CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— JUNE 1, 2013 FLASHBACK: Lobbyist Jack Dorgan is new Illinois GOP party chairman – Monique Garcia (DIERSEN: I was there while “Each candidate had five minutes to sell themselves to members of the Republican State Central Committee before the group conducted closed door interviews.”)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-illinois-republican-gop-chairman-jack-dorgan-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Republican leaders on Saturday choose a lobbyist and Rosemont trustee to serve as state party chairman following several hours of closed door talks. Jack Dorgan’s selection follows the resignation of former chair Pat Brady, who came under fire for bucking the Republican platform when he announced his support for gay marriage. “We’ve had some growing pains right now, and we’re ready, we’re united, were going to move forward and show people there’s a two-party system (in Illinois),” said Dorgan, who was the favorite entering deliberations. Dorgan has long been involved in Republican politics, beginning as an aide to the late Rep. Roger McAuliffe, who long held the designation as the only Republican legislator from Chicago. Dorgan also served as deputy chief of staff to former House Speaker Lee Daniels and as an aide to Gov. Jim Thompson and director of the Liquor Control Commission under Gov. Jim Edgar. But Dorgan also has close ties to Illinois’ ruling Democrats. He founded a lobbying practice with James McPike, a former majority leader for House Speaker Michael Madigan, who doubles as Illinois Democratic Party chairman. The firm’s clients include Ameren, AT&T, Fairmount Park race track, the Illinois Hospital Association and the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association, a group formerly headed by Bill Cellini, who is now serving prison time after being convicted of federal corruption charges. Other finalists for the position included Hinsdale businessman Jim Nalepa; Angel Garcia, head of the Chicago Young Republicans; Lake Forest attorney Mark Shaw; Springfield lawyer Don Tracy; Chicago attorney Lori Yokoyama and former congressman and tea party activist Joe Walsh. Each candidate had five minutes to sell themselves to members of the Republican State Central Committee before the group conducted closed door interviews. Deliberations were not open to the public, but officials said Dorgan won after the first round of balloting.)
— Cook County clerk on how, when and where people voted — or didn’t vote — in March primary – Ted Slowik (DIERSEN: In your precinct, what do you think the main reasons are why a) registered Republican voters cast or did not cast Republican ballots, b) registered Democrat voters cast or did not cast Democrat ballots, c) unaffiliated voters cast or did not cast Republican or Democrat ballots, d) registered Republican voters changed their party affiliation by casting Democrat ballots, and e) registered Democrat voters changed their party affiliation by casting Republican ballots? Why do voters who cast Republican ballots vote for candidates in contested races, but not for candidates in uncontested races?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-slowik-post-election-report-st-0506-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Before the March gubernatorial primary fades into memory and voters focus on November, let’s take a moment to review a few details about the most recent election. This analysis comes courtesy of the office of distinguished public servant and retiring Cook County Clerk David Orr. His office on Wednesday released its post-election report for the March primary. Orr’s office is one of a handful of county clerks that provides the detailed post-mortem statistical analysis. The clerk’s website has post-election reports dating back to 2008. “We send it to a few friends,” Orr told me Friday. “If we get a good idea from somewhere else we adapt it. Every year we build on it.” The 110-page report is full of data about voter behavior, trends and historical analysis. For some, this dense study might seem like a cure for insomnia. But political geeks can discover compelling nuggets about when, how and where people voted — or didn’t vote. The March primary saw record-breaking or near-record setting marks in the number of registered voters, voters who took part in the election, the percentage of voters who participated in early voting and the overall turnout rate, the report said. “There are some fascinating findings,” Orr told me. “One result was the amazing percentage of Democratic ballots versus Republican ballots.” In March, 76 percent of suburban Cook County voters pulled Democratic ballots. That ties with the February 2008 primary for the highest percentage in the past 24 years. The lowest rate of Democratic ballots pulled since 1994 was in March 2014, at just 45 percent. “I don’t think it’s a case of Republicans not voting so much as it is greater numbers of Democrats turning out,” Orr said. “You had hot races for governor in both parties and several other hot contests.” Statewide, incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner eked out a narrow win over challenger Jeanne Ives in the Republican primary. Rauner won with about 52 percent of the vote — an unexpectedly close margin of about 20,000 votes. Rauner carried suburban Cook County by about 10,000 votes, though Ives, a state representative from Wheaton, won in Bremen, Lemont, Thornton and Worth townships. Orr’s post-election report is a deep dive that might give voters in some south suburbs and their party leaders a chance to brag about the success of their ability to get out the vote.)
— No wonder Illinois is struggling — lawmakers are calling in their votes – Patrick McDaniel, Decatur
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-illinois-general-assembly-voting-congress-20180504-story.html
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers push pot. How much money is the Chicago Sun-Times taking from pot pushers?
