February 12 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Suburban towns join lawsuits against Sterigenics and urge Illinois attorney general to shut company down – Kimberly Fornek
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/burr-ridge/news/ct-dhd-sterigenics-towns-respond-tl-0214-story.html
— Kevin McCarthy blames midterm losses on GOP push to roll back health insurance protections – Mike DeBonis
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-kevin-mccarthy-republicans-health-care-20190212-story.html
— Annual Economic Indicators Report Shows Strong Performance, Growth for DuPage County – Choose DuPage Economic Development Alliance
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/community/chi-ugc-article-annual-economic-indicators-report-shows-stron-2019-02-12-story.html
— President Trump criticizes bipartisan border deal to avert another government shutdown – Erica Werner, Sean Sullivan, Damian Paletta, John Wagner
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-budget-deal-shutdown-border-wall-20190212-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump not ‘thrilled’ with border deal but leaning toward it – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-border-deal-agreement-second-government-shutdown/
— I guess I’m a chump for thinking $148,000 is a pretty good buck – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/j-b-pritzker-government-salaries-billinaires-phil-kadner/
— Abortion rights supporters move to rid state law of ‘all the really bad stuff’ – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/abortion-rights-supporters-partial-birth-parental-consent-repeal-aclu/
— National debt hits new milestone, topping $22 trillion – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/united-states-national-debt-hits-new-milestone-22-trillion-dollars/

 

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage leaders outline what they want from Springfield – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190212/dupage-leaders-outline-what-they-want-from-springfield
— Video gambling in Des Plaines? Where the candidates stand – Chacour Koop
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190212/video-gambling-in-des-plaines-where-the-candidates-stand
— Lake County dissolves inactive government body: the Seavey Drainage District – Mick Zawislak
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190212/lake-county-dissolves-inactive-government-body-the-seavey-drainage-district
— Lake County expands vendor disclosure rules to include campaign donations – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190212/lake-county-expands-vendor-disclosure-rules-to-include-campaign-donations
— Schaumburg mayoral candidates debate video gambling ban – Eric Peterson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190212/how-schaumburg-mayoral-candidates-differ-on-video-gambling-ban

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTINGLY, TRAGICALLY, EVER-INCREASINGLY, POT PUSHERS PUSH POT.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/joe-cahill-business/set-pot-market-free

 

NBC5
— McConnell Wields Green New Deal as Bludgeon Against Dems The upcoming vote — which has not yet been scheduled — will “give everybody an opportunity to go on record,” McConnell said – Matthew Daly
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/McConnell-Wields-Green-New-Deal-Vote-in-Senate-505734731.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— $15 minimum wage no windfall for Illinois workers – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/analysis-15-minimum-wage-no-windfall-for-illinois-workers-2

 

WTTW
— A Window Into Pritzker’s Plans for Illinois – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2019/02/12/window-pritzker-s-plans-illinois

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTINGLY, TRAGICALLY, EVER-INCREASINGLY, POT PUSHERS PUSH POT.
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/2019-02-12/jim-dey-recreational-pot-proponents-riding-wave-support.html

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Four Democratic lawmakers propose expanding reproductive rights – Rebecca Anzel
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20190212/four-democratic-lawmakers-propose-expanding-reproductive-rights

 

BUREAU COUNTY NEWS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Lawmakers soon to turn attention to marijuana First bill proposed to legalize pot seen as ‘more in line with how we treat alcohol’
https://www.bcrnews.com/2019/02/12/lawmakers-soon-to-turn-attention-to-marijuana/awnapvh/

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump says having a dog would feel ‘a little phony’ to him – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-says-having-a-dog-would-feel-a-little-phony-to-him

 

CHAMBANA SUN
— GOP Rep. Caulkins urges parties to ‘come together for the common good’ before it’s too late – Glenn Minnis
https://chambanasun.com/stories/511770549-gop-rep-caulkins-urges-parties-to-come-together-for-the-common-good-before-it-s-too-late

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Moody’s warns that Pritzker’s progressive income tax could accelerate flight from Illinois – Karen Kidd
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511770565-moody-s-warns-that-pritzker-s-progressive-income-tax-could-accelerate-flight-from-illinois
— McGlasson warns ‘there will be little left after 2020’ if GOP doesn’t shape up – Karen Kidd
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511771014-mcglasson-warns-there-will-be-little-left-after-2020-if-gop-doesn-t-shape-up
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Illinois Republican Party faces a grim future if significant changes aren’t made soon, according to the committeeman who this past weekend asked state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider to resign. “The Republican voters own the party and the party should be listening to the voters,” Illinois Republican Party 16th Congressional District Rep. John McGlasson told Prairie State Wire during a recent email interview. “If the party continues as it is, there will be little left after 2020.” In his letter read into the record during the Republican State Central Committee’s meeting over the weekend in which McGlasson called for Schneider to resign, he also described what the GOP should be looking for in its next chairman. “Someone able to fulfill the mission of serving the county, township and ward organizations with logistics and training,” McGlasson said in the letter. “To bring the technology of the party up to date and arrange for on-site training to the organizations.” McGlasson’s letter and interview come less than a year after now former Gov. Bruce Rauner allegedly tried to purge him and other Conservatives in the Illinois GOP’s central committee. Last April, McGlasson was re-elected 16th Congressional District State Central Committeeman. Schneider removed McGlasson from the State Central Committee’s executive committee over McGlasson’s support of now former State Rep. Jeanne Ives’ failed primary race against then incumbent Governor Rauner. Despite the consequences he suffered for supporting Ives, McGlasson said he isn’t concerned about any retribution over his call for Schneider to resign. “There is little that they can do to me,” he said. “They already tried to win my seat without success. Being involved in the Illinois Republican Party has been personally expensive and I have never earned a dime from it. Unfortunately, the leaders will consider this a victory and will continue to ignore social conservatives.”)

 

BREITBART
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Beto O’Rourke Speaks Spanish in El Paso as Supporters Wave Mexican Flags – Kyle Morris
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/11/beto-orourke-speaks-spanish-supporters-mexican-flags/
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Beto Supporters Use Bat to Beat Hanging Trump Effigy – Bob Price
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/02/12/video-beto-supporters-use-bat-to-beat-hanging-trump-effigy/

— Donald Trump Not Happy with Bipartisan Border Security Deal – Charlie Spierling
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/12/donald-trump-not-supporting-bipartisan-border-security-deal-yet/
— Hannity Warns Republicans Against Supporting $1.3 Billion ‘Garbage Compromise’ – Jeff Poor
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/02/11/hannity-warns-republicans-against-supporting-1-3-billion-garbage-compromise/

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— The Democrats’ Real Motivation For Opposing The Wall – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29665

 

DAILY CALLER
— DATA SHOWS ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE IN FACT MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIME – Spencer Raley (DIERSEN: To be in America illegally shows that you disrespect the rule of law, that you disrespect America, and that you disrespect America’s citizens.)
https://dailycaller.com/2019/02/12/raley-illegal-crime/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Affirmative action ruined Iran’s education system, too – Majid Mohammadi
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/02/affirmative_action_ruined_irans_education_system_too.html

 

NEW AMERICA
— An Ill Wind of Corruption Blows in Windy City – James Murphy
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/31470-an-ill-wind-of-corruption-blows-in-windy-city

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— ‘Finish the wall’? Facing failure, Trump tries rebranding – ELI STOKOLS and MOLLY O’TOOLE
https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-wall-shift-20190212-story.html

 

