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February 8 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Republican candidates who participated in the League of Women voters of Wheaton meet and greet this evening included Almiron, Bibbiano, Byrne, Chinchilla, Eckhoff, Grant, Henry, McGowen, Mendrick, Minor, Tatro, Wiley, Wilson, Zaruba, Zay, and Zito. – Dave Diersen
https://gopillinois.com

ABC7
— Midnight government shutdown creeps closer as Congress debates budget – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/midnight-government-shutdown-creeps-closer-as-congress-debates-budget/3052220/
— BGA and ABC7 host IL attorney general forums (DIERSEN: If I was still the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, the organization would be hosting debates for a) Rauner v. Ives, b) Sanguinetti v. Morthland, c) Harold v. Grasso, d) Diganvker v. Jhingan, e) Stella v. Vlakancic, f) Minor v. Grant v. Byrne, g) Kinzler v. Orozco, h) Zito v. Khouri, i) Mendrick v. Bibbiano, j) Tornatore v. DeMichele v. Gavanes, k) Hart v. Abbott v. Tully, l) McGowen v. Almiron v. Eckhoff v. Zaruba v. Tatro v. Chinchilla, m) Wiley v. Zay v. McQuade, n) Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee candidates, o) etc.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/bga-and-abc7-host-il-attorney-general-forums/3019513/

NBC5
— Pritzker Slipping in New Polls as Biss Gains Ground Pritzker’s lead over Biss is down to 3.3 percent according to new polling data
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/jb-pritzker-slipping-in-new-polls-as-daniel-biss-gains-ground-473442763.html
— Illinois Early Voting Starts, but Not Available to All
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-early-voting-473369643.html

CBS2
— Rauner Responds To Pritzker Tapes The governor said his campaign was not behind the newly leaked wiretaps of JB Pritzker speaking the disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich. – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-wbbmtv/3807171-rauner-responds-to-pritzker-tapes/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner won’t give ‘another nickel’ to former ally Illinois Policy Institute – Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-illinois-policy-institute-20180208-story.html
— What’s to blame for the candidacy of a Neo-Nazi? Start with the maps – Randy Blaser
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-ppn-column-blaser-tl-0215-20180208-story.html
— Lauzen helped recruit candidates challenging Democrats in Kane County primary races – Kate McCann
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-kane-lauzen-races-st-0209-20180207-story.html
— Why Illinois’ richest person, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, sees some rough weather ahead – Robert Reed
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-griffin-citadel-stocks-economy-robert-reed-0208-story.html
— Chicago Democrats, where’s your outrage for local politicians? – Andrew Buchanan
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-politics-chicago-democrats-madigan-berrios-burke-0209-20180208-story.html
— Facing lack of money, Kennedy says Dem voters ‘quite capable of learning on their own’ – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chris-kennedy-lack-of-money-20180208-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner ‘very troubled’ by Sun-Times-ProPublica report on past conservative ally John Tillman – Tina Sfondeles and Mick Dumke
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rauner-very-troubled-by-sun-times-propublica-report-on-past-conservative-ally/
— Poll taken day after FBI wiretap release finds Pritzker, Biss in ‘dead heat’ – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/poll-taken-day-after-fbi-wiretap-release-finds-pritzker-biss-in-dead-heat/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-conservative says “New rot in the White House shakes this conservative’s confidence.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/new-rot-in-the-white-house-shakes-this-conservatives-confidence/
— Near Biss: Polls show Biss-Pritzker ‘dead heat’ – and either Dem beating Rauner – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/poll-taken-day-after-fbi-wiretap-release-finds-pritzker-biss-in-dead-heat/
— Illinois GOP congressional delegation condemns Holocaust denier Arthur Jones – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/illinois-gop-congressional-delegation-condemns-gop-holocaust-denier-arthur-jones/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers push pot. If you push pot, you push destruction.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/medical-marijuana-opioid-crisis-solution/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner focuses on this above all: Madigan, Madigan, Madigan – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180208/BLOGS02/180209888/rauner-focuses-on-this-above-all-madigan-madigan-madigan
— Here’s the real problem with Pritzker’s Blago convo – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180207/BLOGS02/180209915/j-b-pritzkers-blagojevich-problem-is-about-more-than-race
— Grubhub lawsuit ruling: Drivers are contractors, not employees – Bloomberg
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180208/EMPLOYMENT/180209875/grubhub-lawsuit-ruling-drivers-are-contractors-not-employees

DAILY HERALD
— District 220 to pay $1.1 million for new headquarters – Bob Susnjara
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180208/district-220-to-pay-11-million-for-new-headquarters-
— How the suburbs might become more attractive to millennials – Marie Wilson (DIERSEN: When you were young, what attracted you to where you lived? For my wife and I, when we got married in 1978, it was Wheaton’s being religious, conservative, Republican, safe, prosperous, and on a commuter rail line. We both worked in the Loop and we were both taking night classes in the Loop.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180208/how-the-suburbs-might-become-more-attractive-to-millennials

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner clashes with Illinois Policy Institute’s Tillman – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180208/gov-rauner-clashes-with-illinois-policy-institutes-tillman
— Under the Dome Podcast: ‘Thank you, Bruce Rauner’ ad, Pritzker-Blago tapes
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180208/under-dome-podcast-thank-you-bruce-rauner-ad-pritzker-blago-tapes

NPR ILLINOIS
— At Prayer Breakfast, Trump Says Faith Central To American Life – BRIAN NAYLOR
http://nprillinois.org/post/prayer-breakfast-trump-says-faith-central-american-life#stream/0

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— White House wants to change pay for federal workers – AP (DIERSEN: According to this article, “people with advanced degrees earn 18 percent less in the government.” While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, I earned three job-related masters degrees, I earned six job-related professional certifications, and I earned a job-related professional license.).
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/white-house-wants-to-change-pay-for-federal-workers/961484011
— Trump picks California lawyer to head IRS – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/trump-picks-california-lawyer-to-head-irs/961012056

ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
— Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program (DIERSEN: Who should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion? According to members of Group A, it should be members of Group B. Members of Group A 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/minority-teachers-of-illinois-mti-scholarship-program.html

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— New Poll Finds Rauner Can’t Win As Republicans Flee
https://mailchi.mp/362a9ef3250d/new-poll-finds-rauner-cant-win-as-republicans-flee

— Bruce Rauner Allies: The Anti-Family Forces that Fund Chicago Democrats: Personal PAC and Planned Parenthood
https://ivesforillinois.com/bruce-rauner-allies-that-anti-family-forces-the-fund-chicago-democrats-personal-pac-and-planned-parenthood/

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Palatine Township GOP endorsement session called a sham – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511330532-palatine-township-gop-endorsement-session-called-a-sham

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Rauner to ask lawmakers for $1.1 billion supplemental to pay unappropriated FY17 spending – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/rauner-to-ask-lawmakers-for-billion-supplemental-to-pay-unappropriated/article_6b72179e-0c58-11e8-97ff-6bf9daecd427.html

ILLINOIS TIMES
— A rise in polls could mean a rise in problems for Biss – Megan Swett
http://illinoistimes.com/article-19673-a-rise-in-polls-could-mean-a-rise-in-problems-for-biss.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Voters Need to Know Where Their Republican Candidates Stand on the Issue of Leadership – John Biver
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/02/voters-need-to-know-where-their-republican-candidates-stand-on-the-issue-of-leadership/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN HULTGREN CO-HOSTS ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST FEATURING PRESIDENT TRUMP
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/illinois-congressman-hultgren-co-hosts-annual-prayer-breakfast-featuring-president-trump.html
— WEYERMULLER: IVES TELLS CITY CLUB WHY RAUNER IS UNELECTABLE IN 2018
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/weyermuller-ives-tells-city-club-why-rauner-is-unelectable-in-2018.html
— PALATINE TOWNSHIP GOP UPHEAVAL CONTINUES: REP. MORRISON RESPONDS TO AARON DEL MAR
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/palatine-township-gop-upheaval-continues-rep-morrison-responds-to-aaron-del-mar-.html

BREITBART
— George W. Bush Praises Cheap Labor Immigration: ‘We Ought to Say Thank You and Welcome Them’ – JOHN BINDER (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those like Bush who would never stoop to take the bad jobs that I took. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; 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.)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/08/george-w-bush-praises-mass-immigration-we-ought-to-say-thank-you-and-welcome-them/
— Paul Ryan: DACA Amnesty Is ‘Next Big Priority’ – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/2018-elections/2018/02/08/ryan-daca-amnesty-is-next-big-priority/

GOPUSA
— Pelosi filibusters for 8 hours in support of illegal aliens
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38921
— Chicago homeless couple sues city for removing their tents
http://www.gopusa.com/chicago-homeless-couple-sues-city-for-removing-their-tents/
— VERY SAD: Establishment Darling George W. Bush talks illegal aliens, Russian meddling
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38955
— Study: 62.1% of transgender youth report mental health woes
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38753

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Open the Books: $20 Billion Hidden in the Swamp: Feds redact 255,000 Salaries – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: It would be great if Open the Books would analyze federal salaries broken out by political affiliation, race, gender, age, job-related education, job-related work experience, job-related professional certifications, and job-related professional licenses.)
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2018/02/08/20_billion_hidden_in_the_swamp_feds_redact_255000_salaries.html

THE HILL
— CPAC chief predicts Trump to attend conservative event
http://thehill.com/video/in-the-news/372986-watch-cpac-chief-predicts-trump-to-attend-conservative-event
— Budget deal is brimming with special tax breaks – ALEXANDER BOLTON (DIERSEN: Since 1972, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have painted itemized deductions, and especially mortgage interest, real estate tax, education expenses, 501(c)(3) donations, and medical and dental expenses, as being “special tax breaks.”)
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/372992-budget-deal-is-brimming-with-special-tax-breaks

REUTERS
— Trump tax cuts trickle across America, bringing glee and skepticism (DIERSEN: Those who pay the marriage penalty like, my wife and I have since 1978, are not gleeful. If there was no marriage penalty, instead of $10,000, the SALT cap would be $20,000 for married filing jointly. My wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since we got married in 1978.)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax-voices/trump-tax-cuts-trickle-across-america-bringing-glee-and-skepticism-idUSKBN1FS26M

WASHINGTON POST
— The White House’s Rob Porter debacle is a sign of incompetence or hubris — or both – Aaron Blake
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/02/08/the-white-houses-rob-porter-debacle-is-either-a-sign-of-incompetence-or-hubris-or-both/
— Understaffing, lack of training at agencies hampering agency services to public, personnel agency says – Eric Yoder (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, if the federal government reimbursed job-related education, I would not have had to spend lots of my money on tuition and books 1966-1983 and 1992-1997.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/02/08/understaffing-lack-of-training-at-agencies-hampering-agency-services-to-public-personnel-agency-says/

ATLANTIC
— How a Nazi Made the Ballot in Illinois The strange candidacy of Arthur Jones points to failures of democratic safeguards on every level. – ELAINE GODFREY
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/02/how-a-nazi-made-the-ballot-in-illinois/552758/

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— When workforce reductions aren’t an option, here’s a few strategies to improve performance management – David Thornton (DIERSEN: “Workforce reduction” is no longer an option when there are no more employees left to get rid of who are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/workforce/2018/02/when-workforce-reductions-arent-an-option-heres-a-few-strategies-to-improve-performance/

February 8 Morning Edition

KEVIN WILEY FOR DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Kevin Wiley Campaign Report (DIERSEN: GOPUSA ILLINOIS encourages Republican campaigns, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, etc. to email such reports to diersen@aol.com. My spending 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS together and sending them out severely limits the number of events that I can attend and report on.)
https://gopillinois.com
(THE REPORT: Last night’s fundraiser was a great success with just over 80 people in attendance and the contributions still coming in. Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti discussed how devastating it would be for Illinois with J.B. Pritzker as Governor, John Cullerton as the Senate President, and Mike Madigan as the House Majority leader. Erika Harold highlighted the state of corruption that exist in Springfield and made the case for how important it is to have a real Attorney General in office. Both speakers talked about how important it is to have elected leaders like Kevin Wiley in officer. Kevin has been serving us locally as a Fire District Board Trustee and now as you DuPage County Board Member. He has also been serving us for over 34-years in the United States Army and is now a Colonel in the 9th Mission Support Command in the Pacific. His family has chosen to serve as well. His daughter now sits on the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, his eldest son is serving with the 82nd Airborne, and his youngest son is an ROTC cadet at Wheaton College. Standing by their side making it all possible is Laura Wiley. Bob Larsen and Jim Zay talked about the County Boards accomplishments and emphasized how we have kept the property tax levy flat. Then to wrap the night up, Kevin Wiley thanked all in attendance and shared a quote from the Super Bowl Champions Head Coach Doug Pederson. “An individual can make a difference, a team can make a miracle”. Kevin highlighted that this is how we will win in November and beyond. The dignitaries in attendance include:

Elected Officials
Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti
Attorney General Candidate Erika Harold
DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan
DuPage County Clerk of the Circuit Court Chris Kachiroubas
DuPage County Corner Richard Jorgensen
DuPage County Recorder Fred Bucholz

Mayors
Erik Spande – President, Village of Winfield
Ruben Pineda – Mayor, City of West Chicago

Party Chairman
Brian Krajewski – DuPage County Chairman
Burt Minor – Winfield Township Chairman
Marty Keller – Milton Township Chairman

DuPage County Board Members
Bob Larsen – CB 6
Brian Krajewski – CB 3
Grant Eckhoff – CB 4
James Healy – CB 5
Janice Anderson – CB 5
Jim Zay – CB 6
Tim Elliott – CB 4
Tonia Khouri – CB 5
Kevin Wiley – CB 6

Forest Preserve

Al Murphy – FP 6

Local Officials
Wayne Township Supervisor – Randy Ramey
Wayne Township Trustee – Tom Feltes
Wayne Township Trustee – Jackie Hayden
Wayne Township Assessor – Mike Musson
Winfield Township Assessor – Mark Malay
Winfield Township Clerk – Nicole Prater

Candidates
23rd State Senate Candidate – Seth Lewis
46th State Rep Candidate – Jay Kinzler
Jim Mendrick – Candidate DuPage County Sheriff
Paula McGowen – Candidate for CB 4)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ives launches radio ad: Republican governor candidate state Rep. Jeanne Ives has launched a radio ad that begins by playing off the attention she has received for her controversial TV commercial. “Now that I’ve got your attention,” is how Ives begins narrating her ad. In the one-minute spot, Ives accuses Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner of having “betrayed conservative families” as she also touts “battling Chicago Democrats” in the legislature and opposing a bill she contends “took money from your schools to bail out the Chicago Public Schools.” “Rauner can’t win re-election. He said he’s not in charge,” she says in the ad. “With your help, I’ll lead the charge.” – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-juliana-stratton-voting-20180208-story.html
— Preckwinkle backs Pritzker, day after he apologized for remarks on African-American politicians – Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-preckwinkle-pritzker-endorsement-20180207-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, members of Group A demonize, denigrate, and condemn members of Group B. Members of Group A 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/huppke/ct-met-mayan-underworld-huppke-20180206-story.html
— Pritzker running mate wants to make it easier for jail inmates to vote – Monique Garcia (DIERSEN: What percent of criminals vote for Democrats – 98%, 99%, 100+%?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-juliana-stratton-voting-20180208-story.html
— Lawsuit seeking first lady emails might end: A former member of Gov. Rauner’s communications team has asked to dismiss a lawsuit seeking emails from first lady Diana Rauner about a controversial abortion bill. – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-juliana-stratton-voting-20180208-story.html
— Rauner denies clemency to green card-holding veteran facing deportation – Manya Brachear Pashman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-green-card-veteran-pardon-denied-20180207-story.html
— First, a military parade. Will a mock uniform with epaulets be next? – Jennifer Rubn (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who since 1978 have worked the hardest a) to discourage Republican participation in Wheaton Independence Day parades, b) to discourage Republican sponsorship of the parades, and c) to discourage people from watching the parades.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-military-march-parade-trump-rubin-0208-20180207-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Small government think tank yields big bucks for nonprofit’s leaders – Mick Dumke and Tina Sfondeles (DIERSEN: Since 2000, to discredit me, my competitors, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress that a) no one pays me for what I do as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor, b) no one pays for GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, c) the emails do not contain any pictures or advertising, and d) many individuals, organizations, and companies that state that they are conservative and/or Republican do not read the emails, do not encourage others to read the emails, and some even discourage others from reading the emails.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/small-government-think-tank-yields-big-bucks-for-nonprofits-leaders/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Well before John Tillman began running the Illinois Policy Institute a decade ago, the nonprofit think tank was calling for major reforms to state government, especially its finances. But few in Springfield — or elsewhere in Illinois — paid attention. That changed when Tillman relaunched the institute in 2007. The organization steadily expanded its work and influence after the conservative activist took over, while contributions shot up from about $341,000 in 2007 to $6.4 million in 2016 — a nearly 19-fold increase in a decade. Tillman was also able to ratchet up the group’s output of research and advocacy. Its studies and opinion pieces on cutting government spending and boosting transparency became must-read material to many Republicans, some Democrats — and to the governor of Illinois. But while the institute attacked political insiders for profiting off the system, Tillman was able to increase his own bottom line, parlaying a small-government message into growing paychecks for himself and other top staff members, tax filings and audits show. . .In 2015, the Illinois Opportunity Project paid $102,000 to AKJ Consulting of Hinsdale —- an entity whose agent and manager is Pat Hughes, one of the co-founders and leaders of the Illinois Opportunity Project. Hughes also holds positions at the Liberty Justice Center and Illinois Policy Institute. In 2014, Think Freely Media reported paying $64,000 to Dan Proft as a consultant. Proft, another founder of the Illinois Opportunity Project, was a senior fellow at the institute until taking a leave to focus on political work, which includes running the political action committee Liberty Principles. During 2015 and 2016, Think Freely also paid $211,500 to Starfish Consulting LLC, which lists Proft as its president in its state registration . . .In 2013, Tillman held leadership positions at all five nonprofits, which reported to the IRS that he worked a total of 51 hours a week for $485,411 in total pay. The following year, he reported working 75 hours a week at the organizations, though his pay fell to $398,414. The reported numbers show that Tillman collected pay that was often well above how comparable organizations in other states compensated their leaders. His reported compensation dropped again in 2015, to $366,631. But that still exceeded the pay of top executives at other, similar organizations, including the Michigan-based Mackinac Center and the Texas Public Policy Foundation, tax records show. Those pay figures don’t include money that Tillman received from Crowdskout or other for-profit entities. Tillman said his pay was fair. “We compare my compensation to a variety of organizations of similar size, impact and growth, state-based and national, including ProPublica,” Tillman wrote.)
— Duckworth, Durbin call Trump parade a big waste for taxpayers – Lynn Sweet (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who since 1978 have worked the hardest a) to discourage Republican participation in Wheaton Independence Day parades, b) to discourage Republican sponsorship of the parades, and c) to discourage people from watching the parades.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/duckworth-durbin-call-trump-parade-a-big-waste-for-taxpayers/
— Preckwinkle backs Pritzker, shrugs off ‘casual conversations’ with Blagojevich – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/county-board-president-toni-preckwinkle-endorses-j-b-pritzker-for-governor/
— When a Holocaust denier slithered into view, the Illinois GOP failed to act – Editorial (DIERSEN: From what I see, the Illinois Republican Party’s (IRP) top priority is to get rid of those like me who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the IRP platform.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/arthur-jones-when-a-holocaust-denier-slithered-into-view-the-illinois-gop-failed-to-act/
— Uber study using Chicago data finds male drivers earn more than female drivers – Tanveer Ali
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/uber-data-gender-gap-earn/