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/pot-topics-businesses-relax-policies-on-pot-trudeau-vows-to-legalize/
— Chicago Police drones at rallies smack of Red Squad snooping
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/police-drones-surveillance-red-squad-illinois-law/
DAILY HERALD
— MAY 13, 2014 FLASHBACK: Illinois GOP leader Dorgan says he won’t seek another term – Mike Riopell
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140512/news/140519516/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Republican Party Chairman Jack Dorgan of Rosemont won’t run for another term and will back Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider of Bartlett to replace him, he announced Monday. Dorgan, a Rosemont village trustee and Springfield lobbyist, said he’s joining Republican Bruce Rauner’s campaign for governor to co-chair the Winnetka businessman’s finance committee. The Republican State Central Committee is set to pick a new chairman Saturday in Springfield. Dorgan sits on that committee representing the 5th Congressional District. Blair Garber of Evanston, who sits on the committee from the 9th Congressional District, is the only other candidate. But Schneider’s backing from both Rauner and Dorgan gives him a clear advantage going into Saturday’s vote. “It has been my great honor to lead the Illinois Republican Party as chairman over the last year, helping position our candidates across Illinois for an incredible victory this November,” Dorgan said in a statement. Dorgan was first elected to the post a year ago following the resignation of Pat Brady of St. Charles, who was nearly ousted from the job after lobbying state lawmakers to vote for same-sex marriage. Dorgan released his statement jointly with Rauner, whose success or failure at the top of the ticket against Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn is likely to be linked to the party’s fate statewide in November. The party’s chairman is tasked with raising money and trying to help its candidates win in November, a big task for a volunteer job in a state that’s leaned Democratic statewide in recent years. The GOP in Illinois has targeted the governor’s race as its top priority.)
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— MAY 13, 2014 FLASHBACK: Rauner’s revealing move to replace Illinois GOP chairman
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140513/BLOGS02/140519950/rauners-revealing-move-to-replace-illinois-gop-chairman
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Bruce Rauner has played his cards incredibly close to the vest since winning the GOP gubernatorial nomination, disclosing almost nothing about who will be on his team, how he’d balance the budget and what his governance style would be. But we may have learned a few things from his decision to oust Jack Dorgan as Illinois GOP chairman and replace him with Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider. The first thing we learned is that, for a zillionaire used to getting his way, Mr. Rauner sometimes can act with a minimum of fingerprints. Though Crain’s (via an AP story) and other outlets reported this morning that Mr. Dorgan had chosen not to seek a new term as chairman and instead would become co-chair of Mr. Rauner’s finance team, the truth is that he was pushed. Multiple party sources report that Team Rauner was concerned that it didn’t look very good that the state party was headed by a registered lobbyist with an A-list of clients — or that, at a time when incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn is under fire for alleged patronage abuses, Mr. Dorgan had held top political jobs with former Govs. Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar. So squeaky-clean was in and the political warhorse was out. Good for Mr. Dorgan for getting the message and not putting up a fight. But we certainly learned that Mr. Rauner is capable of decisive actions that pull the plug. I think we also discovered that Mr. Rauner is loyal — particularly to people who emulate his mode of politics of being socially moderate and fiscally conservative. BIG EARLY BACKER Mr. Schneider didn’t return my call today. But he was an early, big backer of the Rauner candidacy, and he’s really tight — he once tried to block creation of a county film office as frivolous spending — without having developed a reputation as a social-issues crusader. It also doesn’t hurt a bit that he cuts a nice figure on TV, a crucial skill in this media-driven age. Meanwhile, in statements, Mr. Rauner is praising Mr. Dorgan as “an extraordinary chairman,” and Mr. Dorgan said the party is “firing on all cylinders and ready to deliver a new direction to the people of Illinois.” Mr. Schneider does have one opponent in the vote set for May 17: Blair Garber, the committeeman from the North Side/north suburban 9th District. But I’d be surprised if there was much of a fight. Gubernatorial nominees by tradition get to remake their party. And if this nominee becomes governor, we may have learned a couple of things about how he’d remake Illinois.)
HERALD & REVIEW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers use the “opioid crisis” to push pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-bill-would-use-medical-marijuana-to-fight-opioids/article_ed476ac8-045a-5220-80d6-b0198e7d590f.html
KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
— Youth riot at Illinois Youth Center-St. Charles caused serious injury – BRENDA SCHORY
http://www.kcchronicle.com/2018/05/04/youth-riot-at-illinois-youth-center-st-charles-caused-serious-injury/de297mv/
TIMES
— Senate bill strikes a heavy blow against local control – Editorial (DIERSEN: To encourage people to drink booze, to gamble, to smoke pot, and/or to engage in other destructive activities is to encourage people to harm themselves and to become wards of the state.)
http://www.mywebtimes.com/2018/05/04/our-view-senate-bill-strikes-a-heavy-blow-against-local-control/amfpfq1/
GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: Who says “Most (ILLEGAL) immigrants abide by laws?” ANSWER: Those who 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, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
http://www.galesburg.com/opinion/20180504/esther-cepeda-most-immigrants-abide-by-laws
CITY CLUB OF CHICAGO
— VIDEO: The Open-Government Movement – Adam Andrzejewski
https://www.cityclub-chicago.org/video/1291/the-open-government-movement
ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois residents still struggling with poverty – Cole Lauterbach (DIERSEN: What do you say to those individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that a) work the hardest to blame poverty on Republicans, b) work the hardest to bring poverty-stricken people to Illinois, to your county, to your township/ward, to your municipality, and to your precinct, and c) work the hardest to keep poverty-stricken people in Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, in your municipality, and in your precinct?)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/economy/illinois-residents-still-struggling-with-poverty/article_77529a04-4e32-11e8-b9ff-0b88b5bd0253.html
ILLINOIS HOMEPAGE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, booze pushers push booze.
