Tag: illegal

December 28 Morning Edition

WASHINGTON POST
— IRS says many who prepaid property taxes may still face cap on deductions – Peter Jamison, Jeff Stein and Patricia Sullivan (DIERSEN: Will the Republicans amend the tax bill so that real estate taxes due in 2018 that were not assessed in 2017 but were prepaid in 2017 can be deducted in 2017?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/tax-bill-spawns-new-holiday-ritual-waiting-in-line-to-pay-taxes/2017/12/27/1e7ea59a-eb12-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: However, the IRS said Wednesday that filers could only avoid the cap by paying property taxes that have been assessed in 2017. Many local governments, including most Washington-area jurisdictions, have not completed assessments for upcoming years. Critics said the last-minute confusion underscored the haste with which Republicans passed their tax bill, completed in record time for such a far-reaching piece of legislation. “This is not the way to do legislation that will massively impact the entire economy. It sets off a flurry of action from people trying to save money, and they act as rash as the legislators who pushed this thing through,” said Philip Hackney, a tax expert at Louisiana State University. That confusion was echoed among thousands of taxpayers in the Washington region and elsewhere — some following the advice of their accountants — who interrupted their holiday activities to line up in subfreezing temperatures at tax offices.)
— Can you save a lot of money by prepaying your property taxes? Key questions and answers. – Zachary A. Goldfarb
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/27/essential-questions-and-answers-about-prepaying-your-property-taxes/
— Most Americans do not support making cuts to programs for people with low incomes – Eugene Scott (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, under the Democrats, more and more and more people have low incomes. What did you do to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? 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.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/27/most-americans-do-not-support-making-cuts-to-programs-for-people-with-low-incomes/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Prepaying Your Property Tax? I.R.S. Cautions It Might Not Pay Off – Ben Casselman
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/business/prepaying-your-property-taxes-irs-cautions-it-might-not-pay-off.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: In a Complex Tax Bill, Let the Hunt for Loopholes Begin – Natalie Kitroeff (DIERSEN: What deductions do your critics/opponents hint/imply/argue/shout are loopholes? My critics/opponents hint/imply/argue/shout that the following deductions are loopholes: mortgage interest, real estate tax, state income tax, medical and dental expenses, 501(c)(3) contributions, and job-related education.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/business/economy/tax-loopholes.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— IRS Says 2018 Property Taxes Have to Be Assessed to Qualify for Deduction Agency says taxes on real estate that haven’t been assessed before 2018 won’t be deductible on 2017 returns – Joseph De Avila
https://www.wsj.com/articles/irs-2018-property-taxes-have-to-be-assessed-to-qualify-for-prepayment-1514417581

 

FORBES
— When You Shouldn’t Prepay Your 2018 Property Taxes – Kate Ashford
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateashford/2017/12/28/property-taxes/#5e95fa6d5513
(FROM THE ARTICLE: If you don’t have a bill yet for 2018, it’s not officially deductible. “The IRS ruled that you cannot pay and deduct in 2017 unless assessed,” says Scott Bishop, a financial planner with STA Wealth Management in Houston. If, for instance, your locality assessed property taxes earlier in the year and you generally pay in installments, you can pay the full balance in 2017 and deduct it. But if property taxes haven’t been assessed yet, you’re out of luck. “That seems to be the bigger issue now,” says Howard Hook, a financial planner and CPA in Princeton, NJ. “If you’re not assessed for 2018, you can’t make the payments.”)

 

NBC5
— How to Prepay Property Taxes in Chicago Suburbs
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/How-to-Prepay-Property-Taxes-in-Chicago-Suburbs-466954723.html

 

ABC7
— Homeowners rush to pre-pay property taxes after GOP tax bill – Eric Horng
http://abc7chicago.com/finance/homeowners-rush-to-pre-pay-property-taxes-after-gop-tax-bill/2832246/

 

DAILY HERALD
— IRS: Many who prepay taxes may still face caps – Peter Jamison, Jeff Stein and Patricia Sullivan
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171227/irs-many-who-prepay-taxes-may-still-face-caps
— 6 essential questions and answers about prepaying your property taxes – Zachary A. Goldfarb
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171228/6-essential-questions-and-answers-about-prepaying-your-property-taxes
— Charity gets a jolt from tax law _ but due to drop next year – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171228/business/312289970/
— How 6th District Democrats would change Republican tax law – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171228/how-6th-district-democrats-would-change-republican-tax-law
— Activists seek injunction against Illinois abortion law – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171228/news/312289983/
— Group wants photos of every service member killed in Vietnam War – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171228/group-wants-photos-of-every-service-member-killed-in-vietnam-war
— Trump’s unjust insults to undermine Washington Post – Editorial (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the MSM (main stream media) makes it clear that it exists a) to defend and advance the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green party platforms and b) to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that 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.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171228/editorial-trumps-unjust-insults-to-undermine-washington-post
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: State requires new sexual harassment policies for all local governments – Eric Peterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171228/state-requires-new-sexual-harassment-policies-for-all-local-governments

 

ILLINOIS PATCH
— Illinois Homeowners Rush To Pay Taxes Before GOP Plan Kicks In Friday is your last day to prepay taxes ahead of the new GOP plan, which caps tax deductions at $10,000. – Shannon Antinori
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/illinois-homeowners-rush-pay-taxes-gop-plan-kicks

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Roy Moore files lawsuit to block Alabama Senate result – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-roy-moore-lawsuit-alabama-senate-20171227-story.html
— Husband blames owner of two dogs who killed wife on Christmas Eve in Kentucky – Kristine Phillips
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-kentucky-dog-attack-20171227-story.html
— Will #metoo movement speed up the number of women in leadership — or slow it down? – Jena McGregor (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, under the anti-Trumps, if a woman accuses a man of something, that man is presumed to be guilty, and especially if that man is a Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if his ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-metoo-movement-female-leadership-20171227-story.html
— FRONT PAGE: Anti-gambling crusader Kathy Gilroy who shut down raffles wins $25,000 in gaming parlor sweepstakes – Robert McCoppin
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-anti-gambling-crusader-wins-sweepstakes-20171227-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Kathy Gilroy has crusaded against gambling in Illinois for decades, speaking out against casinos, illegal raffles and the recent wave of video poker cafes. As one of the most visible gaming opponents in the state, she has warned that the vice erodes society’s values and work ethic, takes money from poor people and can lead to addiction, bankruptcy, crime and suicide. Just this year, she blew the whistle on a $1.6 million Queen of Hearts raffle put on by the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in rural Morris, forcing it to shut down hours before the planned drawing, until the raffle was properly licensed. So even she concedes it may seem ironic that she recently won $25,000 by playing a sweepstakes game at a gambling cafe in her hometown of Villa Park. “I called a pastor friend, and said, ‘Oh my God, should I send it back? What do I do? Do I donate it?’” she said. “He said, ‘Don’t feel guilty. You just got paid for all your volunteer work against gambling.’ It’s God showing his grace on me.” Despite her longtime anti-gambling activism, it turns out Gilroy has a history of playing and winning sweepstakes. She said she’s landed prizes including electronics and trips to the Bahamas and California. She once won a big-screen TV from a mechanic, but asked instead for $1,000 in service. A week later, her transmission went out, and she quickly got her money’s worth. She’ll even play the video poker machines at gambling cafes if she is given a free promo card. The distinction Gilroy makes is that she was not spending her own money to gamble. She enters sweepstakes because, by state law, they must be made available free of charge. And — unlike the VFW game that was not licensed, as required by law — she says the sweepstakes she plays are perfectly legal. Still, Morris VFW Commander Jerry Zeborowski was perplexed to hear that Gilroy had won a sweepstakes. “It’s ironic that someone who’s anti-gambling would enter something like that,” he said. “That’s a little hypocrisy there, don’t you think?” Gilroy, 68, who works selling supplemental health insurance for people on Medicare, shrugs off the negative comments she’s gotten over the years, such as when she succeeded in halting a raffle to raise money for needy college students because it was unlicensed and not put on by a nonprofit, as required by law. But she admitted she did have to think twice about this situation. She worried that her winnings were proceeds from money that people lost gambling, but decided that it comes out of the profits of the parent company, Laredo Hospitality Ventures. Gilroy said she was raised on a farm near Lost Nation, Iowa, in a family that never had much money. She worked her way through school, and traveled to fairs and trade shows around the country, selling everything from books to blenders. Decades ago, she used to gamble at racetracks, she said. But her attitude towards gambling started to change when she won $700, only to lose it back swiftly to the track. She took part in an anti-gambling seminar by the Rev. Tom Grey, leader of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, formed in 1994. She began speaking out against any effort to expand gambling, including most recently with video poker cafes, which have grown to offer more than 24,000 machines statewide. Last year, as one example, she asked the Lincolnwood Village Board to reject a request to lift its ban on video gambling. At issue was a proposal by Laredo Hospitality to open a Stella’s Cafe — the same Des Plaines company and gambling parlor chain through which Gilroy ended up winning her drawing. As Gilroy tells it, she heard about the sweepstakes after signing up for the gambling cafes’ emails. After every fifth visit to a cafe, she got a scratch-off card, which occasionally won her a $5 card to play the machines or entries for the grand prize, a new Ford Mustang convertible. Finalists were drawn from each of Laredo’s 52 locations in Illinois, and Gilroy was one of them. Winners had to be present, so she attended the grand prize drawing at a restaurant in Rosemont on Dec. 16. She drew No. 7, and when her number was pulled from a fishbowl, she was amazed to hear that she had won. She opted for $25,000 in cash instead of a car, and has already bought some stocks with the money. To get the winnings, Gilroy had to sign an agreement to let Laredo take her photo and use it as they wish — so she might end up promoting the very industry she fights. Laredo officials didn’t return calls for comment, and didn’t allow the Tribune to take Gilroy’s picture inside the Stella’s in Villa Park, so they may not be eager to use her as their poster child. Years ago, just before she quit betting on the ponies, Gilroy said, she looked around and was struck by the smoke and the broken-down players at the track. “I said, ‘What am I doing?’ This is so stupid,’” she recalled. “It dawned on me, this is not the lifestyle I want. I don’t want to even associate with these people.” Still, after all these years, after shutting down numerous illegal raffles and raising awareness statewide that raffles need to be locally licensed, Gilroy said she takes advantage of sweepstakes whenever she can. “It’s the gambling I oppose,” she said, “not the sweepstakes.”)