DAILY HERALD
— 42nd GOP hopefuls Byrne, Grant, and Minor talk abortion bill, ‘religious freedom’ laws – Burt Constable
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180208/42nd-gop-hopefuls-talk-abortion-bill-religious-freedom-laws
(FROM THE ARTICLE: All three are Catholic and describe themselves as “pro-life,” but Minor says that while he was “disappointed greatly” that Rauner signed a bill allowing tax dollars to pay for abortions, he would work with that existing law. Grant and Byrne disagree. “Taxpayers should not have to fund abortions,” Grant says, adding that she would like to see the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortions be overturned. Saying that he “wrestles” with the potential “threat of two lives lost” in an illegal abortion, Byrne says, “I don’t think it should be funded by taxpayer dollars.” The candidates also differed on so-called religious freedom laws that would allow medical facilities and business owners the right to discriminate against people who request services that are in opposition to the vendors’ religious beliefs. Grant and Byrne said businesses should have the right to discriminate for religious reasons, but should strive to be polite, compassionate and civil. Minor disagreed with the laws. “We have to protect anybody,” Minor said. All the candidates favor some form of term limits for politicians, as well as a restructuring of Illinois’ pension system to move future governmental employees into contribution plans such as 401(k) funds. Byrne supports the legalization of recreational marijuana, which he called a “great, untapped resource” for tax revenue, while Grant and Minor said they would not favor the legalization.)
— Rauner to run ads tying Ives to Madigan (DIERSEN: Who do your critics/opponents hint/imply/argue/shout that you are tied to?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180206/rauner-to-run-ads-tying-ives-to-madigan
— Kane state’s attorney continues fight for victim’s advocate funding – Harry Hitzeman
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180207/kane-states-attorney-continues-fight-for-victims-advocate-funding
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform attack Ives.
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180208/editorial-illinois-governor-candidate-jeanne-ives-should-take-down-ad-that-attacks-people-of-illinois-not-opponent

WGN RADIO
— Will Jeanne Ives’ controversial ad help or hurt her campaign? – PETER ZIMMERMAN
http://wgnradio.com/2018/02/07/will-jeanne-ives-controversial-ad-help-or-hurt-her-campaign/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Bill extending medical marijuana program to opioid users passes committee – Brenden Moore (DIERSEN: To promote pot for medical use is to promote pot for recreational use. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180207/bill-extending-medical-marijuana-program-to-opioid-users-passes-committee
— Springfield woman’s trust to help needy families with veterinary services – John Reynolds (DIERSEN HEADLINE: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would stress that one reason why I can afford to spend 10+ hours each and every day and to spend thousands of dollars each year putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS together and sending them out free of charge and without any advertising is that I have never owned a pet. SEE: Owning a pet can cost you $42,000, or 7 times as much as you expect by Zack Guzman at https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/27/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-a-dog-7-times-more-than-you-expect.html)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180207/springfield-womans-trust-to-help-needy-families-with-veterinary-services

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump Says He Will Focus On Opioid Law Enforcement, Not Treatment – GREG ALLEN (DIERSEN: Republicans focus on law enforcement. Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs focus on treatment.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/instead-expanding-treatment-opioids-trump-says-he-will-focus-enforcing-laws#stream/0
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pat Brady defends Tim Schneider, and therefore, he defends Bruce Rauner. From what I see, the Illinois Republican Party’s (IRP) top priority is to get rid of those like me who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the IRP platform.)
https://www.npr.org/2018/02/08/583993705/a-white-supremacist-may-be-the-only-republican-running-for-a-seat-in-congress

WSIL TV & FOX ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, “religious leaders” act as operatives or as dupes for the anti-religious Democrat Party.
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37455329/film-highlights-dreamers-siuc-students-and-advocates-push-for-clean-dream-act
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/c-u-community-hold-daca-vigil-calling-for-congress-to-pass-dream-act

NORTHERN STAR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Political smear campaigns stifle progress.”
http://northernstar.info/opinion/political-smear-campaigns-stifle-progress/article_cb270868-0c8d-11e8-86be-63621908906f.html

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Cook County GOP’s endorsement of Rauner may not be what it seems – W.J. Kennedy
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511330597-cook-county-gop-s-endorsement-of-rauner-may-not-be-what-it-seems

WIREPOINTS
— Illinois’ pension crisis: Incompetence or malice? – Ted Dabrowski
http://www.wirepoints.com/illinois-pension-crisis-incompetence-or-malice-wirepoints-original/

ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Rauner admits he doesn’t advocate for Illinois needs with Trump (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Rauner talks and acts like he rejects the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform. In Illinois, if you are not going to defend and advance the IRP platform, you should not seek or hold any kind of government or political office as a Republican.)
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-rauner-admits-he-doesnt-advocate-for-illinois-needs-with-trump/

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Proposed ‘privilege’ tax on capital gains called ‘jobs killer’ by lawmaker – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/proposed-privilege-tax-on-capital-gains-called-jobs-killer-by/article_7d20b6b4-0b89-11e8-bc6d-7711ce65b1b8.html

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— UNEDITED RESPONSE FROM AARON DEL MAR ABOUT PALATINE TOWNSHIP GOP ENDORSEMENT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/unedited-response-from-aaron-del-mar-about-palatine-township-gop-endorsement.html

TOWNHALL
— Jeanne Ives — Not Bruce Rauner — Is the Future of the Republican Party – Frank Cannon (DIERSEN: Under Rauner, ever-increasingly, the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) acts like it is an operative or a dupe for those who reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the IRP platform.)
https://townhall.com/columnists/frankcannon/2018/02/08/jeanne-ives–not-bruce-rauner–is-the-future-of-the-republican-party-n2445983

BREITBART
— Rep. Keith Ellison at Rally Denouncing Trump as White Supremacist: ‘Justice for all … Whether You’re Born Here or Not’ – PENNY STARR (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Democrat Party makes it clear that it is 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/07/rep-keith-ellison-rally-denouncing-trump-white-supremacist-justice-whether-youre-born-not/

POLITICO
— Trump’s military parade draws bipartisan rebuke – BRYAN BENDER (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who since 1978 have worked the hardest a) to discourage Republican participation in Wheaton Independence Day parades, b) to discourage Republican sponsorship of the parades, and c) to discourage people from watching the parades.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/07/trump-military-parade-defense-328962

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Republican John Cox boosts personal investment in his campaign for California governor to $4 million – SEEMA MEHTA (DIERSEN: What are your connections with John Cox? I served with Cox on the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee. The Daily Herald reported that Cox attended my July 5, 2003 picnic in the Prairie Path Park in my precinct that I had organized for the residents of my precinct and the residents of Jeanne Ives’ precinct to the east and Debra Olson’s precinct to west. Attendees got to meet the five announced Republican candidates for U.S. Senate – John Cox, Chirinjeev Kathuria, Andy McKenna, Jim Oberweis, and Jack Ryan. Cox brought Jays Potato Chips. Oberweis brought ice cream. The 200+ attendees included now Congressman Randy Hultgren. Jack Ryan won the primary, but withdrew. His replacement, Alan Keyes lost to Barack Obama.)
https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-john-cox-gop-candidate-for-governor-1518070784-htmlstory.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE: How YouTube Drives People to the Internet’s Darkest Corners Google’s video site often recommends divisive or misleading material, despite recent changes designed to fix the problem – Jack Nicas
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-youtube-drives-viewers-to-the-internets-darkest-corners-1518020478?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=2
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps want individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are members of the following groups to take over America and to destroy America: 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/on-immigration-do-as-the-romans-did-1518046628

REASON
— Rising Tax Rate Can’t End Illinois’ Economic Drought Yet leading candidates to replace Gov. Bruce Rauner think the only problem with the state’s income tax rate is that it doesn’t go high enough. – Steve Chapman
https://reason.com/archives/2018/02/08/illinois-economic-drought

February 7 Morning Edition

CBS2
— Rauner, Pritzker Run Attack Ads Against Each Other
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/3791336-gov-rauner-j-b-pritzker-run-attack-ads-against-each-other/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sanguinetti blasts Ives big time.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-jeanne-ives-20180206-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: And Rauner’s running mate Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti separately called the spot “offensive and disgusting.” “I was just taken aback. I don’t think it speaks to policies at all, I just think it’s offensive to individuals,” Sanguinetti said. Sanguinetti and Ives briefly served together on the Wheaton City Council before Ives entered the Illinois House and Sanguinetti later became lieutenant governor. Sanguinetti said she and Ives are “not friends.” “The Jeanne Ives that you folks are seeing in that commercial, that sort of spirit, is the same Jeanne Ives that I have known for the last seven to eight years,” Sanguinetti said. “I saw it from the dais, I’ve seen it in my community and now all of you are getting a taste of it, and I’m hopeful that that will be rejected.”)
— Pritzker apologizes for remarks on African-American politicians, as rivals say he’s now unelectable – Rick Pearson, John Byrne and Monique Garcia (DIERSEN: What facts do your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that make you unelectable? My critics/opponents stress that I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had any kind of support, I would still hold the aforesaid positions. Further, they stress that unlike Rich Miller, no one pays me for my emails and my website contains no advertising.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-apologizes-african-american-voters-20180206-story.html
— Rauner gets backing over Ives from Cook County Republicans
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-jeanne-ives-cook-county-20180207-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County was important in the 2014 Republican governor primary, when Rauner prevailed by more than 27,000 votes over his nearest competitor, then-state Sen. Kirk Dillard. Rauner won the nomination by fewer than 24,000 votes statewide. Though the county is a Democratic stronghold in statewide elections, it also had the most Republican primary voters in Illinois that year. More than 168,000 people in Cook County voted for a GOP candidate for governor in the 2014 primary. Compare that to a little more than 92,000 in DuPage County, traditionally home turf for Republicans. (It’s also the home county of Dillard and Ives. Last time, Rauner won there too. The March 20 primary election’s dynamics are different this time, of course — it’s a one-on-one battle instead of a four-candidate field. . .Ives’ campaign put out a statement late Tuesday noting the candidate’s numerous collar county GOP township endorsements. “The taxpayers will defeat Rauner in March, the Democrats in November. And they will do that behind the charge of Rep. Jeanne Ives,” the statement read in part. The Cook endorsement announcement came as Rauner’s campaign for the first time unveiled a TV ad attacking Ives. In response, Ives called him “an unrepentant liar.”)
— Duckworth: I swore an oath to the Constitution, not to clap when Trump demands – Kristine Phillips (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps clap only when someone says something that is 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 longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-tammy-duckworth-trump-treason-20180206-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats want to flood America with people who vote for Democrats, that is, with people 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-immigration-plan-white-majority-20180206-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE IN THE NAPERVILLE SUN: Naperville businesses receive $1.7M in city tax rebates in 2017 – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-tax-incentives-st-0204-20180206-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Jeanne Ives goes for the bully vote with her TV ad.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/jeanne-ives-ad-transgender-bully-vote/
— Rauner talks Trump: Not ‘particularly close,’ big concern ‘rhetoric … tone’ – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rauner-talks-trump-not-particularly-close-big-concern-rhetoric-tone/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ives’ campaign responded to Rauner’s statements about his relationship with Trump, saying he has “no relationship” with him “because Rauner has spent his three years in office as a big government Republican pursuing a radical Left social agenda.”)
— How Holocaust denier Jones got on ballot: Illinois GOP let guard down – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/how-holocaust-denier-jones-got-on-ballot-illinois-gop-let-guard-down/
— You can’t vote if you don’t have a ballot – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/early-voting-elections-you-cant-vote-if-you-dont-have-a-ballot/

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR GRAPHICS: Suburban taxpayers could wind up covering $76 million police pension shortfall – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180207/suburban-taxpayers-could-wind-up-covering-76-million-police-pension-shortfall-
— Phones, hotel stays about to get pricier in Naperville – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180207/phones-hotel-stays-about-to-get-pricier-in-naperville

WGN RADIO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: WGN RADIO promotes Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Rick Pearson. Who promotes you? My nasty/troubled/vicious critics/opponents in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and Illinois a) have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. They have made it very clear that they will have their nasty/troubled/vicious operatives and dupes viciously destroy any individual, any organization, or any company that might promote me. I should write a book about my nasty/troubled/vicious critics/opponents.
http://wgnradio.com/2018/02/06/chicago-tribune-political-reporter-rick-pearson-the-fact-that-this-is-being-seen-as-a-joke-by-rod-blagojevich-and-could-be-very-problematic/

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Ives’ strategist Dan Proft backing more than one horse – Tom Kacich (DIERSEN: I should write a book about “Republican” strategists who demonize me, who denigrate me, and who condemn me a) because I do not glorify and praise them, b) because I do not pander to them, c) because they cannot manipulate/dominate me, d) because I refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, and/or e) because I refuse to give them money. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all losses that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000. They will blame me for every vote that Ives/Morthland and Rauner/Sanguinetti get or do not get in the March 20, 2018 primary election.)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-02-07/tom-kacich-ives-strategist-backing-more-one-horse.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Speaking of Ives Her appearance Saturday night in Champaign drew a crowd of about 50 people, none of whom included her Republican legislative colleagues from East Central Illinois. None of them has endorsed her, and it may be because she doesn’t spare anyone with her criticism. Take this example where she hit both Rauner and the 15 House Republicans who joined with Democrats last year to pass a state budget and end a long impasse. “You can make deals, but you cannot adjust and continually cave. He caved to pressure on the education bill. He caved to pressure on the budget bill,” Ives said of Rauner. “He made not a single phone call to get Republicans to hold off on that permanent 32 percent tax increase. He owns that tax increase. He caved, as did many of my colleagues. Many of them have been taken control of by lobbyists. It’s frightening down there. Frightening.” The only past or present Republican officeholders I saw at the Ives function were Savoy Mayor Joan Dykstra, Champaign County Board member Jim McGuire, Parkland College Board member Greg Knott and former county board member Scott Tapley, who is coordinating the Ives campaign in Champaign County. Ives also said the “entire Democratic ticket is like a bunch of socialists. They picked out the most extreme in terms of that. We think we have a fighting chance in this state to get out that message.” The most socially conservative candidate for governor since at least 2010, Ives insisted she can win in the fall. “When it comes to November, the reason we win is because my message is universal, and I can back it up with real bills and real action I’ve taken on the most critical issues in the state of Illinois which are property taxes, the tax burden overall and public corruption,” she said. Also, she knows how to pick up free publicity. Ives has spent little money on broadcast television in the Champaign-Decatur-Springfield market (just $13,948 at WCIA, according to records), but she got lots of free coverage earlier this week from her controversial TV ad attacking Rauner for his support of legislation benefiting transgender individuals, undocumented immigrants, abortion rights and funding for Chicago schools. “We’re happy to have them chatter among the media to raise my name i.d.,” she said. “Go ahead. Love it.”)

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Bills to increase smoking age to 21 approved by Statehouse committees – Maximilian Kwiatkowski
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180206/bills-to-increase-smoking-age-to-21-approved-by-statehouse-committees

MADISON RECORD
— Ives describes how Chicago’s new bond scheme sold out pensioners and taxpayers
https://madisonrecord.com/stories/511330425-ives-describes-how-chicago-s-new-bond-scheme-sold-out-pensioners-and-taxpayers

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Ives has character to lead Illinois – Bruce Peters, Coal Valley
http://qconline.com/opinion/letters/letter-ives-has-character-to-lead-illinois/article_271dfb28-8a90-5a15-8741-991551f09dd5.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois Private School Tax Break Proposed – SAM DUNKLAU (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod. But my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, and especially those who are anti-Protestant and/or who are anti-German American, have always used that against me.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-private-school-tax-break-proposed#stream/0

CHICAGO READER
— Pritzker under fire for comments about African-American elected officials in newly released Blagojevich tape – Kate Shepherd (DIERSEN: In private conversations, what do your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes say about you and those who share your demographics? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes make it very clear that they despise, if not hate, me and those who share my demographics. They a) do not want me to know about their events or other activities, b) promote their events or other activities, c) attend their events, or d) report on their events or other activities.)
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2018/02/07/jb-pritzker-under-fire-for-comments-about-african-american-elected-officials-in-newly-released-blagojevich-tape-and-other-chicago-news

CHICAGO NOW
— Watch R Gov candidate Jeanne Ives discuss w Berkowitz eliminating Illinois’ Corporate tax
http://www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2018/02/watch-r-gov-candidate-jeanne-ives-discuss-w-berkowitz-eliminating-the-corporate-tax-cable-web/

LOYOLA PHOENIX
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, “religious leaders” a) act as operatives or as dupes for the anti-religious Democrat Party and b) encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally.
http://loyolaphoenix.com/2018/02/jesuit-universities-join-together-support-dreamers/

MCHENRY TIMES
— Only Rauner, advisers know why there’s no Ives debate, Wilcox says – Angela Underwood
https://mchenrytimes.com/stories/511328329-only-rauner-advisers-know-why-there-s-no-ives-debate-wilcox-says

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Balich believes Rauner ducking debate because he leads polls – Angela Underwood
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511327793-balich-believes-rauner-ducking-debate-because-he-leads-polls

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Cook County Republican Endorsement Reaction
https://mailchi.mp/539d99038b47/cook-county-republican-endorsement-reaction

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— IL Rising: Why Conservative Lawmakers Are Picking Ives Over Rauner
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511329651-il-rising-why-conservative-lawmakers-are-picking-ives-over-rauner

