ABC7
— JB Pritzker signs 2 executive orders on first day as governor – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/jb-pritzker-signs-2-executive-orders-on-first-day-as-governor/5085005/
— Government shutdown 2019: Federal employees feel effects of working without pay, citizens worried about trickle down effects – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/government-shutdown-forces-thousands-to-work-without-pay-many-worry-about-trickle-down-effects/5075957/
NBC5
— On First Day, Pritzker Grants Raises to Some State Union Employees The move raised questions from critics about how the state will afford it – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pritzker-first-day-pay-raises-some-state-union-employees-504393201.html
— Pritzker Gives Democrats Near-Record Power in Illinois – John O’Connor
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/pritzker-gives-democrats-near-record-power-in-illinois-504366611.html
CBS2
— DuPage County Board Votes To Dissolve Election Commission
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/01/15/dupage-county-election-commission-board-dissolve/
FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Pritzker restores wage increases, signs pay equity order – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/pritzker-restores-wage-increases-signs-pay-equity-order
— IRS recalling 46K workers from furlough to handle tax refunds without pay – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/facebook-instant/irs-recalling-46k-workers-from-furlough-to-handle-tax-refunds-without-pay
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DuPage board votes 11-7 to immediately dissolve election commission, despite clerk’s push to wait till after April election – Alicia Fabbre
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-ecn-dupage-election-merger-debate-st-0116-story.html
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker approves pro-labor measure on first full day in office, contrasting with Bruce Rauner – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-bruce-rauner-labor-transparency-20190115-story.html
— ‘Where will the money come from? Rich people,’ Chicago Teachers Union says as it seeks increased pay, staffing in contract – Juan Perez Jr.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-teachers-union-contract-demands-20190115-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers, including 13 Chicago mayoral candidates, push pot.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-legalizing-recreational-marijuana-pot-caution-0116-20190115-story.html
— From free lunches to museum tickets, here’s how Chicago businesses are helping furloughed federal workers – Robert Channick
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-shutdown-federal-workers-help-chicago-20190114-story.html
— At Tribune meeting, five Chicago mayoral candidates duck specifics on how to fill pension hole – Bill Ruthhart
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chicago-mayors-race-editorial-board-20190115-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater promotes Kasich.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-john-kasich-2020-president-trump-gop-candidate-0116-20190115-story.html
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker restores state worker pay boosts, but says little about cost – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pritzker-restores-state-worker-pay-boosts-cost-afscme-inaugural-ball/
— Teachers union seeks 5 percent raises, says ‘rich people’ will pay for them – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ctu-teachers-union-contract-proposal-teachers-public-schools-strike-sharkey-emanuel/
DAILY HERALD
— Split vote, but DuPage disbands election commission – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190115/split-vote-but-dupage-disbands-election-commission
— Lake County ends retirement plan contributions for board members – Mick Zawislak
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190115/lake-county-ends-retirement-plan-contributions-for-board-members
— ‘Stymied’ by Lawlor case, Lake County Board to seek power to remove leaders – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190115/stymied-by-lawlor-case-lake-county-board-to-seek-power-to-remove-leaders
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker’s pension silence speaks volumes Early in his inaugural speech, the new governor emphasized the need for a “collective commitment to embracing hard choices.” Then he ducked the hardest—and most important—choice he’ll face. – JOE CAHILL
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/joe-cahill-business/pritzkers-pension-silence-speaks-volumes
— Crain’s Notable Chicago LGBTQ Executives Nearly 100 people attended our inaugural event on Jan. 10.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/news/crains-notable-chicago-lgbtq-executives
WTTW
— As Trump Mulls National Emergency, 31 Active Emergencies Continue – Evan Garcia
https://news.wttw.com/2019/01/15/trump-mulls-national-emergency-31-active-emergencies-continue
HERALD & REVIEW
— Central Illinois Republicans wary but hopeful in the era of Pritzker – TOM LISI (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which individuals, organizations, companies, and governments should be wary in the era of Pritzker? ANSWER: Those that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/central-illinois-republicans-wary-but-hopeful-in-the-era-of/article_589c47dd-2ebd-5cba-84af-109d36e29340.html
SUBURBAN LIFE
— Shutdown is the topic of Casten’s town hall meeting – Susan O’Neill
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2019/01/15/shutdown-is-the-topic-of-castens-town-hall-meeting/awejzy/
CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Shutting Down Lincoln Yards Was Aldermanic Privilege at its Finest And the Burke scandal, the unwritten rule at its worst. – EDWARD MCCLELLAND (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who seek/get government/political offices so that they can use the power of those offices a) to reward those who glorify and praise them, pander to them, give them money, and/or serve as their operatives/dues and b) to punish those who do NOT glorify and praise them, pander to them, give them money, and/or serve as their operatives/dues?)