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— WMAY using stories of network linked to Illinois Policy Institute – Bernard Schoenburg (DIERSEN: Virtually every story in the MSM (main stream media) is linked to the Democrat Party, to the Libertarian Party, and/or to the Green Party.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171227/bernard-schoenburg-wmay-using-stories-of-network-linked-to-illinois-policy-institute

 

TIMES
— More pay for public defenders? – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/more-pay-for-public-defenders/article_c53f4fb4-9c10-537d-a0d5-193545880ec7.html

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— You owe $52K for state employee pensions, and the bill is overdue
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/editorials/article190917849.html

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Democrat: GOP rep. calling for ‘purge’ needs a history lesson Call reminiscent of McCarthyism during Cold War – JASON SQUITIERI (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my superiors always acted like Democrat politicians had called for a purge of all federal employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40. Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to purge the aforesaid employees. While I worked for GAO in its Chicago office 1980-1997, every time a new manager took over the office, they were given a list of the office’s employees who they were supposed to purge. Of course, I was always on those lists.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/democrat-gop-rep-calling-for-purge-needs-a-history-lesson/889700747

 

LCBC RADIO
— TRAGIC: Gamblers in Biggest Illinois Valley Cities Lost Nearly $20 Million in Last 12 Months
http://www.lcbcradio.com/wlpo/gamblers-in-biggest-illinois-valley-cities-lost-nearly-million-in/article_f971ea5c-ebd2-11e7-abf8-1f467db27161.html

 

WIREPOINTS
— Illinois Comptroller: Moving Debt From One Credit Card To Another Is ‘A Win Win Win’ – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/illinois-comptroller-moving-debt-from-one-credit-card-to-another-is-a-win-win-win-wirepoints-original/

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Kinzler blames Illinois’ exodus on ‘dysfunctional system’ – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511303230-kinzler-blames-illinois-exodus-on-dysfunctional-system

 

METRO EAST SUN
— Top-down change needed to reverse Illinois exodus, Don Moore says – Glenn Minnis
https://metroeastsun.com/stories/511305596-top-down-change-needed-to-reverse-illinois-exodus-moore-says

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Coalition Letter Urges Trump Administration to Resist Courts on “Transgenders” in Military – John Biver
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/coalition-letter-urges-trump-administration-resist-courts-transgenders-military/

 

GOPUSA
— Food, showers, tents: Are the homeless helped or enabled?
http://www.gopusa.com/food-showers-tents-are-the-homeless-helped-or-enabled/

 

REDSTATE
— Americans Fled Blue States In The Hundreds Of Thousands Due To High Taxes, Leaving Fewer To Pay The Democrats’ Tab – Brandon Morse
https://www.redstate.com/brandon_morse/2017/12/27/americans-fled-blue-states-hundreds-thousands-due-high-taxes-high-crime-rates/

 

NEWSMAX
— A Guide to the 2018 Midterm Elections – Scott Rasmussen
https://www.newsmax.com/scottrasmussen/democrats-races-gop-seats/2017/12/27/id/834000/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There are, however, a few races to give a sense of how good a night the Democrats are likely to have. The first is Illinois-6, currently held by Republican Peter Roskam. This suburban district was carried by Hillary Clinton. Not only that, special elections this year have shown that the GOP is struggling to hang on to suburban voters. If Roskam is still competitive come November, the GOP might hold their losses to a dozen seats or so.)

 

BLAZE
— Ron Paul: The economic boom under Trump is ‘an illusion’ that will come crashing down – Chris Enloe
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/27/ron-paul-the-economic-boom-under-trump-is-an-illusion-that-will-come-crashing-down

 

INVESTORS BUSINESS DAILY
— The ‘Swamp’ Trump Is Trying To Drain Isn’t Really A Swamp — It’s An Ocean (DIERSEN Democrats run the federal government. If Republicans cut a federal agency’s budget, those cuts will be used to get rid of the agency’s employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/the-swamp-trump-is-trying-to-drain-isnt-really-a-swamp-its-an-ocean/

 

LIFEZETTE NEWS
— ‘Mapping The Swamp’ Report Shows It’s Even Bigger, Costlier Than You Think Paying federal workforce costs taxpayers $1.1M per minute, according to a pro-transparency group, Open The Books – Mark Tapscott (DIERSEN Democrats run the federal government. If Republicans cut a federal agency’s budget, those cuts will be used to get rid of the agency’s employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.lifezette.com/polizette/mapping-the-swamp-report-shows-its-even-bigger-costlier-than-you-think/?preview_id=873085

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Roy Moore Files Suit to Block Certification of Alabama Senate Election Result Defeated GOP candidate’s attorney said in complaint he believed there were irregularities during the election and a new one should be held – AP
https://www.wsj.com/articles/roy-moore-files-suit-to-block-certification-of-alabama-senate-election-result-1514453058
— The Tax Law Makes CPAs Interesting (for Now) Accountants face long hours, anxious clients, but ‘it’s never been a better time to be a CPA’ – Michael Rapoport (DIERSEN: In 1979, when I was 30 years old, I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt. In 1981, I became a licensed CPA.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-tax-law-makes-cpas-interesting-for-now-1514457000
— Employee Mentorship Program Gets a Reboot – Rachel Feintzeig (DIERSEN: What happened to your mentors? My Democrat IRS superiors got rid of the IRS manager who promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. My Democrat GAO superiors got rid of the GAO manager who hired me in 1980, who got me assigned to audits of IRS in 1986, and who promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/employee-mentorship-program-gets-a-reboot-1514376000

 

USA TODAY
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE HEADLINE: Republicans accuse American Bar Association of bias – Richard Wolf (DIERSEN: What percent of ABA members are Democrats?)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/26/lawyers-group-fuels-republicans-ire-over-its-negative-reviews-trump-judicial-picks/974095001/
— Hot housing market could cool in 2018 – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/12/28/hot-housing-market-could-cool-2018/971539001/

 

FED SMITH
— Compensation for Federal Workforce Costs the Government $1 Million Per Minute
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/28/compensation-federal-workforce-costs-government-1-million-per-minute/

 

ATLANTIC
— Employers Are Looking for Job Candidates in the Wrong Places – LOLADE FADULU (DIERSEN: Did you meet legal requirements when you were hired? I did. I had a job-related master’s degree (MBA Loyola 1976), a job-related professional certification (CPA 1979), almost 9 years of job-related work experience (the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels (currently $79,563-$90,173), and I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul when GAO hired me at the GS-9 Step 10 level (currently $71,326) in 1980. I had a job-related bachelor’s degree (management NIU 1970) and I had passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination when IRS hired me at the GS-7 Step 1 level (currently $54,864) in 1971. I had a high school diploma and I had passed an employment examination when the Post Office hired me at the GS-4 Step 1 level (currently $15.56/hour) level in 1966.)
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/12/employers-are-looking-for-job-candidates-in-the-wrong-places/549080/

December 27 Evening Edition

FOX BUSINESS
— IRS cautions U.S. taxpayers on prepaying property taxes – AP
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/12/27/irs-cautions-u-s-taxpayers-on-prepaying-property-taxes.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In a notice on its website, the IRS said that, in general, a full deduction for the prepayment of state or local property taxes depends on whether the taxpayer makes the payment this year and whether the property taxes are assessed prior to 2018. “A prepayment of anticipated real property taxes that have not been assessed prior to 2018 are not deductible in 2017,” the IRS notice said. “State or local law determines whether and when a property tax is assessed, which is generally when the taxpayer becomes liable for the property tax imposed,” it said.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— IRS says taxpayers trying to use deduction that will be scaled back can prepay 2018 property taxes only under limited circumstances
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/12/27/irs-says-taxpayers-trying-to-use-deduction-that-will-be-scaled-back-can-prepay-2018-property-taxes-only-under-limited-circumstances/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Many Americans have rushed to prepay their 2018 property taxes and save on their federal taxes, hoping to take advantage of a tax deduction that will be scaled back in the new tax law passed by Republicans last week. The Internal Revenue Service confirmed Wednesday that taxpayers will be able to take advantage of the maneuver — but only under limited circumstances. The IRS said that taxpayers can claim an additional property tax deduction when paying their 2017 taxes if they pay the tax this year and if the local tax authority has notified homeowners prior to 2018 of how much they owe in property taxes, known as a tax assessment. State and local laws vary as to when this occurs. For individuals who rushed to prepay their property taxes based on estimates about how much they’d owe, the decision could prove a frustration as it may be difficult to cancel those payments. Local tax officials in affected localities will now be forced to interpret the decision for their residents. This is a developing story. It will be updated.)
— As California legalizes pot, laws collide at US checkpoints – AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/as-california-legalizes-pot-laws-collide-at-us-checkpoints/2017/12/27/3704f4f4-eb24-11e7-956e-baea358f9725_story.html

 

MERCURY NEWS
— The Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday that taxpayers could prepay their 2018 property taxes only if they have already received a tax assessment from their local government and they make payment by the end of the year. – Jeff Stein
https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/irs-setting-limits-for-prepaying-property-taxes/

 

TIME
— A last-minute announcement by the IRS could hurt many taxpayers rushing to prepay their 2018 property taxes before the end of the year. Late Wednesday, the IRS announced that filers could claim their 2018 property tax payments on their 2017 federal taxes only if the taxes had been assessed in 2017. – JOHN PATRICK PULLEN
http://time.com/5080756/irs-prepay-property-tax-deduction-2017-2018-limit/

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — IRS cautions taxpayers on prepaying property taxes
    http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/irs-cautions-taxpayers-on-prepaying-property-taxes/article_69604762-174c-5f7d-9a1d-37693d9d1ce8.html
    (FROM THE ARTICLE: In a notice on its website, the IRS said that, in general, a full deduction for the prepayment of state or local property taxes depends on whether the taxpayer makes the payment this year and whether the property taxes are assessed prior to 2018. “A prepayment of anticipated real property taxes that have not been assessed prior to 2018 are not deductible in 2017,” the IRS notice said. “State or local law determines whether and when a property tax is assessed, which is generally when the taxpayer becomes liable for the property tax imposed,” it said.)