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— ILLINOIS TEACHERS SAW UNION DUES FLOW TO CHICAGO GROUPS, POLITICS AND MADIGAN – Mailee Smith
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-teachers-saw-union-dues-flow-to-chicago-groups-politics-and-madigan/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— The Meaning of Rage Over a Campaign Ad – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/02/the-meaning-of-rage-over-a-campaign-ad/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— SOUTHERN IL UNIV. PAYS $10K TO SETTLE FREE-SPEECH LAWSUIT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/southern-il-univ-pays-10k-to-settle-free-speech-lawsuit.html
— UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO STUDENTS DEMAND ‘DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION’ GRAD REQUIREMENT (DIERSEN: To demand “diversity and inclusion” is to demand getting rid of those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/chicago-students-demand-diversity-and-inclusion-grad-requirement.html
— WHO WILL GOOGLE SILENCE NEXT? (DIERSEN: Who wants Google to silence you? My competitors, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes want Google to silence me. The aforesaid a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or 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 longer than their ancestors.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/who-will-google-silence-next.html
— COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR BERRIOS SHOULD PAY FOR HIS OWN LAWSUIT: STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/-cook-county-assessor-berrios-should-pay-for-his-own-lawsuit-state-attorneys-office.html
— RHOADS: STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES IN LYONS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/stupid-is-as-supid-does-in-lyons.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Fallout: Emil Jones explodes at Pritzker, “safe blacks”; Bishop Trotter disinvites; Staffer quits
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/06/fallout-emil-jones-explodes-at-pritzker-safe-blacks-bishop-trotter-disinvites-rally-canceled-staffer-quits/

GOPUSA
— MAGA: General Motors workers to get $11,750 profit-sharing checks
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38768

FOX NEWS
— Billionaire Dem running for Illinois governor is caught making insensitive remarks about black politicians – Frank Miles
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/06/billionaire-dem-running-for-illinois-governor-is-caught-making-insensitive-remarks-about-black-politicians.html

BREITBART
— Incumbent Republican Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner Attacks Surging Conservative Jeanne Ives – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/06/bruce-rauner-first-attack-jeanne-ives-2018/
— Democrat Frontrunner for Illinois Governor Apologizes for ‘God D*mn America’ Joke – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/06/democrat-candidate-illinois-gov-caught-tape-god-dmn-america-jokes-scheming-place-token-blacks-government/
— Poll: 73% of Republicans Believe FBI & DOJ Working to ‘Delegitimize’ Trump – SEAN MORAN (DIERSEN: Who has worked the hardest to delegitimize you? Should I write a book about those who have worked the hardest delegitimize me? Should I start delegitimizing those who delegitimize me?)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/06/poll-73-of-republicans-believe-fbi-doj-working-to-delegitimize-trump/
— Washington Post on Immigration: Celebrate Demographic Change, Ignore Economic Impact – NEIL MUNR (DIERSEN: Democrats want to flood America with people who vote for Democrats, that is, with people 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/06/wash-post-immigration-celebrate-demographic-change-ignore-economic-impact/

WORLD NET DAILY
— PLEASE, NO MORE ‘LGBT’ LAWS! Linda Harvey spotlights GOP in Ohio pushing ‘protections’ for ‘gender rebels’
http://www.wnd.com/2018/02/please-no-more-lgbt-laws/

LAW
— After Student Outcry, Chicago Law School Immigration Debate Is Spiked A gathering of Edmund Burke Society members at the University of Chicago Law School that was promoted by a document referring to immigrants as “other nations’ wretched refuse” has been postponed indefinitely. – Karen Sloan (DIERSEN: Democrats want immigrants because immigrants vote for Democrats. RINOs want immigrants because immigrants work for less money.)
https://www.law.com/sites/almstaff/2018/02/05/after-student-outcry-chicago-law-school-immigration-debate-is-spiked/

CAMPUS REFORM
— University of Chicago students demand ‘diversity and inclusion’ grad requirement – Mitchell Gunter (DIERSEN: To demand “diversity and inclusion” is to demand getting rid of those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10462

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Christian governor-candidate Jeanne Ives takes heat for ad highlighting GOP governor’s pro-abortion-LGBT record – Claire Chretien
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-politician-slammed-as-bigot-for-ad-highlighting-gop-governors-pro

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Trump’s immigration plan betrays his supporters and America First agenda – Deena Flinchum
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trumps-immigration-plan-betrays-his-supporters-and-america-first-agenda/article/2648317
— Democrats confront John Kelly over ‘lazy’ Dreamers remark at immigration meeting – Al Weaver (DIERSEN: Who hints/implies/argues/shouts that you are lazy? Since 1966 when I was 18 years old, because I was a federal employee 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I am lazy and even worse things. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/democrats-confront-john-kelly-over-lazy-dreamers-remark-at-immigration-meeting/article/2648330

THE HILL
— Americans deserve the certainty of knowing that the individual tax cuts are permanent – REPS. MARK MEADOWS (R-N.C.) AND RODNEY DAVIS (R-ILL.) (DIERSEN: What about getting rid of the marriage penalty? If there was no marriage penalty, instead of $10,000, the SALT cap would be $20,000 for married filing jointly. My wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since we got married in 1978.)
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/372471-americans-deserve-the-certainty-of-knowing-that-the

POLITICO
— Whose boats is tech really lifting? A lucrative industry comes to grips with its diversity problem. – ASHLEY GOLD (DIERSEN: Will the lucrative tech industry bring in Charles Bowsher? During the 1980s and 1990s, Bowsher had great success in promoting diversity at GAO, that is, he had great success in wasting the careers of and getting rid of GAO employees like me who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who failed to make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2018/02/07/diverse-workforce-silicon-valley-congress-000627

NEW YORK TIMES
— He’s a Nazi, Republicans Warn, but He’s Probably Going to Be Their Nominee for Congress – Liam Stack
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/us/nazi-congress-illinois.html
— Democratic Group Targets All-G.O.P. States to Attack Gerrymandering – Alexander Burns (DIERSEN: Should I write a book about a) those who succeeded in 2015 in gerrymandering my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 9 in Wheaton and b) why they did it?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/us/politics/democrats-gerrymandering-election-maps.html

NEW YORK POST
— Vintage Corvettes lured Cuomo to $125K fundraiser – Priscilla DeGregory and Bruce Golding
https://nypost.com/2018/02/07/vintage-corvettes-lured-cuomo-to-125k-fundraiser-testimony/

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats want to flood America with people who vote for Democrats, that is, with people 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/02/06/trump-immigration-plan-could-keep-whites-in-u-s-majority-for-up-to-five-more-years/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The End of IRS Targeting? President Trump prepares to name a new chief tax collector. – James Freeman (DIERSEN: In 1978, when I was 29 years old, Money Magazine and the Democrats who ran IRS disallowed my education deductions. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, a minority, a female, and/or a veteran.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-end-of-irs-targeting-1517956572
— The Case for Merit-Based Immigration Beyond economics, it makes people feel the system is working in the national interest. – William A. Galston (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes oppose anything that is merit-based because they promote patronage big time. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-case-for-merit-based-immigration-1517963380
— Poland’s Controversial Holocaust Bill Becomes Law Law mandates fines or imprisonment for people who accuse the Polish population of responsibility or complicity in war crimes – Drew Hinshaw (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, my critics/opponents want the power to fine or imprison anyone who fails/refuses to a) glorify and praise them, b) pander to them, c) be manipulated/dominated by them, d) serve as one of their operatives or dupes, and/or e) give them money.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/polands-controversial-holocaust-bill-becomes-law-1517928756

USA TODAY
— Illegal immigrant suspected in NFL player’s death had been deported – AP
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/02/06/trump-crash-that-killed-nfl-player-is-disgraceful/110149834/

SACRAMENTO BEE
— ‘Serious marital infidelities’ charged in California governor’s race – CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, voters can hold those who seek or hold government or political offices to much higher standards. Needless-to-say, if you have any marital infidelities, you should not seek or hold any kind of government or political office.)
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article198773549.html

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Black Americans mostly left behind by progress since Dr. King’s death – SHARON AUSTIN (DIERSEN: Since the Civil War, Democrats have always blamed Republicans for all the problems that Blacks have had, are having, and will have.)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Black-Americans-mostly-left-behind-by-progress-12557790.php

WINDY CITY TIMES
— Equality Illinois PAC announces endorsements (DIERSEN: Given all that Rauner/Sanguinetti has done a) to promote LGBTQ activity and b) to demonize, denigrate, and condemn those who do not promote LGBTQ activity, the least that Equality Illinois should do is to endorse them.)
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Equality-Illinois-PAC-announces-endorsements/61818.html

February 6 Morning Edition

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PICTURE OF RAUNER: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Rauner calls Ives’ controversial ad hateful – Marni Pyke (DIERSEN: Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs a) are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means, b) are disciples of Saul Alinsky, and c) reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and/or many other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform. Ever-increasingly, they hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans like Ives and me are haters, White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, racists, sexists, bigots and even worse things.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180205/rauner-slams-ives-ad-as-shameful-criticizes-legalizing-marijuana-for-recreational-use
— Rauner clinches GOP Cook County party endorsements – Marni Pyke (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, to get reelected, Rauner and his supporters make it clear a) that they will officially strike the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform and b) that they will banish from the IRP all those who support the aforesaid planks.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180205/rauner-clinches-gop-cook-county-party-endorsements
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican Cook County Central Committee members endorsed Gov. Bruce Rauner Monday night over rival state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton. Rauner won 27 out of 30 townships, party officials said, and clinched a majority of Chicago wards. The decision heightens tensions between the two Republicans vying in the March 20 primary. Ives, a social conservative, has attacked Rauner as abandoning the party’s traditional values while the incumbent has largely ignored the Wheaton lawmaker, focusing his criticism on J.B. Pritzker, one of six Democrats seeking the nomination. “Ives is a strong advocate for conservative principles,” said Aaron Del Mar, Cook County Republican Central Committee deputy chairman. But Rauner has greater appeal statewide, he thinks. “He is the one candidate with the ability get elected and defeat the Democrats,” Del Mar said. An Ives ad that lambastes Rauner at what critics call the expense of transgender individuals, immigrants and women who have abortions, turned off some, Del Mar added. “We’re not in Kansas,” he said. “It’s not truly representative of Illinois Republican Party, we need to be the party of the big tent.” Ives has been undaunted by the loss of GOP establishment endorsements, saying some Republicans are beholden to investment banker Rauner because he has donated substantial amounts to the party. She received an endorsement from the Wheeling Township Republican organization last month. Cook County represents the largest number of Republicans in Illinois.)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs a) hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things, b) stress Nazis who run as Republicans, and c) stress Nazis who give money to Republicans. What did Rauner’s Illinois Republican Party (IRP) do to encourage a Republican to run against Art Jones in the 3rd Congressional District? One could argue that to get Rauner’s support, you have to reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in the IRP platform.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-congressional-candidate-20180206-story.html
— Polish man’s name didn’t work for judicial candidate, so now he’s Shannon O’Malley – Kim Janssen (DIERSEN: From the beginning, many German-Americans have pretended that their ancestors had not immigrated from Germany, because from the beginning, many in America have not wanted immigrants from Germany. What if from the beginning, I had pretended to be Swedish-American? While all my ancestors immigrated from what is now Germany to northeast Illinois during the 1840s and 1850s, according to DNA Ancestry at http://dna.ancestry.com, my ancestry is 33% Europe West, 28% Scandinavia, 24% Great Britain, 11% Ireland, 2% Europe East, 1% Finland/Northwest Russia, and 1% Italy/Greece.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-fake-irish-judge-chicago-inc-20180205-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Illinois Republican Party exploring ‘options’ to dump GOP Holocaust denier – Lynn Sweet (DIERSEN: What did Rauner’s Illinois Republican Party (IRP) do to encourage a Republican to run against Art Jones in the 3rd Congressional District? One could argue that to get Rauner’s support, you have to reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in the IRP platform. To try to get me to not run again as a Republican Precinct Committeeman, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) have done everything that they can to stop me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2000, b) have done everything that they can to stop everyone from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2000, c) gerrymandered my precinct in 2015, d) ended my TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship in 2012, d) ended my Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee membership in 2011, e) ended my Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster service in 2010 and 2004, f) ended my Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee membership in 2007, g) ended my American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board membership in 2004, h) etc.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/gop-gov-rauner-condemns-republican-illinois-candidate-who-is-a-holocaust-denier/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Republican Party executive director Drew Collins told the Sun-Times in a statement, “going forward, the Illinois Republican Party will explore all options to oppose Mr. Jones’ candidacy — whether that be supporting an independent candidate for IL-03 after the primary, encouraging a write-in campaign, and potentially other options. Nazis have no place in our nation’s democracy, and to that end, we will continue to vehemently oppose everything Mr. Jones stands for.” Illinois Republican Bruce Rauner, up for re-election and facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, on Monday condemned Jones. “There is no room for Neo Nazis in American politics. I condemn this man in the strongest possible terms,” Rauner said in a statement. What remains to be seen is whether the Illinois Republican Party, a part of Rauner’s political operation, or Rauner will actually find a write-in candidate and bankroll a campaign. The Republican Jewish Coalition chair also floated on Monday the possibility of a write-in candidate surfacing to run against Jones.)
— Pritzker, Blagojevich weighed pros, cons of potential Obama successors
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/report-pritzker-blagojevich-weighed-pros-cons-of-potential-obama-successors/

NBC5
— Controversial Campaign Ad Attacks Issues, Not People, Ives Says – Brendan Pedersen
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Ives-on-Controversial-Campaign-Ad-It-Attacks-Issues-Not-People-472848493.html

WGN RADIO
— “If Bruce Rauner tightened up his ship we would have been bigot free this whole primary election” – PETER ZIMMERMAN (DIERSEN: If someone calls you a White supremacist, a Nazi, a KKK member, a hater, a racist, a sexist, a bigot, etc., should you sue them for slander? See “Elements of Libel and Slander” at http://injury.findlaw.com/torts-and-personal-injuries/elements-of-libel-and-slander.html)
http://wgnradio.com/2018/02/06/the-carry-out-2-5-18-if-bruce-rauner-tightened-up-his-ship-we-would-have-been-bigot-free-this-whole-primary-election/

WTTW
— Jeanne Ives Asks ‘What’s Offensive?’ About ‘Provocative’ Campaign Ad – Amanda Vinicky
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/02/05/jeanne-ives-asks-what-s-offensive-about-provocative-campaign-ad

TIMES
— Area GOP official backs Ives ad – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/area-gop-official-backs-ives-ad/article_6af0fded-9522-59f0-8ecf-86e696a84e20.html

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Cabello the maverick is betting against Rauner (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, in Illinois, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs call those who support the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform mavericks. I blame IRP’s problems on its letting people hold leadership positions who reject some, most, or all of the planks in the IRP platform. I should write a book about Milton Township Republican Central Committee, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and IRP leaders a) who reject some, most, or all of the planks in the IRP platform and b) who focus on destroying those like me who support those planks.)
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180205/chuck-sweeny-cabello-maverick-is-betting-against-rauner
— Ives hammers Rauner on abortion funding during Rockford visit
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180205/ives-hammers-rauner-on-abortion-funding-during-rockford-visit

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Ives goes full culture warrior – Jon Alexander (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Rauner and his supporters make it clear that they reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in the Republican Party platform and in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
http://qctimes.com/opinion/columnists/alexander-ives-goes-full-culture-warrior/article_4a178d68-d5a8-5a01-ba6f-00cc0cacf7c6.html

HERALD & REVIEW
— New Pritzker-Blagojevich audio from FBI wiretaps sheds light on race issue in governor contest – RICK PEARSON and JEFF COEN
http://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/new-pritzker-blagojevich-audio-from-fbi-wiretaps-sheds-light-on/article_48dd9e65-6e93-5a69-8337-a9f22c996477.html
— Losing the future: Universities struggle with enrollment as students leave state – LENORE SOBOTA (DIERSEN: From what I see, ever-increasingly, Illinois universities make it clear that they only want students, faculty, and administrators 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 longer than their ancestors.)
http://herald-review.com/news/local/education/losing-the-future-universities-struggle-with-enrollment-as-students-leave/article_1f447a69-7fcf-517a-9fbc-88ffc07e342e.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Rep. Ives defends controversial campaign ad – ERIC SCHELKOPF
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2018/02/05/rep-ives-defends-controversial-campaign-ad/agr5bf2/

NPR ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “2-In-3 Support Legal Status For DREAMers; Majority Oppose Building A Wall.”
http://nprillinois.org/post/npr-poll-2-3-support-legal-status-dreamers-majority-oppose-building-wall#stream/0
— Running As An Independent: Liberating But Tough – CLAY MASTERS (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, in Illinois, if you reject planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform, you should run as an Independent, not as a Republican. Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform. Because Rauner rejects the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform, he should have ran as an Independent in 2014, and if anything, he should run as an Independent in 2018.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/running-independent-liberating-tough#stream/0
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “How Trump’s Funding Cuts Threaten ‘Basic Health Program’ Plans.”
http://nprillinois.org/post/how-trumps-funding-cuts-threaten-basic-health-program-plans#stream/0

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Ives: ‘Edgy’ ad ‘accurate representation’ of Rauner policies (DIERSEN: Those who Rauner listens to want him to pander to those who will never vote for him. Those who Rauner listens to want him to lose. Who does Rauner listen to?)
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/ives-edgy-ad-accurate-representation-of-rauner-policies-02-05-2018

CHICAGO NOW
— Berkowitz w/ State Rep. Ives on Illinois’ pressing economic issues and education
ttp://www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2018/02/watch-berkowitz-w-state-rep-ives-on-illinois-pressing-economic-issues-and-education-cable-and-web/

CHICAGO MAROON
— Daniel Biss Visits Campus, Talks Free Higher Education and Bannon Protests – Anne Nazzaro (DIERSEN: Where did the money come from to pay for your bachelor’s degree? I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; and worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970. My outstanding parents provided me with room and board while I attended UIC 1966-1968, my first semester at NIU in 1969, and the summer of 1969.)
https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2018/2/6/daniel-biss-talks-free-higher-education-bannon-pro/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Republican Governor Candidate Jeanne Ives’s Controversial Commercial Creates Reaction Video Exposes Rauner’s Anti-Conservative Actions – Cal Skinner (DIERSEN: I would also say “exposes Rauner’s anti-Illinois Republican Party platform actions.”)
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/02/06/republican-governor-candidate-jeanne-ivess-controversial-commercial-creates-reaction/

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Straub ad targets Durkin as Madigan pal – Glenn Minnis
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511326645-straub-ad-targets-durkin-as-madigan-pal

METRO EAST SUN
— Rauner’s Lottery Chairman Insults Illinoisans
https://metroeastsun.com/stories/511329655-il-rising-rauner-s-lottery-chairman-insults-illinoisans

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Cabello calls for Rauner’s resignation, backs Ives bid for governor – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511326525-cabello-calls-for-rauner-s-resignation-backs-ives-bid-for-governor

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives at City Club
https://mailchi.mp/e51fe0baf8bc/icymi-ives-at-city-club

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Ignore the Critics: The Jeanne Ives TV Ad is a Blueprint for Republicans Nationally – John Biver
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/02/ignore-the-critics-the-jeanne-ives-tv-ad-is-a-blueprint-for-republicans-nationally/

BREITBART
— Jeanne Ives Wins Standing Ovation After Defending Controversial ‘Transgender’ Ad – JASMINE HAUSER5
http://www.breitbart.com/2018-elections/2018/02/05/jeanne-ives-illinois-transgender-ad/

DAILY CALLER
— Democrats Use Illegal Immigrant Activist To Fundraise – Derek Hunter
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/05/democrats-fundraise-illegal-alien/

MCCLATCHY DC
— TV ads, emails and more: The right’s war against Donald Trump’s immigration plan – ANITA KUMAR
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article198538119.html

CNN
— Trump to establish National Vetting Center focused on travelers, immigrants to US – Jeremy Diamond (DIERSEN: Just kidding, but should I apply to work for this National Vetting Center? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. My other fact checking qualifications include my becoming a Forensic Accountant in 1997, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and a CPA in 1979.)
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/05/politics/national-vetting-center-immigration-donald-trump/index.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Are Leprechauns Racist? Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish offer some healthy cultural appropriation. – William McGurn
https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-leprechauns-racist-1517876565

USA TODAY
— 6 ways to measure if your retirement plan is on track – Ken Fisher (DIERSEN: My $51,864 Civil Service Retirement System pension is only 41% of my 1997 $125,325 ending salary in today’s dollars.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2018/02/04/6-ways-measure-if-your-retirement-plan-track/300912002/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 2. Determine what you’ll need annually Don’t use rules of thumb like, “Plan on needing 70% to 80% of your current income.” That silly myth comes from presuming retired folk slow down and spend less. Few do. Some travel, adopt hobbies and finance grandchildren. But almost all spend unexpected sums on medical comforts not covered by health insurance. List all your current expenses, separating them into “basic” and “discretionary” buckets. Food, shelter and utilities are basic. Hobbies and entertainment aren’t. Start bucket three: new expenses you’ll likely incur during retirement, like trips to see the grandkids and those health-comfort costs. Then use an online inflation calculator to total what it all costs when you plan to retire. (This one is good). If you totaled $75,000 “2018” dollars and want to retire in 20 years, you’ll likely need more than $135,000 annually, minus Social Security and any employer pension plans you have.)

