officials claim Southern Illinois Republicans voted for a new state central committeeman yesterday, replacing longtime incumbent, former legislator Bob Winchester of Rosiclare with State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). Rose supports Schneider for another four year term; Winchester does not. But county chairmen say an examination of the vote count shows Rose didn’t win and that the fix was in. They’re promising to challenge what they say are manipulated results. “Rauner’s people showed their true colors yesterday,” a source told SE Illinois News. “They’re glad to cheat to win.” “This has made us even more bitter” In the balance is one of 18 spots on the State Republican Party Central Committee, which governs the party and exerts influence up and down the ballot. On Wednesday, GOP precinct committeemen voted to elect their county chairmen and the state central committee members, who will convene in May to choose a party chairman. Schneider recruited Rose to challenge Winchester, a Rauner critic representing Southern IIlinois’ 15 Congressional District, which includes 33 counties. Winchester supported State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) in the March primary. “Many of us were already bitter and this has made us even more bitter,” Rhonda Belford, Hardin County GOP Chair, told SE Illinois News. “Bob Winchester stood tall for southern Illinois and all of Illinois, and this is how they treat him.” Belford said that some of her fellow county chairmen were offered financial rewards by Schneider. Others were threatened with retribution if they didn’t support Rose over Winchester. “They know not what they do,” she said. “This is all about money, but it’s the wrong kind of money, and in the end it’s probably not going to win them the race anyway.” Winner takes all? Mark Shaw, State Central Committeeman from Lake County’s 10th congressional district, said that he is concerned that some counties may have voted by acclamation, a procedural move that would have given Rose 100 percent of the vote when he may have received just over 50 percent. Shaw, who grew up in Mt. Carmel in Wabash County, said that voting by acclamation could be a violation of state law and some legal action may be in order. Results do show that Winchester received zero votes in nine of 33 counties, including four of the ten most populated, a result that Shaw and others said would be an impossibility. Several counties, sources tell SE Illinois News, didn’t even offer Winchester as a candidate for consideration. In Fayette County, home to Rauner Downstate Director Randy Pollard, Winchester was not presented as an option, sources say. “Pollard asked for a voice vote by acclamation for Chapin (Rose) and just moved on,” a source said. “He didn’t even mention Winchester was a candidate, much less the incumbent.” Rose also received zero votes in 13 counties carried 100 percent by Winchester. In all, 22 of 33 counties voted by acclamation, representing 63 percent of Rose’s vote and 59 percent of Winchester’s. County votes are weighted based on their respective turn-out in the March primary. “There are a lot of irregularities here,” Shaw said. “We want to see the raw data on a precinct level presented to the party.” The Shimkus Machine Aides to U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) actively recruited Rose to challenge Winchester, offering to help him replace Shimkus in Congress when the opportunity presents itself, sources say. Sources in Madison County, Shimkus’ home which carries the second-largest weighted vote in the district, say that when they, too, voted by acclamation for Winchester, a lawyer volunteer for Shimkus present protested and said acclamation votes were not legal. Shimkus’ District Director, Deb Detmers Fansler, then threatened Madison County precinct committee members by phone. Madison County submitted each candidate’s vote totals to the state GOP, sources say, along with the caveat that they voted by acclamation to deliver all of them to Winchester, who won 59 percent of the actual vote. State GOP officials didn’t include Madison County’s acclamation vote in their official totals; it would have meant Winchester won re-election by 644 votes. Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland said he would push to see the actual vote data as well. “This was a very contentious election, and it’s important that we have full transparency in the results,” Cleveland said. “That means complete, precinct-level reporting that we can verify.”)
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pols high on marijuana legalization hope to clear the air on 4/20 pot ‘holiday’ – Tina Sfondeles (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/pols-high-on-marijuana-legalization-hope-to-clear-the-air-on-4-20-pot-holiday/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On Thursday, Healthy & Productive Illinois, a “marijuana policy group” that has argued against legalization, released its own study. The group argues it would cost the state $670.5 million a year to legalize pot, outweighing annual estimated tax revenue projections of about $566 million. They’re not the only ones not joining the party. Gov. Bruce Rauner told a Downstate TV station in December that it would be a “mistake” to legalize marijuana in Illinois. The Republican governor has, in the past, said he wants more studies on the “ramifications” in states that have legalized the drug. “I do not support legalizing marijuana. I think that’s a mistake. You know there’s a massive, human experiment going on in Colorado, and California, other places. We should see how that’s impacted lives and addiction and hurt young people before we make any decision about it here,” Rauner said in an interview on WSIL in Marion. “I do not support legalizing marijuana.” Still, Rauner instituted a medical marijuana pilot program that started doling out weed to patients in 2015. And Rauner last year signed a bill that decriminalized the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana, making it a ticketable offense subject to fines of $100 to $200.)