BLOOMBERG
— Trump Offers No Assurances After Cuomo Meeting on SALT Deduction – Laura Davison, Lynnley Browning, and Alyza Sebenius
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-12/trump-offers-no-assurances-after-cuomo-meeting-on-salt-deduction

February 9 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Illinois Republicans anxiously await the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) to publish a report on its February 9, 2019 State Central Committee (SCC) meeting in Bolingbrook, including a summary of the results of its “ILGOP Vision 2020” survey. The meeting included reports by IRP Chairman Tim Schneider and Co-Chairman Mark Shaw, IRP National Committeeman Richard Porter, IRP National Committeewoman Demetra Demonte, and the IRP SCC members. IRP SCC members are listed at: https://illinois.gop/who-we-are/officials/. Jeanne Ives addressed the meeting for 10 minutes. Meeting attendees included Richard Berner, John Biver, Carol Davis, Babette Holder, Bill Hogan, Doug Ibendahl, James Marter, Matt Quigley, Jan Shaw, and Allen Skillicorn. During the public comment portion of the meeting, attendees were given the opportunity to identify themselves and speak. The meeting ran from 9:30 AM until after 2:30 PM with only a short break for lunch. I posted a copy of the survey questions and my responses at the end of the February 9, 2019 GOPUSA ILLINOIS Morning Edition Email. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Muslim group says Cubs promise ‘concrete steps’ after leaked Islamophobic emails – Sam Charles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/cubs-ricketts-tom-joe-islam-islamophobia-racist-emails-cair/

— Chicago mayoral hopefuls pitch ideas to draw black teachers to CPS – Nader Issa
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-mayor-debate-election-education-black-teachers-public-schools/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A pot pusher pushes pot.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/legalizing-pot-is-the-way-to-social-justice/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Bill Daley doesn’t want Chicago to dwell on the past. Why? – John Kass
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-chicago-mayor-race-bill-daley-kass-20190208-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Political provocateur: Stava-Murray making waves in Springfield, aiming for Senate – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190209/political-provocateur-stava-murray-making-waves-in-springfield-aiming-for-senate
— Pelosi shows pragmatic streak in pursuit of border deal – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20190209/news/302099920/
— Likely deal would give Trump fraction of desired wall money – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190209/likely-deal-would-give-trump-fraction-of-desired-wall-money

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Is Pritzker setting up a bad budget or a graduated tax? – Doug Finke
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20190209/statehouse-insider-is-pritzker-setting-up-bad-budget-or-graduated-tax

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Groups attack, promote gov’s agenda – RICH MILLER
https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/miller-groups-attack-promote-gov-s-agenda/article_b85d0b21-2505-574c-b1d5-1271c2e2a2db.html

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Dark money groups squaring off – Rich Miller
https://herald-review.com/opinion/columnists/rich-miller-dark-money-groups-squaring-off/article_7500c3ab-ae43-5624-a452-a9f0a11aad23.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers push pot.
https://herald-review.com/opinion/editorial/our-view-we-support-legalizing-marijuana-here-are-the-hurdles/article_04977cf5-d772-5189-9ace-badb5d568354.html

 

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Pritzker Blames Rauner For State’s Woes, Promises More Spending – Greg Bishop
http://rockrivertimes.com/2019/02/08/pritzker-blames-rauner-for-states-woes-promises-more-spending/

 

EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER
— Madison County set to receive $1.8 million in HUD funds to help end homelessness Grants aid programs statewide
https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Madison-County-set-to-receive-1-8-million-in-HUD-13603260.php

 

THE HILL
— Trump divides Democrats with warning of creeping socialism – ALEXANDER BOLTON
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/429207-trump-divides-democrats-with-warning-of-creeping-socialism

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— I’m Asian-American. Affirmative Action Worked for Me. Other Asian-American students should have the same opportunity. – Young Jean Lee (DIERSEN: Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to get rid of Republicans, and especially to get rid of Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/09/opinion/sunday/im-asian-american-affirmative-action-worked-for-me.html

February 9 Morning Edition

 

DAILY HERALD
— Durbin, at Harper College, says he’s confident of bipartisan border deal but unsure of Trump support – Christopher Placek
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190208/durbin-at-harper-college-says-hes-confident-of-bipartisan-border-deal-but-unsure-of-trump-support

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
– New Hampshire court upholds women’s topless conviction, saying rights weren’t violated – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-free-the-nipple-new-hampshire-20190208-story.html

 

WLS AM
— GM offers $25,000 reward for information on nooses and ‘whites-only’ signs at Ohio plant
http://www.wlsam.com/news/gm-offers-25000-reward-for-information-on-nooses-and-whites-only-signs-at-ohio-plant/

 

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
— Geneva parents oppose anti-abortion protester’s methods ‘He’s taking video and I don’t think that’s right’ – BRENDA SCHORY
https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/02/08/geneva-parents-oppose-anti-abortion-protesters-methods/ashxnno/

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker report says Bruce Rauner drove Illinois ‘into a financial ditch’ – Rick Pearson and Dan Petrella
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/gov-j-b-pritzker-report-says-bruce-rauner-drove-illinois/article_c3c357bd-429b-5722-b25c-3e153274f336.html

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: LGBT Curriculum Bill Advances – MAUREEN FOERTSCH MCKINNEY
http://www.peoriapublicradio.org/post/lgbt-curriculum-bill-advances#stream/0

 

WEEK
— $15 minimum wage would have largest impacts outside Chicago
https://week.com/news/political/2019/02/08/report-15-minimum-wage-would-have-largest-impacts-outside-chicago/

 

MEDILL REPORTS
— TRUMP CALLS BORDER MIGRANTS A “TREMENDOUS ONSLAUGHT,” SPARKING CONCERNS FROM MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS – Carly Graf
https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/trump-calls-border-migrants-a-tremendous-onslaught-sparking-concerns-from-mental-health-experts/

 

NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
— Sean Casten: Socialism is Lovely – CARLY ATCHISON
https://www.nrcc.org/2019/02/08/sean-casten-socialism-lovely/
(FROM THE POSTING: Sean Casten thinks the socialist Green New Deal is “lovely,” but to which part is he referring exactly? Turning all airports into museums? Abolishing farting cows? Paying those who are “unwilling” to work? The choo-choo train to Hawaii? Replacing each building in the country, including every home and business in Illinois? Shuttering the nuclear power plants that generate 53% of all electricity in Illinois and the coal and gas plants that generate another 40%? NRCC Comment: “Sean Casten might think tearing down every home and business in IL-06 and a fantasy choo-choo train to Hawaii would be lovely, but that only goes to show how desperately out of touch he is with Illinoisans. The Green New Deal is nothing more than Democrats’ latest attempt at a socialist takeover, guaranteed to eliminate thousands of jobs and raise taxes on hardworking Illinois families and the middle class.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Carly Atchison)

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Only 3 other states, District of Columbia have $15 minimum wage
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511768486-only-3-other-states-district-of-columbia-have-15-minimum-wage

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Medical Doctor from Peoria Opposes Legal Pot – David E. Smith
https://illinoisfamily.org/marijuana-2/medical-doctor-from-peoria-opposes-legal-pot-2/

 

BREITBART
— Ocasio-Cortez Boasts of Steering Democratic Party Left with Green New Deal – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/08/ocasio-cortez-boasts-of-steering-democratic-party-left-with-green-new-deal/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “In terms of aspirational goals, it’s lovely,” Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) said in the WSJ report. “I’d love to live in a world that’s totally clean and has green jobs for everyone and all sorts of other benefits.”)