SLATE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trumps says “The Trump Disciples Republican candidates across the country are trying to replicate Trump’s formula of bigotry and anger.”
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/republican-candidates-are-running-like-trump.html

HEARTLAND NEWSFEED
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://heartlandnewsfeed.com/2018/02/05/commentary-illinois-family-institute-continues-campaign-of-ignorance-on-pot-legalization/

February 4 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Trump: We proudly stand for the national anthem on Super Bowl Sunday – Danny Clemens
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-we-proudly-stand-for-the-anthem-on-super-bowl-sunday/3033474/
— Nazi Arthur Jones will be Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois third district (DIERSEN: Did the Illinois Republican Party encourage people to run against him?)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/nazi-will-be-republican-candidate-for-congress-in-illinois-third-district

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— 34 GOP House members resigning vs. 16 Democrats
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/34-gop-house-members-resigning-vs-16-democrats
— Nazi will be Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois third district (DIERSEN: Did the Illinois Republican Party encourage people to run against him?)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/nazi-will-be-republican-candidate-for-congress-in-illinois-third-district

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Ives says she’ll return money after retweet of account with Nazi propaganda.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ives-says-she-will-return-money-after-retweet-of-account-with-nazi-propaganda/
— Holocaust denier Arthur Jones poised to claim GOP nomination in Illinois 3rd Congressional District – Lynn Sweet and Frank Main (DIERSEN: Did the Illinois Republican Party encourage people to run against him?)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/holocaust-denier-arthur-jones-republican-3rd-congressional-district-lipinski-newman/
— Company tied to Joe Berrios sets up bogus website in primary challenger’s name – Dan Mihalopoulos
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/company-tied-to-joe-berrios-sets-up-bogus-website-in-primary-challengers-name/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Government set to borrow nearly $1 trillion this year, an 84 percent jump from last year – Heather Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-spending-debt-analysis-20180203-story.html
— AG candidate says Speaker Madigan once thought he was ‘wearing a wire’ – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-speaker-madigan-wearing-wire-scott-drury-20180204-story.html
— Holocaust denier likely to appear on ballot for GOP for Chicago-area congressional seat – Tony Briscoe (DIERSEN: Did the Illinois Republican Party encourage people to run against him?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-arthur-jones-congressional-primary-20180204-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Ives campaign removes controversial retweet.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180204/ives-campaign-removes-controversial-retweet
— Suburban Holocaust denier all but certain to win GOP nomination for House seat (DIERSEN: Did the Illinois Republican Party encourage people to run against him?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180204/suburban-holocaust-denier-all-but-certain-to-win-gop-nomination-for-house-seat

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Bill would put term limits on Illinois legislative leaders – Maximilian Kwiatkowski
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180204/bill-would-put-term-limits-on-illinois-legislative-leaders

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Protesters block trains near Super Bowl, march on stadium
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/activists-block-light-rail-carrying-spectators-to-super-bowl/951816297

WJBD RADIO
— Poll: Democrats, Republicans lead in their own strongholds
http://www.wjbdradio.com/politics/2018/02/04/poll-democrats-republicans-lead-in-their-own-strongholds

DAILY NORTHWESTERN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say: “Biss, Rauner respond to ‘repulsive’ attack ad by Republican gubernatorial candidate.”
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2018/02/04/lateststories/211633/

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Why Conservative Lawmakers Are Picking Ives Over Rauner
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/why-conservative-lawmakers-are-picking-ives-over-rauner
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The gubernatorial race between Bruce Rauner and Jeanne Ives is intensifying, and now, more and more conservative lawmakers are coming forward in supporting Ives over the incumbent governor. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to one of Ives’ statehouse endorsers, state Rep. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine, about the campaign’s growing support and momentum. They also talk to Ken Idstein, a Republican candidate for state representative, about his focus on lowering the tax burden Lake County residents face. And Proft and Hughes cover all the salient topics in a busy week in Illinois politics, from the Democratic gubernatorial race tightening to sexual misconduct allegations in Springfield being ignored.)

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Repulsive campaign ad creates firestorm in Illinois.”
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/04/illinois-ives-rauner-campaign-ad-389790

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Illinois – Was candidate Jeannie Ives right? – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/02/illinois-was-candidate-jeannie-ives-right/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Jeanne Ives’ Campaign Ad – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/02/jeanne-ives-campaign-ad/

JOHN MCGLASSON
— PRESS RELEASE: As a member of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee (16th Congressional District), I wish to voice my concern about the Illinois Republican Chairman Tim Schneider taking sides in the primary for governor by objecting to the recent campaign advertisement issued by Representative Jeanne Ives. It is up to the voters to decide whether this ad is good or bad. In my opinion it addresses important issues in the race. It hits them head on and without ambiguity. The voters deserve to know where the candidates stand in order to make an informed decision when they cast their ballot. Chairman Schneider’s job is to serve all Republicans and support the eventual nominee.
https://gopillinois.com

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— GOP State Central Committeeman John McGlasson Chastises GOP Chairman, Supports Ives Ad
https://mailchi.mp/8808ea8eb543/gop-state-central-committeeman-chastises-gop-chairman-supports-ives-ad

PJ MEDIA
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Rauner Primary Opponent Releases ‘Racist’ Ad.”
https://pjmedia.com/trending/rauner-primary-opponent-releases-racist-ad/

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump says he wants better-educated immigrants. His plan does the opposite. – Editorial
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-says-he-wants-better-educated-immigrants-his-plan-does-the-opposite/2018/02/04/254d47e0-079c-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html?utm_term=.5cce52949bbb

NEWSWEEK
— HOLOCAUST DENIER SET FOR REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE IN ILLINOIS – JASON SILVERSTEIN (DIERSEN: Did the Illinois Republican Party encourage people to run against him?)
http://www.newsweek.com/holocaust-denier-republican-nomination-illinois-congress-race-799222

GUARDIAN
— Holocaust denier to become Republican nominee for Illinois congressional seat (DIERSEN: Did the Illinois Republican Party encourage people to run against him?)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/04/neo-nazi-holocaust-denier-art-jones-illinois-republicans

LGBTQ NATION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “This Republican’s ad is absurdly hateful against everyone.” If you do not promote LGBTQ activity, those who promote LGBTQ activity promote hatred against you.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/02/republicans-ad-hateful-everyone-denouncing/

WINDY CITY TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Rauner, Mayor Emanuel open Equality Illinois gala.” Democrats and RINOs promote LGBTQ activity.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Gov-Rauner-Mayor-Emanuel-open-Equality-Illinois-gala/61801.html

February 4 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Illinois GOP chairman calls for Ives to take controversial ad off the air – Michelle Gallardo (DIERSEN: Democrats and RINOs want Rauner and his supporters to do more to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn Republicans as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, sexual harassers, bigots, and even worse things. One could ask which Rauner supporters are leading his administration’s efforts to drive out of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/ill-gop-chairman-calls-for-ives-to-take-controversial-ad-off-the-air/3030306/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Appearing at Saturday’s gala for Equality Illinois, Gov. Rauner did not directly address the ad, but his presence and a $25,000 donation to the state’s LGBTQ civil rights organization did the talking. “Diana and I believe that fairness is in the DNA of the State of Illinois. The proof of that is in your work,” said Gov. Rauner at the gala. The governor was just one of nearly 100 elected officials at the event, which has become a veritable who’s who of Illinois politics. “LGBTQ equality is not a partisan issue. What we hope to hear from our speakers and our leaders is ‘We stand with you. Your full equality is consistent with the values of Illinois. We won’t go back,'” said Brian Johnson with Equality Illinois. Ives campaign stands by the ad, insisting that the commercial represents and quote, “a fair and accurate representation” of Rauner’s policy choices. It remains to be seen, whether pressure from the state’s republican leaders will change their minds. For now, a 30-second and 60 second version of the ad continues to run.)

WGN TV
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats and RINOs want Rauner and his supporters to do more to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn Republicans as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, sexual harassers, bigots, and even worse things. One could ask which Rauner supporters are leading his administration’s efforts to drive out of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) those who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform.
http://wgntv.com/2018/02/03/political-ad-at-center-of-controversy/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Governor Rauner speaking tonight at the Equality Illinois Gala, did not address it publicly. Some have labeled it transphobic , sexist and racist. The chair of the Illinois Republican Party called on Ives to take the ad down and apologize immediately. All of this comes as Gov. Rauner made his first appearance ever at the annual Equality Illinois Gala. Rauner and his wife donated 25-thousand dollars to be platinum sponsors. The organization supports Civil rights work for the LGBTQ community. Mayor Emanuel and several Democratic candidates for governor were among the politicians packing the Hilton’s grand ballroom. Governor Rauner did not stop to answer questions from reporters and he was heckled a bit during very brief remarks. A spokesperson for the Ives campaign says Ives is traveling downstate today, and She is not pulling the ad, because she is not intimidated by Gov. Rauner and what she called his paid party mouthpieces.)

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO OF IVES: Suburban backers stand by Ives after controversial ad – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180203/suburban-backers-stand-by-ives-after-controversial-ad
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Suburban Republicans backing primary challenger Jeanne Ives in her bid to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner are defending the Wheaton lawmaker who faces intense criticism for a television ad that state party leaders and Rauner allies have denounced as racist and homophobic. Lawmakers on Saturday stood by their endorsements of Ives amid the backlash over the statewide ad that began airing this weekend, but suggested the spot would provide campaign fodder for her opponents who cast Ives as a divisive social conservative and a longshot in the March primary. . .State Rep. Barb Wheeler, a Crystal Lake Republican, called the ad cringe-worthy and ridiculous. She said Ives still has her vote, but urged her messages to stick to what Wheeler considers her political strengths as a fiscal policy wonk. “I have been in the General Assembly with her since 2013. And if I believed in my heart of hearts that she was a racist or a hater, I wouldn’t have supported her in the first place,” Wheeler said. “She is right on the issues. I don’t always agree with the way she messages.” Wheeling Township Republican Committeeman Ruth O’Connell argued the ad appeals to Ives’ conservative base. “It is going to create talk, and the ad will bring the attention to the voters, and I think a lot of them care about the issues she covered in the ad,” she said. . .The Ives’ campaign dismissed Schneider’s statement, calling the Illinois GOP an arm of Rauner’s campaign because the organization is almost entirely funded by Rauner, a wealthy former private equity investor. “Rauner betrayed Illinois conservatives. He and his paid-for mouthpieces don’t like his betrayals being illustrated and his radical left-wing social agenda being exposed,” campaign spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy said. Rauner signed a bill last year making it easier for transgender people to change the gender listed on their birth certificates. He has not signed a bill on restroom access for transgender individuals. The release of the ad comes as Rauner and Ives battle for endorsements in the suburbs. The Cook County Republican Central Committee votes on Monday on who to back in the gubernatorial race. . .State Rep. Tom Morrison, a Palatine Republican, said the ad was “jarring,” but meant to “stimulate conversation.” “That’s what campaigns are about,” said Morrison, an Ives supporter. “It’s discussing candidates. It’s discussing issues, and I think this ad will spark some discussions on specific bills cited in the ad.”)
— 10th District GOP hopefuls differ on term limits – Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180203/10th-district-gop-hopefuls-differ-on-term-limits
— Debate over drug rehab plan heads to Wheaton city council – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180203/debate-over-drug-rehab-plan-heads-to-wheaton-city-council

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Fact check: Does the GOP memo show the FBI spied on the Trump campaign? – Glenn Kessler (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, anyone who gets paid to be a fact checker should be required to disclose their qualifications. No one pays me, that is, I have enough money that I do not have to ask anyone for money. Nevertheless, while I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. My other fact checking qualifications include becoming a Forensic Accountant in 1997, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and a CPA in 1979.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/factcheck/ct-fact-check-gop-memo-20180203-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Who should pay the price of Affirmative Action (AA), Diversity, and Inclusion? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the more of following that you are, the more that you should pay the price of AA, Diversity, and Inclusion: citizen of America, White, male, older, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, rich, gun owner, draft avoider, German American, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/schmich/ct-met-black-history-mary-schmich-20180202-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: The tea costs $60, but the weed is free: Cannabis capitalists exploit loopholes by ‘gifting’ the drug – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-free-marijuana-loopholes-20180201-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN THE NAPERVILLE SUN: Naperville park director’s pay is $50K more than Fox Valley, others – Erin Hegarty (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents viciously demonize, denigrate, and condemn federal employees and retirees as being grossly over-compensated. My ending GAO salary in today’s dollars was $125,325. My Civil Service Retirement System pension is $51,864. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-mcgury-park-district-salary-st-0202-20180202-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A recently approved 3 percent raise for Naperville Park District Executive Director Ray McGury locks him in as the highest paid park director in the area with a base salary of $207,618. McGury, hired to lead the park district in 2008, is also set to collect $5,634.28 a month in pension payments from the 21 years he spent with the Naperville Police Department, according to the Naperville Police Pension Fund board. In addition to his base salary, McGury was also approved for $10,000 in deferred compensation and $7,200 in auto allowance for 2018. The parks director has been receiving the car allowance and deferred compensation in those amounts since 2015.)
— New van to provide mobile veterinary services in DuPage County – Gary Gibula (DIERSEN: Of course, this will encourage low income people a) to move to DuPage County, b) to stay in DuPage County, and c) buy more pets. One reason why I can afford to spend 10+ hours each and every day and thousands of dollars each and every year to put GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and send them out free of charge and without any advertising is that neither my wife nor I have never had a pet.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-dupage-mobile-spay-neuter-vehicle-st-0126-20180202-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: DuPage County officials are thrilled that their animal care and control department soon will make use of a new mobile spay and neutering van. The 26-foot conversion vehicle will be outfitted with a number of features to allow veterinary services to be provided at remote locations, similar to a bookmobile or bloodmobile. “This is going to be a game-changer that allows us to save more animals and better serve the community,” said Dr. Barbara Hanek, administrator veterinarian. With ongoing concerns about pet overpopulation, a mobile spay and neuter vehicle can serve low-income residents who may not have the ability to drive to the animal care facility at the county campus in Wheaton. “Also, our spay and neuter program is free of charge for DuPage residents who qualify,” said Kristie Lecaros, humane initiatives and special projects manager. Valued at $250,000, the van is made possible by a donation from the Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy, which will be honored at the Feb. 27 county board meeting. “We’re an open admission shelter in the county,” said Brian Krajewski, chairman of the board’s animal care and control committee. “That means we take in every animal and try to find them a home. But we also do education, and this new van will help us to get out to many events, highlight animal rescues, and help us do some medical procedures like feral fixes, where we spay and neuter, microchip and vaccinate for rabies.” Free spay and neutering is available for all pets in DuPage County households where the owner has an Illinois LINK card that indicates low-income assistance. Officials said the van will be delivered in May. One side of it opens to reveal cages that may contain pets available for immediate adoption. Inside, the van will have two surgical tables, countertop work space and veterinary pharmacy supplies. “It’s also going to have a dental unit and an x-ray machine,” Hanek said. “We don’t even have an x-ray machine here at the main building. That’s a $50,000 piece of equipment right there.” The donation of $300,000 and a statement were facilitated by volunteer Amanda Yancey. “The Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy is a progressive think-tank for national animal welfare,” the donor wrote. “… Amanda has seen the improvements at DuPage County Animal Care & Control. To further the momentum, the exciting possibility of a specialty veterinary vehicle is seen as revolutionary for the animals of DuPage and beyond.” Hanek said veterinary medicine at shelters has shifted from a philosophy of addressing overpopulation with euthanasia “to now using more proactive measures like targeted spaying and neutering. That’s what this new van will help us do.” Hanek met with Kane County animal control officials who demonstrated the use of geo-coding to map locations throughout the county prone to feral and stray animals. “From that data, we can then determine the most effective areas where we can target our spay and neuter van,” Hanek said. “We want to be more proactive to provide our services in the areas where they’re needed.” A veterinary surgeon has been designated for the van, which will travel to a remote location at least once a week, officials said. “We should be able to do up to 30 spays and neuters per day,” Hanek said. “It all depends on the amount of time, whether it’s neutering a male cat versus spaying a large dog.” All pets under treatment are implanted with a microchip to identify the animal and the owner. Walk-ins may obtain microchips for their pets for $30. The goal is for police departments to be able to scan a chip and return the animal to its owner. “We also are very indebted to other rescue groups that have helped us in the past,” Hanek said. “With the new vehicle, we now can come out and do procedures for them. The whole idea is to fill a void for pet owners who can’t afford veterinary care and to lessen the burden on the animal shelter system.” DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin is an animal enthusiast who has two dogs, two cats and a horse, all spayed and neutered. “I think this is a great idea,” he said. “You’ve got to take the services to the neighborhoods, which is a much more effective way to get to the overpopulation of feral cats and other animals, particularly low-income areas. I encourage all the residents to participate and start looking out for the van.”)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Man poses as Water Division employee in Wheaton burglary – Taylor Hartz
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/man-poses-as-water-division-employee-in-wheaton-robbery/

QUAD CITY TIMES
— 3 Life Changes That Will Impact Your Taxes – Maurie Backman (DIERSEN: If there was no marriage penalty, instead of $10,000, the SALT cap would be $20,000 for married filing jointly.)
http://qctimes.com/business/investment/markets-and-stocks/life-changes-that-will-impact-your-taxes/article_6bd0d449-3a57-593e-b70d-8a54208ef0a3.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Like it or not, taxes are a part of life, so it stands to reason that when things change in your life, your taxes might follow suit. Here are three significant milestones that could end up impacting your taxes — ideally for the better. 1. Getting married Getting married can have a huge effect on your taxes because once you tie the knot, you’re eligible to shift your status to married filing jointly. This not only changes your standard deduction, but determines the marginal tax bracket you ultimately fall into.)