 

NAPERVILLE PATCH
— Here’s How To Prepay Your Taxes & Potentially Save Big Before the GOP law takes effect Monday, people are paying their property taxes early. – Caitlin Ketel
https://patch.com/illinois/naperville/heres-how-prepay-your-taxes-potentially-save-big

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ILLINOISANS STAND IN LINE TO PAY 2018 PROPERTY TAXES EARLY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/illinoisans-stand-in-line-to-pay-2018-property-taxes-early.html
— RAUNER CHALLENGER SAYS SHE’S NOT HEARTLESS. SHE’S GOT A HEART FOR THE STATE’S TAXPAYERS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/rauner-challenger-says-shes-not-heartless-shes-got-a-heart-for-the-states-taxpayers.html
— EMERGENCY INJUNCTION SOUGHT TO STOP ILLINOIS TAXPAYER ABORTION FUNDING FROM STARTING JAN 1
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/emergency-injunction-sought-to-stop-illinois-taxpayer-abortion-funding-from-starting-jan-1.html
— FEDERAL INCARCERATION REPORT SHOWS 20 PERCENT OF FEDERAL INMATES AS ILLEGAL ALIENS – AP
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/federal-incarceration-report-20-percent-of-federal-inmates-are-illegal-aliens.html

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Property taxpayers in Chicago area scramble to pay 2018 bills before rules change – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-property-taxes-pay-ahead-20171227-story.html
— Residents jam Kane County treasurer’s office to pay taxes in 2017, avoid GOP law’s deduction cap – David Sharos
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-early-taxes-st-1228-20171227-story.html
— 2018 to be another rough year for Chicago taxpayers – Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-2018-tax-increases-20171214-story.html
— As a fan of big government, I fear Trump disappointing his base – Ron Grossman (DIERSEN: How has “big government” impacted your career? In 1971 when I was 22 years old, “big government” got Oldsmobile to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. Because of that, Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-grossman-big-government-20171220-story.html
— Cook County sues pharmaceutical companies over opioid epidemic – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-cook-county-opioid-lawsuit-20171227-story.html
— The case for pessimism in the age of Trump – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-pessimism-optimism-despair-1228-20171227-story.html
— Paul Ryan’s ‘pro-white’ primary foe denounced by Breitbart after his anti-Semitic tweets – David Weigel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-paul-nehlen-wisconsin-gop-primary-20171227-story.html

 

CBS2
— Thousands In Cook County Pay Property Taxes Early To Beat Trump Tax Bill – Bernie Tafoya
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/27/thousands-cook-county-pay-property-taxes-early/

 

ABC7
— Activist William Calloway says he has enough signatures to get on the ballot in the election for the representative for Illinois’ 25th District, and says those objecting to him don’t have the legal standing to do so.
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/activist-running-for-state-office-says-objectors-have-no-legal-standing/2827392/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Cook County’s lawsuit part of statewide effort to address opioid epidemic – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/cook-county-lawsuit-part-of-statewide-effort-to-address-opioid-epidemic/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps badmouth Trump.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-stands-against-everything-america-stands-for-robert-reich/
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-always-someone-else-fault-jacob-sullum/
— Response to opioid epidemic proves drug addiction isn’t color blind – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/mitchell-whitewash-of-opioid-epidemic-deadly-for-urban-communities/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Naperville working to lower city portion of property tax bill – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171227/naperville-working-to-lower-city-portion-of-property-tax-bill

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Handicappers keeping close eye on Roskam’s re-election bid – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171227/BLOGS02/171229937/handicappers-keeping-close-eye-on-roskams-re-election-bid
— World’s wealthiest became $1 trillion richer in 2017 – Bloomberg
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171227/NEWS01/171229940/worlds-wealthiest-became-1-trillion-richer-in-2017

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— University of Illinois stands alone with enrollment rise – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-27/kacich-ui-stands-alone-with-enrollment-rise.html

 

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE
— Congressional hopefuls have objections spelled out Will some candidates be knocked off ballot? – Brett Herrmann
http://www.newstrib.com/free/congressional-hopefuls-have-objections-spelled-out/article_c958e69a-eb14-11e7-be78-9f44370ed34f.html

 

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Quincy City Council expands video gaming – Doug Wilson
http://www.whig.com/20171227/quincy-city-council-expands-video-gaming-agrees-to-buy-firetrucks-radio-system#

 

JOURNAL & TOPICS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Win Cafe Open For Video Gambling In Niles – Tom Robb
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/win-cafe-open-for-video-gambling-in-niles/

 

ROCK ISLAND TODAY
— Rock Island GOP slams Halpin’s alleged quid pro quo
https://rockislandtoday.com/stories/511303148-rock-island-gop-slams-halpin-s-alleged-quid-pro-quo

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Wheaton-Warrenville District 200 approves extending superintendent’s contract – ERIC SCHELKOPF
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/12/22/wheaton-warrenville-district-200-approves-extending-superintendents-contract/amn9rvl/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— GOP congressman Francis Rooney explains his call for FBI ‘purge’ – ELI WATKINS (DIERSEN: What if my Illinois GOP U.S. Senators and Illinois GOP U.S. Representatives had called for a purge a) at GAO when 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 $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) at IRS when 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; and c) at the Post Office when my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968?)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/gop-congressman-explains-his-call-for-fbi-purge/889387650

 

WGLT
— On Your Mark, Get Set, Grab Tax Credits – DUSTY RHODES
http://wglt.org/post/your-mark-get-set-grab-tax-credits-0#stream/0

 

RUSS STEWART
— FOR MALE POLITICIANS, 2018 WILL BE THE “YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY”
http://www.russstewart.com/articles/2017/12-27-2017.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Every male politician on the 2018 ballot, either in a primary or election, should be utterly, totally paranoid — especially if they are an alpha male. Just one allegation of a past sexual indiscretion will be fatal. Democrats are clearing out their miscreants, like Al Franken. Republicans caught a break when Roy Moore lost in Alabama. 2018 will be a non-tolerance year. But the Republicans’ 51-49 U.S. Senate majority is not necessarily in jeopardy. Democrats will try to make it a referendum on President Trump. It may not work.)

 

ILLINOIS WATCHDOG
— ‘Worst-ever’ 2017 can still get worse in 2018 – Dan McCaleb
https://www.watchdog.org/illinois/op-ed-worst-ever-can-still-get-worse-in/article_2dcf4413-4647-52a7-8fc7-edc40c15e941.html

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Maine Township – Supervisor & Clerk violate Open Meetings Act & Township law. – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/maine-township-supervisor-clerk-violate-open-meetings-act-township-law/
— Jasper Co. School Board violates their own policy, use targeted bullying – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/jasper-co-school-board-violates-their-own-policy-use-targeted-bullying/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Emergency Injunction Against Taxpayer-Funded Abortions Sought in Lawsuit Against Illinois Officials
https://illinoisfamily.org/life/emergency-injunction-taxpayer-funded-abortions-sought-lawsuit-illinois-officials/

 

BREITBART
— 200 Middle East Nationals with ‘Mental Health’ Issues to Arrive in U.S. as Refugees Next Year – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/27/report-200-middle-east-nationals-with-mental-health-issues-to-arrive-in-u-s-as-refugees-next-year/

BLAZE
— ‘Problem of Whiteness’ course offered at college despite GOP lawmakers calling for it to be canceled – Sarah Taylor
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/27/problem-of-whiteness-course-offered-at-college-despite-gop-lawmakers-calling-for-it-to-be-canceled

 

DAILY SIGNAL
— 1 of Every 5 Federal Employees Has a 6-Figure Salary – Rachel del Guidice (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.)
http://dailysignal.com/2017/12/27/1-every-5-government-employees-6-figure-salary/

 

LIFE NEWS
— Pro-Life People in Illinois Seek Injunction to Not be Forced to Fund Abortions – TOM CIESIELKA
http://www.lifenews.com/2017/12/27/pro-life-people-in-illinois-seek-injunction-to-not-be-forced-to-fund-abortions/

 

NATIONAL LAW REVIEW
— Take a Number: States and Cities Line Up to Ban Salary History Questions (DIERSEN: What about government employees? Government salaries are public and those who despise if not hate government employees viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn government employees as being grossly overpaid. I was a demonized, denigrated, and condemned government employee for almost 30 years. 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.)
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/take-number-states-and-cities-line-to-ban-salary-history-questions

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Who’s Winning the Culture War? Corporate America. – DAVID A. HOPKINSDE (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, corporate America paints itself as being 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.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/opinion/culture-war-corporate-america.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Federal agents can still seize marijuana at California checkpoints despite legalization
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-fed-pot-california-20171227-story.html

 

FED WEEK
— EEOC rules on affirmative action for persons with disabilities that become enforceable January 3 require agencies to have written, easily available and understood reasonable accommodation procedures and a written explanation whenever a request for a reasonable accommodation is denied. (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO in its Chicago office 1980-1997, my Democrat superiors assigned me to supervise all their employees who had disabilities.)
http://www.fedweek.com/federal-managers-daily-report/eeoc-affirmative-action-rules-address-obligations/

December 26 Evening Edition

ABC7
— New Laws 2018: Illinois laws that take effect January 1
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/new-laws-2018-illinois-laws-that-take-effect-january-1/2785524/
— CHILD ABUSE: More pregnant women are using pot – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/health/more-pregnant-women-are-using-pot-study-finds/2826461/
— Woman killed by pit bulls while putting bird seed outside her home
http://abc7chicago.com/woman-killed-by-pit-bulls-while-putting-bird-seed-outside-her-home/2826226/

 

CBS2
— New Illinois Laws That Take Effect In 2018 – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/26/new-illinois-laws-2018/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Key factors point to higher Chicago voter turnout in March – Marisel A. Hernandez (DIERSEN: PREDICTION: Members of Group A will vote for those candidates who promise to do the most to get rid of those who are 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. Members of Group B 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/opinion/opinion-key-factors-point-to-higher-chicago-voter-turnout-in-march/
— U.S. industries can start counting their benefits from tax law – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/tax-overhaul-industries-craft-beer-retailers-benefits/
— Tax overhaul seems mostly designed to confuse the masses – Phil Kadner
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/textview
— Politicians care about school funding — only in election years – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/school-funding-illinois-candidates-governor-promise-money-kadner/
— As Trump weakens EPA, citizens must lead fight to protect environment – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/scott-pruitt-donald-trump-cathy-stepp-weakens-epa-fight-to-protect-environment-great-lakes-air-quality-drinking-water-wisconsin/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The aging Senate is a problem – Jonathan Bernstein (DIERSEN: What is your position on age discrimination? I have always opposed age discrimination. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) have always promoted age discrimination and b) have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that if you are a non-veteran White male federal employee, you are a bad employee, a loser, lazy, stupid, and even worse things if you do not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40. In today’s dollars, what were you earning when you were 25, 30, 35, and 40?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-senate-aging-old-octogenarians-20171226-story.html
— Chicago sees drop in Divvy income following expansion into South, West sides – Mary Wisniewski, Gregory Pratt
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-divvy-income-drop-20171226-story.html
— Democrats build case against tax bill, but don’t call for repeal – David Weigel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-democrats-tax-bill-20171226-story.html
— Federal court rejects challenge to Trump voting commission – Rachel Weiner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-voting-commission-challenge-20171226-story.html
— Trump slams FBI, Obamacare in post-Christmas tweets – Michelle Ye Hee Lee
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-twitter-fbi-obamacare-20171226-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Lake County residents can now prepay property taxes online – Kim Mikus
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171226/lake-county-residents-can-now-prepay-property-taxes-online