 

FOX NEWS
— As border wall funding divides Washington, new multimillion-dollar barrier will soon break ground in Texas – Madeleine Rivera
https://www.foxnews.com/us/as-border-wall-funding-divides-washington-new-multimillion-dollar-barrier-will-soon-break-ground-in-texas

 

TOWNHALL
— Here Are Ocasio-Cortez’s Latest Idiotic Remarks About Illegal Aliens And Immigration Enforcement – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2019/02/08/aoc-ice-remarks-n2541027
— NM Gov. Pulls Most National Guardsmen from the Border: We Will Not Partake in Trump’s ‘Fear-Mongering’ – Julio Rosas (DIERSEN: How soon will New Mexico leave the United States and join up with Mexico?)
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2019/02/08/nm-gov-pulls-most-national-guardsmen-from-the-border-we-will-not-partake-in-trumps-fearmongering-n2541036

 

BREITBART
— GOP/Dems Set to Offer Trump a Quarter of $5.7B for Border Wall – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/08/gop-dems-set-to-offer-trump-a-quarter-of-5-7b-for-border-wall/
— Illegal Immigration Expected to Hit Highest Level Since George W. Bush – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/08/illegal-immigration-expected-to-hit-highest-level-since-george-w-bush/
— Democrats Use Border Wall Talks to Expand ‘Catch and Release’ Policies – Neil Munro
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/08/democrats-use-border-wall-talks-to-expand-catch-and-release-policies/
— Chicago Bill Requires Social Media Background Check for Gun License – Awr Hawkins
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/08/chicago-bill-requires-social-media-background-check-for-gun-license/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— 4 Liberal Arguments against the Wall and How to Beat Them – Auguste Meyrat
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/02/4_liberal_arguments_against_the_wall_and_how_to_beat_them.html
— The Hijacking of a Presidential Election – Jon N. Hall
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/02/the_hijacking_of_a_presidential_election.html

 

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Mass Immigration and Climate Change Doublethink – Quentin Borges-Silva
https://www.amgreatness.com/2019/02/08/mass-immigration-and-climate-change-doublethink/

 

NEW AMERICAN
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Disney Hosting First Official LGBTQ Event at Paris Theme Park – Dave Bohon
https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/31436-disney-hosting-first-official-lgbtq-event-at-paris-theme-park

 

DAILY SIGNAL
— The ‘New Normal’: A New Era of Bigger Migrant Caravans Has Begun – Nolan Peterson
https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/02/08/the-new-normal-a-new-era-of-bigger-migrant-caravans-has-begun/
— Ivanka Trump Says Art Exhibit Depicting Her Vacuuming Is ‘Sexist’ – Evie Fordham
https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/02/08/ivanka-trump-says-art-exhibit-depicting-her-vacuuming-is-sexist/

 

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— President Trump to Hold MAGA Rally in El Paso, TX, Monday – R. Mitchell
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2019/02/president-trump-to-hold-maga-rally-in-el-paso-tx-on-monday/

 

HOT AIR
— Survey Estimate: 42 Million Latin Americans Want To Migrate To The U.S.
https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2019/02/survey-estimate-42-million-latin-americans-want-migrate-u-s/

— Ayatollah Khamenei: ‘Death To America’ Really Means Death To Trump – JOHN SEXTON
https://hotair.com/archives/2019/02/08/ayatollah-khamenei-death-america-really-means-death-trump/
— Chicago Gun Bill Would Require Social Media Background Check For Permits – JAZZ SHAW
https://hotair.com/archives/2019/02/08/chicago-gun-bill-require-social-media-background-check-permits/

 

THE HILL
— More than 100 undocumented immigrants worked at Trump’s Bedminster resort during construction: report – JOHN BOWDEN
https://thehill.com/latino/429136-more-than-100-undocumented-immigrants-worked-at-trumps-bedminster-resort-during

 

REUTERS
— U.S. Border Patrol overwhelmed by large groups of migrant families
https://in.reuters.com/article/usa-immigration-border/us-border-patrol-overwhelmed-by-large-groups-of-migrant-families-idINKCN1PX28W

 

CNN
— The Virginia Democratic Party is a dumpster fire – Chris Cillizza
https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/08/politics/virginia-democratic-party-ralph-northam-justin-fairfax-week-in-review/index.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE: Virginia’s Racist History Clashes With New South Image – Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns (DIERSEN: Government is Nasty. Politics is nasty. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I have always been a racist. They stress my demographics – Trump supporter, Protestant (baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), lived in Crete 1948-1972, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, old (born in 1948), non-poor, gun owner, 100% German American, draft avoider, and that my ancestors have been in America since 1844. In my defense, I could stress a) that all my ancestors have always lived in northeast Illinois, b) that I worked in Chicago Heights 1964-1966 and 1970-1972, c) that I worked for the federal government (for the Post Office in Park Forest 1966-1969; for IRS in Chicago in 1971, in Harvey 1972-1973, Joliet 1973-1974, and Chicago 1973-1980; and for GAO in Chicago 1980-1997), d) that in late 1971, I asked IRS to assign me to its Harvey office, and e) that I bought a new town home in University Park in 1972.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/08/us/politics/virginia-scandal-racist-history.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump Does His Divisive El Paso Number. The immigration system is broken but the president has no interest in fixing it.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/08/opinion/trump-el-paso-immigration-border-wall.html
— The $238 Million Penthouse Provokes a Fierce Response: Tax It – Jeffery C. Mays (DIERSEN: Do/did you own a pied-à-terre? In its 4-page nasty February 1978 article on me, to paint me as being grossly overpaid and undeservedly filthy rich, Money Magazine referred the studio condo that I owned in the Outer Drive East building in downtown Chicago 1974-1976 as being my pied-à-terre. I bought that condo so that I could walk to work at IRS and to graduate business classes at Loyola. I traded it in to the building’s developer for a one bedroom condo in 1976. I lived in a town home in University Park that I had bought new in 1972 full-time 1972-1974 and weekends 1974-1976. Starting in 1974, I unsuccessfully tried to sell it. I rented it out 1976-1984 because I was unable to sell it for a fair price. I sold it in 1984.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/09/nyregion/pied-a-terre-tax-ny.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: For the last five years, a bill that would create a so-called pied-à-terre tax in New York has languished in the State Legislature, where proposals for new taxes often go to die. But after Kenneth C. Griffin, a hedge fund billionaire with an estimated net worth of $10 billion, added to his personal real estate portfolio last month by closing on a $238 million apartment on Central Park South, things may soon be different. The record purchase — surpassing the cost of the next most expensive home in the United States by more than $100 million — was a stark reminder that when wealthy buyers like Mr. Griffin purchase expensive apartments as second homes or investments, New York City and the state get less financial benefits. If the buyers live out of state, they are not subject to state or city income taxes, and do not pay New York sales tax while outside the state. A pied-à-terre tax would institute a yearly tax on homes worth $5 million or more, and would apply to homes that do not serve as the buyer’s primary residence.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— McCarthy pressures Democrats to rebuke two Muslim lawmakers over alleged anti-Semitism – Mike DeBonis and Robert Costa
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/mccarthy-gop-challenge-house-democrats-to-denounce-alleged-anti-semitism/2019/02/08/aef28514-2bae-11e9-b2fc-721718903bfc_story.html
— The National Enquirer shows us just how sleazy it really is – Kathleen Parker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-national-enquirer-story-shows-us-a-sleazy-reality/2019/02/08/b9da61fa-2bee-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html
— What Trump has said about E-Verify
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/what-trump-has-said-about-e-verify/2019/02/08/14b40024-c3cb-43ea-9af8-41660d7203cb_video.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— ‘Green New Deal’ Democrats Position Climate Change as Central Issue in 2020 Leading candidates embrace clean-energy push, setting up contrast with pro-fossil-fuel Trump – Andrew Duehren
https://www.wsj.com/articles/green-new-deal-democrats-position-climate-change-as-central-issue-in-2020-11549630802
(FROM THE ARTICLE: CASTEN: “In terms of aspirational goals, it’s lovely. I’d love to live in a world that’s totally clean and has green jobs for everyone and all sorts of other benefits.”)
— Bezos vs. the Enquirer Could Be a Watershed If it means journalists start reporting on how other journalists source their stories, hooray. – Holman W. Jenkins, Jr.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/bezos-vs-the-enquirer-could-be-a-watershed-11549667933