HERALD & REVIEW
— Ives short on cash, but full of fight – RICH MILLER
http://herald-review.com/news/opinion/miller-ives-short-on-cash-but-full-of-fight/article_297e65d2-25e1-51e2-803b-4fca51857b9c.html

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— All signs are positive – if you’re wealthy – DON WOOTEN (DIERSEN: If you are not struggling, that is, if you are wealthy, what do your critics/opponents attribute that to?)
http://qconline.com/opinion/columnists/all-signs-are-positive—if-you-re-wealthy/article_82b5117f-1845-5283-8117-044c2272f25f.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: I meet folks who are struggling to keep themselves afloat by working two or three part-time jobs (no wonder unemployment figures are low). Some who can no longer afford health insurance, thanks to repeal of Obama’s individual mandate. People who haven’t the means to care for their elderly, sick relatives. Others whose poverty has made Dollar General stores the fastest-growing retail chain in America. The growing number of those without a home; women forced to choose between caring for their children or working several jobs to feed them.)

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Rauner promotes business-friendliness during trip to local brewery – Jaymee Toler (DIERSEN: One could ask about employee-friendliness. Are/were you an employee? I was 1964-1997.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/rauner-promotes-business-friendliness-during-trip-to-local-brewery/951123966
— Abortion is a focus of early action in legislative sessions – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/abortion-is-a-focus-of-early-action-in-legislative-sessions/950976761

WJBD RADIO
— Illinois Governor Candidate Stands by Ad Blasted as ‘Racist’ – AP
http://www.wjbdradio.com/local-news/2018/02/03/illinois-governor-candidate-stands-by-ad-blasted-as-racist

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Focus on economic growth, control of pension crisis needed in Illinois, Batinick says – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Rauner and his supporters focus on driving out of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) those like me who are involved in politics to defend and advance the IRP platform. Ever-increasingly, Rauner and his supporters focus on driving out of the IRP those like me who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and the rest of the planks in the IRP platform.)
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511327637-focus-on-economic-growth-control-of-pension-crisis-needed-in-illinois-batinick-says

FOX NEWS
— Paul Ryan calls to ‘cleanse’ the FBI – Mike Emanuel (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who fear/believe that Rauner and his supporters want to cleanse the Illinois Republican Party of all its members who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform? What do Trump and Pence have to say about that?) |
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/30/paul-ryan-calls-to-cleanse-fbi-backs-surveillance-memo-release.html

DAILY CALLER
— Answer Facebook’s Attacks Against Freedom Of Speech — Complain, Sue, Compete – Alan Keyes (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the anti-conservative Facebook is succeeding in a) stopping people from visiting websites, b) stopping people and organizations from sending and reading emails, and c) stopping organizations, activists, candidates, elected officials, etc. from publishing and maintaining websites. Ever-increasingly, everyone talks and acts like anti-conservative Facebook is the internet.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/04/answer-facebooks-attacks-against-freedom-of-speech-complain-sue-compete/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Lately Facebook appears to be making particularly aggressive moves against freedom of speech by conservatives. Particularly targeted are those who express views that offer facts and reasoning which contradict the specious Constitutional jurisprudence that demands respect for various gender claims, and equal public regard for a variety of sexual practices. Yet these demands deny or disparage God-endowed unalienable rights, attributes of humanity (like the sexual distinction for purposes of procreation) that are necessarily antecedent to all human laws and constitutions. Moreover, as the term “unalienable” plainly requires, people retain such rights no matter what human laws or edicts purport to gainsay them. . .Such are the forces now at work at Facebook and other such social networking businesses, whose commerce is, or else includes, communication. They mean to suppress speech that challenges any prejudices not their own. But isn’t the United States still governed by its laws and Constitution? Aren’t businesses that accommodate public exchanges and conveyances still subject to the Civil Rights Act? Instead of just publicizing Facebook’s growing abuses, isn’t it long past time for the victims of its attacks on free speech to seek such justice as that law provides? . . . Two things are urgently needed: 1) An avalanche of formal complaints to appropriate Civil Rights Offices if the US Government, and attendant lawsuits against Facebook’s attacks on freedom of speech; and 2) promotion of a competitive alternative(s) to Facebook committed to respecting the logic and purpose of the U.S. Constitution’s enumeration of freedom of speech in the Bill of Rights, as well as the Ninth Amendment’s language prohibiting any construction of the enumeration of rights that denies or disparages rights retained by the people. These latter include, foremost of all, the God-endowed, unalienable rights whose surrender entails the loss of humanity itself.)
— There’s A Newfound Hatred Of Silicon Valley – Eric Lieberman
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/03/newfound-hatred-of-silicon-valley/

ONE NEWS NOW
— On McCabe: Retirement w/ benefits? That’s justice? More needs to be done than just allowing disgraced federal officials to retire with full benefits. – Chad Groening (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who claim to be conservative and/or Republican are overjoyed that my Democrat superiors in the federal government disgraced me. My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.onenewsnow.com/politics-govt/2018/01/31/on-mccabe-retirement-w-benefits-thats-justice

BLAZE
— State legislatures hit with flurry of Republican abortion bills – Teri Webster
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/03/state-legislatures-hit-with-flurry-of-republican-abortion-bills

AMERICAN THINKER
— IL Governor Rauner’s conservative challenger making waves – Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/02/il_governor_rauners_conservative_challenger_making_waves.html
— Riot erupts following Charles Kirk lecture at Colorado State University – Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/02/riot_erupts_following_charles_kirk_lecture_at_colorado_state_university.html

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— FBI unpopular among Republicans: Poll – Joel Gehrke
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/fbi-unpopular-among-republicans-poll/article/2648039

COLLEGE FIX
— Professor: Former VP Dick Cheney not qualified to speak at Cornell – DAVE HUBER
http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/41579/

THE HILL
— Ryan calls for a ‘cleanse’ of the FBI – BRETT SAMUELS (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who fear/believe that Rauner and his supporters want to cleanse the Illinois Republican Party of all its members who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform? What do Trump and Pence have to say about that?)
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/371429-ryan-calls-for-a-cleanse-of-the-fbi
— Polls swing toward GOP, easing fears of midterm disaster – ALEXANDER BOLTON
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/372101-gop-growing-optimistic-about-midterm-chances

NEW YORK TIMES
— A ‘Blue’ Florida? There Are No Quick Demographic Fixes for Democrats – Nate Cohn (DIERSEN: Because members of the following groups vote for Democrats, Democrats want to flood your precinct, your municipality, your township/ward, your county, Illinois, and America with them: 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 longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/upshot/a-blue-florida-there-are-no-quick-demographic-fixes-for-democrats.html
— Who’s Able-Bodied Anyway? The 400-year history of how we talk about the deserving versus the undeserving poor. – Emily Badger and Margot Sanger-Katz (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, employers talk and act like they do not want hire, retain, or promote those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, draft avoiders, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/upshot/medicaid-able-bodied-poor-politics.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fsunday

NEW YORK POST
— The GOP memo proves the ‘deep state’ is real – Michael Goodwin
https://nypost.com/2018/02/03/the-gop-memo-proves-the-deep-state-is-real/

USA TODAY
— Protestors chanting Nazi slogan storm crowd outside Charlie Kirk speech at Colorado State University – Nick Coltrain
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/03/protestors-chanting-nazi-slogan-storm-crowd-outside-charlie-kirk-speech-colorado-state-university/303489002/

ON TOP MAGAZINE
— RNC Backs Trump’s Ban On Transgender Troops – CARLOS SANTOSCOY
http://www.ontopmag.com/article/37309/RNC_Backs_Trumps_Ban_On_Transgender_Troops

February 2 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Jeanne Ives ‘Thank You’ ad stirs controversy – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/jeanne-ives-thank-you-ad-stirs-controversy-/3025076/
— House Republicans release partisan memo on Russia probe – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/house-republicans-release-partisan-memo-on-russia-probe/3023390/
— Delays in Cook County assessor’s office probe raises red flags – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/delays-in-cook-county-assessors-office-probe-raises-red-flags/3025011/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican candidate for Attorney General Gary Grasso is going beyond just criticizing the current property tax system in Cook County. He has sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions requesting that his office launch an investigation. “I don’t know that he will or won’t. But I believe that he should and that’s because no one locally here will take this on,” said Gary Grasso, R-Candidate for Attorney General. The Department of Justice could not immediately confirm receipt of the letter. Grasso pointed to published reports which have criticized Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios for giving tax breaks to the rich who use politically-connected law firms to get their assessments lowered at the expense of the poor.)

NBC5
— Ives Releases Advertisement Criticizing Rauner’s ‘Betrayals’
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/jeanne-ives-releases-controversial-new-ad-attacking-governor-bruce-rauner-472421723.html
— Early Voting to Be Delayed in Chicago, Cook County: Officials – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Early-Voting-to-Be-Delayed-in-Chicago-Cook-County-472379413.html

CBS2
— Controversial Republican Memo Released; Pelosi Warns Of Possible ‘Constitutional Crisis’
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/02/pelosi-nunes-trump-gop-memo/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Officials: Chicago area could see delay in early voting – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/officials-chicago-area-could-see-delay-in-early-voting-1

WLS AM
— Optimism at RNC meeting, but chair says 2018 election ‘is not going to be easy’
http://www.wlsam.com/news/optimism-at-rnc-meeting-but-chair-says-2018-election-is-not-going-to-be-easy/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— After Uihlein cash boost, Rauner rival Ives begins airing TV campaign ads – TINA SFONDELES
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/after-uihlein-cash-boost-rauner-rival-ives-begins-airing-tv-campaign-ads/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Ives says “Ives ad targets transgender community, immigrants and women who get abortions.” Who targets you? The following target me: those who promote class warfare, dependency on government, dependency on charity, LBGTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, etc.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/ives-ad-targets-transgender-community-immigrants-and-women-who-get-abortions/
— Cook County judge knocks Scott Drury from ballot for attorney general – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/cook-county-judge-knocks-scott-drury-from-ballot-for-attorney-general/
— Banning free speech in Poland is no way to end accusations of Holocaust complicity – Jacob Sullum
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/banning-free-speech-in-poland-is-no-way-to-end-accusations-of-holocaust-complicity/
— Chicago’s young African-Americans don’t count in Trump’s job numbers – LAURA WASHINGTON
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/trump-state-of-the-union-speech-excludes-black-chicago-youth/
— State Sen. Ira Silverstein survives ballot challenge by two signatures – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/state-sen-ira-silverstein-survives-ballot-challenge-by-two-signatures/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Ives says “The debate splash by Rep. Jeanne Ives probably won’t last.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/jeanne-ives-debate-splash-probably-wont-last-rich-miller/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois college presidents want more money. What do they offer in return? – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-colleges-illinois-higher-education-board-20180123-story.html
— Democratic Rep. Quigley says Republican memo release ‘will come at the great expense of our national security’ – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-donald-trump-fbi-memo-illinois-20180202-story.html
— Walker’s welfare overhaul bills cost Wisconsin more than $90 million – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/midwest/ct-walker-welfare-overhaul-cost-wisconsin-20180202-story.html
— RNC sides with Trump ban of transgender people in military – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-rnc-transgender-military-20180202-story.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Jeanne Ives hits social issues in anti-Rauner ad – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180202/jeanne-ives-hits-social-issues-in-anti-rauner-ad

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— UI student leaders’ requests for early-voting expansion rejected – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-02-02/ui-student-leaders-requests-early-voting-expansion-rejected.html

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— Ives attacks Rauner, Pritchard in DeKalb visit – KEVIN SOLARI
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2018/02/02/ives-attacks-rauner-pritchard-in-dekalb-visit/duf7g4j/

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Ives Blasts Rauner During DeKalb Meet-And-Greet – GUY STEPHENS
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/ives-blasts-rauner-during-dekalb-meet-and-greet

FOX ILLINOIS
— Rauner says he talks with leaders all the time, Madigan’s office disagrees – Emily Manley
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/rauner-says-he-talks-with-leaders-all-the-time-madigans-office-disagrees-02-03-2018

WGLT
— Pritzker: Campaign Will Carry Down-Ballot Democrats In November – RYAN DENHAM
http://wglt.org/post/pritzker-campaign-will-carry-down-ballot-democrats-november#stream/0
— Normal Council’s Scott Preston Considers Run For McLean County GOP Chair – RYAN DENHAM
http://wglt.org/post/normal-councils-scott-preston-considers-run-mclean-county-gop-chair#stream/0

THE X RADIO
— Focus on Inclusion and Diversity as Part of Illinois Bicentennial (DIERSEN: Generally, if you are a White male, the less privileged that you are, the more that you have to pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion. Neither of my outstanding parents attended college. My father was the first of his ancestors to earn a high school diploma. My mother never attended high school.)
http://www.thexradio.com/news/78-local-news/32208-focus-on-inclusion-and-diversity-as-part-of-illinois-bicentennial

ILLINOIS HOMEPAGE
— Protest march seeks clean Dream Act – Betty Simpson (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout at illegals and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, sexual harassers, bigots, and even worse things. One should expect that if Trump lets the illegals stay, Democrats will use the illegals to get rid of Republicans once and for all.)
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/protest-march-seeks-clean-dream-act/949730840

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Jeanne Ives Event at Bull Valley Golf Club Large Crowd Attends $100 Per Person Fundraiser – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/02/02/jeanne-ives-event-at-bull-valley-golf-club/

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Despite Nybo’s objections, Senate backs limits on voter data sharing – Angela Underwood
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511325637-despite-nybo-s-objections-senate-backs-limits-on-voter-data-sharing

SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey points to Rauner’s record as reason for not debating Ives – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511325654-bailey-points-to-rauner-s-record-as-reason-for-not-debating-ives

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IVES RELEASES NEW TELEVISION AD
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/ives-releases-new-television-ad.html
— IVES CAMPAIGN RELEASES ‘THANK YOU BRUCE RAUNER’ AD
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/ives-campaign-releases-thank-you-bruce-rauner-ad.html
— GOP AG CANDIDATE ASKS FEDS TO LOOK INTO SUSPECT COOK COUNTY PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/gop-ag-candidate-asks-feds-to-look-into-suspect-cook-county-property-tax-system.html
— LOCALS POINT TO ANTI-BLACK AGENDA FLOSSMOOR’S NEW PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC BRINGS IN
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/locals-respond-to-new-planned-parenthood-clinic-in-flossmoor.html
— THORNER: 10TH CD GOP HOPEFULS FACE LAKE FOREST/LAKE BLUFF GOP WOMEN’S CLUB
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/10th-cd-gop-hopeful-faces-womens-republican-of-lake-forestlake-bluff.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Pat Brady, Equality Illinois respond – Pritzker campaign responds – ACLU responds – Will air this weekend – Biss responds – Ives unveils 60-second version – Kennedy campaign responds – Rauner campaign responds, kinda *** Ives’ other TV ad is gonna cause a huge controversy if it airs
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/02/ives-other-tv-ad-is-gonna-cause-a-huge-controversy-if-it-airs/
— Garber also quit Republican State Central Committee post (DIERSEN: The 18 members of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) runs the IRP. Who represents you on the IRP SCC? Their term is ending soon. Have they announced that they are running again? Who wants to represent you on the IRP SCC and why? What promises did they make to get elected? Whose endorsements have they gained so far? Rauner? Ives? The Republican U.S. The congressman who represents their district? The Illinois representatives and senators who represent the district? The chairmen of the Republican county, township, and ward party organizations who represent their district? Your Republican precinct committeeman?)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/02/garber-also-quit-republican-state-central-committee-post/
(Illinois Republican State Central Committee: Chairman: Tim Schneider 1st Congressional District: Shaun Murphy 2nd Congressional District: Judy Diekelman 3rd Congressional District: Sean Morrison 4th Congressional District: Jay Reyes 5th Congressional District: Jack Dorgan 6th Congressional District: Brian Colgan 7th Congressional District: Carol Smith Donovan 8th Congressional District: Ryan Higgins 9th Congressional District: Blair Garber 10th Congressional District: Mark Shaw 11th Congressional District: Roger Claar 12th Congressional District: Michael Neubert 13th Congressional District: Fred Floreth 14th Congressional District: Stanton Bond 15th Congressional District: Robert Winchester, Sr. 16th Congressional District: John McGlasson 17th Congressional District: Jan Weber 18th Congressional District: Michael Bigger SOURCE: https://illinois.gop/who-we-are/officials/)
— Rauner says state audit of managed care program was “fundamentally inaccurate” and “misinformation” (DIERSEN: What do you know about auditing? GAO audits the federal government. I worked for GAO for almost 18 years 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently, $96,403-$125,325. I worked for IRS for almost 9 years 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. I passed the Certified Internal Auditor Examination on my first attempt in 1981. I became a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, a Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and a Forensic Accountant in 1997. I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970, an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997. I served on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants 1983-1996.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/02/rauner-says-state-audit-of-managed-care-program-was-fundamentally-inaccurate-and-misinformation/

GOPUSA
— Black Lives Matter Minnesota is advising black visitors and other people of color to “exercise caution” while visiting St. Paul during Super Bowl LII.
http://www.gopusa.com/black-lives-matter-minnesota-issues-travel-alert-for-st-paul/

DAILY CALLER
— Photo Catches Democrats Literally Playing iPhone Games During Trump’s SOTU Speech – Benny Johnson
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/31/photo-catches-democrats-literally-playing-iphone-games-during-trumps-sotu-speech/

THE HILL
— Trump’s State of the Union makes clear: No amount of amnesty can please Democrats – DAVE RAY
http://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/371995-trumps-state-of-the-union-makes-clear-no-amount-of-amnesty-can-please

BLOOMBERG
— GOP Plans to Put Tax Cuts at Forefront of 2018 Campaign – Anna Edgerton and Laura Litvan (DIERSEN: What about those who will have to pay more federal income tax, most commonly, those who pay more than $10,000 a year in real estate tax and state income tax?)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-02/gop-campaign-battle-plan-relies-on-putting-tax-cuts-at-forefront

RIPON ADVANCE
— Republican-led House oversight subcommittee, House colleagues urge IRS reform
https://riponadvance.com/featured/republican-led-house-oversight-subcommittee-house-colleagues-urge-irs-reform/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Among the witnesses testifying before the subcommittee were U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Jim Renacci (R-OH), who each outlined two bills they separately introduced and would like to have members consider. Rep. Roskam, for instance, last August introduced the Free File Permanence Act of 2017, H.R. 3641, which has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill would require the U.S. Treasury Department to continue operating the IRS Free File Program and to work with state government agencies and the private sector to expand and enhance the program, which offers free commercial-type online individual income tax preparation and electronic filing services to the lowest 70 percent of taxpayers by income, according to the bill’s summary. “As an added bonus, the program actually saves the federal government an estimated $13 million a year because electronic filings are less expensive for the IRS to process than paper versions,” said Roskam. The bipartisan bill has 123 cosponsors, including subcommittee chairman Jenkins and subcommittee members Bishop, Walorski, LaHood, and Curbelo. Rep. Roskam also introduced the bipartisan Restraining Excessive Seizure of Property through the Exploitation of Civil Asset Forfeiture Tools Act, H.R. 1843, on March 30, 2017, which would limit IRS authority to seize the funds of law-abiding citizens under false pretenses, said Roskam. Multiple incidences uncovered by House Oversight Subcommittee members showed that the IRS has abused its authority “and was stealing legally earned funds solely because the owners ran afoul of structuring laws,” he said. An identical bill, S. 824, was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) on April 4, 2017. Roskam’s bill passed the House on a voice vote in September and now awaits consideration by the Senate Finance Committee.)

