Consumerism & Public Policy Advocacy
Fox News Channel
I worked with other Wheaton residents to prompt AT&T to begin carrying Fox News Channel in Wheaton in 2002. Actions taken included posting “Wheaton wants Fox News Channel” signs in downtown Wheaton businesses, speaking at public meetings, and writing letters to newspaper editors.
Restrictions on Replacement Homes
Since 2001, I have worked with other Wheaton homeowners, realtors, and builders to stop the imposition of additional restrictions on replacement home construction in Wheaton. Actions taken include attending committee meetings; speaking with elected officials, committee members, homeowners, realtors, and builders; gathering and distributing relevant data; and writing letters to newspaper editors.
Electricity Reliability
Since 1999, I have worked with other homeowners in my neighborhood to prompt Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) to provide better protection against storm-caused outages. ComEd insisted on providing power to my neighborhood from its distant Warrenville distribution center four long miles away rather that from its nearby Wheaton distribution center only two short blocks away. Consequently, my neighborhood needlessly suffers far greater exposure to storm-caused outages. Actions taken include asking for help from Mayor Carr and the Wheaton City Council and pursing a Complaint against ComEd before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). For information about the Complaint, visit ICC’s website at www.icc.state.il.us and search the site for the Docket No. “990063” or “Diersen.” Utimately, ComEd began routing power to my neighborhood from its nearby distribution center and power reliability has improved dramatically.
Failure to Honor Warranty Lawsuit
In 1998, I accepted a substantial settlement from Ford Motor Company (FMC) to resolve a failure to honor warranty lawsuit against FMC and Packey Webb Ford in Wheaton, the dealer I purchased a new 1996 Thunderbird from in 1995. For additional information, please visit www.lemonlawil.com.
Homeless Shelter
In 1998, I supported advocacy of a minority committee report filed concerning the activities of a homeless shelter in Wheaton.
Opposition to Routing of High Voltage Lines
In 1997, I worked with others to stop ComEd from running high voltage lines along the Illinois Prairie Path. Actions taken include speaking at DuPage County Board meetings and writing letters to newspaper editors.
Odometer Fraud Lawsuit
In 1997, I petitioned to the United States Supreme Court part of a decision by United States Appellate Court for the Seventh Circuit involving the Federal Odometer Act. While the Seventh Circuit granted my motion to invalidate a Department of Transportation regulation that had been on the books for decades, it also ruled that I had not presented sufficient evidence for a jury to find that the dealer was guilty of odometer fraud. The automobile and dealer involved were a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T that I had purchased from the Chicago Car Exchange in 1994. For additional information, please visit www.diersen.com/odometer.html which contains my Petition to the United States Supreme Court.
Breach of Contract Lawsuit
In 1988, I petitioned a breach of contract lawsuit against an attorney to the Illinois Supreme Court. In 1986, Oak Brook Attorney Aldo Botti filed a lawsuit for me against a homebuilder, the City of Wheaton, and Ticor Title Insurance charging fraud, breach of contract, and building code violations. After the Circuit, Appellate, and Illinois Supreme Courts would not invalidate the Northern Illinois Home Builder Association arbitration clause in my contract with the homebuilder, Botti had the Circuit Court dismiss the lawsuit without my knowledge or permission. Botti breached his promise to refile the suit. I unsuccessfully pursued a breach of contract suit pro se against Botti to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Validity of Arbitration Clause Lawsuit
In 1988, I petitioned a lawsuit involving the validity of an arbitration clause, fraud, and construction defects to the Illinois Supreme Court. In 1986, Aldo Botti filed a lawsuit for me against the homebuilder, the City of Wheaton, and Ticor Title Insurance charging fraud, breach of contract, and building code violations. After the Circuit, Appellate, and Illinois Supreme Courts would not invalidate the Northern Illinois Home Builder Association arbitration clause in my contract with the homebuilder, Botti had the Circuit Court dismiss the lawsuit without my knowledge or permission. I refiled the suit and unsuccessfully pursued it pro se to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Appealed Assessed Valuations
Between 1985 and 1994, I appealed assessed valuations of the home that was constructed for me at 915 Cove Court in Wheaton. I obtained and submitted engineering reports, repair estimates, and appraisals and presented them to the Milton Township Assessor, the DuPage County Board of Review, the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB), the Circuit Court for DuPage County, and the Appellate Court for the Second Judicial District. Ultimately, the PTAB substantially reduced the assessed valuation.
Stopped installation of a traffic signal
In 1982, I helped lead a successful neighborhood effort to stop the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Harrison & President streets in Wheaton. At a well-attended highly publicized meeting of the Wheaton City Council, we showed that because of low traffic volumes, installation of the signal was not only not required by the Illinois Department of Transportation, but installation of the signal was not recommended.