 

NEWSWEEK
— ‘THIS GOLF COURSE WAS BUILT BY ILLEGALS’: TRUMP PROPERTY WHERE IVANKA, KUSHNER MARRIED USED CHEAP, UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS, REPORT SAYS – JESSICA KWONG
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-golf-course-illegals-ivanka-kushner-1324581
— POLITICALLY CHARGED GROCERY STORE MAILER CLAIMING ‘HELL HAS OPEN BORDERS,’ STIRS CONTROVERSY – JENNI FINK
https://www.newsweek.com/grocery-store-mailer-trump-border-wall-hell-has-open-borders-controversy-1324068
— DHS ISSUES WAIVER TO ‘EXPEDITE’ CONSTRUCTION OF 12.5 MILES OF ‘SECONDARY’ BORDER WALL IN SAN DIEGO TO ‘DETER ILLEGAL CROSSINGS’ – CHANTAL DA SILVA
https://www.newsweek.com/dhs-issues-waiver-expedite-construction-125-miles-secondary-border-wall-san-1324565
— GUN CONTROL BILL WOULD REQUIRE POLICE TO REVIEW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS BEFORE ALLOWING PURCHASE – DANIEL MORITZ-RABSON
https://www.newsweek.com/social-media-review-gun-purchase-illinois-bill-1323850

 

360 LAW
— An Arizona federal judge chided Walmart Inc. for having a “‘complete and bright line’ disregard” for anti-discrimination protections in the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act when it fired an employee.
https://www.law360.com/health/articles/1127377/walmart-worker-fired-over-medical-marijuana-wins-bias-suit

 

SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you are a member of a group, sooner or later, if that group does not promote LGBTQ activity, SPLC will call your group at hate group.
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/02/08/anti-lgbt-groups-launch-movement-against-federal-equality-act

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— What do you know about survey methodology (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survey_methodology and http://www.pewresearch.org/methods/u-s-survey-research/our-survey-methodology-in-detail/)? During my last 8 years at GAO, I worked at the GS-13 Step 4-10 levels, currently $106,044-$125,325/year, on audits that involved major surveys. Two of the GAO reports that I worked on are at http://www.gao.gov/assets/160/154342.pdf (FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES: Actions Needed to Protect the Financial System) (See pages 30-33 for methodology) and at http://www.gao.gov/assets/160/156011.pdf (OTC DERIVATIVES: Additional Oversight Could Reduce Costly Sales Practice Disputes) (See pages 37-40 for methodology).)
http://www.gopillinois.com

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— JANUARY 3, 2019 FLASHBACK: How did you respond or how will you respond the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) survey questions (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LBGPSVC)?
https://gopillinois.com/uncategorized/january-3-morning-edition-2/
(THE ARTICLE: Initial questions concerning this survey include: Who is exactly paying for this survey? When did you first learn that this survey was going to be conducted and who did you learn that from? Who developed the survey? What input did you, your Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain, the officers of your Republican township/ward/county party organizations, your representative on the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee, the IRP officers, the IRP National Committeeman, and the IRP National Committeewoman have in the development of this survey? Where is the document that details the methodology used for this survey? What has been done to publicize this survey? Of course, anti-conservatives want liberals and moderates to respond to the survey and NOT conservatives. What about liberal and moderate responders who falsely claim to be conservative? I responded to the survey as follows:

 

  1. How often do you work and/ or interact with the Illinois Republican Party? – Extremely Frequently (Daily)

 

  1. What role do you play in the Republican Party? – Precinct Committeemen

 

  1. How active would you consider yourself within your GOP organization? – Extremely active (Daily)

 

  1. Is there anything specific the Illinois Republican Party can help you and/ or your organization with? – Other (please specify) Promoting the IRP platform.

 

  1. What could the Illinois Republican Party do better to increase your activity and interest within your local regular Republican organization? – Promote the IRP platform.

 

  1. How active would you say your GOP organization(s) is/are? – They meet monthly and regularly are represented at community events.

 

  1. Please check the answer that best describes your political philosophy on fiscal policy matters: Conservative

 

  1. Please check the box that best describes your political philosophy on social policy matters: Conservative

 

  1. The most important public policy issues facing our state are: Pro-Life, Same-sex marriage (oppose), Second Amendment issues (oppose gun control), Other (please specify) Enforce immigration laws (support)

 

  1. The most important public policy issues facing our country are: Pro-Life, Illegal immigration (concerned about), Second Amendment issues (oppose gun control), Other (please specify) Traditional marriage (support)

 

  1. Who did you vote for in the 2018 Illinois gubernatorial Republican primary election? – Jeanne Ives / Rich Morthland

 

  1. What are the biggest challenges to unity in the Illinois Republican Party? – Stopping anti-conservative IRP leaders from driving conservatives out of the IRP

 

  1. With respect to the Illinois Republican Party platform, the Illinois Republican Party at its next quadrennial Convention in 2020 should: Adopt the platform of the national Republican Party as the platform of the Illinois Republican Party

 

  1. Why do Illinois Republicans lose elections? – Illinois Republican candidates are not conservative enough and do not energize enough of the Republican base. Illinois Democrat candidates typically have more campaign funds than Illinois Republican candidates. Districts are too gerrymandered for Illinois Republicans to be competitive in areas where they otherwise should be.

 

  1. What do you think are the most important things the Illinois Republican Party can do to promote unity? – Promote the IRP platform.

 

  1. If you were to define or message what it means to be a Republican to the voters of Illinois; what would that message be? – Promote traditional marriage and the traditional family. Promote the right to life. Enforce immigration laws. Promote Second Amendment rights.