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/January-2019/Shutting-Down-Lincoln-Yards-Was-Aldermanic-Privilege-at-its-Finest/
DUPAGE COUNTY
— DuPage County Consolidates Election Commission into County Clerk’s Office
https://www.dupageco.org/Content.aspx?id=59870
DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Jeanne Ives decries lame duck pay hike for bureaucrats – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511721040-jeanne-ives-decries-lame-duck-pay-hike-for-bureaucrats
— Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell to speak at DuPage GOP dinner – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511721242-fox-news-political-analyst-gianno-caldwell-to-speak-at-dupage-gop-dinner
ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— After veto from Rauner, lawmaker David McSweeney plans to re-file consolidation bill again this spring – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/after-veto-from-rauner-lawmaker-plans-to-re-file-consolidation/article_3212dc34-1852-11e9-b835-77f52c33276d.html
AMERICANS FOR TRUTH ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY
— Americans for Truth Live Debut Webcast – Peter LaBarbera
https://americansfortruth.com/2019/01/14/americans-for-truth-live-1-14-2019/
CAPITOL FAX
— Pritzker signs EO on pay bias and theft, signs prevailing wage bill, starts process to reinstate step increases (DIERSEN: Have you gotten step increases? I got many step increases while I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always been furious about that. Step increases recognize the experience that you gain and the additional responsibilities that you are given. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always demonized, denigrated, and condemned the experience that I gained and the additional responsibilities that I was given during the almost 30 years that I worked for the federal government.)
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/15/pritzker-signs-eo-on-pay-bias-and-theft-sings-prevailing-wage-bill-starts-process-to-reinstate-step-increases/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Steps: Today, the state will initiate a process to bring state employees to their appropriate salary step level. Under this measure, union employees, many of whom have not received step increases since 2015, will be placed at their appropriate step for purposes of their pay going forward. This action does not address significant outstanding issues, including backpay. The administration will continue to work toward solutions to manage taxpayer resources effectively and compensate state employees fairly.)
