January 5 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Georgia runoff election: Biden, Trump warn of high stakes with Senate majority at stake – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/biden-trump-warn-of-high-stakes-of-georgia-senate-runoffs/9370053/

NBC5
— Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake Won’t Face Criminal Charges: Kenosha County DA No officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake will be charged in the August 2020 shooting
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/officer-who-shot-jacob-blake-wont-face-criminal-charges-kenosha-county-da/2408273/
— Georgia’s Critical Senate Runoffs Are Too Close to Call as Polls Close – Jacob Pramuk
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/georgias-critical-senate-runoffs-are-too-close-to-call-as-polls-close/2408700/
— GOP Pollster Says ‘the Next 48 Hours Are Going to Be Among the Worst’ Ever for Republicans – Kevin Stankiewicz,
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/gop-pollster-says-the-next-48-hours-are-going-to-be-among-the-worst-ever-for-republicans/2408175/

WTTW
— Dividing Party, Republicans Poised to Challenge Biden Win
https://news.wttw.com/2021/01/05/dividing-party-republicans-poised-challenge-biden-win

FOX NEW CHICAGO
— Georgia begins counting ballots in Senate runoff elections that will decide balance of power – Steve Peoples, Bill Barrow and Russ Bynum
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/senate-majority-up-for-grabs-as-georgians-head-to-the-polls-for-run-off-elections
— Electoral College vote count: What will happen in Congress when Republicans object? – AP
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/electoral-college-vote-count-what-will-happen-in-congress-when-republicans-object

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Live 2021 Election Results See below for live Georgia election results.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/election-2020/results/
— Don’t even think about it, Springfield lawmakers – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-tax-hike-madigan-pritzker-20210105-ibufbuuvjbgyfbwkzvnq4lrsxq-story.html
— Illinois county officials begin clearing low-level marijuana possession cases from court records – ALICIA FABBRE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/ct-sta-will-county-marijuana-expungement-st-0106-20210105-hb5lpyotfbfp7nrhcppgzmrkc4-story.html
— Half of CPS teachers expected to return to schools Monday failed to show up, as CEO calls out aldermen who oppose reopening plan: ‘Why the concern now?’ – HANNAH LEONE, KATHERINE ROSENBERG-DOUGLAS and GREGORY PRATT
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-schools-reopening-plan-principal-union-attacks-district-20210105-uigfhflnafepbazdj4kugdfbey-story.html
— Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says ‘exponential increase’ of COVID-19 vaccines needed to fight spread of coronavirus. – GREGORY PRATT, MADELINE BUCKLEY, ALICE YIN and JAMIE MUNKS
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-vaccines-second-doses-20210105-34pgyimohbesndxyxg2dvvugyy-story.html
— Mayor Lightfoot says she apologized to Anjanette Young | Kenosha cop won’t face charges in Blake shooting | Today’s Georgia special elections to determine balance of power in U.S. Senate – LISA DONOVAN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lightfoot-anjanette-young-jacob-blake-decision-oberweis-spin-20210105-q2pn536atvedloruwx53fywf4i-story.html
— Alleging voting irregularities, state Sen. Jim Oberweis contests Rep. Lauren Underwood’s reelection in U.S. House – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lauren-underwood-oberweis-challenge-20210105-7gf3u7fovjfedlxaiiu2gp6kfm-story.html
— Open Chicago schools. City Hall and CPS, do not back down. – PAUL VALLAS
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-cps-ctu-reopening-schools-vallas-20210105-lh7c75pw7jgxxa6w5egahmsu3u-story.html
— Electoral boards race clock to settle disputes and meet voting deadlines – TED SLOWIK
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-politics-during-pandemic-st-0106-20210105-konyo6zflffpxeyyjdkyayg4ji-story.html
— Georgia election updates: Polls close in two critical races that will determine control of US Senate and fate of Biden’s agenda – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/election-2020/ct-nw-georgia-runoff-election-results-20210105-torujxxjizdzphqhempcuohwl4-htmlstory.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— #notyou? — Democratic women leading the charge to muzzle the speaker. State Rep. Ann Williams is the latest to say she is considering running for speaker when the newly elected General Assembly convenes next week. House Democratic Caucus Chair Kathleen Willis has thrown her hat in the race, and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, announced that she’s seeking the House’s top leadership post back in October. – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/1/5/22215794/democratic-women-speaker-madigan-williams-willis-kifowit
— 40% of Chicago teachers and staff didn’t report to schools as ordered, district says. CPS CEO Janice Jackson said those who continue to ignore their orders will face progressive discipline, but that it’s in nobody’s interest to fire teachers. – Nader Issa and Stefano Esposito
https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2021/1/5/22214895/chicago-public-schools-coronavirus-teachers-return-classroom-in-person-instruction-ctu-cps-covid-19
— It could take year and a half to vaccinate all Chicago residents if feds don’t speed up pace, Lightfoot says. The mayor called on President-elect Joe Biden to deliver significantly more doses of vaccine after the effort by the Trump administration has fallen way short. – Brett Chase
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2021/1/5/22215498/where-get-vaccine-delivery-lori-lightfoot-donald-trump-joe-biden