 

  1. What is your first and last name? – David Diersen

    18. What is your email address? – diersen@aol.com)

February 7 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Mount Prospect redesigning vehicle sticker amid claims it used white nationalist imagery
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/mount-prospect-redesigning-vehicle-sticker-amid-claims-it-used-white-nationalist-imagery/5125312/
— Parents turn themselves in after toddler eats from heroin baggies – Annie McCormick
https://abc7chicago.com/parents-turn-themselves-in-after-toddler-eats-heroin/5125378/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH A BIG COLOR PICTURE AND A BIG BLACK AND WHITE PICTURE: Inside Bill Daley’s insurance exam scandal: Beers, an altered test and a passing grade – Todd Lighty (DIERSEN: If I sought a government office or a political office, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would stress that while I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 when I was 30 years old and the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, my scores were not that high.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-met-bill-daley-insurance-test-20190207-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Bill Daley has passed the bar to practice law and cleared security checks to work in the White House. But when he tried to pass the state exam to sell insurance in Illinois as a young man, he faced failure, scandal and embarrassment. First, the youngest son of Mayor Richard J. Daley flunked. And when he passed on his second try, in 1973, the validity of the insurance test later was questioned amid allegations he received inside help. The evidence? An expert handwriting analysis and different inks pointed to two people filling in test answers. And then there was the colorful and damning account of the state employee who had administered the insurance tests and taken them home over the weekend. The worker described being paid a Sunday visit by Robert Wills, a recently fired colleague who took a particular interest in Bill Daley’s test. As the two drank beer, Wills noticed that Daley had not answered several questions. Wills, the worker testified, had a request: “I’d like to do a favor for a friend of mine and fill them in.” That friend, according to court records, was a close ally of the mayor. Bill Daley, who was not charged with wrongdoing, denied any involvement and kept his insurance license.)
— State law allows local elected officials to live in another state – Ted Slowik
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-flossmoor-trustee-residency-st-0207-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who hate men and/or hate Whites stress Liam Neeson, Ralph Northam, and Joe Ricketts.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/stevens/ct-life-stevens-wednesday-white-people-stop-saying-dont-see-color-20190206-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Boy threatened to shoot up Downers Grove high school with AK-47: prosecutors
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/boy-threatened-to-shoot-up-downers-grove-high-school-with-ak-47-prosecutors/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Mount Prospect to redesign vehicle sticker amid claims of white nationalist imagery – Steve Zalusky
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190206/mount-prospect-to-redesign-vehicle-sticker-amid-claims-of-white-nationalist-imagery

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Union coalition pitches city income tax A CTU-backed group wants those with annual household income above $100,000 to pay 3.5 percent a year to City Hall—plus a “LaSalle Street tax” and more. But CTA rides and community college would be free. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/union-coalition-pitches-city-income-tax
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A coalition of progressive activists and big unions is upping the ante on the call for new revenue to finance help for lower-income Chicagoans, this time proposing not just a “LaSalle Street tax” on financial transactions and restoration of the employer “head tax” but a new city income tax on those who work or live in Chicago. With a swipe at “wealthy yuppies” and corporations who “don’t pay their fair share,” the group—which includes the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Healthcare Illinois—specifically wants a 3.5 percent tax on household income above $100,000 a year.)

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR & SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— North headlines Lincoln Day dinner in Springfield – Steven Spearie
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20190207/north-headlines-lincoln-day-dinner
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190206/north-headlines-lincoln-day-dinner
(FROM THE ARTICLE: NRA president says group has to double its strength to preserve Second Amendment. Retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North said Wednesday that the National Rifle Association has to “double our strength to preserve the Second Amendment” between now and the 2020 elections, in keynote remarks at the 115th annual Sangamon County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner at the Bank of Springfield Center. The 75-year-old North, who became president of the NRA last May, also said the “disarm America movement is the best-funded, most sophisticated assault on our American liberties in our history.” North claimed that an unnamed “unholy troika of tyrannical billionaires” was setting the Democrats’ “far-left socialist agenda.” “They’re using their vast fortunes to elect enough progressives to turn America into a disarmed socialist dystopia,” North said. “The hard left in America are socialists. They’re anti-freedom candidates for office. If they succeed in what they’re doing, our lives are going to be adversely affected forever.” The annual Lincoln Day event, the longest-running in the country, is a key fundraiser for the party organization. About 1,000 people attended. Illinois Republic Party chairman Tim Schneider didn’t shy away from the GOP’s showing last fall in Illinois. “We had a tough election in 2018, but Illinois Republicans aren’t ready to give up yet,” said Schneider, in remarks preceding North’s. “After J.B. Pritzker spent $171 million on his election, he still only got 54 percent of the vote. They don’t buy him, don’t buy his tax increases or his policies. Republicans will hold Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan “responsible for their actions in driving families, jobs and business out of (Illinois),” he said.)

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Senate Republicans express support for redistricting amendment – Cassie Buchman
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190206/senate-republicans-express-support-for-redistricting-amendment

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— The Trump Organization Is Cracking Down On Undocumented Workers
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/trump-organization-cracking-down-undocumented-workers#stream/0

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— After State of the Union, lawmakers losing confidence on border security deal – Stephen Loiaconi
https://foxillinois.com/news/connect-to-congress/after-state-of-the-union-lawmakers-losing-confidence-on-border-security-deal
— Crisis escalates in Virginia; top 3 Democrats under fire – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/crisis-escalates-in-virginia-top-3-democrats-under-fire
— Pelosi says Trump ‘threats’ have no place in Congress – AP (DIERSEN: Who has threatened you? What if I had secretly recorded the threats that my Democrat GAO superiors made against me in 1997 when I was 49 years old to force me to take their early retirement “offer?”)
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/pelosi-says-trump-threats-have-no-place-in-congress
— Trump now says he wants more legal immigration (DIERSEN: More legal immigration causes more illegal immigration.)
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-now-says-he-wants-more-legal-immigration

 

BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
— Millennials and Market Saturation Raise Doubts About New Casino Push Talk of new Chicago and Downstate casinos is resurfacing among politicians as an answer to government fiscal woes. But casino revenue is off sharply from its heights, and the industry is struggling to attract younger gamblers. – Tim Jones (DIERSEN: Every dollar that you gamble away is a dollar that you do not save for your retirement.)
https://www.bettergov.org/news/millennials-and-market-saturation-raise-doubts-about-new-casino-push

 

WIREPOINTS
— Moody’s to Pritzker: “New taxes could threaten to increase the outflow of Illinois residents” – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://www.wirepoints.com/moodys-to-pritzker-new-taxes-could-threaten-to-increase-the-outflow-of-illinois-residents/

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Lincoln Day Dinner Scheduled for February 23rd Features Jeannie Ives
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/06/lincoln-day-dinner-scheduled-for-february-23rd-features-jeannie-ives/
— Time Sheet Overtime Falsification Results in Two LaSalle County Indictments Last October
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/07/time-sheet-overtime-falsification-results-in-two-lasalle-county-indictments-last-october/
— GOP Senators Seek What They Didn’t Win in the Election–Fair Maps
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/06/gop-senators-seek-what-they-didnt-win-in-the-election-fair-maps/
— Another Indication that David McSweeney Is Preparing to Run for Something Other Than Re-Election
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/06/another-indication-that-david-mcsweeney-is-preparing-to-run-for-something-other-than-re-election/
— Two McHenry County State Reps. in Forefront of Attack on Teachers Sexually Abusing Students
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/06/two-mchenry-county-state-reps-in-forefront-of-attack-on-teachers-sexually-abusing-students/
— Re-Run: Tribune Features Problem 1994 Skinner Legislation on Gathering Information on Teacher Sex/Physical Abuse Would Have Solved
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/06/the-teacher-sexphysical-abuse-roll-call-nobody-every-used-in-a-political-campaign-copy/
— Skillicorn Reacts to State of the Union Address
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/06/skillicorn-reacts-to-state-o-the-union-address/
— Over $600,000 from Lawyers for Jack Franks’ Campaigns
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/05/over-600000-from-lawyers-for-jack-franks-campaigns/
— Synopsis of David McSweeney’s New Township Abolition by Referendum Bill.
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/05/synopsis-of-david-mcsweeneys-new-township-abolition-by-referendum-bill/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— All Senate Republicans sign on to bipartisan ‘fair map’ amendment – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/all-senate-republicans-sign-on-to-bipartisan-fair-map-amendment/article_02e4cef6-2a70-11e9-9500-3781cb9d0f8f.html

 