 

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— More than 200 laws take effect Monday in Illinois – Matt Hopf
http://www.whig.com/20171226/more-than-200-laws-take-effect-monday-in-illinois

 

DANVILLE COMMERCIAL NEWS
— Effective leaders find ways to get job done – Southern Illinoisan
http://www.commercial-news.com/editorials/guest-editorial-effective-leaders-find-ways-to-get-job-done/article_22828f57-7110-5a15-b348-acafa4aa10ac.html

 

BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN
— Ives only pol who wants to trim school district numbers Illinois has 852 vs. Florida’s 100 districts – Scott Reeder
http://www.bcrnews.com/2017/12/23/ives-only-pol-who-wants-to-trim-school-district-numbers/ad1t4dg/
— Old South sticks it to beleaguered Illinois Land of Lincoln is a loser in this new sectionalism – Jim Nowlan
http://www.bcrnews.com/2017/12/22/old-south-sticks-it-to-beleaguered-illinois/aj0grwl/

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump Administration Touts A Smaller U.N. Budget (And Takes Credit For It) – LAUREL WAMSLEY
http://nprillinois.org/post/trump-administration-touts-smaller-un-budget-and-takes-credit-it#stream/0
— Pick The Biggest Political Story Of 2017 – DOMENICO MONTANARO (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents want only themselves to tell you what the biggest political stories are.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/pick-biggest-political-story-2017#stream/0

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Cahokia School District #187 hired guard facing 34 felony charges – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/cahokia-school-district-187-hired-guard-facing-34-felony-charges/
— Coles County Taxpayers file federal appeal in property tax assessment scandal – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/coles-county-taxpayers-file-federal-appeal-in-property-tax-assessment-scandal/

 

NEWSMAX
— Rep. Rodney Davis: Rollbacks, Economic Growth Mark Good 2018 for GOP – Sandy Fitzgerald
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/rodney-davis-gop-primary-challenge-democrats/2017/12/26/id/833778/
— Democrats Split on Pursing Impeachment If They Win Back House – Brian Freeman
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/democrats-split-impeachment-trump/2017/12/26/id/833710/

 

DAILY CALLER
— GOP Lawmaker Calls For ‘Purge’ Of FBI And DOJ – Chuck Ross (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my superiors always acted like Democrat politicians had called for a purge of all federal employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40. Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to purge the aforesaid employees. While I worked for GAO in its Chicago office 1980-1997, every time a new manager took over the office, they were given a list of the office’s employees who they were supposed to purge. Of course, I was always on those lists.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/26/gop-lawmaker-calls-for-purge-of-fbi-and-doj-video/
— NBC Reportedly Tells Staff To Tattle On Misbehaving Colleagues – Amber Athey (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. In the federal government, to “misbehave” is a) to oppose patronage, b) to oppose political affiliation discrimination, c) to oppose reverse discrimination, d) to oppose age discrimination, and/or e) to NOT promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, etc.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/26/nbc-reportedly-tells-staff-to-tattle-on-misbehaving-colleagues/

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Dems see 2018 as best chance in years to win back House.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/366249-dems-see-2018-as-best-chance-in-years-to-win-back-house

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Illinois’s Tax Burden Is Keeping People Away The state loses one person every five minutes on net to other states. – Mailee Smith, Illinois Policy Institute (DIERSEN: Yes, but many other things also keep people away. Those who dominate Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago governments promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ 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, and even worse things. Those who dominate Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago governments 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.wsj.com/articles/illinoiss-tax-burden-is-keeping-people-away-1514316972

 

NEWSWEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use Moore to turn White college-educated women against Republicans.
http://www.newsweek.com/college-educated-women-will-have-their-revenge-republican-party-2018-poll-759513

 

FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE
— Rising Number Of Older Americans Carrying Debt Into Retirement – JADAH RILEY (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when my wife and I paid off our mortgage in 1the 1990s.)
https://www.fa-mag.com/news/rising-number-of-older-americans-carrying-debt-into-retirement-36356.html

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— What constitutes sexual harassment in the federal workforce? What to do if you are a victim – Isabel Cottrell (DIERSEN: If you are a female federal employee, and especially if you are a Democrat, minority, and/or younger, you can expect to receive preferential treatment.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/commentary-analysis/2017/12/what-constitutes-sexual-harassment-in-the-federal-workforce-what-to-do-if-you-are-a-victim/

 

FED SMITH
— Congressmen Want Federal Employee Pay Cuts Taken Off the Table – Ian Smith (DIERSEN: Are/were you accused of being overpaid? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always accused me of being overpaid. 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.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/26/congressman-want-federal-employee-pay-cuts-taken-off-table/
— Biggest and Smallest 2018 Raises for Federal Employees – Ralph R. Smith
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/26/biggest-smallest-2018-raises-federal-employees/

 

SALON
— Trump is mad at Jeff Sessions for taking the job Trump offered him – CHARLIE MAY (DIERSEN: My Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government were always mad at me because I refused to become a Democrat.)
https://www.salon.com/2017/12/26/trump-is-mad-at-jeff-sessions-for-taking-the-job-trump-offered-him/

December 25 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— With opioid suit, Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim takes jab at Abbott Labs – Charles Selle
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-selle-opioid-lawsuit-st-1226-20171225-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rahm’s 2017: Embarrassments, accomplishments — and a few lucky breaks – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/rahms-2017-embarrassments-accomplishments-and-a-few-lucky-breaks/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Nonprofits worry tax changes will curb donations in 2018 – Elena Ferrarin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171225/nonprofits-worry-tax-changes-will-curb-donations-in-2018

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Rays of hope are emerging: Small gains made locally in war on heroin Small gains made in war on heroin – Steve Horrell
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/114878/rays-of-hope-are-emerging-small-gains-made-locally-in-war-on-heroin

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Corrections watchdog: More needs to be done for criminal justice reform – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/corrections-watchdog-more-needs-to-be-done-for-criminal-justice/article_071f11dc-e694-11e7-8d19-cff75c4244f0.html

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— CHRISTMAS WISH LIST: 12 GIFTS FOR ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS IN 2018 – Vincent Caruso
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/christmas-wish-list-12-gifts-for-illinois-taxpayers-in-2018/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Not-so-beautiful Dreamers: The reality behind the media airbrushing – Hans A. von Spakovsky
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/25/daca-demographics-show-less-ideal-dreamers-media-i/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— KARL ROVE AND THE DESPICABLE GOP ELITE Mychal Massie rips RNC for using the people’s money to undermine Trump
http://www.wnd.com/2017/12/karl-rove-and-the-despicable-gop-elite/

 

GOPUSA
— Jeff Flake: Some GOP rallies look like ‘spasms of a dying party’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35913

 

FOX BUSINESS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Big labor sees growth potential in California pot workers – SCOTT SMITH
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/12/25/big-labor-sees-growth-potential-in-california-pot-workers.html

 

NEWSMAX
— Trump: People ‘Proud’ to Say ‘Merry Christmas Again’ – Sandy Fitzgerald
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-merry-christmas-tweet/2017/12/25/id/833606/

 

POLITICO
— The top 10 House races to watch in 2018 Key districts around the country that will define next year’s battle for control of the House. – ELENA SCHNEIDER (DIERSEN: Social progressives want Roskam to pander to them. What do you say to those who advise Roskam to pander to social progressives? To be “socially progressive” is to promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, pot, gambling, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/25/house-races-2018-midterms-republicans-democrats-316207
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois’ 6th District: Revenge of the suburbs GOP Rep. Peter Roskam won reelection handily in 2016, but his Chicagoland district saw a big shift, with President Donald Trump losing it by 7 points after Mitt Romney carried the seat by 8 points in 2012. And since Trump took office, elections in Virginia, New Jersey and a handful of congressional special elections around the country have seen local candidates fall to or even below Trump’s levels in the suburbs. That’s a big warning sign for Roskam and other Republicans in suburbs of New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Kansas City and more heading into 2018. Democrats have to wade through a crowded primary before they face Roskam. Kelly Mazeski, who picked up an EMILY’s List endorsement and raised the most money last quarter, is leading the pack, though anything can happen in a field of seven candidates. But even a bruised Democratic opponent may not stem the tide against Roskam and other suburban congressmen. “Increasingly socially progressive, suburban voters have been drifting away from the GOP for years,” said Ian Russell, former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee deputy executive director. “Trump dramatically accelerated this movement, and the tax bill will only further alienate them.”)

 

NEWSWEEK
— WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION THINKS VIDEO GAMES ARE CAUSING A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER – MELISSA MATTHEWS
http://www.newsweek.com/world-health-organization-thinks-video-games-are-causing-mental-health-758555

 

MOTLEY FOOL
— You’ll Lose Some of Your Retirement Income to the IRS — Here’s How Much When you draw up your retirement budget, don’t forget about tax expenses — or you could end up with far less income than you expect. – Wendy Connick
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/12/25/youll-lose-some-of-your-retirement-income-to-the-i.aspx

December 25 Morning Edition

ABC7
— 3 dead, 21 wounded in Christmas weekend shootings across Chicago
http://abc7chicago.com/3-dead-21-wounded-in-christmas-weekend-shootings-across-chicago/2822656/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trump takes note of who’s naughty and nice at Christmas – AP (DIERSEN: In your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, who determines who is naughty and nice? What criteria do they use?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171225/news/312259980/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How Chicago and Illinois failed the people in 2017 – Madeleine Doubek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/chicago-illinois-failed-people-2017-doubek/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Joy to the weed! Marijuana legalization comes bearing gifts – AP (DIERSEN: If you want to destroy someone, you give them pot.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–marijuana-high-holidays-20171222-story.html
— How can you be Christian without caring for the poor? – James Martin (DIERSEN: Do your critics/opponents care for the poor? Since 1966, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes  have hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a poor person in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a poor person in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted a poor people in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a poor person in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a poor person in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-poor-jesus-poor-mary-joseph-christmas-syrian-refugees-1225-story.html
— New state law treats pets more like children in custody cases – Leonor Vivanco-Prengaman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-pet-custody-law-20171218-story.html

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Reciprocity Bill Heads to U.S. Senate – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257374#.WkDdLN-nGM8

 

WSIL TV
— Bost: Trump can fire Mueller, FBI answers to president – Brandon Richard
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37136078/bost-fbi-answers-to-president-trump-can-fire-mueller

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois LGBTQ+ Advocates Say 2017 Saw Progress – RACHEL OTWELL (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, you will be barred from getting an education, barred from getting a job, barred from etc.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-lgbtq-advocates-say-2017-saw-progress#stream/0

 

WIREPOINTS
— Turmoil Grows Over Disparity In Rules For Prepayment Of Property Taxes – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/turmoil-grows-over-disparity-in-rules-for-prepayment-of-property-taxes-story-developing-wirepoints-original/
— Finally, a college ranking that means something. Two extremes in IL – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/finally-a-college-ranking-that-means-something-quicktake/

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — Democrats hope to use tax overhaul as a club against GOP – AP
    http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/democrats-hope-to-use-tax-overhaul-as-a-club-against/article_bd087114-ce7b-5f85-a980-838ed5efe196.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— North Korea calls U.N. sanctions ‘an act of war,’ says it’s ‘pipe dream’ that it will give up nukes – AP (DIERSEN: Acts of war include a) a country sending its citizens into another country illegally, b) a country keeping its citizens in another country illegally, and c) a country sending illegal drugs into another country illegally. Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America a) by its sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally, b) by its keeping many millions of its citizens in America illegally, and c) by its sending many mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/25/north-korea-calls-un-sanctions-act-war-says-its-pi/?