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/illinois-gives-alcohol-a-trial-run/1160528170
ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— LGBTQ Roots in Legal Weed Campaign Run Deep – Pat Hickey
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/04/lgbtq-roots-in-legal-weed-campaign-run-deep/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— MAY 12, 2014 FLASHBACK: DORGAN OUT AS ILGOP CHAIR. ENDORSES TIM SCHNEIDER FOR POSITION.
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2014/05/il-gop-chairman-dorgan-not-to-seek-re-election.html
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Fence-Climbing Illegal Aliens Cut in Line as Legal Immigrants Wait in Obscurity – DEROY MURDOCK
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/05/legal-immigrants-vs-illegal-immigrants-cutting-line/
CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
— Broken promise: Trump admin surrenders to caravan and drug cartels – Daniel Horowitz
https://www.conservativereview.com/articles/broken-promise-trump-admin-surrenders-caravan-drug-cartels/
BREITBART
— DHS Promises ‘Zero Tolerance’ for Illegal Migrants – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2018/05/04/dhs-promises-zero-tolerance-for-migrants/
— Paul Gosar: Prosecute Attorneys ‘Aiding’ Caravan at Border – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/04/exclusive-paul-gosar-prosecute-attorneys-aiding-caravan-at-border/
BLAZE
— Neil Cavuto stuns Fox News viewers with scathing rebuke – here’s what he said – Carlos Garcia
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/05/04/neil-cavuto-stuns-fox-news-viewers-with-scathing-rebuke-heres-what-he-said
— University warns ‘non-Mexican’ students against ‘cultural appropriation’ on Cinco de Mayo – Carlos Garcia
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/05/04/university-warns-non-mexican-students-against-cultural-appropriation-on-cinco-de-mayo
REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Black America, Face the Facts on Illegal Immigration – Aubrey Shines (DIERSEN: Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs want Blacks to see immigrants as part of a massive coalition to get rid of Republicans.)
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2018/05/04/black_america_face_the_facts_on_illegal_immigration_136979.html
CAMPUS REFORM
— Vocal group reported to PC police for mariachi-themed flyer – Nikita Vladimirov
https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10864
NEW YORK TIMES
— Public Servants Do Get Student Loan Forgiveness. Meet One of the First. – Ron Lieber (DIERSEN: Did you take out student loans? I did not. What if I had taken out student loans INSTEAD OF paying for my education expenses with money that I earned when I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997? I spent lots of money that I earned and saved doing the aforesaid jobs to earn a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970, b) job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, and c) job-related professional certifications when I was 30 and 32.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/your-money/student-loan-forgiveness.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: n theory, millions of borrowers are eligible to have their debts forgiven after a decade of public-service work. In practice, the program has produced a litany of frustrations. . .The forgiveness program seemed simple at first glance: Work 10 years as a public servant and the federal government will forgive your loans. But deep, repeated, near-Talmudic parsing of the words revealed the following: Borrowers need to be in exactly the right kind of federal student loan. They need to be in the right kind of repayment plan. They need to pay on time in exactly the right way. And their full-time work has to qualify as proper public service.)
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Politics in the Pews: Anti-Trump Activism Is Reviving Protestant Churches—at a Cost A push toward activism among liberal Christian denominations is reshaping traditional worship and splitting congregations – Ian Lovett (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will all “religious leaders” in America officially promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, retaliation, and other terrible things? How soon, if not already, will all religions officially become arms of the Democrat, Libertarian, Green, and/or Muslim parties? How soon, if not already, will “religious leaders” call for America to get rid of all its citizens, organizations, companies, and governments that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-in-the-pews-politics-is-convulsing-mainline-churches-1525445467
BIZPAC REVIEW
— Rick Perry lets Congress know GAO’s new definition of office ‘furnishings’ is absurd, reviews Obama’s list
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2018/05/05/rick-perry-lets-congress-know-gaos-new-definition-of-office-furnishings-is-absurd-reviews-obamas-list-631489
WFTV
— TRAGIC: Mormon support for gay marriage gradually grows – AP
https://www.wftv.com/news/mormon-support-for-gay-marriage-gradually-grows/743964250
YAHOO NEWS
— Jay Leno drives the new Corvette ZR1 over 200 mph – George Back
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jay-leno-drives-new-corvette-zr1-200-mph-063014426.html