ILLINOIS WATCHDOG
— Lawmakers: Minimum wage increase will cost taxpayers in all levels of government – Greg Bishop
https://www.watchdog.org/illinois/lawmakers-minimum-wage-increase-will-cost-taxpayers-in-all-levels/article_71d26dce-98f1-560c-ae7a-db0fb179f026.html

 

FOX NEWS
— Trump says he wants to boost US legal immigration because unemployment is so low – Nicole Darrah (DIERSEN: More legal immigration promotes more illegal immigration.)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-he-wants-to-boost-us-legal-immigration-because-unemployment-is-so-low
— Christians must fight growing anti-Semitism in America – Frank Wolf (DIERSEN: Government is nasty. Politics is nasty. Democrats are nasty. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, many, if not most of my superiors were Jewish. To turn them against me, my Democrat superiors, Democrat supervisors, Democrat coworkers, and Democrat subordinates stressed that I was a) 100% German national origin and b) that I was baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran. In my defense, I stressed a) that my ancestors immigrated way back during the 1840s and 1850s, b) that they have always lived in northeast Illinois, c) that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans in WWI, d) that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans in WWII, and e) that my father would have fought the Germans in WWII if he had not been 4-F.)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/christians-must-fight-growing-anti-semitism-in-america
— Ex-ESPN host Jemele Hill makes State of the Union assassination reference in now-deleted tweet – Brian Flood
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ex-espn-host-jemele-hill-makes-state-of-the-union-assassination-reference-in-a-now-deleted-tweet
— Liberal hypocrisy: Democrats’ calls for Northam to resign fade as three scandals throw Virginia into chaos
https://www.foxnews.com/us/liberal-hypocrisy-democrats-calls-for-northam-to-resign-fade-as-three-scandals-throw-virginia-into-chaos

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Arizona town Nogales demands feds cut down barbed wire on border fence – Stephen Dinan (DIERSEN: How soon will the America-haters in Nogales have enough votes to get Nogales to leave America and to join up with Mexico?)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/6/nogales-arizona-demands-feds-remove-border-fence-b/
— Intelligence panel testified on mass migration, but didn’t mention border ‘crisis’ – Rowan Scarborough
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/6/intelligence-panel-testified-on-mass-migration-but/
— Democrats now have to govern and it’s not a pretty sight – Matt Mackowiak
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/6/drug-companies-need-to-step-up-as-congress-eyes-re/
— Tens of thousands of federal employees make more than governor in state where they work – Stephen Dinan (DIERSEN: 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.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/6/federal-employees-salaries-tens-thousands-make-mor/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Federal employees are back on the job after the government shutdown — and many are doing pretty well for themselves, according to a new report that shows nearly 92,000 of them make salaries that match or exceed the governors of the states where they work. Some are in traditional high-pay occupations such as doctors. But the total also includes 18 painters, 22 welders and 25 pipefitters. More than 1,000 clerical workers in Alabama make at least $120,000, or about the same salary as Gov. Kay Ivey. In Ohio, 333 Ohio “transportation” workers, most of them air traffic controllers, make in the ballpark of Gov. Mike DeWine’s nearly $149,000 salary. And in Maryland, 3,561 federal workers made as much or more than Gov. Larry Hogan’s $170,000 salary. Most of them were doctors, dentists or public health workers, which is perhaps not surprising given that the National Institutes of Health is in Bethesda. But that doesn’t account for the 359 clerical employees, 66 accountants, 57 information-technology workers and 100 vocational trainers or school instructors who also cleared $170,000 or more a year, according to the Congressional Research Service, which compiled the data for lawmakers. The more than 91,000 workers nationwide who make as much or more than their governors is up 18 percent from the last time the CRS did a similar report, a decade ago.)

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Pence defends the shutdown: ‘I never think it’s a mistake to stand up for what you believe in’- Katelyn Caralle (DIERSEN: What have you stood up against? While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, I stood up against political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination. Consequently, a) my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, gave me unfair performance expectations and appraisals, 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 a $19,203 (26%) 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, got rid of my mentor in 1975, 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.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/pence-defends-the-shutdown-i-never-think-its-a-mistake-to-stand-up-for-what-you-believe-in

 

RUSH LIMBAUGH
— Media Displays Poisonous Hatred for Donald Trump
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2019/02/06/media-displays-poisonous-hatred-for-donald-trump/
— How “American Greatness” Triggers the Left (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the left makes it clear that it hates and wants 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, draft avoiders, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2019/02/06/how-american-greatness-triggers-the-left/

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— The Virginia Democrats’ Minstrel Show – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29638

 

TOWNHALL
— Sec. Nielsen: Just Like the Last Caravans, Illegally Entry Is Not Tolerated – Julio Rosas
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2019/02/06/sec-nielsen-just-like-the-last-caravans-illegally-entry-is-not-tolerated-n2540955

 

NEWSMAX
— Kinzinger: Trump Should Stop Complimenting Kim Jong Un – Brian Freeman
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/adam-kinzinger-trump-kim-jong-un/2019/02/06/id/901551/
— Some Border Residents Shrug Off Trump’s Wall Demand – Solange Reyner (DIERSEN: How soon will America-haters in border towns have enough votes to get their towns to leave America and to join up with Mexico? How soon will America-haters in border states have enough votes to get those states to leave America and to join up with Mexico?)
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/border-wall-california-rhetoric-state-of-the-union/2019/02/06/id/901599/
— Governor of Mexican State Coahuila: No More Migrants – Solange Reyner
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/migrants-caravan-governor-coahuila/2019/02/06/id/901604/

 

DAILY CALLER
— GAVIN MCINNES SUES FOR DEFAMATION OVER ‘HATE’ GROUP LABEL – Grace Carr (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents who treated TAPROOT Republicans like it was a hate group because I recruited speakers who promoted the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, and the rest of the planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform and in the Republican Party platform. In 2012, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes succeeded in destroying TAPROOT.)
https://dailycaller.com/2019/02/05/gavin-mcinnes-sues-splc-hate/

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— MILITARY ON THE BORDER: APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO A CRISIS How does a house stand without walls? – Michael Cutler
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272778/military-border-appropriate-response-crisis-michael-cutler

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— HEY, COMMANDER! START COMMANDING! Ann Coulter: Our military can build a wall anywhere in the world except the U.S.?
https://www.wnd.com/2019/02/hey-commander-start-commanding/

 

GOPUSA
— Payoff? Democrats embrace nation-building in Central America as answer to migrant caravans.
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=64724
— Democrats oppose bill to protect newborns from infanticide
http://www.gopusa.com/democrats-oppose-bill-to-protect-newborns-from-infanticide/

 

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Trump’s Wall and a Plan to Stop Cartels at the Border – Bill Thomas
https://www.amgreatness.com/2019/02/06/trumps-wall-and-a-plan-to-stop-cartels-at-the-border/
— Donald Trump’s Annihilation of the Democratic Party – Conrad Black
https://amgreatness.com/2019/02/06/donald-trumps-annihilation-of-the-democratic-party/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Governor Northham’s honesty – James Stansbury (DIERSEN: Those Republican Party leaders who reject planks in the Republican Party platform should be honest about it. Defending and advancing all the planks in the Republican Party platform should be a requirement to seek or hold any kind of government or political office as a Republican.)
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/02/governor_northhams_honesty_.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It was refreshing in this post-truth age for Governor Northam to reveal his genuine support for post-birth abortion. Compared to the outrage about the sophomoric racist photo in Northam’s old yearbook, the reaction to his permissive abortion stance was disappointingly subdued, although many on the left defended it. This same sentiment was reinforced at the State of the Union when the Dems sat down as the newest abortion laws were criticized. These opposite reactions have inadvertently confirmed that much of America has thoroughly embraced the postmodern philosophy of moral relativism where truth is whatever supports the left’s latest utopian vision.)