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Republicans leave for Christmas break believing they can govern – Al Weaver
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republicans-leave-for-christmas-break-believing-they-can-govern/article/2644220

 

PJ MEDIA
— New Illinois Abortion Law Fires Up Pro-Lifers, Inspires Challenge to GOP Governor – ROD KACKLEY DEC
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/new-illinois-abortion-law-fires-pro-lifers-inspires-challenge-gop-governor/

 

TOWNHALL
— Every Vote Really Does Count – Ken Blackwell
https://townhall.com/columnists/kenblackwell/2017/12/25/every-vote-really-does-count-n2426842

 

NEWSMAX
— AT&T Said to Fire Hundreds at Christmas Amid Trump Tax Bonuses
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/at-t-fire-christmas-trump/2017/12/24/id/833583/

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “GOP will suffer for tax giveaway.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/366398-juan-williams-gop-will-suffer-for-tax-giveaway

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Using Billions in Government Cash, Mexico Controls News Media – Azam Ahmed (DIERSEN: He who pays the piper calls the tunes. Since 2000, my critics/opponents have been beyond furious that I have enough time and enough money to put together and send out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails that I do not have to ask them or ask anyone else for money. My critics/opponents want people who they can manipulate/dominate, that is, people who need money.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/25/world/americas/mexico-press-government-advertising.html
— As Trump Rages About Immigrants, They Go to the Ivy League – Tariro Mzezewa (DIERSEN: Do you have a degree from an Ivy League university? I should write a book about those who stress that none of my four degrees (B.S. Management NIU 1970, MBA Loyola 1976, M.S. accounting DePaul 1980, and M.S. financial markets and trading IIT 1997) are from Ivy League universities.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/opinion/trump-african-immigrants-ivy-league.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps use children as cannon fodder.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/exactly-how-cruel-is-homeland-security/2017/12/23/6ecdf1c2-e74d-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e_story.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps crow over their success in turning “White college graduates” against Trump.
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-nevada-trump-suburbs-20171225-story.html
— In hopes of getting around federal law, immigrants seek governors’ pardons to block deportation – Kurtis Lee
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-immigration-pardons-20171225-story.html

 

BUSINESS TIMES
— U.S. charities fear big drop in donations from middle classes
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/us-charities-fear-big-drop-in-donations-from-middle-classes

 

CHEAT SHEET
— Why Older Americans Should Be Terrified by the GOP Tax Plan – Eric Schaal
https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/older-americans-should-be-terrified-by-gop-tax-plan.html/

December 24 Morning Edition

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Ives’ candidacy a thorn in Rauner’s side – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-24/tom-kacich-ives-candidacy-thorn-rauners-side.html

 

ABC7
— Judge partially lifts Trump administration ban on refugees – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/judge-partially-lifts-trump-administration-ban-on-refugees/2817496/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump criticizes FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe as he plans retirement – AP (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors always wanted to replace me with a Democrat, and especially with a Democrat who was minority, female, and/or younger. 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://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-reacts-to-reports-of-fbi-deputy-directors-retirement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: McCabe plans to retire in about 90 days, when he becomes fully eligible for pension benefits, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the situation. Trump and his Republican allies have made it clear that they want McCabe out of the FBI. But McCabe is a civil service employee who cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an all-of-the-front page editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps glorify and praise a) those who come to America illegally, b) those who stay in America illegally, and c) those who bring others to America illegally.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/maria-no-documents-no-health-insurance-cancer-fight-angels-rush/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Mexico’s leftist presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador puts country first, resists Trump comparison – AP (DIERSEN: Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America. If elected, will Obrador a) stop Mexico from sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally; b) bring back to Mexico its many millions of citizens who are in America illegally, and c) stop Mexico from sending many mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mexico-leftist-presidential-front-runner-20171223-story.html

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Answers must be provided in Quincy Veterans Home outbreaks – Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171223/our-view-answers-must-be-provided-in-quincy-veterans-home-outbreaks

 

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— Thumbs-down to obstacles to letting the public decide size of their government – Editorial
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/22/our-view-thumbs-down-to-obstacles-to-letting-the-public-decide-size-of-their-government/a51me3n/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Thumbs-down: To state Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock. Reick has filed a bill in Springfield that would make it harder for residents to decide the size and scope of their local government. Reick’s proposal, House Bill 4190, would require township trustees to pay an independent contractor for a cost study before they could ask voters about whether to eliminate township road districts. Reick apparently thinks that an independent contractor needs to give the OK before residents can have a voice in shaping their government. That’s nonsense. This proposal is a transparent attempt to make it more difficult to pare down township government, likely at the behest of officials who work in township government and their political allies. Here’s the truth: Those Illinoisans who haven’t already fled this state are tired of paying high property taxes to support the most units of local government of any state in the nation. We need officials to remove the roadblocks and allow us to decide how many people govern us, and what they are paid to do it. Voters will not approve a ballot initiative that they do not believe will benefit them.)

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois drops to No. 6 among most populous states – Chris Coates
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/illinois-drops-to-no-among-most-populous-states/article_f3720c93-4e93-523e-af48-224cff74fa71.html

 

HERALD NEWS
— Minooka village levy to increase for funding pension plans – KRIS STADALSKY
http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/20/minooka-village-levy-to-increase-for-funding-pension-plans/a23efvv/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois Republican congressmen differ on national concealed carry reciprocity – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/illinois-republican-congressmen-differ-on-national-concealed-carry-reciprocity/article_01f0e068-e686-11e7-b192-4bb6a92ab262.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Coalition Letter Urges Trump Administration to Resist Courts on “Transgenders” in Military – John Biver
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/coalition-letter-urges-trump-administration-resist-courts-transgenders-military/

 

BREITBART
— Amnesty: GOP ‘Gang of 33’ Silent on Required Tax Increases, Budget Cuts – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/23/amnesty-gop-gang-34-silent-required-tax-increases-budget-cuts/

 

NBC NEWS
— Liberal or Conservative? Where you shop reveals how you vote – DANTE CHINNI
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/business-of-the-holidays/liberal-or-conservative-where-you-shop-reveals-how-you-vote-n831536

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Life, Death and Taxes in Inequality City – Ginia Bellafante
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/nyregion/life-death-and-taxes-in-inequality-city.html

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Protesters head to Chuck Schumer’s house to blast failure on Dream Act – DALE W. EISINGER and RICH SCHAPIRO
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/protesters-blast-chuck-schumer-failure-safeguard-dream-act-article-1.3718108

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats aim to turn tax plan into cudgel in 2018 midterms – AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dems-aim-to-turn-tax-plan-into-cudgel-in-2018-midterms/2017/12/24/2d0a7b72-e8ae-11e7-956e-baea358f9725_story.html
— Most federal employees in D.C.-Baltimore area to receive 2.3 percent raise in January – Eric Yoder
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/23/most-federal-employees-in-d-c-baltimore-area-to-receive-2-3-percent-raise-in-january/?utm_term=.e8ca8d7b0493
— Washington careerists work to undermine Trump’s agenda – Christopher Flavelle and Benjamin Bain (DIERSEN: Because I have always opposed political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination, a) 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, 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 $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/washington-careerists-work-to-undermine-trump-s-agenda/article_4e69fbf6-1fc2-5770-afdc-693af7b2c9a6.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In the long run, career staff can face consequences for resisting presidential policy. While it’s hard to outright fire a civil servant, congressional Republicans in January gave themselves the ability to reduce the annual pay for any individual federal employee to $1. An administration can also punish bureaucrats through punitive reassignments, designed to make them quit. Joel Clement, a senior policy manager at the Department of Interior, was moved to the accounting office in June — retaliation, he alleged, for speaking out about the risks of climate change.)

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— The Insane Amount of Money Millionaires Say They Need to be Happy – KRISTEN BAHLER (DIERSEN: What is the main reason why you have less money than you have now? For me, it was my Democrat superiors who wasted my career and forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
http://time.com/money/5071182/money-happiness-million/

 

MOTLEY FOOL
— 3 Money Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Retirement If you make this mistake, you face almost a 60% chance of running out of cash during retirement. – Christy Bieber
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/12/24/3-money-mistakes-that-could-ruin-your-retirement.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 3. Retiring too early Because of historically low bond rates and Americans’ longer life spans, many longstanding ideas about retirement — like the assumption that you can withdraw 4% or more from your retirement accounts each year without running out of money — no longer apply. In fact, in 2013 researchers from The American College and Morningstar found that a senior following the 4% rule stood a 57% chance of running out of cash when returns were calculated based on current rates. Retiree spending falls into predictable patterns. Retirees spend more during early retirement, when they’re healthy enough to travel and indulge their hobbies. They spend less during the middle of retirement as their health declines and energy wane, and in the late stage of retirement they spend more as costly health issues arise. This means that if you exhaust your savings, you’re likely to be short on cash at a time when you’re too old to work. To avoid this predicament, it’s imperative you accurately calculate how much you’ll need for retirement and how much you can safely withdraw without putting your future at risk. If your projected withdrawals don’t provide enough money to cover your expected costs, think about working longer or lowering your costs of living.)