February 2 Morning Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— State Sen. Ira Silverstein four signatures up in back-and-forth ballot challenge – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/state-sen-ira-silverstein-four-signatures-up-in-back-and-forth-ballot-challenge/
— Finding impartial jurors could delay trial in Facebook video torture case – Andy Grimm
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/finding-impartial-jurors-could-delay-trial-in-facebook-video-torture-case/
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use Christian Gomez Garcia to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn ICE.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/they-treat-people-like-theyre-animals-dreamer-released-after-ice-detains-him/
— Let’s quit brainwashing kids that it’s a college degree or nothing – David McGrath (DIERSEN: Do you have a college degree? If I had not been taking undergraduate business courses, the Democrats who ran the Post Office might not have offered me a job in 1966 and they might have gotten rid of me sooner than they did. If I had not had a 1970 bachelor’s degree in management from NIU, a) Firestone Stores would not have offered me a job in 1970 and b) Oldsmobile and the Democrats who ran IRS would not have offered me jobs in 1971. If I had not been taking graduate business courses, the Democrats who ran IRS might not have promoted me 1972, 1973, and 1974. If I had not had a 1976 MBA from Loyola and if I had not been taking graduate accounting courses at DePaul, the Democrats who ran GAO would not have offered me a job in 1980 and would not have promoted me in 1986. If I had not been taking graduate courses in financial markets and trading at IIT, my Democrat superiors who ran GAO might have succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1993 instead of 1997.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lets-quit-brainwashing-kids-that-its-a-college-degree-or-nothing/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Day after togetherness pitch, Rauner says Madigan has ‘made corruption rampant’ – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-michael-madigan-20180202-story.html
— Fundraising in IL-10 – Katherine Skiba)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-michael-madigan-20180202-story.html
— U.S. CEOs seen earning 140 times more than the typical worker – Bloomberg (DIERSEN: Trump is earning only $400,000/year, or only 3.2 times my $122,325/year GAO salary in today’s dollars. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes shout that GAO overpaid me. In my defense, a) I had worked for GAO for almost 18 years and I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years before that; b) I had six job-related professional certifications and a job-related professional license; and c) I had three job-related master’s degrees and a job-related bachelor’s degree.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-ceo-worker-pay-disparity-20180201-story.html
— Will driverless cars mean the end of the road for the Chicago Auto Show? – Robert Channick (DIERSEN: What is your attitude toward cars? Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are anti-American nameplate cars, if not just plane anti-car. The cars that you own say more about you than anything that you can say about yourself. My daily diver is a 2003 Chevy Cavalier LS that I bought from my aunt in 2010. Other cars that I own are: 1972 Chevy Corvette, 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX, 2005 Chevy Corvette, 2013 Dodge Charger R/T Max, and 2016 Ford Mustang. Previously, I bought a 1958 Chevy BelAir, 1962 Chevy BelAir, 1962 Chevy Impala SS, 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint, 1968 Oldsmobile 442, 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, 1969 Dodge Charger SE, 1974 Dodge Dart, 1978 Chevy Chevette, 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale, 1990 Ford Thunderbird LX, 1993 Ford Thunderbird, and 1997 Chevy Cavalier.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-chicago-auto-show-future-20180129-story.html
— Under Rauner, penalties sought against Illinois polluters have plummeted – Michael Hawthorne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-met-rauner-epa-enforcement-20180123-story.html
— Democrats’ behavior at the State of the Union was embarrassing – Dana Milbank
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-state-union-democrats-behavior-20180201-story.html
— Twitter posts prompt NIU officials to deny they monitor students’ social media accounts – Kate Thayer
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-niu-watchlist-20180130-story.html
— Organizers of proposed Aurora Pride Parade to meet with local clergy – Steve Lord (DIERSEN: How soon will those who promote LGBTQ activity in Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, and in your municipality have enough religious, government, political, and financial clout to banish all individuals, all organizations, all companies, and all governments that do not promote LGBTQ activity?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-pride-st-0202-20180201-story.html
— High school students explore post-graduation alternatives at gap year fairs – Kathy Routliffe (DIERSEN: No gap year for White males who want to be federal employees because the federal government will get rid of you if you do not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/winnetka/news/ct-wt-gap-year-fair-tl-0208-20180201-story.html
— Oregon’s top prosecutor holds marijuana summit to address ‘massive’ pot surplus – AP (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-oregon-marijuana-summit-20180202-story.html

CBS2
— Cook County Jail Prepares For Blitz Of ‘Sick Calls’ During Super Bowl (DIERSEN: While I worked part-time for the Park Forest Post Office 1966-1969, I was frequently called in to work because my coworkers had called in sick.)
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/01/31/super-bowl-sick-calls/#.WnNa4qsQAtk.twitter

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Suburban police receive Narcan training for overdose victims (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will opioid sellers give Narcan to their customers to sell more opioid?)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/suburban-police-receive-narcan-training-for-overdose-victims

DAILY HERALD
— Kane County ends 2017 with $1.9M budget surplus – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180201/kane-county-ends-2017-with-19m-budget-surplus
— Assessor’s lawsuit is mockery of campaign finance fairness – Nathaniel Hamilton
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180202/assessors-lawsuit-is-mockery-of-campaign-finance-fairness
— Aurora Police: Man greeted cops while smoking marijuana cigarette – Chacour Koop
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180202/police-man-greeted-cops-while-smoking-marijuana-cigarette

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: To give preference to one group is to discriminate against another group. In 1971, Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180201/ISSUE01/180139951
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A DISCRIMINATOR SAYS: “When I joined Ritchie three and a half years ago, there were no women on the executive team. I told the recruiters, “Don’t bring me any men. If you do, then you’ll be fired.” So they brought me eight great candidates, and I am now blessed with a fantastic CFO. And once I got her, it was easier to get others.?)
— Emanuel struts Chicago’s gay-friendly policies in HQ2 pitch – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: What percent of those in Chicago 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 longer than their ancestors?)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180202/BLOGS02/180209980

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers push pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180201/point-its-time-for-illinois-to-end-its-failed-prohibition-of-marijuana
— Private school scholarship website flooded, shut down – Jason Nevel (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod. But my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, and especially those who are anti-Protestant and/or who are anti-German American, have always used that against me.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180201/private-school-scholarship-website-flooded-shut-down
— Tax bill beginning to deliver bigger paychecks to workers – Sarah Skidmore Sell (DIERSEN: Are/were you a worker? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress that I was a lowly worker 1962-1997. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; 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.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180201/tax-bill-beginning-to-deliver-bigger-paychecks-to-workers

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Biss: Illinoisans want middle-class governor – Derek Beigh (DIERSEN: What class are/were you? I should write a book about those who paint themselves as being upper class who demonize, denigrate, and condemn me as being lower class. I should write another book about those who paint themselves as being lower class who demonize, denigrate, and condemn me as being upper class.)
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/government-and-politics/elections/biss-illinoisans-want-middle-class-governor/article_244dce4a-66d4-5db3-a783-5bea1105ff17.html

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— VERY SAD: March in support of ‘Dream Act’ planned Saturday in Champaign – Julie Wurth
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-02-01/march-support-dream-act-planned-saturday-champaign.html

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Rauner urges unity ahead of divisive election – AP
http://www.daily-journal.com/news/illinois/rauner-urges-unity-ahead-of-divisive-election/article_5119514e-11c3-5afa-82dc-da75ca781f38.html

SUBURBAN CHICAGOLAND
— Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who blacklist me because I refuse to blacklist Rauner and his supporters? What do you say to those who blacklist me because I refuse to blacklist Ives and her supporters?)
https://suburbanchicagoland.com/2018/02/02/cook-county-gop-chairman-endorses-bruce-rauner-re-election/

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Veteran Chicago Trader Creates Angel Fund for Women Entrepreneurs Women represent only 19 percent of angel investors in America. To combat that inequity, Carolyn Leonard is raising $1.92 million to help fund female-led companies. – SHIA KAPOS (DIERSEN: Because members of the following groups are ever-increasingly demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being White euphemists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things, anyone who might create a fund for companies led by them would be viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/January-2018/Carolyn-Leonard-DyMynd-Angels-Fund/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Ignore Rauner: The State of the State is Bankrupt – John Biver
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/02/ignore-rauner-the-state-of-the-state-is-bankrupt/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump likens Pelosi’s ‘crumbs’ tax comments to Clinton’s ‘deplorables’ – David Sherfinski
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/1/donald-trump-likens-nancy-pelosis-crumbs-tax-comme/

FOX NEWS
— Durbin faces Harvard mob angry over lack of ‘Clean Dream Act’ – Lukas Mikelionis
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/02/durbin-faces-harvard-mob-angry-over-lack-clean-dream-act.html

FOX BUSINESS
— Taxpayers’ paycheck problems could lead to big bill from IRS, expert warns – Brittany De Lea
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2018/01/30/taxpayers-paycheck-problems-could-lead-to-big-bill-from-irs-expert-warns.html

THE HILL
— Federal workers on edge over Trump call for firing power – LYDIA WHEELER (DIERSEN: Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
http://thehill.com/regulation/371878-trumps-targeting-of-federal-workforce-puts-unions-on-edge

ROLL CALL
— Republicans Divided on Minimum Needed for Immigration Deal White House, conservatives pushing four pillars while others open to just two – Lindsey McPherson
https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/republicans-divided-minimum-needed-immigration-deal

POLITICO
— Ryan renews welfare reform push But the House speaker is once again running into resistance from the Senate. – RACHAEL BADE and BURGESS EVERETT
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/01/welfare-reform-gop-paul-ryan-382591

NEW YORK TIMES
— An Indian ‘Chief’ Mascot Was Dropped. A Decade Later, He’s Still Lurking. The Cleveland Indians are retiring “Chief Wahoo,”
but the debate is far from over if other institutions, like the University of Illinois, are a guide. – MITCH SMITH
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/us/native-americans-sports-mascots-illinois.html
— Trump Sets Up a Grand Bargain on Immigration – George J. Borjas (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, immigrants are minorities and/or females. Democrats only want immigrants who will vote for Democrats. RINOs only want immigrants who will work for less money.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/opinion/trump-immigration-dreamers.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— How Does the Boss’s Pay Compare to the Rank and File? Survey offers early glimpse of the CEO-worker pay ratios in different industries – Vanessa Fuhrmans and Theo Francis (DIERSEN: Trump is earning only $400,000/year, or only 3.2 times my $122,325/year GAO salary in today’s dollars. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes shout that GAO overpaid me. In my defense, a) I had worked for GAO for almost 18 years and I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years before that; b) I had six job-related professional certifications and a job-related professional license; and c) I had three job-related master’s degrees and a job-related bachelor’s degree.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/an-early-look-at-the-ceo-worker-pay-ratio-1517505343

BLOOMBERG
— Wall Street Is Taking On More Risk Again – Sridhar Natarajan, Sally Bakewell, and Kiel Porter
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-02/leverage-is-back-wall-street-s-taking-on-more-risk-in-trump-era

USA TODAY
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Marijuana shops prep for Super Bowl sales blitz – Trevor Hughes
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/01/marijuana-pot-shops-prep-super-bowl-sales-blitz/1085109001/
— German police sue American woman for slander for calling them ‘Nazis’ – Deutsche Welle Publish (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that Trump supporters are Nazis, White supremacists, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, sexual harassers, bigots, and even worse things. At what point should Trump supporters hit them with cease and desist letters? At what point should Trump supporters sue them for slander? If you are a Trump supporter, the more of the following that you are, the more forcefully that anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a Nazi, White supremacist, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, sexual harasser, bigot, and even worse things: Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/26/german-police-sue-american-woman-slander-calling-them-nazis/1068397001/

HARVARD CRIMSON
— Durbin Speech Met With Protest at Kennedy School Around 100 students from across the University spent Thursday evening marching up and down in front of the Kennedy School to protest Senator Durbin’s visit. – ALEXANDRA A. CHAIDEZ AND SIMONE C. CHU (DIERSEN: If you were me, how would deal with my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who viciously demonize, who viciously denigrate, and who viciously condemn my intelligence, my judgment, my motives, my abilities, my ethics, my accomplishments, my etc.? They hint/imply/argue/shout at everyone that no one should tell me anything because I will use whatever they tell me improperly in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. Those who my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have shouted at say to me “don’t quote me” and they require me to say “this is off-the-record” before they will tell me anything. Should I send my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes cease and desist letters and publish them in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails? Should I sue them for slander?)
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/2/2/durbin-visit-protests/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Maribel Nava ’20, one of the attendees, declined to reveal exactly what Durbin discussed with the group, noting the meeting was supposed to be off-the-record. Nonetheless, she said she thought the conversation was at least somewhat productive.)

FEDERAL SOUP
— NTEU: White House call to ease firing ‘a step backward’ (DIERSEN: I was a NTEU member 1971-1980 while I worked for IRS. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://federalsoup.com/articles/2018/01/31/wh-call-to-ease-firing-a-step-backward.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Trump said, alluding to his administration’s proposals to make it easier for federal political appointees and managers to fire federal employees. Legislation has eased removals at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and President Trump has said he would like other departments to see similar changes. Among the first of the federal unions to respond at length, the National Treasury Employees Union criticized the language used in the speech. “It is unfortunate that the president chose to single out our world-class civil service tonight, leaving the impression that federal employees are not dedicated to public service, committed to the missions of their agencies and honorable Americans,” NTEU President Tony Reardon said in a statement. “At a time of no passed or enacted agency budgets, the nation artificially operating to avoid hitting the debt ceiling, no plan to provide relief from sequestration, four CRs to keep the government open, a shutdown last week, and less than nine days until a possible second shutdown,” he continued, “the American people need an administration and Congress that is accountable and performing for them, and not elected officials looking to pass the buck.” “Federal employees must retain existing protections that stop unfair and arbitrary management practices, along with political favoritism and retaliation,” Reardon said. “Our workforce is non-partisan and merit-based and any reduction in due process protections is a step backward for our country.”)

