August 17 Evening Edition

ABC7
— DNC kickoff: Illinois Democrats rally behind Joe Biden, Kamala Harris as virtual convention begins – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/dnc-kickoff-illinois-democrats-rally-behind-biden-harris/6374865/
— Chicago police defend response to weekend protest clash downtown as protesters demand apology CPD, protesters release video of clash – Alexis McAdams
https://abc7chicago.com/cpd-defends-response-to-weekend-protest/6373822/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-8/17/2020
— Jussie Smollett update: Special prosecutor releases findings on Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s handling o ‘Empire’ actor’s case
https://abc7chicago.com/special-prosecutor-releases-findings-on-handling-of-jussie-smollett-case/6374093/
— Illinois COVID-19: IL reports 1,773 new coronavirus cases, 12 deaths Gov. Pritzker, IDPH announce new COVID-19 mitigation efforts beginning Tuesday
https://abc7chicago.com/health/illinois-covid-19-il-reports-1773-new-coronavirus-cases-12-deaths/6374262/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-8/17/2020
— Chicago fire academy closed due to COVID-19 outbreak, CFD says – Eric Horng
https://abc7chicago.com/health/covid-19-outbreak-shuts-down-chicago-fire-academy/6374812/
— Chicago looting arrests: 7 face charges in connection to stolen merchandise, CPD says Latrell Allen due in court on charges for attempted murder of two Chicago police officers
https://abc7chicago.com/7-charged-in-connection-to-recent-chicago-looting-cpd/6374205/
— Democrats claim ‘big tent’ for first convention in pandemic (DIERSEN: Far too many Republican organizations, including the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization, allow people to hold leadership positions who reject many, if not most, of the planks in the Republican Party platform, most commonly, the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. The aforesaid leaders focus on driving conservatives out of the Republican Party, that is, they focus on driving the base of the Republican Party out of the Republican Party. Further, they focus on driving those who have the following demographics out of the Republican Party: Trump supporter, White, male, older, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/election-2020/ct-nw-democratic-national-convention-updates-20200817-wthdvi7lqze7zb456gvgrctamq-story.html

NBC5
— How Republicans Plan to Counter Democrats’ Big Week The Trump campaign has been struggling to land a punch on Biden
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/how-republicans-plan-to-counter-democrats-big-week/2323995/
— Will County Contact Tracers Met With ‘Disturbing Mixed Bag of Attitudes’: Health Dept. Will County joined 13 others in reaching a coronavirus “warning level” Friday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/will-county-contact-tracers-met-with-disturbing-mixed-bag-of-attitudes/2323830/

CBS2
— Unrest In Chicago Not Without Precedent, But May Continue According To Social Media Posts – Dana Kozlov
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/08/17/unrest-in-chicago-not-without-precedent-but-may-continue-according-to-social-media-posts/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Police announce a half dozen looting charges
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/police-announce-a-half-dozen-looting-charges
— 64 shot, 6 fatally, across Chicago this weekend
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/64-shot-6-fatally-across-chicago-this-weekend

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— At virtual Democratic convention, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says Trump is mounting a ‘full-out assault’ on Postal Service, election and democracy – BILL RUTHHART and RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lori-lightfoot-vote-by-mail-postal-service-20200817-2gde2llarfdo5nkq37wnos4sie-story.html
— Postal Service warns last-minute Illinois ballot requests may not be turned around fast enough to be counted – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-postal-service-voting-illinois-20200817-g6vat5fosfcjtimeoacb35b55e-story.html
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 1,773 new known COVID-19 cases and 12 more deaths reported as state orders stricter rules for bars in area outside St. Louis
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-covid-19-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200817-6tvkhjnw6jfztohkojlksnt7d4-story.html
— ‘Nobody to toast to victory with’: Illinois Democratic National Convention delegation will cheer Joe Biden over President Trump from home – BILL RUTHHART and RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-democratic-national-convention-illinois-delegates-milwaukee-20200817-p4xejd44afc3npuyuw5kmnbfre-story.html
— How Kamala Harris’ family in India helped shape her values – JEFFREY GETTLEMAN AND SUHASINI RAJ (DIERSEN: Who shaped your values? My outstanding parents and grandparents shaped my values. My parents had me baptized, raised me, and had me confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran (MSL). They sent me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete 1953-1961 and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest 1961-1962 to stay with the MSL.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/featured/sns-nyt-kamala-harris-family-india-shaped-values-20200817-g456uskzsbd3piqfc27aaaatfm-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ‘Trumpocrat’ Blagojevich to stump for GOP state Senate hopeful Tom McCullagh next week — and, yes, Republican leaders call it ‘a bad idea’ The self-declared “Trumpocrat” will headline an Aug. 27 fundraiser in St. Charles, six months after Blagojevich was freed with a commutation from his former reality television boss. – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/8/17/21372825/blagojevich-fundraiser-republican-trump-gop-tom-mccullagh-republican-convention
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot in spotlight with Joe Biden at Democratic convention Monday Lightfoot’s panel with Biden on racial and social justice will be televised at about 8:30 p.m. CT. – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2020/8/17/21371262/mayor-lori-lightfoot-spotlight-joe-biden-democratic-national-convention-monday
— CTA, Metra and Pace are trying to get nervous riders back on board Get the latest news on how COVID-19 is impacting Chicago and Illinois. Follow here for live updates.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/8/17/21371891/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020
— Chicago cops are retiring at ‘unheard of’ twice the usual rate Michael Lappe, vice president of the police pension fund, says 59 officers are retiring in August and 51 next month — ‘double the average number of retirees each month.’ – Frank Main and Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/8/17/21372795/chicago-police-department-retirements-policemens-annuity-benefit-fund-michael-lappe
— Lightfoot accuses Trump of starving Postal Service to drive down mail-in votes “Because of the failure of this administration to keep Americans safe from COVID-19, we are wisely encouraging people to vote by mail,” the mayor said, adding that “we cannot allow this administration to undermine the postal service.” – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/8/17/21372739/election-mail-in-ballots-voting-postal-service-trump-lightfoot-democratic-convention