December 23 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Democrats who supported spending bill face angry backlash over immigration – David Weigel and Ed O’Keefe
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-daca-democrats-spending-bill-20171222-story.html
— Proposed bill would ban sale of commercially bred pets in Will, DuPage counties – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-commercial-pet-sale-ban-bill-st-1224-20171222-story.html
— How to know when holiday drinking is hurting your brain – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-holiday-drinking-brain-health-20171219-story.html
— Carpentersville doubles video gaming fee – Erin Sauder
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-carpentersville-gaming-machine-fees-st-1227-20171226-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— A month-by-month look at what you should expect from the Republican tax bill – Philip Bump
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171223/a-month-by-month-look-at-what-you-should-expect-from-the-republican-tax-bill
— New year to be a challenge for Republicans in Congress – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171223/news/312239976/

 

ABC7
— Miss America suspends CEO in email flap – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/miss-america-suspends-ceo-in-email-flap/2815659/

 

TIMES
— Kinzinger: Trump has done ‘great job’ – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/column-kinzinger-trump-has-done-great-job/article_49d55ebf-1cf3-519c-a795-49448d475d6b.html
— Kinzinger and Marter disagree on DACA – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/congressman-rival-disagree-on-daca/article_2ba5ffe5-4963-5021-beda-faa623b484ce.html

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Federal Tax Plan Hits Illinois – Benjamin Yount
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257293#.Wj5TO4zR-M8

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Justice Department rolls back guidance on fining poor defendants – DAVID SHORTELL AND JESSICA SCHNEIDER (DIERSEN: One could look at it this way: Since September 30, 1997, in today’s dollars, my Democrat GAO superiors have been fining me $198 a day or $1,387 a week or $6,011 a month or $72,135 a year for my opposing political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination. On September 30, 1997, to punish me for the aforesaid opposition, they succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” of $50,856 a year, or only 41% of my $122,991 a year salary in today’s dollars. So far, in today’s dollars, I have been fined $1,460,673 or $6,011 X 243 months.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/justice-department-rolls-back-guidance-on-fining-poor-defendants/886728546

 

WSIL TV
— Congressman Bost predicts tax law will become more popular – Brandon Richard
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37130399/congressman-bost-predicts-tax-law-will-become-more-popular

 

KANE COUNTY CONNECTS
— KANE BOARD CHAIRMAN: UNFUNDED STATE PENSION LIABILITIES ARE ‘FISCAL CALAMITY’
http://kanecountyconnects.com/2017/12/kane-board-chairman-unfunded-state-pension-liabilities-are-fiscal-calamity/

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— What The Tax Bill Could Mean For Lawmakers During The Midterms
http://nprillinois.org/post/what-tax-bill-could-mean-lawmakers-during-midterms#stream/0
— Why Mental Health Is A Poor Measure Of A President – JON HAMILTON (DIERSEN: Sooner or later, Democrats paint all non-Democrats as being mentally ill.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/why-mental-health-poor-measure-president#stream/0

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives proposes constitutional amendment to address pension reform – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511301761-ives-proposes-constitutional-amendment-to-address-pension-reform

 

SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey vows to reverse trend of taxpayers fleeing the state – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511301836-bailey-vows-to-reverse-trend-of-taxpayers-fleeing-the-state

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Batinick: More than 200 new laws adopted, none tackle Illinois’ major issues – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/lawmaker-more-than-new-laws-adopted-none-tackle-illinois-major/article_50ac2fc4-e680-11e7-99fa-4b0ef07a8c8c.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Berrios spox says Tribune story “extremely unbalanced and, typically, unfair” *** ILGOP, Kaegi react to new Tribune story on Berrios
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/ilgop-kaegi-react-to-new-tribune-story-on-berrios/

 

BREITBART
— Cardinal Cupich: ‘It Would Be a Horrible Injustice’ Not to Give Amnesty to DACA Illegal Aliens at Americans’ Expense – JOHN BINDER (DIERSEN: It appears that the overwhelming majority of those who are in America state that they are Catholic. What if Cupich proposed that the Catholic Church would support the illegals, that is, provide them with medical care, food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, jobs, etc.? But, of course, very soon, the Catholic Church would be bankrupt.)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/22/cardinal-cupich-horrible-injustice-not-to-give-amnesty-to-daca-illegal-aliens/

 

COLLEGE FIX
— Enough with race-based admissions
http://www.thecollegefix.com/bulletin-board/enough-race-based-admissions/

 

THE HILL
— Karl Rove: ‘Bad idea’ for Trump to hold a lot of rallies in 2018 – MAX GREENWOOD
http://thehill.com/homenews/news/366273-karl-rove-a-very-bad-idea-for-trump-to-hold-a-lot-of-rallies-in-2018

 

ABC NEWS
— Tax overhaul leads to end-of-year rush to pay property bills – GEOFF MULVIHILL (DIERSEN: Are you a homeowner? How much will the “GOP tax overhaul” harm you? The more that you have paid in real estate tax and/or state income tax over $10,000 a year, the more that you will be harmed. How much of your estimated real estate tax bill due next year can you afford to pre-pay by the end of this year?)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/tax-overhaul-leads-end-year-rush-pay-property-51957744

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Tax Bill Is Great for Accountants — Unless They Have Holiday Plans – Tiffany Hsu and Julie Creswell
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/business/republican-tax-plan-accountants-auditors-holidays.html
— Homeowners Rush to Soften Tax Bill’s Impact – Jeffery C. Mays
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/nyregion/cuomo-assist-as-homeowners-rush-to-prepay-property-tax-bill.html
— E.P.A. Officials, Disheartened by Agency’s Direction, Are Leaving in Droves – Lisa Friedman, Marina Affo and Derek Kravitz (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which GAO employees left GAO in drovers during the 1980s and 1990s? ANSWER: Those who were Republican, White, male, older, non-veteran, and/or accounting degree holders. WHY? Democrat politicians wanted to replace them with employees who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or public policy degree holders.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/climate/epa-buyouts-pruitt.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: VERY SAD: Households Are Spending Rather Than Saving – Harriet Torry and Suzanne Kapner
https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-shop-more-save-less-this-holiday-season-1513978732

 

NEWSWEEK
— MISS AMERICA CEO SAM HASKELL’S WEBSITE IS LITTERED WITH VIAGRA ADS – EMILY GAUDETTE
http://www.newsweek.com/miss-america-2018-sam-haskell-emails-viagra-756975

 

FED SMITH
— Order Issued on 2018 Pay Raise for Federal Employees – Ralph R. Smith (DIERSEN: If was still working for GAO at the GS-13 Step 10 level, my 2018 salary would increase by $2,334 or by 1.9% to $125,325.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/22/order-issued-2018-pay-raise-federal-employees/

December 21 Evening Edition

NBC5
— 5 Counties File Suit Against Pharmaceuticals Over Opioid Crisis – Ash-Har Quraishi
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-counties-file-lawsuit-against-pharmaceuticals-over-opioid-crisis-465782123.html

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— 4 reasons why Rauner says things will be different next time, honest – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-rauner-unions-campaign-1222-20171221-story.html
— Ford CEO apologizes for harassment cases at Chicago plant – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ford-harassment-chicago-plant-20171221-story.html
— Chicago police say Facebook did not cooperate in drug and gun-running probe – Peter Nickeas
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-facebook-drugs-guns-20171221-story.html
— 5 suburban counties suing drug companies over opioid epidemic – Ted Gregory
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-suburban-counties-sue-opioid-makers-20171221-story.html
— Legislature’s new watchdog to keep looking into 10 cases, drops 17 others – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-watchdog-update-20171221-story.html
— Dorothy Brown’s 17 years of broken promises – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-dorothy-brown-clerk-delay-20171220-story.html
— Pritzker has a Berrios problem, and he won’t touch it – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-pritzker-berrios-kass-1222-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— New legislative inspector to look into 10 ethics cases – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/new-legislative-inspector-to-look-into-10-ethics-cases/
— Year of the Woman? Apparently not in county politics – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mitchell-year-of-the-woman-apparently-not-in-county-politics/
— Fact check: Trump’s ‘middle-class miracle’ favors wealthy – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/fact-check-trumps-middle-class-miracle-favors-wealthy/
— Dozens arrested after sting of Facebook groups selling guns, drugs – Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/dozens-caught-in-sting-of-facebook-groups-selling-guns-drugs/
— Trump’s phony postcard tax return – Jacob Sullum
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/sullum-trumps-phony-postcard-tax-return/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Suburban counties sue opioid drug manufacturers over overdose deaths – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171221/suburban-counties-sue-opioid-drug-manufacturers-over-overdose-deaths
— Facebook changing how it identifies ‘fake news’ stories – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171221/facebook-changing-how-it-identifies-fake-news-stories
— District 94 teachers vote ‘no confidence’ in school board president Gary Saake – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171221/district-94-teachers-vote-no-confidence-in-school-board-president
— How to prepay property taxes in the suburbs
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171221/how-to-prepay-property-taxes-in-the-suburbs

 

WGN RADIO
— Rep. Peter Roskam on the GOP tax bill – MARY SANDBERG BOYLE
http://wgnradio.com/2017/12/21/rep-peter-roskam-on-the-gop-tax-bill/
— The Business of Campaigning – IL’s Gubernatorial Race – BENNETT WAKENIGHT
http://wgnradio.com/2017/12/20/the-opening-bell-12-20-17-the-business-of-campaigning-ils-gubernatorial-race/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Counties sue drug companies over opioids – AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171221/NEWS03/171229965/counties-sue-drug-companies-over-opioids
— The rush is on—to pay taxes before cap kicks in – STEVEN R. STRAHLER
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171221/NEWS02/171229977/the-rush-is-on-to-pay-taxes-before-cap-kicks-in

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Rep. David McSweeney opposes Rep. Steve Reick’s consolidation bill requiring cost study – ED KOMENDA
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/21/rep-david-mcsweeney-opposes-rep-steve-reicks-consolidation-bill-requiring-cost-study/anoji4a/

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Rauner: No one will buy Normal auto plant (it’s already been sold and re-opened) – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171221/rauner-no-one-will-buy-normal-auto-plant-its-already-been-sold-and-re-opened

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Governor candidates should follow Ives’ lead – Scott Reeder
http://www.thetelegraph.com/opinion/114713/reeder-governor-candidates-should-follow-ives-lead

 

BELLEVIEW NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Here’s why some candidates may be kept off the 2018 ballot – JOSEPH BUSTOS
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article191119469.html

 