 

HOT AIR
— The Democrats’ “Zero Tolerance” Policy Is Rather Situational – JAZZ SHAW
https://hotair.com/archives/2019/02/06/democrats-zero-tolerance-policy-rather-situational/

 

BREITBART
— Sweden Admits It Cannot Control Its Own Borders – Oliver JJ Lane
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/07/sweden-admits-it-cannot-control-its-own-borders/
— Dem Sen. Merkley: Trump Created ‘Humanitarian Crisis’ on Border with Child Prisons, Family Internment Camps – Jeff Poor (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats crow about their success in getting people to come to America illegally.)
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/02/06/dem-sen-merkley-trump-created-humanitarian-crisis-on-border-with-child-prisons-family-internment-camps/

 

LIFEZETTE
— Trump ‘Unified’ Americans by ‘Pulling Off’ the Democrats’ ‘Mask’ President’s address Tuesday night ‘vividly revealed the contrast between his vibrant policies’ and ‘the pale, colorless agenda of the Left,’ noted ‘The Ingraham Angle’ – Kathryn Blackhurst
https://www.lifezette.com/2019/02/trump-unified-americans-by-pulling-off-the-democrats-mask/

 

THE HILL
— Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.): Trump needs to ‘quit complimenting Kim Jong Un’ – TAL AXELROD
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/428708-gop-rep-trump-needs-to-quit-complimenting-kim-jong-un
— Fresh faces bring familiar GOP refrain: Dems are too extreme – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE AND MIKE LILLIS (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who demonize, denigrate, and condemn me as being “too extreme.”)
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/428862-fresh-faces-bring-familiar-gop-refrain-dems-are-too-extreme

 

ABC NEWS
— Trump emerges as an unexpected champion in the White House for evangelicals President Donald Trump will deliver an address to the National Prayer Breakfast. – Meridith McGraw
https://abcnews.go.com/beta-story-container/Politics/trump-emerges-unexpected-champion-white-house-evangelicals/story?id=60894454

 

MERCURY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: America-haters crow about their success in making America dependent on illegal alien labor.
https://www.pottsmerc.com/opinion/esther-cepeda-the-labor-of-illegal-immigrants-is-the-motor/article_6c438cf2-2a61-11e9-a340-5337bc2a49dc.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— State of the Union Speech Puts Democratic Resurgence on Full Display – Carl Hulse (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters crow about their success in promoting hatred against individuals, against organizations, against companies, against governments, and against countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, draft avoiders, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/us/politics/democrats-state-of-the-union.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote socialism.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/us/politics/socialism-donald-trump.html
— Seth Meyers Imagines What We Might Find in Trump’s Childhood Home
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/arts/television/seth-meyers-trump-childhood-home.html
— Virginia Police Sergeant Suspended After Antifa Ties Him to White Nationalism – Matt Stevens and Elisha Brown
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/us/virginia-cop-white-supremacist.html

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2019: Bias, hate and violence in America not deterred by new laws and legislation – HERB BOYD (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, according to the Democrats, the longer that your ancestors have been in America, a) the more that you have benefited from their discrimination against minorities and from their discrimination against females and b) the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion. According to the Democrats, the aforesaid is especially true if your ancestors were Protestant, were conservative, were patriotic, were Republican, were White, were male, were older, were rich, were gun owners, and/or came from Germany.)
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-black-history-hate-crime-legislation-laws-20190206-story.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— ‘What she’s selling is bitter division’: Tucker Carlson suggests Stacey Abrams wants to ‘overthrow’ white men – Timothy Bella (DIERSEN: In your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, who takes the lead in promoting hatred of White men? Which White men pander to those who promote hatred of White men?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/07/what-shes-selling-is-bitter-division-tucker-carlson-suggests-stacey-abrams-wants-overthrow-white-men/
— Trump claimed more women than ever are working. The reality is much more grim. Democrats and Republicans cheered when Trump said the lines about women, but the facts aren’t much to celebrate. – Heather Long (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a woman in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a woman could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a woman in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted women in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a woman in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a woman in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a woman could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/02/06/trump-claimed-more-women-than-ever-are-working-reality-is-much-more-grim/

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: America-haters say “The nation faces many problems. A crisis at the border isn’t one of them.”
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-trump-speech-immigration-border-crisis-20190206-story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Who’s Afraid of Socialism? The new Democratic agenda sure looks like government control over the means of production. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/whos-afraid-of-socialism-11549498364
— International Student Enrollment Drops for Second Year, Report Says. Institutions that primarily offer masters degrees but not doctorates are hardest hit. – Douglas Belkin
https://www.wsj.com/articles/international-student-enrollment-drops-for-second-year-report-says-11549515660
— Bonfire of Identity Democrats Ralph Northam may be saved by accusations against his colleagues. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/bonfire-of-identity-democrats-11549498315

 

BLOOMBERG
— Super Rich Americans Are Getting Younger and Multiplying The average age is 47 for those with at least $25 million, a study finds – Ben Steverman
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-23/super-rich-americans-are-getting-younger-and-multiplying

 

FORBES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illegal drug pushers say “A Wall And Trump Immigration Policies Benefit Drug Cartels.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2019/02/07/a-wall-and-trump-immigration-policies-benefit-drug-cartels/#1f574ade7888

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats demonize, denigrate, and condemn suburbs as being racist.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2019/02/04/black-history-month-february-schools-ap-racism-civil-rights/2748790002/

 

BOSTON GLOBE
— Trump campaign adviser on Democrats in white: ‘The only thing . . . missing tonight is the matching hood’ – Tim Elfrink (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrat women talk and act like they hate and want 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, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2019/02/06/trump-campaign-adviser-democrats-white-the-only-thing-missing-tonight-matching-hood/99hltwc6AUcKfnYQGY7vsJ/story.html

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Migrant caravan of 1,800 is the first to reach the Texas border – John MacCormack
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Migrant-caravan-of-1-800-is-the-first-to-reach-13596022.php

 

HERALD AND NEWS
— Migrant caravan detained in old factory, across from Texas
https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/nation_world/migrant-caravan-detained-in-old-factory-across-from-texas/article_118150eb-27a2-5442-a0f3-1c3a4f7aad2b.html

 

NEW YORK BOOKS
— America’s Original Identity Politics – Sarah Churchwell (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, according to the Democrats, the longer that your ancestors have been in America, a) the more that you have benefited from their discrimination against minorities and from their discrimination against females and b) the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion. According to the Democrats, the aforesaid is especially true if your ancestors were Protestant, were conservative, were patriotic, were Republican, were White, were male, were older, were rich, were gun owners, and/or came from Germany.)
https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/02/07/americas-original-identity-politics/

 

ABOVE THE LAW
— When Is Too Old To Practice? Is competence determined in the eyes of the beholder or in the eyes of the holder? – JILL SWITZER (DIERSEN: According to the federal government, according to my critics/opponents, according to their operatives, and according to their dupes, federal employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran are incompetent if they do not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://abovethelaw.com/2019/02/when-is-too-old-to-practice/

 

MCKNIGHTS SENIOR LIVING
— Legislation, commission suggested to address ‘retirement crisis’ – Lois A. Bowers (DIERSEN: How much have you saved for your retirement? In 1997, when I was 49 years old, my Democrat GAO superiors knew how much my wife and I had saved for our retirement. That motivated them to force me to take their early retirement “offer.”)
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/news/legislation-commission-suggested-to-address-retirement-crisis/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Leaders and witnesses at a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing Wednesday had suggestions for addressing what the committee called “a retirement crisis” — the fact that most Americans may not have enough savings to cover their expenses when they stop working. “We are on the verge of a national crisis” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), chairman of the committee. The situation, she added, was brought on in part by employers changing from providing “defined benefit” plans such as pensions to offering “defined contribution” plans such as 401(k)s, putting the onus on workers to save. Other factors, Collins said, include more Americans working for small companies that don’t offer retirement savings plans and many older adults relying on Social Security to cover their monthly expenses in retirement.)