DAILY HERALD
— Trump on the road as Biden prepares for convention show – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200817/news/308179911/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Madigan says it one more time: He ain’t quitting The House speaker and state party chair releases a statement rejecting calls from fellow Democrats to resign. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/madigan-says-it-one-more-time-he-aint-quitting

WBBM
— Illinois Gov. Pritzker Calls Trump ‘Utterly Incompetent’ At Pre-Convention Rally “Over 168,000 Americans are dead because of his failure to lead…” – CRAIG DELLIMORE
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/illinois-delegates-hold-rally-ahead-of-virtual-dnc

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day? Bloomington council to consider it – Analisa Trofimuk (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will Bloomington consider officially replacing its residents who are Republican, conservative, White, male, older, non-poor, Christian, Italian American, and/or citizens of America with residents who are Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Independent, RINO, moderate, liberal, minority, female, younger, poor, non-Christian, non-Italian American, and/or citizens of foreign countries?)
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/replace-columbus-day-with-indigenous-peoples-day-bloomington-council-to-consider-it/article_15ae2d93-2d9e-5bba-8782-0cb029fcdef0.html

SOUTHERN
— Redistricting reformers seek to change to mapping process in Illinois – REBECCA ANZEL
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/redistricting-reformers-seek-to-change-to-mapping-process-in-illinois/article_844e2ad1-4534-56c5-974a-220e00ee5055.html

CENTER SQUARE
— Could outbreaks in county clerk’s offices hamper November election? – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/could-outbreaks-in-county-clerk-s-offices-hamper-november-election/article_f96a2ae8-e0b1-11ea-88c6-d3bd4a6308f0.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump counters Biden with law-and-order message in Midwest – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-heads-to-midwest-as-dems-open-convention