February 1 Morning Edition

CBS2
— Rauner’s State Of The State Overshadowed By Politics The candidates who hope to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner all had something to say Tuesday. – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-wbbmtv/3802364-rauners-state-of-the-state-overshadowed-by-politics/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR PICTURE: Assessment fairness study drags out – Jason Grotto and Hal Dardick (DIERSEN: Who wants your home to have a higher assessed valuation? I should write a book about those in my precinct, in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, DuPage County, and in Illinois who have always wanted 915 Cove Court in Wheaton to have a higher assessed valuation, that is, those who have always wanted my wife and I to pay higher real estate taxes.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/taxdivide/ct-met-assessor-berrios-study-delay-20180130-story.html
— Sidestepping woes, Rauner says the best is yet to come (DIERSEN: What is ahead for retirees? Higher inflation? Lower interest rates? Higher medical and dental expenses? Falling real estate market values? Higher real estate taxes with real estate tax deductions being capped at $10,000/year? How soon will real estate taxes exceed 10% of market value and/or $10,000/year for all homes in Illinois?)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20180201/281487866790635
— John Marshall Law School will start accepting GRE as test alternative to LSAT – Ally Marotti (DIERSEN: If I had not passed the CPA examination in 1979, GAO would not have offered me a job in 1980. If I had not passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination in 1970, IRS would not have offered me a job in 1971. If I had not passed the Post Office employment examination in 1966, the Post Office would not have offered me a job in 1966.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-john-marshall-law-school-accepts-gre-20180130-story.html
— Twinkie maker’s response to the Trump Tax: bonus and free snacks – Nick Turner and Craig Giammona
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-hostess-tax-bonus-free-snacks-20180131-story.html
— Was state Sen. Silverstein snared by Springfield’s sexist ‘handkerchief trick?’ – Kim Janssen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-ira-silverstein-gag-0201-chicago-inc-20180131-story.html

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Why housing may help Chicago in Amazon HQ2 race – DENNIS RODKIN (DIERSEN: If Amazon picks Chicago, how attractive would new Amazon employees view the housing in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, and in your county? From what I see, new Amazon employees would be disproportionately, if not overwhelmingly, 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 dodgers (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20180201/CRED0701/180209994/why-housing-may-help-chicago-in-amazon-hq2-race

WGN RADIO
— What can we expect from the next legislative session in Springfield? – PETER ZIMMERMAN (DIERSEN: If I was still the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, everyone could expect and I would deliver a breakfast meeting the third Saturday of every month except August and December, a picnic every August, and a Christmas party every December. Everyone could expect and I would deliver speakers at those events that would include candidates in upcoming elections. Currently, for example, Rauner, Ives, Sanguinetti, Morthland, Harold, Grasso, Diganvker, Jhingan, Stella, Vlakancic, Minor, Grant, Byrne, Kinzler, Orozco, Zito, Khouri, Mendrick, Bibbiano, Tornatore, DeMichele, Gavanes, Hart, Abbott, Tully, McGowen, Almiron, Eckhoff, Zaruba, Tatro, Chinchilla, Wiley, Zay, McQuade, Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee candidates, DuPage County Republican Central Committee candidates, Republican township party candidates, etc. One could argue that incumbent Republicans would be far more likely to want to get rid of TAPROOT because TAPROOT, unlike many other organizations, gave challengers an opportunity to speak. While the West Suburban Patriots organization in Wheaton has barred the following Republican elected officials from speaking at its events because they have endorsed Rauner and Sanguinetti, under my chairmanship, they would be welcome to speak at TAPROOT events, provided that they agreed to take questions from the audience: Dan Cronin, Steve Chirico, Jim Durkin, John Curran, Patti Bellock, Grant Wehrli, Christine Winger, Bob Berlin, Fred Bucholz, Gwen Henry, Paul Hinds, Richard Jorgenson, Greg Hart, Brian Krajewski, Sean Noonan, Don Puchalski, Kevin Wiley, James Zay, Rich Veenstra, Richard Irvin, Chuck Nelson, Kevin Wallace, Franco Coladipietro, Len Austin, Martin Tully, Steven Morley, Rodney Craig, Jeff Pruyn, John Egofske, Ken McClafferty, Kevin Coyne, Ruben Pineda, Noreen Ligino-Kubinski, Michael Gresk, Todd Scalzo, Frank Trilla, and Jim Mathieson.)
http://wgnradio.com/2018/01/31/what-can-we-expect-from-the-next-legislative-session-in-springfield/

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: West Chicago High School teachers file notice of intent to strike – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180131/west-chicago-high-school-teachers-file-notice-of-intent-to-strike-
— Moving beyond naloxone to save addicts – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180201/moving-beyond-naloxone-to-save-addicts

WTTW
— Rauner Speaks of Bipartisanship, Democrats Don’t Believe It – Amanda Vinicky (DIERSEN: Democrats will never vote for Rauner. Nevertheless, Democrats want Rauner a) to dump more and more and more planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform and b) to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn Ives and all the other conservatives in the state.)
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/01/31/rauner-speaks-bipartisanship-democrats-don-t-believe-it

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner: Let’s cooperate; Madigan says gov blames others – Doug Finke (DIERSEN: Who blames you for their problems, for your problems, and/or for everyone’s problems? I should write a book about nasty scapegoaters who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and what I did as a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, and American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180131/rauner-lets-cooperate-madigan-says-gov-blames-others
— Illinois lawmakers wear black in solidarity with #MeToo – Brenden Moore and Maximilian Kwiatkowski (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that the more of the following that you are, the more of a sexual harasser that you are: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, draft avoider, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180131/illinois-lawmakers-wear-black-in-solidarity-with-metoo

TIMES
— Ives calls out Mautino, Towne – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/candidate-calls-out-mautino-towne/article_9d56eebf-7137-5888-8890-7a19382ef725.html
— Balanced budget vow pleases local lawmakers – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/balanced-budget-vow-pleases-local-lawmakers/article_c2403dba-3e7d-5d2b-80c9-c4a9785deb0f.html

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— The state of our state … and Rauner’s reelection chances – Editorial
http://www.pjstar.com/opinion/20180131/editorial-state-of-our-state–and-rauners-reelection-chances

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Rauner Tries To Sell Bipartisanship In State Of The State Address, But Few Are Buying – SEAN CRAWFORD (DIERSEN: Bipartisanship has always resulted in Republicans losing and Democrats winning.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/rauner-tries-sell-bipartisanship-state-state-address-few-are-buying#stream/0

FREEPORT JOURNAL STANDARD
— Plenty of people think they can improve state of the state – Editorial (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress that in 2012, they succeeded in ending my TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship even though no one else wanted the job. They stress all those elected officials and party leaders in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who I helped elect, but who did nothing to help me keep the TAPROOT chairmanship.)
http://www.journalstandard.com/opinion/20180131/our-view-plenty-of-people-think-they-can-improve-state-of-state
— State Rep. Cabello: Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner should resign (DIERSEN: Who has called for you to resign and what arguments have they made? I should write a book about those who have called for me to resign as a Republican Precinct Committeeman, GOPUSA Illinois Editor, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc. and the arguments that they have made.)
http://www.journalstandard.com/news/20180131/state-rep-cabello-illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-should-resign
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cabello accused Rauner of breaking his word on House Bill 40, which mandates public funding for abortion. Cabello said that in meetings with the governor, Rauner told lawmakers he would not sign the bill, which he then did in September. “When you tell someone you are not going to do something, you should stick to your word,” Cabello said. “I can’t trust any words that he says from here on out.” Cabello said he is supporting Rauner’s opponent in the upcoming GOP primary, state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton.)

DAILY EGYPTIAN
— University hires chancellor’s daughter, son-in-law – ANNA SPOERRE (DIERSEN: Did your parents, grandparents, etc. have enough religious, government, political, and/or financial clout to get you a good job? Mine did not. Consequently, I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; 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.)
https://dailyegyptian.com/77964/showcase/university-hires-chancellors-daughter-son-in-law/

CHICAGO READER
— Rauner delivers his final State of the State address with an eye to November elections, and other Chicago news – Kate Shepherd
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2018/01/31/rauner-delivers-his-final-state-of-the-state-address-with-an-eye-to-november-elections-and-other-chicago-news

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives casts doubt on pension reform proposal – Angela Underwood
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511325548-ives-casts-doubt-on-pension-reform-proposal

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Kinzler says plan to resuscitate Illinois starts with tax cuts – Chandra Lye
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511322589-kinzler-says-plan-to-resuscitate-illinois-starts-with-tax-cuts

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Harold Ducks Debate Challenge – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/01/31/harold-ducks-debate-challenge/

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Republican state lawmaker says idea to bond out pension debt is ‘massively irresponsible’ – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/republican-state-lawmaker-says-idea-to-bond-out-pension-debt/article_572136ce-0511-11e8-82d0-3f65b636dc6e.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Jeanne Ives’ Drubbing of Bruce Rauner – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/02/jeanne-ives-drubbing-of-bruce-rauner/

CAPITOL FAX
— Rep. Cabello to Gov. Rauner: Resign
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/31/rep-cabello-to-gov-rauner-resign/
— Rauner dodges question about what he could accomplish if Madigan is still around (DIERSEN: If you are conservative and a member of a political organization that is overwhelmingly anti-conservative, there is little or nothing that you can accomplish.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/01/rauner-dodges-question-about-what-he-could-accomplish-if-madigan-is-still-around/
— Cullerton: “I like to be liked rather than feared” (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout, and they want everyone to fear them.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/01/cullerton-i-like-to-be-liked-rather-than-feared/
— McGuire: Focus more on college students who don’t attend elite schools (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always stressed that none of my four degrees (NIU-1970, Loyola-1976, DePaul-1980, and IIT-1997) are from Ivy League universities.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/01/mcguire-focus-more-on-college-students-who-dont-attend-elite-schools/
— Poll: Rauner 7th most unpopular governor in the country
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/01/poll-rauner-7th-most-unpopular-governor-in-the-country/

PJ MEDIA
— Rubio on Trump Plan: If You Didn’t Apply for DACA Before, ‘Why Should You Benefit from This Now?’ – NICHOLAS BALLASY
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/rubio-trump-plan-didnt-apply-daca-benefit-now/

FOX NEWS
— ‘Willing to Give Trump Some Credit’: Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi Calls for Bipartisanship After SOTU – Neil Cavuto
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/01/31/trump-state-union-raja-krishnamoorthi-says-give-trump-obama-credit-economy-taxes

GOPUSA
— Kelly: California teacher who ripped military ‘ought to go to hell’ (DIERSEN: What should be said to those who rip, demonize, denigrate, and condemn federal employees and federal retirees as being overcompensated, stupid, lazy, and even worse things? Should I write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who focus on ripping, demonizing, denigrating, and condemning federal employees like I was for almost 30 years and federal retirees like I have been for over 20 years as being overcompensated, stupid, lazy, and even worse things?)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38328
— Illegal aliens insulted that Trump said American citizens are dreamers too (DIERSEN: When you were in your early 20s, what was your career dream? My dream of getting a job in the automotive industry that had better potential for advancement ended in 1971 when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38349
— Man married six women in immigration scheme
http://www.gopusa.com/man-married-six-women-in-immigration-scheme/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Americans are on the move to freer pastures – Meg Tuszynski and Dean Stansel (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps run Illinois. The more of the following that you are, the more that those anti-Trumps want you to leave Illinois: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/americans-are-on-the-move-to-freer-pastures/article/2647567

TOWNHALL
— Had ‘News’ Media Done Its Job, Obama Would Not Have Become President – Larry Elder
https://townhall.com/columnists/larryelder/2018/02/01/had-news-media-done-its-job-obama-would-not-have-become-president-n2442671

WORLD NET DAILY
— WOULD OBAMA HAVE WON IF MEDIA DID THEIR JOB? Larry Elder tells of photo with Farrakhan journalist sat on for 13 years
http://www.wnd.com/2018/01/would-obama-have-won-if-media-did-their-job/

THE HILL
— Black Democrats take lead in push to impeach Trump – CRISTINA MARCOS AND MIKE LILLIS (DIERSEN: Who has worked the hardest to get rid of you? I should write a book about those who have worked the hardest to get rid of me. They a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or they 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 longer than their ancestors.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/371743-black-dems-take-lead-in-push-to-impeach-trump
— Dems vow to repeal parts of GOP tax law – MIKE LILLIS AND NAOMI JAGODA (DIERSEN: What position do those federal candidates who seek your vote have on “the cap on the state and local tax deduction?” What do they say to those who hint/imply/argue/shout that those who pay more than $10,000 a year in SALT are undeservedly filthy rich and should pay more federal income tax?)
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/371736-dems-vow-to-repeal-parts-of-gop-tax-law
(FROM THE ARTICLE: They also strongly oppose the cap on the state and local tax deduction, which hurts the rich but also impacts others in high-tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California. “The state and local tax deduction alone is an assault on the livelihoods and the property values of millions of Americans,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).)

POLITICO
— Trump’s Unifying Nationalism His State of the Union hinted at a new politics that could bring Americans closer together—if he can keep himself on message. – RICH LOWRY
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/01/31/trumps-unifying-nationalism-216920

CNN
— White House press secretary says Pelosi should smile more – Jennifer Hansler (DIERSEN: Why don’t you smile more? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes gloat that I do not smile more because I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc.)
https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/31/politics/sarah-sanders-nancy-pelosi-smile/index.html

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Trump promoting recent tax cuts during session with workers – ZEKE MILLER (DIERSEN: People who are not workers, for example, retirees, do not get pay increases or bonuses. Are/were a worker? I was a worker 1962-1997. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; 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.)
https://apnews.com/5dac9fa1eb0f4fcc8f7ccba65cd4b57b/Trump-promoting-recent-tax-cuts-during-session-with-workers

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s Speech Leaves Two Sides Further Apart Than Ever on Immigration.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/31/us/politics/trump-state-of-the-union-immigration.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: A Villain Dangerous to Ignore: Online Ads – Farhad Manjoo (DIERSEN: GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and www.gopillinois.com have never contained ads and they never will contain ads. NEEDLESS TO-SAY, MY CRITICS/OPPONENTS, THEIR OPERATIVES, AND THEIR DUPES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BEYOND FURIOUS THAT I HAVE HAD ENOUGH TIME AND ENOUGH MONEY TO PUT TOGETHER AND SEND OUT GOPUSA ILLINOIS EMAILS AND POST COPIES OF THEM ON A WEBSITE WITHOUT ANY ADVERTISING. Increasingly, outlandishly, they hint/imply/argue/shout that the more ads that you have in your emails and on your website, the more credible that you are.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/31/technology/internet-advertising-business.html
— Watching Trump’s Speech: They Cheered. They Groaned. They Ate a Cake. Around the country, people gathered at parties and in bars to hear President Trump’s State of the Union speech. In some competitive Republican congressional districts, we went along. – Julie Bosman
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/31/us/state-of-the-union-national-reaction.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: PALATINE, Ill. — Bob Schmidt, 36, glanced up from his beer just in time to see President Trump pause from his State of the Union address and heartily applaud for himself.)
— TRAGIC: San Francisco Will Clear Thousands of Marijuana Convictions – Timothy Williams and Thomas Fuller (DIERSEN: I have never used an illegal drug and I never will. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes do not want me to get any credit for that. Many, if not most, if not virtually all of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes talk and/or act like they a) smoke pot, b) want to smoke pot legally, and/or c) want to make lots of money selling pot.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/31/us/california-marijuana-san-francisco.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— GOP candidate for California governor John Cox starts 2018 with nearly $2 million in the bank – SEEMA MEHTA (DIERSEN: What are your connections with John Cox? The Daily Herald reported that Cox attended my July 5, 2003 picnic in the Prairie Path Park in my precinct that I had organized for the residents of my precinct and the residents of Jeanne Ives’ precinct to the east and Debra Olson’s precinct to west. Attendees got to meet the five announced Republican candidates for U.S. Senate – John Cox, Chirinjeev Kathuria, Andy McKenna, Jim Oberweis, and Jack Ryan. Cox brought Jays Potato Chips. Oberweis brought ice cream. The 200+ attendees included now Congressman Randy Hultgren. Jack Ryan won the primary, but withdrew. His replacement, Alan Keyes lost to Barack Obama.)
https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-gop-gubernatorial-candidate-john-cox-1517446693-htmlstory.html
— How the ‘Dreamers’ won the nation’s hearts and minds – LAURA WIDES-MUÑOZ (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps shout at Dreamers and at everyone else that Trump supporters are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things. Anti-Trumps are counting on Dreamers and their supporters to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries once and for all that are: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. What percent of Dreamers are minorities and/or females – 97%, 98%, 99%?)
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-wides-munoz-dreamer-history-20180201-story.html

USA TODAY
— Gay-rights groups say Amazon should avoid these 9 cities (Austin; Dallas; Nashville; Atlanta; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis; Miami; Raleigh, N.C.; and the Washington suburbs of Northern Virginia) for second headquarters – Elizabeth Weise (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, employers will not hire you, and if you are an employee, they will get rid of you.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2018/02/01/amazons-second-headquarters-gay-groups-say-amazon-should-avoid-these-9-cities/1082126001/
— Businesses added 234,000 private sector jobs in January, marking strong start to year – Adam Shell and Paul Davidson (DIERSEN: Of these 240,000, how many 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 longer than their ancestors?)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/01/31/adp-businesses-added-234-000-jobs-january-showing-strong-start-2018/1071000001/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Why Illinois Got Out of the Hedges These funds are hard to understand and have lousy returns. – Marc Levine
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-illinois-got-out-of-the-hedges-1517440169
— Amazon HQ2 Spurs Worries of a Wage War in Winning City Company’s hunt for a second home is a cause of concern for some employers near the possible sites – Lauren Weber and Laura Stevens (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-thou-shalt-not-covet-thy-neighbors-employee-1517394601
— State licensing laws overly burden military spouses, who move frequently only to find they can’t work. – Shoshana Weissmann and C. Jarrett Dieterle (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when I became a licensed CPA in 1981 when I was 32 years old. To the best of my recollection, I was the only employee who was a licensed CPA in GAO’s Chicago office from 1981 until my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-do-you-need-a-college-degree-to-give-diet-advice-1517439964
— Book Review: The Return of the New Deal For one of LBJ’s advisers, a great society was one in which there would be no poverty, hunger or illiteracy; nor would leisure time be wasted. Terry Eastland reviews ‘Building the Great Society’ by Joshua Zeitz. – Terry Eastland (DIERSEN: The Democrat’s Great Society destroyed the African-American family.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/review-the-return-of-the-new-deal-1517440136
— #MeToo, Coming to a Bookstore Near You Books exploring female empowerment and sexual harassment are on the rise, but some publishers worry the feminist message is getting diluted – Ellen Gamerman (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that the more of the following that you are, the more of a sexual harasser that you are: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, draft avoider, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/metoo-coming-to-a-bookstore-near-you-1517408548
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Top Colleges Speed Read Applications – Melissa Korn (DIERSEN: What do you say to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who hint/imply/argue/shout that I should a) include links to fewer articles in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and/or b) limit or eliminate my comments on those articles because those who read the emails are not speed readers?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-elite-colleges-review-an-application-in-8-minutes-or-less-1517400001

FORBES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: RINOs want immigrants because RINOs want cheap labor. Democrats want immigrants because immigrants vote for Democrats.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/washingtonbytes/2018/02/01/while-trump-blames-immigrants/#2c94ca9141ed

NEWSWEEK
— DESPITE TRUMP’S SOTU CLAIMS, AMERICA’S FINANCES ARE A MIXED REALITY – TRACY LEE (DIERSEN: Because inflation is higher than interest rates, because medical and dental expenses are going up, because real estate taxes are going up, because real estate tax deductions are capped at $10,000, etc., the financial future for retired people is not good.)
http://www.newsweek.com/mixed-reality-ground-american-wallets-796332

FEDERAL TIMES
— Gowdy continues GOP lawmaker retirement wave – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: As anti-Trumps ever-increasingly shout at Republican candidates, at Republican elected officials, and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things, more and more and more Republicans succumb to that slander. More and more and more Republicans are becoming anti-Republicans like Michael Steele and Pat Brady.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/federal-oversight/congress/2018/01/31/gowdy-continues-gop-lawmaker-retirement-wave/