— Anti-cannabis group contends state would go to pot legalizing marijuana – Alexandra Arriaga (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/anti-cannabis-group-contends-state-would-go-to-pot-legalizing-marijuana/
— Babies OK in City Council, flowers and convicted aldermen not so much – Heather Cherone
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/babies-welcome-in-city-council-flowers-and-convicted-aldermen-not-so-much/
— Playboy runs a victory lap in Washington – Mona Charen
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/playboy-runs-a-victory-lap-in-washington/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Emanuel wins court ruling in sanctuary city lawsuit against Trump administration – John Byrne (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who run Chicago make it clear that they want to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-rahm-emanuel-sanctuary-city-ruling-20180419-story.html
— Downstate Republican’s third party governor bid poses new threat to Rauner – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-sam-mccann-illinois-governor-20180419-story.html
— Lake County sheriff Mark Curran talks mass shootings, the need for more resources for mental illness – Rick Kambic
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/libertyville/news/ct-lbr-school-community-safety-glmv-chamber-tl-0426-story.html
— As pay and benefits stagnate, nontenured faculty and graduate students in Illinois, Chicago look to unions – Dawn Rhodes
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-campus-labor-unrest-20180418-story.html
— Road to homeownership gets rockier this spring as rates rise – AP (DIERSEN: Mortgage rates were much higher when I took out mortgages in 1972, 1974, and 1976 and when my wife and I took out mortgages in 1978 and 1984. SEE: http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/pmms30.html)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-road-to-homeownership-20180418-story.html
— Some in GOP budge on recreational pot – Kurtis Lee (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20180419/281698320342311
— Senate allows babies in chamber despite concerns from older, male senators – Laurie Kellman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-senate-babies-chamber-duckworth-20180418-story.html
— Duckworth brings baby to Senate floor to send message to ‘working parents everywhere’ – Kate Thayer (DIERSEN: Of course, Duckworth would agree with my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who have demonized, denigrated, and condemned me since the 1980s because my wife and I gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents. Those who my wife and I sued during the 1980s had counted on us spending our money on raising children rather than on legal fees.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-tammy-duckworth-baby-senate-rules-change-0419-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— Kane County clerk wants disbanding Aurora Election Commission’s money – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180419/kane-county-clerk-wants-disbanding-aurora-election-commissions-money-
— Jeb Bush: Time to challenge ‘bad behavior’ in politics – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180419/jeb-bush-time-to-challenge-bad-behavior-in-politics
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Bush offered his own prescription for challenging a “poisonous” political environment that he said is “disproportionately located in ZIP codes around Washington, D.C.” “First, voters should penalize rather than reward politicians irrespective of their party that use racist language or call people Nazis or disparage the disabled or make fun of people in order to push someone down to make themselves look better,” he said to loud applause. “That should be a penalty.” Public figures, Bush said, should be held to a higher ethical standard, regardless of party allegiance. “Bad behavior and the kind of language that we accept today, or the kind of actions that we find intolerable for someone we don’t agree with, should have the exact same response to someone that’s on your team,” he said. ” … Right now, we’re so hyperpartisan that if it’s a Democrat doing something outrageous, Republicans are just righteously there to attack, but if it’s a Republican, you hear nothing and vice versa. “To challenge this notion, sometimes bad behavior is just bad behavior.”)
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Will McCann take votes away from Rauner—or Pritzker? – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180419/BLOGS02/180419816/will-mccann-take-votes-away-from-rauner-or-pritzker
— Chicago teen gun ownership rises even as it falls in L.A., N.Y. – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180419/BLOGS02/180419821/chicago-teen-gun-ownership-rises-even-as-it-falls-in-l-a-n-y
ABC7
— Racially derogatory social media posts lead to drug arrest of Harvard man
http://abc7chicago.com/racially-derogatory-social-media-posts-lead-to-drug-arrest-of-harvard-man-/3366819/
— Sen. Duckworth makes history, casts vote with baby on Senate floor – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/sen-duckworth-makes-history-casts-vote-with-baby-on-senate-floor/3367107/
CBS2
— Parkland Survivor Seeks More Minority Input In #NeverAgain Movement – Jim Williams
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/04/19/parkland-survivor-mei-ling-ho-shing-never-again-movement/
WLS AM
— McCann hoping to win over Jeanne Ives supporters – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/04/19/mccann-hoping-to-win-over-jeanne-ives-supporters/
WTTW
— Third Candidate Enters Race for Illinois Governor – Paris Schutz
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/04/19/third-candidate-enters-race-illinois-governor
JOURNAL TOPICS
— Morrison Ready For Uphill Battle Against Schneider In Cook County Board Race Republican Incumbent Has Campaign Cash Advantage; Democrat Hoping For Blue Wave – Tom Robb
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/morrison-ready-for-uphill-battle-against-schneider-in-cook-county-board-race/
HERALD & REVIEW
— State Sen. Sam McCann of Plainview launches independent bid for governor
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/crime-and-courts/state-sen-sam-mccann-of-plainview-launches-independent-bid-for/article_ce02e1d7-6049-5ac4-bcb4-47d69dbed29f.html
DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Public employee tally: Bottom 100 townships in Illinois
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511369314-public-employee-tally-bottom-100-townships-in-illinois
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Milton, Downers Grove and Naperville employ the fewest government workers per capita among townships in Illinois, according to 2017 Illinois State Comptroller financial reports.)