WASHINGTON TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Illinois governor vows to work toward marijuana legalization in inaugural address – Andrew Blake
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/15/illinois-governor-vows-work-toward-marijuana-legal/
BREITBART
— House Passes Resolution Rebuking Steve King, White Supremacy – Sean Moran (DIERSEN: How soon will the Democrats pass resolutions that condemn individuals, condemn organizations, condemn companies, condemn governments, and condemn countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/15/house-passes-resolution-rebuking-steve-king-white-supremacy/
— DOJ: Less than 3 Percent of Nation’s Prisoners Acquired Firearms at Retail Stores, Gun Shows – Awr Hawkins
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/15/doj-less-3-percent-nations-prisoners-acquired-firearms-retail-gun-shows/
— Pelosi Holds the Gavel but Minorities in the ‘Tri-Caucus’ Wield Power in Nancy’s House – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/14/pelosi-holds-the-gavel-but-minorities-in-the-tri-caucus-wield-power-in-nancys-house/
TOWNHALL
— Tantrums: Democrats Are Refusing to End the Shutdown by Boycotting Meetings at the White House – Katie Pavlich Katie Pavlich
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2019/01/15/president-trump-hosts-another-meeting-on-border-security-with-chuck-and-nancy-mia-n2539072
DAILY CALLER
— POLL: 75 PERCENT OF AMERICANS SUPPORT RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION – Grace Carr
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/15/abortion-poll-75-percent/
GOPUSA
— Razor Burn: Gillette lectures on ‘toxic masculinity’ in new ‘We Believe’ ad
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63440
— Iowa’s Steve King accused of racism, stripped of committee assignments
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63430
— Unaccompanied child immigration loophole releases MS-13 gang members
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63328
— New milestone in King County: Immigrant population tops 500,000 (DIERSEN: How soon will immigrants be the majority in America, in Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, in your municipality, in your precinct, and in your neighborhood? Democrats shout at immigrants that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, and bigots who should be gotten rid of once and for all.)
http://www.gopusa.com/new-milestone-in-king-county-immigrant-population-tops-500000/
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— DNC Withdraws Its Sponsorship of the Women’s March – Jeffrey Cimmino
https://freebeacon.com/politics/dnc-withdraws-sponsorship-of-womens-march/
— Senate Democrats Frustrated Over Ocasio-Cortez Becoming Face of Democratic Party – Cameron Cawthorne
https://freebeacon.com/politics/senate-democrats-frustrated-over-ocasio-cortez-becoming-face-of-democratic-party/
THE HILL
— House passes resolution condemning white nationalism – CRISTINA MARCOS (DIERSEN: How soon will the Democrats pass resolutions that condemn individuals, condemn organizations, condemn companies, condemn governments, and condemn countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/425457-house-passes-resolution-condemning-white-nationalism
— Poll: A majority of Americans support raising the top tax rate to 70 percent – Matthew Sheffield (DIERSEN: At what income level do those who support the 70 percent rate to kick in – $100,000, $50,000, $25,000?)
https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/425422-a-majority-of-americans-support-raising-the-top-tax-rate-to-70
— Democrats turn down White House invitation for shutdown talks – JORDAN FABIAN AND SCOTT WONG
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425425-democrats-turn-down-white-house-invitation-for-shutdown-talks
ROLL CALL
— House moves to protect federal interns from harassment and discrimination (DIERSEN: Were you an intern? GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinated did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 Step 1 (currently $32,978/year) intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They painted what GAO Analysts do as being a unique “trade or occupation.” They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.)
https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/house-moves-protect-federal-interns-harassment-discrimination
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The measure defines “intern” as an individual who performs uncompensated voluntary service in an agency to earn credit awarded by an educational institution or to learn a trade or occupation.)
CNN
— John Kasich joins CNN as political commentator after governorship – CHRIS WHITE
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/john-kasich-joins-cnn-as-political-commentator-after-governorship
WASHINGTON POST
— Trump administration recalls tens of thousands of federal workers as it seeks to blunt shutdown’s impact – Jeff Stein
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/15/irs-bring-back-more-than-half-workforce-despite-shutdown-warns-key-functions-will-go-unfulfilled/
— ‘The essence of involuntary servitude’: Federal unions sue the Trump administration to get paid for shutdown work
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/15/essence-involuntary-servitude-federal-unions-sue-trump-administration-get-paid-shutdown-work/
GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Cabinet Secretary Blasts Federal Union for Using Veterans as Shutdown ‘Pawns’ – Eric Katz
https://www.govexec.com/management/2019/01/cabinet-secretary-blasts-fed-union-using-veterans-shutdown-pawns/154153/
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
— Facebook Pledges $300 Million to Support Local News – Campbell Brown (DIERSEN: Facebook is a Democrat website. He who pays the piper calls the tunes.)
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/facebook-pledges-300-million-to-support-local-news/