DAILY HERALD
— After losing election, Skillicorn calls it quits early – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210105/after-losing-election-skillicorn-calls-it-quits-early-
— Already sworn in, Underwood disregards Oberweis’ attempt to toss election results – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210105/already-sworn-in-underwood-disregards-oberweis-attempt-to-toss-election-results
— Rickert officially resigns as Kane County treasurer – James Fuller
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210105/rickert-officially-resigns-as-kane-county-treasurer
— Oak Brook electoral board votes to keep Drake Hotel owner on April ballot – Scott C. Morgan
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210105/oak-brook-electoral-board-votes-to-keep-drake-hotel-owner-on-april-ballot
— GOP lawmakers introduce ‘fair maps’ legislation – PETER HANCOCK
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210105/gop-lawmakers-introduce-fair-maps-legislation

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Illinois House Republicans trying to quickly pass redistricting reform – Ben Szalinski
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/01/05/illinois-house-republican-propose-redistricting-reform/6551834002/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Party leaders work to find replacement for Brady in state senate – Brittni Clemons
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/party-leaders-work-to-find-replacement-for-brady-in-state-senate/

WSIL TV
— Maps without Madigan: Republicans file proposal for independent redistricting commission – Mike Miletich
https://wsiltv.com/2021/01/05/maps-without-madigan-republicans-file-proposal-for-independent-redistricting-commission/

OAK LAWN PATCH
— Cook County Saw Record Number Of Gun-Related Deaths In 2020 – Gillian Smith
https://patch.com/illinois/oaklawn/cook-county-saw-record-number-gun-related-deaths-2020

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Grogan says vote must be challenged after numbers don’t add up, echoes Trump sentiment
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/570742007-grogan-says-vote-must-be-challenged-after-numbers-don-t-add-up-echoes-trump-sentiment

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— IL State Rep Allen Skillicorn Resigned; Moving to Arizona – JOHN KRAFT & KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2021/01/il-state-rep-allen-skillicorn-resigned-moving-to-arizona/

CAPITOL FAX
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2021/01/05/covid-19-roundup-71/
— 6,839 new confirmed and probable cases; 126 additional deaths; 3,905 hospitalized; 800 in ICU; 8.5 percent average case positivity rate; 9.8 percent average test positivity rate
https://capitolfax.com/2021/01/05/6839-new-confirmed-and-probable-cases-126-additional-deaths-3905-hospitalized-800-in-icu-85-percent-average-case-positivity-rate-98-percent-average-test-positivity-rate/
— Statehouse reporters to Speaker Madigan: Lift unnecessary session coverage restrictions
https://capitolfax.com/2021/01/05/statehouse-reporters-to-speaker-madigan-lift-unnecessary-session-coverage-restrictions/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump presses Pence to upend Electoral College: ‘The Vice President has the power’ – Dave Boyer, Gabriella Muñoz and Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jan/5/mike-pence-pressured-reject-electoral-college-resu/

GOPUSA
— Congress Has Officially Gone Gender Crazy
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=99955
— Are Georgia And The Media Preparing Public For Another Delay In Reporting The Results?
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=100006
— Trump: Fox News Unwatchable
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=99904

EPOCH TIMES
— GOP Senators Objecting to Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona Electoral Votes: Brooks – JACK PHILLIPS
https://www.theepochtimes.com/gop-senators-objecting-to-georgia-pennsylvania-arizona-electoral-votes-brooks_3644758.html

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater says “Trump privately admits it’s over, but wants to brawl for attention.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/05/donald-trump-election-challenge-455233

NBC NEWS
— No charges filed against Kenosha officers in Jacob Blake shooting. Even before announcing his findings, the Kenosha County District Attorney pleaded for peace. – David K. Li and Doha Madani
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/no-charges-filed-against-kenosha-officers-jacob-blake-shooting-n1252739

NEW YORK TIMES
— We Built Google. This Is Not the Company We Want to Work For. Our company’s motto used to be “Don’t be evil.” An organized work force will help us live up to it. – Parul Koul and Chewy Shaw
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/opinion/google-union.html

LGBTQ NATION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: LGBTQ-promoters promote hatred against Trump.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/01/winning-election-not-enough-perpetrators-must-tried-punished/

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.