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Shannon Teresi Gets GOP Fall Ballot Nod for McHenry County Auditor
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/19/shannon-teresi-gets-gop-fall-ballot-nod-mchenry-county-auditor/
— Observer Kicked Out of McHenry County Democratic Party Convention
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/18/observer-kicked-mchenry-county-democratic-party-convention/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IL GOP RELEASES LIST OF THOSE ELECTED WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/04/il-gop-releases-list-of-those-elected-wednesday-night-to-the-state-central-committee.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Illinois Republican Party has just released the list of those elected Wednesday night to the State Central Committee. Changes took place in four of the 18 CDs: Bob Grogan in the 6th, Mark Hosty in the 7th, Char Foss-Eggeman in the 9th and Chapin Rose in the 15th. Word is the 15th CD race may be disputed, but overall, the SCC leans more conservative post-election.)
CAPITOL FAX
— McCann denies he resigned from the SGOP caucus, threatens legal action over access to “key resources”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/19/mccann-denies-he-resigned-from-the-sgop-caucus-threatens-legal-action-over-access-to-key-resources/
— Pritzker camp responds *** Rauner campaign claims Dem shenanigans with McCann
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/19/rauner-campaign-claims-dem-shenanigans-with-mccann/
EAGLE FORUM
— On April 20, Weed Out Marijuana Four Twenty is a Dangerous Day – Anne Schlafly Cori
http://eagleforum.org/publications/press-releases/on-april-20-weed-out-marijuana.html
GOPUSA
— Forget Reading, Writing and Arithmetic! Protest, Baby!
http://www.gopusa.com/forget-reading-writing-and-arithmetic-protest-baby/
POLITICO
— OUTRAGEOUS: Appeals court rules against Trump policy punishing sanctuary cities – JOSH GERSTEIN
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/19/appeals-court-ruling-trump-sanctuary-cities-537823
NBC NEWS
— New third party candidate could be a headache for Rauner in IL-GOV
https://www.nbcnews.com/card/new-third-party-candidate-could-be-headache-rauner-il-gov-n867516
CNN
— The typical Amazon employee makes less than you think – Seth Fiegerman
http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/19/technology/amazon-employee-salary/index.html
NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Whites demonize, denigrate, and condemn Whites.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/opinion/history-white-power.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Giuliani says he is joining Trump’s legal team to ‘negotiate an end’ to Mueller probe – Robert Costa and Josh Dawsey
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/giuliani-says-he-is-joining-trumps-legal-team-to-negotiate-an-end-to-mueller-probe/2018/04/19/b175fc10-4411-11e8-8569-26fda6b404c7_story.html
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Why Asking About Current Pay Is the New Taboo for Prospective Employers New laws around the U.S. are trying to close wage gaps in the workforce – Kelsey Gee
https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-employers-avoid-salary-history-questions-when-hiring-new-workers-1524067909
— Is the GOP the Party of Trump? – Daniel Henninger
https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-the-gop-the-party-of-trump-1524091461
USA TODAY
— DHS: All we want to do is read the news Department of Homeland Security just wants a ‘news clip’ company to aggregate stories from around the world: Opposing view – Tyler Q. Houlton
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/04/18/dhs-news-service-editorials-debates/33962875/
— Financial stress is rising for low- and middle-income U.S. households – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/04/18/financial-stress-higher-low-middle-income-americans/391061002/
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— Rauner’s Point Person on Legionnaires’ Makes $20K Monthly Gov. Bruce Rauner’s point person on the Legionnaires’ disease crisis at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy is making $20,000 a month. – AP
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2018-04-19/rauners-point-person-on-legionnaires-makes-20k-monthly
— Trump Administration Vows to Fight Injunction President Donald Trump’s administration has criticized a nationwide injunction preventing it from withholding public safety grants from cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement policies. – AP
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2018-04-19/the-latest-chicago-claims-victory-in-immigration-lawsuit
GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Agencies Must Change Their Recruiting Strategies – Meroe Park and Abby Cashman (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://www.govexec.com/excellence/promising-practices/2018/04/agencies-must-change-their-recruiting-strategies/147565/
FEDERAL TIMES
— OMB director eyes redistribution of federal pay – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. They want to redistribute pay a) away from their employees who are Republican, and especially away from those who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and b) toward their employees who are Democrat, and especially toward those who are minority, female, and/pr younger.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/pay-benefits/2018/04/19/omb-director-eyes-redistribution-of-federal-pay/
CORVETTE MUSEUM
— 2019 CORVETTE ZR1 TO PACE 102ND INDIANAPOLIS 500
http://www.corvettemuseum.org/2019-corvette-zr1-to-pace-102nd-indianapolis-500/