January 31 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Rauner calls for property tax freeze, term limits in State of the State address – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/rauner-calls-for-property-tax-freeze-term-limits-in-state-of-the-state-/3011538/
— Congressional Black Caucus dons traditional African garb in protest of ‘s—hole countries’ remark – Danny Clemens
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/black-caucus-wears-traditional-african-garb-to-sotu-in-protest/3009321/
— 3 Illinois GOP lawmakers (Bost, Hultgren, and Roskam) on (chartered) train that hit truck, 1 on truck killed – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/3-illinois-gop-lawmakers-on-train-that-hit-truck-1-on-truck-killed/3012221/
— Trump’s immigration agenda already a sticking point – AP (DIERSEN: Democrats want immigrants because they vote for Democrats. RINOs want immigrants because they want cheap labor.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/state-of-the-union-2018-trumps-immigration-agenda-already-a-sticking-point/3012310/
— AP Fact Check: Trump’s State of the Union stretches on taxes, energy – AP (DIERSEN: Are/were you a fact checker? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/ap-fact-check-trumps-state-of-the-union-stretches-on-taxes-energy/3009326/

NBC5
— Rauner Delivers State of the State Address
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rauner-state-of-the-state-471965163.html

CBS2
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use Miguel Perez to promote mass/illegal immigration.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/01/31/detained-vets-supporters-ask-gov-rauner-to-intervene/

WSL AM
— Rauner pushes term limits in “State of the State” – Bill Cameron (DIERSEN: Those who wanted to destroy TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and succeeded in destroying TAPROOT pushed for term limits.)
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/01/31/rauner-pushes-term-limits-in-state-of-the-state/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner changes tone, hits positive notes in play-it-safe State of the State speech – Kim Geiger, Monique Garcia and Bill Lukitsch
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-state-of-the-state-speech-20180131-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Members of the following groups say “Illinois is not a sanctuary state:” 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 (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-illinois-trust-act-sanctuary-immigration-20180131-story.html
— The 2018 imperative: How to save Illinois – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-jobs-primary-illinois-amazon-20180131-story.html
— Democrats can’t see compromise while stabbing their eyes over Trump’s speech – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-state-of-the-union-democrats-kass-20180131-story.html
— Two Democrats in primary to take on Roskam stand out in cash race, thanks to their own checkbooks – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-democrats-congress-roskam-20180131-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-stoned-weed-medical-marijuana-chemo-arthritis-aids-0131-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Democrats applaud Rauner — with the back of the hand – Mark Brown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/democrats-applaud-rauner-state-of-state-address-with-the-back-of-their-hand/
— Gov. Rauner’s State of State vow: ‘Time we do what the people of Illinois want’ – Tina Sfondeles (DIERSEN: What about those people in Illinois who want government to get rid of people who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/bruce-rauner-speech-state-illinois/
— Listen up, Bannon has a right to speak at U. of C. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-listen-up-bannon-has-a-right-to-speak-at-u-of-c/
— If only Trump’s nice words meant anything at all for Chicago – Editorial (DIERSEN: Those who run Chicago hint/imply/argue/shout at everyone that Trump is a White supremacist, Nazi, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/if-only-trumps-nice-words-meant-anything-at-all-for-chicago/

DAILY HERALD
— Roskam, Hultgren, (and Bost) on (chartered) train that hit dump truck
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180131/roskam-hultgren-on-train-that-hit-dump-truck
— AP FACT CHECK: Trump inflates impact of some initiatives – AP (DIERSEN: Are/were you a fact checker? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180131/news/301319983/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— As Rauner pushes for unity, foes ask: What about the jobs? – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180131/BLOGS02/180139947/as-rauner-pushes-for-unity-foes-ask-what-about-the-jobs

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Ives endorsed by colleagues ahead of Rauner speech – Brenden Moore
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180131/ives-endorsed-by-colleagues-ahead-of-rauner-speech
— Rauner: Restore trust, grow the state – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180131/gov-rauner-restore-trust-grow-state
— General Assembly overrides Rauner AV of school funding follow-up – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180131/general-assembly-overrides-rauner-av-of-school-funding-follow-up
— Lottery board chairman resigns over tweet about East St. Louis – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180131/lottery-board-chairman-resigns-over-tweet-about-east-st-louis
— Rauner’s opponents dismiss State of the State address – Brenden Moore and Maximilian Kwiatkowski
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180131/rauners-opponents-dismiss-state-of-state-address

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— What’s In A Name? – Benjamin Yount (DIERSEN: Should those who share demonized, denigrated, and condemned demographics consider changing the names of their demographics? What are your demographics? How successful have those who despise/hate those who share your demographics been in demonizing, denigrating, and condemning your demographics? Members of Group A have had tremendous success in demonizing, denigrating, and condemning members of Group B. Members of Group A 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=259393

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Promises Of A Balanced Budget Earn Big Reaction For Rauner
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/promises-balanced-budget-earn-big-reaction-rauner

WJBC
— Illinois GOP praises State of the Union; Duckworth calls it ‘reckless rhetoric’ – Eric Stock (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrat news media in Illinois treats Pat Brady like he is the Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party.)
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/01/31/illinois-gop-praises-state-of-the-union-duckworth-calls-it-reckless-rhetoric/

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— GOP Challenger Jeanne Ives Reacts to Rauner’s State of the State – RACHEL OTWELL
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/gop-challenger-jeanne-ives-reacts-rauners-state-state#stream/0

EVANSTON PATCH
— Evanston GOP Chief Mimics Trump With East St. Louis Slur State lottery board chair Blair Garber resigned after describing the downstate city as the “s—hole of the universe.” – Jonah Meadows
https://patch.com/illinois/evanston/evanston-gop-chief-mimics-trump-east-st-louis-slur

TONIA KHOURI
— Conservatives Endorse Tonia Khouri Tonia Khouri is the ONLY candidate in the 49th District who is endorsed by the top 3 conservative groups: Illinois Citizens For Life, Illinois Family, Illinois Family PAC Federal Action PAC
https://toniakhouri.com/

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Responds to Rauner’s Final State of the State
https://ivesforillinois.com/ives-responds-to-rauners-final-state-of-the-state/
https://mailchi.mp/de69b12f8856/ives-responds-to-rauners-final-state-of-the-state
— Ives Calls on Rauner to Remove His Crony Lottery Chairman for “Disgusting” Attack on East St. Louis “Rauner will have to decide if his loyalties lie with people supporting him politically or the people he was elected to serve.”
https://mailchi.mp/fbcacb4f2637/ives-calls-on-rauner-to-remove-his-crony-lottery-chairman-for-disgusting-attack-on-east-st-louis

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— New PRITZKER ad stars (surprise!) JEANNE IVES – Natasha Korecki
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/01/31/scoop-new-pritzker-ad-stars-surprise-jeanne-ives-gillibrand-to-fundraise-for-marie-newman-rauner-asks-pols-to-unite-behind-a-jobs-agenda-gov-appointee-calls-east-st-louis-s-hole-241851
(FROM THE ARTICLE: When it comes to meddling in other party’s primaries, J.B. Pritzker has a new message for Gov. Bruce Rauner: two can play at that game. Pritzker is out with a new ad with an unlikely star: Rauner’s primary opponent state Rep. Jeanne Ives. The ad, which will run digitally only, attempts to capitalize on an onslaught of bad press Rauner’s received after Monday’s live-streamed Chicago Tribune debate between Rauner and Ives. The ad is peppered with snippets of Ives’ criticisms of Rauner from that debate, including Ives declaring that no Republican from the congressional delegation will come out in support of the governor. “It’s embarrassing at this point,” Ives is seen telling the Tribune edit board. “He’s basically disqualified himself from reelection.” The ad concludes: “Bruce Rauner: even his own party doesn’t think he’s qualified to be governor.” Here’s a first look: Watch Rauner’s campaign has looked past Ives in the primary and instead has exacted its resources on Pritzker, who is battling five others for the Democratic nomination. Rauner fears the unlimited resources of Pritzker, a billionaire. The governor has spent more than $1.3 million to date on two TV ads that play a conversation between Pritzker and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich that was caught on wiretap. The Pritzker ads aren’t going on TV but the campaign says it is a substantial buy that will feature the ad on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.)

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Judiciary Grabs Power While Executive & Legislative Branches Snooze – John Biver
https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/judiciary-grabs-power-executive-legislative-branches-snooze2/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— DUPAGE COUNTY CONSERVATIVES TO RAUNER SUPPORTERS: YOU DON’T SHARE OUR VALUES (DIERSEN: What do you say the anti-conservatives in DuPage County, their operatives, and their dupes who succeeded in destroying TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois in 2012? What do you say to those in DuPage County who state that they are conservative and/or Republican, but who let if not helped anti-conservatives in DuPage County, their operatives, and their dupes destroy TAPROOT? Anti-conservatives in DuPage County, their operatives, and their dupes will forever stress those in DuPage County who state that they are conservative and/or Republican, but who failed/refused to help me try to save TAPROOT.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/dupage-county-conservatives-to-rauner-supporters-you-dont-share-our-values.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican DuPage County leaders that endorsed Governor Rauner in the upcoming IL GOP gubernatorial primary upset local conservatives like West Suburban Patriot founder Carol Davis. Davis’ group <members> – known as one of the nation’s largest active Tea Party orgs – officially endorsed supports Jeanne Ives in the upcoming IL GOP primary race. (See endorsement correction below the fold) “I founded West Suburban Patriots nine years ago, and I lead the group to this day. Some DuPage County ‘leaders’ on this list portray themselves as people who share the principles and values of our organization. Some have been given brief opportunities to speak at our meeting,” Davis said on her Facebook page. (NOTE: IR apologizes and corrects the story to list those groups that HAVE endorsed Ives – which this group did not. Ives lists groups that have endorsed her as the Northwest Side GOP Club, Wheatland Township Republican Organization, Fremont Township Republican Organization, Republican Organization of Wheeling Township, Chicago GOP, Batavia Township Republican Organization, Wauconda Township Republican Organization, Republican Assembly of Lake County, and Tax Accountability (Taxpayers United of America).) “I am putting them on notice: if YOUR NAME is legitimately on this list endorsing Rauner, you DO NOT share our values. As long as I lead this organization, your opportunity to address our attendees is over. In your endorsement of Rauner you have betrayed every value & principle that we stand for and work our @#$%& off for every day. “YOU are part of the problem in this state: a GOP which stands for NOTHING and has NO MORAL COMPASS.” Last week, Rauner challenger Jeanne Ives held a press conference in which several of her Illinois House colleagues endorsed her bid to oust the governor. DuPage County elected leaders that endorsed Rauner this week include:)
— IVES BLASTS GARBER COMMENT AS “DISGUSTING”
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/ives-blasts-garber-comment-as-disgusting-.html
— CHAIRMAN RESIGNS. DEMS CALL ON GOV TO REBUKE GOP LOTTERY BOARD CHAIRMAN’S “RHETORIC” ABOUT EAST ST. LOUIS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/democrats-call-for-governor-to-rebuke-republican-lottery-board-chairmans-rhetoric-.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Mendoza, Senger respond *** Madigan: “Better the governor continue sitting on the sidelines and pretend he is ‘not in charge’”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/31/madigan-better-the-governor-continue-sitting-on-the-sidelines-and-pretend-he-is-%e2%80%98not-in-charge/
— Illinois ranked 31st
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/31/illinois-ranked-31st/

BREITBART
— ‘Crain’s Chicago Business’ Warns Gov. Bruce Rauner Not to Underestimate Jeanne Ives Primary Challenge – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/31/crains-chicago-business-warns-rauner-not-underestimate-jeanne-ives-primary-challenge/
— Conservative Jeanne Ives Rips IL Gov. Bruce Rauner for Abortion Flip-Flop – JOEL B. POLLAK
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/31/conservative-jeanne-ives-rips-il-gov-bruce-rauner-abortion-flip-flop/
— CNN’s Tapper: Trump’s ‘Americans Are DREAMers, Too’ Statement ‘Offensive’ to Dems – JOHN BINDER (DIERSEN: When you were in your early 20s, what was your career dream? My dream of getting a job in the automotive industry that had better potential for advancement ended in 1971 when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint.)
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2018/01/31/cnns-tapper-trumps-americans-dreamers-statement-offensive-dems/

DAILY CALLER
— DACA Recipients Are Furious Trump Used ‘Dreamers’ To Describe American Citizens – Will Racke (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps shout at illegals and at everyone else that members of the following groups are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things who should be gotten rid of: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/31/dreamers-donald-trump-daca-furious/
— Liberals Offended By Joe Kennedy’s Spanish – Amber Athey (DIERSEN: Every time that I have to “hit 1” to continue in English, I am not only offended, I am furious.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/31/liberals-offended-by-joe-kennedys-spanish/

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
— Gutierrez mocks Trump’s SOTU: ‘Whoever translated it for him from Russian did a good job’ – Gregg Re
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/31/illinois-dem-mocks-trumps-sotu-whoever-translated-it-for-him-from-russian-did-good-job.html

GOPUSA
— Solution for ‘DREAMers’ at hand but Democrats prefer to use them for political gain
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38290
— Taxaholic Governors Try to Dodge Federal Tax Law (DIERSEN: What do you say to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who demonize me, denigrate me, and condemn me for not doing enough to keep real estate taxes down and state income taxes down? What do you say those who want me to focus more on Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, and DuPage County issues and less on state and federal issues?)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38217

TOWNHALL
— ACLU Whines That Trump Saying ‘America’ Too Many Times During State of the Union Was ‘Exclusionary’ – Chris Reeves (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, ACLU makes it clear that it is anti-American.)
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/chrisreeves/2018/01/31/aclu-digs-in-supporting-illegal-immigrants-violent-anarchists-hating-america-n2442357

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Gutierrez walks out of Trump’s State of the Union as progressives write off bipartisanship permanently – Philip Wegmann
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rep-luis-gutierrez-walks-out-of-trumps-state-of-the-union-as-progressives-write-off-bipartisanship-permanently/article/2647638

CNBC
— FBI scandal proves we need term limits for federal workers – Jake Novak (DIERSEN: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/31/fbi-scandal-proves-we-need-term-limits-for-federal-workers-commentary.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Recent FBI scandal and financial liabilities prove we need to regularly refresh the federal bureaucracy with new workers. As it is now, too many federal workers are unaccountable to the public, have too much job security and get too many benefits Limiting federal government work to four or eight year terms is one sure way to at least partially alleviate this problem. . .But if scandals aren’t enough to convince you that something big needs to change, perhaps some harrowing financial facts will do the trick. America can’t afford to pay the liabilities we owe our current federal workers in pensions alone. A Moody’s report issued in October estimated that unfunded the liability for federal worker pensions alone is $3.5 trillion. That’s just the pensions, and not the health care and other benefit costs. There’s no simple and quick solution for this problem, but there are ways to make things better. Limiting every federal government worker to a certain amount of years on the job would be a good start to avoiding pension and benefit payments accrued over a lifetime on the job. A better and cheaper idea would be to pay them more in salary for a shorter tenure rather than reward them with a generous defined benefit pension for staying with a job they really couldn’t ever lose anyway. As it is, federal workers have enormous job security. In fact, it’s too much. It’s too difficult to fire federal workers, even those who perform badly. Firing federal workers involves a cumbersome process laden with appeals procedures and other roadblocks not seen in the private sector. A 2013 GAO report showed that the time period to fire a federal employee can take as much as 370 days. Pay for federal employees is also better than their peers in the private sector. Even a recent CBO report confirmed that federal workers make about 17 percent more on average. But why throw out the good with the bad? That’s a fair question when we’re referring to some seasoned and expert workers who will take time to replace. That’s another area where higher pay as opposed to guaranteed pensions for just sticking around should attract a steady stream of high quality replacements. Demand for government work, even temporary, has generally been strong in this country even in the wake of government shutdowns. But obviously, people in essential positions needn’t be forced to leave until suitable replacements are found. Federal worker term limits needn’t be enforced to the minute. The hope here is that by focusing our resources and attention to those truly essential positions, there will be a renewed effort to eliminate those non-essential positions in the first place. During the last shutdown, several agencies deemed most of their workers “non-essential.” Sure, that might only be a temporary designation. But that label should have us asking some hard questions about over staffing. When we get to the point where most federal workers truly are essential, maybe we can revisit the idea of limiting their tenure. The point is that as much as we want to respect our government workers, they are the ones who are supposed to be working for us and not the other way around. Getting the chance to serve their country and get paid better for it over four to eight years should be enough respect for anyone. Political appointees may feel the need to be beholden to the politicians who appoint them, but government workers should have some accountability to the taxpayers they’re supposedly serving. It is called “public service” after all. Either way, no net benefits come from a massive workforce that doesn’t really have to fear for their jobs, gets paid more than the rest of us, and isn’t really accountable to anyone. That has to stop, and the only way to effectively deal with this problem is to give each and every one of their jobs a real expiration date.)

REUTERS
— Illinois governor pitches bipartisanship to aid state finances – Karen Pierog
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-illinois-governor/illinois-governor-pitches-bipartisanship-to-aid-state-finances-idUSKBN1FK2YZ

NEW YORK TIMES
— Twitter Followers Vanish Amid Inquiries Into Fake Accounts Federal and state authorities are investigating the sellers of artificial followers and other fraudulent social media engagement. – NICHOLAS CONFESSORE, GABRIEL J.X. DANCE and RICH HARRIS
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/01/31/technology/100000005710760.app.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Fact-checking the 2018 State of the Union address.” (DIERSEN: Are/were you a fact checker? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/01/30/fact-checking-the-2018-state-of-the-union-address/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “State of the Union underscores why Trump is his own worst enemy.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/01/31/daily-202-state-of-the-union-underscores-why-trump-is-his-own-worst-enemy/5a71080230fb041c3c7d7528/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Facebook Posts 61% Rise in Operating Profit in the Fourth Quarter – Deepa Seetharaman (DIERSEN: As the Democrat/Libertarian/Green Facebook takes over not only America but the world, ever-increasingly, its victims a) visit fewer and fewer and fewer websites, b) read fewer and fewer and fewer emails, and c) send fewer and fewer and fewer emails. Of course, members of the following groups are overjoyed about that: 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, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-posts-61-rise-in-operating-profit-in-the-fourth-quarter-1517434065?mod=djemalertNEWS

BLOOMBERG
— Trump Call to Limit Civil Service Protection Riles Democrats – Toluse Olorunnipa (Diersen: Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protection, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-31/trump-s-call-to-curtail-civil-service-protection-riles-democrats
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s Olive Branch to Democrats Cut Short by Divisive Tone.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-31/trump-s-olive-branch-to-democrats-cut-short-by-divisive-tone

THINK PROGRESS
— Chicago activists stage dramatic protest against law prohibiting rent control A coalition of Chicago community groups said it’s time for rent control in Illinois. – CASEY QUINLAN
https://thinkprogress.org/lift-the-ban-protest-chicago-10712faf73f7/