THE FIRST WARD
— KANE COUNTY: SAME AS IT EVER WAS! – Jeff Ward
https://thefirstward.net/2020/08/10/the-first-ward-report-same-as-it-ever-was/
— KANE COUNTY: SAME AS IT EVER WAS – PART 2! – Jeff Ward
https://thefirstward.net/2020/08/12/the-first-ward-report-same-as-it-ever-was-part-2/
— KANE COUNTY: THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT SAUSAGE MAKING – PART 3! – Jeff Ward
https://thefirstward.net/2020/08/14/the-first-ward-report-the-process-of-government-sausage-making-part-3/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— “PUBLIC OFFICIAL A” MADIGAN HAS NO INTENTION OF RESIGNING
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/08/public-official-a-madigan-has-no-intention-of-resigning.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Republican legislative candidate Tom McCullagh denounced as “shameful” by opponent for touting Blagojevich appearance
https://capitolfax.com/2020/08/17/republican-legislative-candidate-denounced-as-shameful-by-opponent-for-touting-blagojevich-appearance/
— 1,773 new cases, 12 additional deaths, 1,544 people in the hospital, 4.2 percent positivity rate
https://capitolfax.com/2020/08/17/1773-new-cases-12-additional-deaths-1544-people-in-the-hospital-42-percent-positivity-rate/
— Republicans blast Pritzker for trying to lift Shakman decree (DIERSEN: My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors knew full-well a) that my wife had helped elect Thompson and b) that Thompson promoted patronage and political affiliation discrimination. (SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_v._Republican_Party_of_Illinois and http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html ) Because of the Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois decision, my U.S. Senators and their staff members and my U.S. Representatives and their staff members made it very clear that they did NOT want to hear my complaints about political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation in the federal government. All my critics/opponents, all their operatives and all their dupes promote patronage and political affiliation discrimination and reject the decision in Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois. My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors treated me like I was part of a plot to stop them from hiring, retaining, and promoting young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. They were fully aware of the arguments that Thompson, Jim Edgar, and Lee Daniels made in Rutan that government employers should be allowed to engage in patronage and political affiliation discrimination.)
https://capitolfax.com/2020/08/17/republicans-blast-pritzker-for-trying-to-lift-shakman-decrees/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Eleni Demertzis with the House Republicans…While Shakman and Rutan are two separate cases, they are intertwined in that both cases involve political influence in employment decisions. One involved seeking donations for keeping their jobs or avoiding disciplinary while the other dealt with hiring and firings due to political affiliation. In both instances, politics come into play when deciding what course of action to take. To remove one protection against political influence in state employment decisions at a time when a state-regulated company admitted in an official federal court document to hiring associates of an extremely high level legislative official in return for legislative action that has an estimated value of at least $150 million, is extremely short-sighted and ignores the unethical actions of Democratic state officials. It is naïve to think that just because ComEd was a private entity hiring associates of a state official, that it does not or would not happen with a governmental entity. If the Governor wants to call for the special session on ethics that we have been calling for, we can work together in a bipartisan nature to clean up the state and restore faith in our government. Otherwise, removing a protection from political influence in state employment decision-making will just further re-enforce to our constituents that it’s business as usual in spite of all the federal indictments.)
— Weekend protest roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/08/17/weekend-protest-roundup/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Biden-Harris administration would turn DOJ into Department of Social Justice – Ian Prior
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/17/biden-harris-administration-would-turn-doj-into-de/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Cuomo blames Trump for New York crime after rejecting federal assistance – Tiana Lowe
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/cuomo-blames-trump-for-new-york-crime-after-rejecting-federal-assistance
— Hopes to capture ‘silent Biden voters’: Three more Republicans to speak at Democratic convention – Naomi Lim
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/hopes-to-capture-silent-biden-voters-three-more-republicans-to-speak-at-democratic-convention
— Trump nearly tied with Biden in 15-state battleground poll – Emily Larsen
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-nearly-tied-with-biden-in-15-state-battleground-poll

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Biden Approaches 500 Days Without a Boat Parade as MAGA Boaters Smash World Record for Trump – Andrew Stiles
https://freebeacon.com/parody/joe-biden-boater-enthusiasm/

FOX NEWS
— Seattle police officer tells Black Lives Matter protester he’s resigning: ‘You guys won’ On Sunday, people threw bottles, rocks and fireworks toward Seattle police officers – Stephanie Pagones
https://www.foxnews.com/us/seattle-police-black-lives-matter-resign

GOPUSA
— 3 Officers Injured, 18 Arrests In Seattle Riot
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=93532

BREITBART
— Obama-Biden Removed At Least 14,000 Mailboxes – JOEL B. POLLAK
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/08/17/fact-check-obama-biden-removed-at-least-14000-mailboxes/
— Republican Susan Molinari, ‘Google’s Washington Insider,’ to Endorse Joe Biden – JOEL B. POLLAK
https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2020/08/17/republican-susan-molinari-google-washington-insider-to-endorse-joe-biden/
— Twitter Allows Misinformation About ‘Locked’ Mailboxes to Go Viral – ALLUM BOKHARI
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/08/17/twitter-allows-misinformation-about-locked-mailboxes-to-go-viral/

CCN
— Ellen Degeneres Is No Victim of a ‘Political Takedown’ – Bernadette Giacomazzo
https://www.ccn.com/ellen-degeneres-is-just-mean/

DAILY SIGNAL
— How the United Nations Promotes an Anti-Family Agenda – Virginia Allen
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/08/17/how-the-united-nations-promotes-an-anti-family-agenda/