WMAY
— Rauner Thinks GOP Tax Overhaul Bill Could Have Been Better
http://www.wmay.com/2017/12/21/rauner-thinks-gop-tax-overhaul-bill-could-have-been-better/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— GOP Circular firing squad holiday battles
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/circular-firing-squad-holiday-battles/
— Lipinski to speak at annual March for Life in midst of Democratic primary
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/lipinski-to-speak-at-annual-march-for-life-in-midst-of-democratic-primary/
— Legislative Inspector General finds 10 of 27 backlogged complaints “warrant further consideration”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/legislative-inspector-general-finds-10-of-27-backlogged-complaints-warrant-further-consideration/
— Sun-Times wants Rauner apology to WBEZ (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Main Stream Media (MSM) a) promotes news that it can spin to promote the Democrat, Libertarian, and/or Green party platforms and b) downplays if not censures news that shows the Republican Party platform is the way to go. Ever-increasingly, the MSM publishes editorials that are unethically made to look like news articles.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/sun-times-wants-rauner-apology-to-wbez/
— Accelerated population loss could mean Illinois loses two congressional seats
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/accelerated-population-loss-could-mean-illinois-loses-two-congressional-seats/

 

GOPUSA
— University of Michigan training session devoted to ‘unpacking Whiteness’ (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Whites make it clear that they want to manipulate/dominate Whites if not get rid of Whites.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35614
— ‘Dreamers’ say Democrats have broken promises to protect them (DIERSEN: What are your demographics? Which organizations, companies, governments, and countries have promised to protect you and protect those who share your demographics?)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35755

 

DAILY CALLER
— Illegal Immigrants Stage Second DACA Protest At US Capitol After Release From Jail – Will Racke
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/21/illegal-immigrants-stage-second-daca-protest-at-us-capitol-after-release-from-jail/

 

CBS NEWS
— Top 6 ways the GOP tax bill affects average Americans – LARRY LIGHT (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/6-biggest-tax-changes-for-average-americans/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: State and local tax deductions are reduced. Dwellers in blue-leaning states on the coasts have long benefited from being able to write off their high state income taxes, as well as their hefty local property taxes. But the new bill lets them deduct these only up to $10,000 per year. Currently, nearly half of US homes are worth itemizing — but under the legislation, that would shrink to 14 percent because of the lost tax breaks, a study by real estate company Zillow said.)

 

CNN
— Despite Haley threat, UN votes to condemn Trump’s Jerusalem decision – Nicole Gaouette
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/21/politics/haley-un-jerusalem/index.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— 10 reasons Democrats think the tax bill will be a political loser for Trump’s GOP in the midterms – James Hohmann
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/12/21/daily-202-10-reasons-democrats-think-the-tax-bill-will-be-a-political-loser-for-trump-s-gop-in-the-midterms/5a3b0db430fb0469e883fd41/
— Forget what they say — House Democrats are readying for impeachment – Paul Kane
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/forget-what-they-say–house-democrats-are-readying-for-impeachment/2017/12/20/c9ad6548-e5c5-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.N. Vote Rebukes U.S. for Jerusalem Move General Assembly votes overwhelmingly in favor of resolution despite Trump’s threats of consequences – Farnaz Fassihi
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-vote-rebukes-u-s-for-jerusalem-move-1513878035

December 21 Morning Edition

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives says Democrats are all running on pot, taxes and spending
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/ives-says-democrats-are-all-running-on-pot-taxes-and-spending/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ives insisted that she could win a general election with her fiscally and socially conservative agenda. “Yes, I can absolutely win the general election,” she said. “Look, the Democrats have destroyed the state and the people know that. And what are all the Democratic candidates selling you? Recreational marijuana, higher taxes, more spending. “Is anybody buying that shtick? Anybody? No, and that’s the entire agenda of those folks.”)

 

CBS2
— Governor Rauner Shares Thoughts On Republican Tax Plan – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/21/governor-rauner-republican-tax-plan/

 

WLS AM
— Rauner won’t move Vets from Quincy home – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/21/raunder-wont-move-vets-from-quincy-home/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Going down ‘fake news’ low road, Gov, is bad for democracy – Editorial (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Main Stream Media (MSM) a) promotes news that it can spin to promote the Democrat, Libertarian, and/or Green party platforms and b) downplays if not censures news that shows the Republican Party platform is the way to go. Ever-increasingly, the MSM publishes editorials that are unethically made to look like news articles.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/rauner-wbez-trump-democracy-going-down-fake-news-journalism/
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: On Tuesday, Rauner accused WBEZ, the public radio station, of dropping its monthly “Ask the Governor” feature, in which he took questions from callers, because WBEZ is “really more of a Democrat station.” That was factually untrue, and the governor owes the station an apology. . .The governor’s shot at WBEZ came five days after, on a Downstate radio show, he attacked the integrity of much of the local media as a whole. “What’s frustrating to me and many people around the state,” he said to Tom Miller of WJPF, “is how biased a lot of the media is around Chicago, around the state. Biased for the status quo.” If the governor believes that certain columnists, editorial pages, bloggers, radio commentators and the like have it in for him, by all means he should call them out. He’s taken a whack at this editorial page plenty of times. But most media companies operate from two separate silos — one for commentary, the other for news. One silo serves up opinion. The second serves up an honest effort to report the true facts of current events in a fair manner. Inevitably, the personal values of editors and reporters play a role, beginning with the choices they make about which stories to pursue. News shops are run by human beings. But to broadly brand the news coverage of much of the mainstream media as biased and untrustworthy, just as a general rule, is to undermine the role of an institution — a free press — that is essential to a democracy. It is dangerous.)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The Top 10 Illinois political stories of 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-politics-top-10-stories-2017-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. Republicans break with Rauner as Madigan leads major income tax hike, ends budget impasse. . .2. Lisa Madigan won’t run again, sets off crowded race to succeed her. . .3. J.B. Pritzker enters governor race, quickly consolidates support, sets Democratic self-funding record with $42.2 million. . . 4. State school funding formula revised for first time in decades. . . 5. Pritkzer sought political office from Rod Blagojevich, 2008 FBI wiretaps show. . . 6. Rauner flip-flops on abortion bill, angers conservative Republicans. . . 7. Exodus from the Capitol. . . 8. Rauner gets a primary challenger in Ives. . . 9. Rauner’s summertime right turn, staff struggles. . . 10. Illinois’ richest man Ken Griffin gives $20 million to Rauner campaign.)
— Roskam a no-show at White House – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-politics-top-10-stories-2017-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam skipped Wednesday’s White House celebration with President Donald Trump after passage of the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul he has touted. The Wheaton Republican “was invited but he’s in meetings on the Hill so was unable to make it,” spokeswoman Veronica Vera said in an email. Several of his GOP colleagues stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Trump outside the White House as the president enthused: “It’s always a lot of fun when you win.” Roskam is on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, chairs its Tax Policy Subcommittee and helped shape and sell the bill. Urging passage of the measure on Tuesday, he said his constituents were longing for tax relief. “After months of work developing a tax code that prioritizes middle-income families and small businesses, Congress has sent a bill to the President’s desk that I am pleased to say accomplishes that goal,” Roskam said in a statement. Seven Democrats have signed up for the primary race to take on the six-term Republican in the northwest suburban 6th Congressional District. One rival, Sean Casten of Downers Grove, in a statement Wednesday said: “Republicans in the House and Senate put corporations and the wealthiest Americans first, while again turning their backs on middle-class families.”)
— ‘Feminism’ is the word of the year. Should we be celebrating? – Nicole Brodeur (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate Trump supporters, and especially Trump supporters who are 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.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-feminism-word-of-year-1221-20171220-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Where are America’s well-informed citizens? – Ned L. McCray, Tinley Park (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Who does not want you to be a well-informed citizen? ANSWER: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes. They want you to know what they want you know, no more and no less.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/letters-where-are-americas-well-informed-citizens/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Suburbs contribute to Illinois’ population decline – Diane Dungey and Tim Broderick (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, by their words and/or by their actions, Democrats make it clear that they want you to leave Illinois if you are a member of any of the following groups: 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. Who takes the lead in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois in driving out of Illinois members of the aforesaid groups?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171220/suburbs-contribute-to-illinois-population-decline
— Paying twice for conference asks too much of taxpayers – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171220/editorial-paying-twice-for-conference-asks-too-much-of-taxpayers

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The rush is on—to pay taxes before cap kicks in – STEVEN R. STRAHLER
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171221/NEWS02/171229977

 

WBEZ
— ‘Beginning Of An Epidemic’: Email Shows State Waited 6 Days To Publicize Legionnaires’ Outbreak – Dave McKinney
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/email-shows-state-waited-6-days-to-publicize-legionnaires-outbreak/474d8281-7c0b-41f7-9baf-0ccebea3a100

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Rep. Ives: GOP should kick Rauner to the curb – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-21/rep-ives-gop-should-kick-rauner-the-curb.html

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— McHenry County joining other officials to sue opioid drugmakers
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/20/mchenry-county-joining-other-officials-to-sue-opioid-drugmakers/ae92cxu/

 

TIMES
— Candidate Jaye DeBates spreads false claim – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/candidate-spreads-false-claim/article_3a33258c-e365-54a2-807b-d3be2fa4dd8a.html

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Illinois strikes a blow against doctor-shopping – Editorial
http://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-illinois-strikes-a-blow-against-doctor-shopping/article_8da669bf-9b8a-5eea-ab36-d55adf62dcfa.html

 

PAXTON RECORD
— Senator Barickman’s stance on recreational pot spurs debate
http://www.paxtonrecord.net/news/politics-and-government/2017-12-20/senator%E2%80%99s-stance-recreational-pot-spurs-debate.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Ford County Republican Central Committee met last Saturday and erupted when the legalization of marijuana came up for discussion. Noting that state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, put out a memo earlier in the week in support of legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, many comments and questions arose among precinct committeemen and the public. Many voiced their objection to Barickman’s position, stating that marijuana is an addictive gateway drug that will lead to using other illicit drugs. Since its use for medical purposes, many factions have been pushing for legalizing the drug for recreational use. That caused one participant to ask what such use would do to DUI violations, or the use by teens. “How accessible will it become for younger people?” the person said. Already, there is no significant penalty for possession or use of small amounts of marijuana in Illinois. And the court system has not worked well in preventing use. Barickman postulated that its legalization would raise money for the state.)