NEWSMAX
— Silent Majority Must Speak Out About Assaults on America – Larry Bell (DIERSEN: How and how often do you speak out on government and/or political issues? I speak out on government and/or political issues each and every time that I send out a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email. I have sent out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2000. Since 2004, those emails have gone out each and every morning. Since 2015, they have gone out each and every evening too. Since 2004, they have included links to more than 376,400 articles and information on many upcoming events. How and how often do the following speak out on government and/or political issues: a) the leaders of your Republican township/ward/county party organizations and b) the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party?)
https://www.newsmax.com/larrybell/cancelculture-statues/2020/08/17/id/982473/

TOWNHALL
— Politicians, Pundits Deliver Postal Misinformation – Ross Marchand
https://townhall.com/columnists/rossmarchand/2020/08/17/politicians-pundits-deliver-postal-misinformation-n2574507

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Biden-Harris and the LGBTQ+ Wedge – MADELEINE KEARNS (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Independents, and RINOs viciously destroy individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that do not promote LGBTQ+. I should write a book about those in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County’s 4th District, DuPage County, and Illinois who focus on destroying individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that do not promote LGBTQ+.)
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/08/joe-biden-campaign-uses-lgbtq-issues-entrench-division/

THE HILL
— The prospect of a Kamala Harris presidency gives me pause – NOLAN RAPPAPORT
https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/512266-the-prospect-of-a-kamala-harris-presidency-gives-me-pause

NEW YORK TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: All the Republicans Who Have Decided Not to Support Trump Numerous top G.O.P. officials have said publicly or privately that they will not be backing the president’s re-election. Here’s a look at where they stand. – Isabella Grullón Paz and Jonathan Martin (DIERSEN: To not support Trump is to support Biden.)
https://www.nytimes.com/article/republicans-voting-for-biden-not-trump.html
— Trump, in Minneapolis, claims Biden and Harris would bring ‘left-wing war on cops’ to the White House. – Michael D. Shear
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/us/elections/trump-in-minneapolis-claims-biden-and-harris-would-bring-left-wing-war-on-cops-to-the-white-house.html
— Trump Questions Biden’s Mental Abilities and Calls Harris Biden’s ‘Boss’ The president made three campaign rally-like appearances at airports in Minnesota and Wisconsin in an attempt to counterprogram the first night of the Democratic National Convention. – Kay Nolan and Michael D. Shear
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/us/politics/trump-campaign-biden-harris.html

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— NYC journalists, media orgs, and politicians demand changes to NYPD supervision of press credentials – MICHAEL GARTLAND (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents do not want me to have any kind of press credentials. I should write a book about my critics/opponents. Better yet, I should sue them. I would focus on my critics/opponents who falsely paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.)
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-press-credentials-press-pass-siegel-nigro-stringer-brewer-20200817-lnmwvdrd7jg4pdydxyjx4niryi-story.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Familiar Republicans join team Biden – Jennifer Rubin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/17/familiar-republicans-join-team-biden/

FORBES
— Mail-In Voters Sue Trump, DeJoy Over Postal Service Changes Ahead Of Election – Alison Durkee
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2020/08/17/mail-in-voters-sue-trump-dejoy-over-postal-service-changes-ahead-of-election/

NEWSWEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, since the Civil War, Democrats blame Republicans for the problems that Blacks have.
https://www.newsweek.com/achieve-racial-equity-we-must-address-economic-segregation-opinion-1525590

MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters say “Most Minneapolis residents support Black Lives Matter, believe George Floyd’s death part of a bigger problem.”
https://www.startribune.com/poll-most-minneapolis-voters-say-floyd-killing-part-of-bigger-problem/572132032/

WBIR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters say “New Nashville mural honors Dolly Parton’s support of Black Lives Matter.”
https://www.wbir.com/article/life/people/dolly-parton/new-nashville-mural-honors-dolly-partons-support-of-black-lives-matter/51-a0f9fb74-2591-42dc-9aad-c36f684f1594

AMERICAN INDEPENDENT
— ‘Anti-corruption’ GOP candidate Thomas McCullagh hosts event with governor imprisoned for corruption – Josh Israel
https://americanindependent.com/rod-blagojevich-illinois-gop-thomas-mccullagh-fundraiser-donald-trump-corruption/

DAILY MAIL
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Self-checkout hits a new high! Weed vending machines that can hold up to 2,000 products are being rolled out in Colorado and Massachusetts – MARLENE LENTHANG
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8636585/Weed-vending-machines-debut-Colorado-roll-Massachusetts-fall.html
— ‘Joe Biden stole Jill from me’: Her first husband tells how she CHEATED with Democrat candidate he once considered a friend and that they have LIED about how they started dating for years – MARTIN GOULD
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8635281/Jill-Biden-cheated-husband-Joe-ex-claims.html

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.