 

WREX
— Illinois lawmakers weigh in on state’s declining population – Taylor Utzig
http://www.wrex.com/story/37114834/2017/12/Wednesday/illinois-lawmakers-weigh-in-on-states-declining-population

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump’s Tax Win: The Political Risks – ARI SHAPIRO
http://nprillinois.org/post/trumps-tax-win-political-risks#stream/0

 

CHICAGO READER
— Police misconduct exacts a heavy toll on Chicago Cops’ bad behavior corrodes trust in law enforcement and costs taxpayers millions in legal settlements. – Maya Dukmasova
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/police-misconduct-worst/Content?oid=37060248

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— WHAT’S DRAGGING DOWN ILLINOIS’ ECONOMY? – Orphe Divounguy (DIERSEN: Who in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois takes the lead in driving out of Illinois individuals, organizations, and companies that 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? I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who take the lead in driving the aforesaid out of Illinois.)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/whats-dragging-down-illinois-economy/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois elections board removes Democrat governor candidate who turned in zero signatures – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-elections-board-removes-governor-candidate-who-turned-in-zero/article_89cf45d8-e5dc-11e7-9fb9-af0bbc625a1b.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There’s also a citizen objection to Gary Grasso’s bid for the Republican attorney general slot.)
— Policy ideas promoted in Illinois’ governor’s race would only make things worse – Dan McCaleb
https://www.ilnews.org/opinion/op-ed-policy-ideas-promoted-in-illinois-governor-s-race/article_e6a422a6-e587-11e7-8f91-afe3c20641f9.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats ‘betray’ illegal immigrant Dreamers – Stephen Dinan and Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/20/democrats-betray-illegal-immigrant-dreamers/
— Trump slams media for negative take on tax plan – Sally Persons
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/21/donald-trump-slams-media-for-negative-take-on-tax-/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— THE ESTABLISHMENT FEARS ANNIHILATION — FOR GOOD REASON Erik Rush sees desperation in eyes of those hoping to destroy Trump
http://www.wnd.com/2017/12/the-establishment-fears-annihilation-for-good-reason/

 

THE HILL
— VERY SAD: Top Hollywood stars call on Congress for DACA fix – JUDY KURTZ
http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/365828-top-hollywood-stars-call-on-congress-for-daca-fix

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— In Protests of Net Neutrality Repeal, Teenage Voices Stood Out – Cecilia Kang (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have made it very clear that they want to a) stop me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, b) stop everyone from reading the emails, and c) stop everyone from reading copies of the emails at www.gopillinois.com.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/technology/net-neutrality-repeal-teens.html
— FRONT PAGE: Facebook Job Ads Raise Concerns About Age Discrimination – Julia Angwin, Noam Scheiber and Ariana Tobin (DIERSEN: How old are you? I am 69. Do you promote age discrimination? All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes have always promoted age discrimination big time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/facebook-job-ads.html
— Facebook Ads That Let Employers Target Younger Workers Focus of U.S. Lawsuit – Reuters (DIERSEN: How old are you? I am 69. Do you promote age discrimination? All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes have always promoted age discrimination big time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/12/21/technology/21reuters-facebook-lawsuit-discrimination.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— VERY TROUBLING: GOP Tax Overhaul Makes Homeownership Less Appealing Prices in more expensive markets are forecast to be as much as 10% lower by mid-2019 than they otherwise would have been – Laura Kusisto (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-tax-overhaul-makes-homeownership-less-appealing-1513765800
— Overdose Deaths Drive Down U.S. Life Expectancy—Again Last year marked first back-to-back annual decline in life expectancy since early 1960s – Jeanne Whalen
https://www.wsj.com/articles/overdose-deaths-drive-down-u-s-life-expectancyagain-1513832460

 

USA TODAY
— Life expectancy is down for a second year. Drug overdoses are a big reason why. – Kim Painter
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/12/21/u-s-life-expectancy-drops-second-year-drug-deaths-spike-cdc/970283001/

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— AT&T Is Giving Employees a $1,000 Bonus to Celebrate the Tax Bill – SCOTT MORITZ
http://time.com/money/5074566/att-republican-tax-cuts-bonuses/

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Oversight Democrat Asks White House to Release Plans for ‘Massive’ Agency Downsizing – Eric Katz (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. They use any kind of downsizing to get rid of a) any remaining employees who are Republican, and then b) employees who are White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2017/12/oversight-dems-ask-white-house-release-plans-massive-reductions-staffing/144719/

 

SSA
— Life Expectancy Calculator (DIERSEN: What is your life expectancy, that is, how many more years are you expected to live? For me, it is 16. But that may me optimistic because I have type 2 diabetes, I am overweight, and I do not get nearly enough exercise because I spend 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out.)
https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/longevity.cgi

 

WINDY CITY TIMES
— Three pro-LGBTQ equality laws to take effect in the new year (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, colleges will not accept you and employers will not hire you.)
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Three-pro-LGBTQ-equality-laws-to-take-effect-in-the-new-year/61443.html

December 19 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— GOP on verge of huge tax overhaul — with one hiccup Stephen Ohlemacher and Marcy Gordon
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-gop-tax-bill-20171219-story.html
— Illinois Republicans, Democrats in Congress stick with their parties on tax vote – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-congress-taxes-20171219-story.html
— Tax plan a windfall for companies, but will anything trickle down to the rank and file? – Robert Reed
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-tax-plan-wages-jobs-robert-reed-1220-story.html
— When people wouldn’t believe two dogs killed their owner, the sheriff described the horror – Kristine Phillips
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dogs-maul-owner-virginia-20171219-story.html
— Suicide expert says rampant stress not a new problem for Naperville students – Suzanne Baker
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-suicide-expert-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— The toughest job in state government – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-dcfs-walker-rauner-abuse-20171219-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you promote pot in Illinois, you promote the destruction of Illinois.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-marijuana-legalization-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— Why doesn’t Trump get credit for revving up the economy? – Ed Rogers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-economy-trump-gross-domestic-product-ed-rogers-1220-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How Illinois lawmakers voted on House tax bill. But there is a snag. – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/how-illinois-lawmakers-and-others-voted-on-house-tax-bill/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Aurora Election Commission could be on chopping block in March vote – Susan Sarkauskas
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171219/aurora-election-commission-could-be-on-chopping-block-in-march-vote

 

ABC7
— Senate expected to pass massive tax reform bill after hiccup – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/senate-expected-to-pass-massive-tax-reform-bill-after-hiccup/2799415/
— Mauled by dogs: Sheriff offers gruesome details about death of woman killed by her own pets – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/mauled-by-dogs-sheriff-offers-gruesome-details-about-death-of-woman-killed-by-her-own-pets/2799855/

 

NBC5
— House Needs to Vote Again on $1.5T GOP Tax Bill Democrats called the bill a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy – Stephen Ohlemacher and Marcy Gordon
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/GOP-Roll-Trillion-Final-Tax-Bill-House-Senate-465150303.html

 

CBS2
— Palatine Township Board Delays Vote On Hiring Parliamentarian – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/19/palatine-township-parliamentarian/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— GOP on the verge of huge tax overhaul — with one hiccup – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/congress-tax-vote

 

WLS AM
— Ives out with a rescue plan for state’s pension problem – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/19/ives-out-with-a-rescue-plan-for-states-pension-problem/
— Chicago area Congressmen on WLS to debate tax bill – John Dempsey
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/19/chicago-area-congressmen-on-wls-to-debate-tax-bill/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner says nobody will buy plant that state helped sell – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171219/schoenburg-rauner-says-nobody-will-buy-plant-that-state-helped-sell

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Teen arrested trying bring pot into Peoria County courthouse – Phil Luciano
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171218/teen-arrested-trying-bring-pot-into-peoria-county-courthouse

 

TIMES
— High school journalists should not be censored – Liza Buhr
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/youth/buhr-high-school-journalists-should-not-be-censored/article_89269742-8887-51ee-a00d-7ef52119ebec.html

 

WSIL TV
— Political expert weighs in on “Rauner’s Top 10 Accomplishments” – Roni LeForge
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37104258/political-expert-weighs-in-on-rauners-top-10-accomplishments

 

SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey sees flight from Illinois as another Rauner failure – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511300724-bailey-sees-flight-from-illinois-as-another-rauner-failure

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Straub notes Durkin role in aiding taxpayer flight from state – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511301030-straub-notes-durkin-role-in-aiding-taxpayer-flight-from-state

 

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— Shades of Rauner’s nursing home scandal in Quincy veterans death case
https://realgopillinois.com/2017/12/18/shades-rauners-nursing-scandal-quincy-veterans-home-case/

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Ives for Governor “Meet and Greet” – Coles County – December 20, 2017 – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/ives-for-governor-meet-and-greet-coles-county-december-20-2017/
— John Clough, Illinois Prisoner Review Board Member Electioneering with State Vehicle – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/john-clough-illinois-prisoner-review-board-member-electioneering-with-state-vehicle/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner claims WBEZ canceled monthly show for political reasons
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-claims-wbez-canceled-monthly-show-for-political-reasons/
— ILGOP weighs in against Straub *** Oppo dump!
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/oppo-dump-10/
— Ives proposes pension changes
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/ives-proposes-pension-changes/
— Rauner touts his top 10 accomplishments
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-touts-his-top-10-accomplishments/
— The most negative campaign ever
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/the-most-negative-campaign-ever/
— Rauner talks up contributions to pro-life candidates while campaign highlights Dems’ worst moments of 2017
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-talks-up-contributions-to-pro-life-candidates-while-campaign-highlights-dems-worst-moments-of-2017/

 

CNS NEWS
— Rep. Roskam: ‘Low Expectations’ on Tax Plan Will Work in Republicans’ Favor – Susan Jones
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/rep-roskam-low-expectations-tax-plan-will-work-republicans-favor

 

LIFE NEWS
— Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner: Pro-Life People Should Vote for Me Even Though I Forced Them to Fund Abortions – MICAIAH BILGER
http://www.lifenews.com/2017/12/19/illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-pro-life-people-should-vote-for-me-even-though-i-forced-them-to-fund-abortions/

 

GOPUSA
— University of Virginia stonewalls conservative club for restricting membership to conservatives (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who claim to be conservative and/or Republican, but a) who do lots of anti-conservative and/or anti-Republican things and/or b) focus on destroying those who are conservative and/or Republican. They really are Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs. Most commonly, they reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. Most commonly, they promote LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, age discrimination, political affiliation discrimination, and patronage.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35538

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump cheers on a stock market he once called a ‘big, fat, ugly bubble’ – Michael Scherer and Jenna Johnson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-cheers-on-a-stock-market-he-once-called-a-big-fat-ugly-bubble/2017/12/19/811cce82-e4de-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html

 

NEW REPUBLIC
— The Democrats’ Risky Pursuit of Suburban Republicans The strategy threatens to alienate the party’s base in the age of Trump. – JEET HEER
https://newrepublic.com/article/146345/democrats-risky-pursuit-suburban-republicans