 

ZILLOW
— FOR SALE: 816 James Court, Wheaton – $335,000
https://www.zillow.com/wheaton-il/X1-SS1apc9gppw622z_3o1g1_sse/4448289_zpid/

February 6 Evening Edition

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— IL GOP Chairman Tim Schneider Needs To Resign
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2019/02/il-gop-chairman-tim-schneider-needs-to-resign/


(FROM THE ARTICLE: The current IL GOP chairman, Tim Schneider, has divided the Party and for the following reasons should be asked to step down:

 

  • Tim Schneider tolerated years of lying by Bruce Rauner. When Rauner announced his candidacy for Governor, Tim Schneider was recruited to lead the IL GOP. He was Rauner’s faithful supporter from the beginning. Schneider stood behind Rauner as he lied about his support for HB 40 and then lied daily about the record of Jeanne Ives during the primary election. Finally, Schneider knew Rauner did not want to run for a second term, but remained silent about this during the fall election season while countless volunteers and donors were working their precincts.

 

  • Tim Schneider has done nothing to defend the IL GOP Platform. He remained supportive of Rauner while Rauner supported government funding of abortion, an income tax hike without pension reform, transgender birth certificates and a sanctuary state bill, just to name a few.

 

  • Tim Schneider doesn’t learn from his mistakes. At the December meeting of the Republican Party, Tim thanked Rauner for his contributions to the IL GOP, especially his financial contributions which have not left the Party more financially sound. No mention was made of the division Rauner created in the Party by his blatant lies and deception, or his disloyalty to our platform causing distrust and disrespect among Republican voters. Tim offered no solutions for uniting the Party other than surveying Republicans on issues of concern to them.)

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Fred Floreth, Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) Member for the 13th Congressional District, has responded to Illinois Family Action (see below). Mark Shaw, IRP Co-Chairman, Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association President, and IRP SCC Member for the 10th Congressional District has advised me that he concurs with Mr. Floreth. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

 

(THE RESPONSE: Thank you for sending to me the below e-mail. I appreciate being on your mailing list and all you do to advance conservative causes in Illinois.

To borrow a phrase often used by Mark Levin, I am not a, “special pleader,” for Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider, but I do believe in fairness. In that spirit, I make the following observations about your three reasons Chairman Schneider should step down:

1. On September 28, 2017, Chairman Schneider issued a press release expressing his disappointment with then-Governor Rauner’s decision to sign HB 40.

https://illinois.gop/ilgop-chairman-tim-schneider-statement-hb40/

Also, you state Chairman Schneider, “knew,” Rauner did not want to run for a second term. When the story became public, I personally asked the Chairman if he knew Rauner had asked people – including Illinois National Committeeman Richard Porter – to replace Rauner as our candidate for Illinois Governor. Chairman Schneider told me he did not know about these requests or Rauner’s lack of enthusiasm for re-election. I take Chairman Schneider at his word, because – to the best of my knowledge – he has always been truthful with me.

2. Chairman Schneider’s press release to which I linked above references, without mentioning the word, “platform,” the Illinois Republican Party’s opposition to taxpayer-funded abortion.

Also, I think you are being a little unfair to Governor Rauner when you wrote he supported, “an income tax hike without pension reform.” Recall Governor Rauner ultimately vetoed the income tax hike, but had his veto over-ridden with some Republican votes.

3. I have no problem with Chairman Schneider’s thanking Governor Rauner at our last meeting. The man was our Governor for four years and he did spend a LOT of time, money and energy trying to reform our state. Could Rauner have done better? Of course, but it would have been the epitome of ungratefulness – if not rudeness – not to publically thank Bruce Rauner for his efforts and contributions to our Party and the state at the first Republican State Central Committee meeting after the election.

Nowhere did you mention Chairman Schneider’s unwavering support of President Trump, which support may well have cost Schneider his seat on the Cook, “County Board.” I was at the Cleveland Convention with Chairman Schneider and can report he did everything he could to support then-candidate Trump. I have never heard Chairman Schneider speak ill of the President. Schneider was in an almost impossible position, trying to get Bruce Rauner re-elected while being faithful to the President.

Finally, assuming Chairman Schneider does not voluntarily resign, you should know that by the Illinois Republican Party By-Laws, removing the State Party Chairman requires 60% of the weighted vote of the State Central Committee. Unless something has drastically changed recently, I do not think there is anywhere near that sentiment among the 18 members of the Republican State Central Committee.

Having said the above, I have no problem with you raising the issue or with you publishing my home e-mail address and office phone number. I am always willing to hear from Republicans, especially from those who live in my Congressional District. It has been an honor to serve as the Republican State Central Committeeman from the 13th CD these past years.

Thank you.)

 

DAILY HERALD
— Naperville leader Kevin Coyne calls for Stava-Murray’s resignation over ‘white supremacist policies’ comments – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190205/naperville-leader-calls-for-stava-murrays-resignation-over-white-supremacist-policies-comments
— State legislation would allow Lake County Board to vote out its leader – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190206/state-legislation-would-allow-lake-county-board-to-vote-out-its-leader

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Naperville councilman Kevin Coyne calls for resignation of state rep who said city has white supremacist policies – Erin Hegarty
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-coyne-stava-murray-request-resignation-st-0208-story.html
— Illinois’ minimum wage would hit $15 in 2025 under plan introduced by state Senate Democrats – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-democrats-minimum-wage-bill-20190206-story.html
— Leading Chicago business group proposes raising income taxes and taxing retirement income to fix Illinois’ finances – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-finances-civic-committee-20190205-story.html
— AOC wants to soak the rich. Here’s why that’s a bad idea. – Steve Chapman
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-aoc-ocasio-cortez-70-percent-tax-rate-0207-20190206-story.html
— Racial bias influences health care — and it starts in the exam room – Monica Maalouf
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-racial-bias-health-care-exam-room-0207-20190206-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s State of the Union was well-received by those who watched: Republicans.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-dahleen-glanton-trump-con-man-20190206-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— A special kind of shade: Nancy Pelosi, Democrats display disapproval of SOTU – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/shade-nancy-pelosi-democrats-display-disapproval-sotu-state-of-the-union/
— Groups demand more black teachers in CPS, nationwide – Stefano Esposito
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/black-lives-matter-school-week-african-american-teachers-chicago-public-schools/
— Illinois Senate committee approves $15 minimum wage – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/15-dollar-minimum-wage-illinois-hourly-senate-committee-approves-jb-pritzker/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— $15 minimum wage up for first General Assembly test A measure to nearly double the Illinois minimum wage by 2025 is expected to zip out of the Senate but could face tougher sledding in the House amid strong business opposition. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/15-minimum-wage-first-general-assembly-test
— Casino as government jackpot? Maybe not. Gambling in Illinois is undergoing some of the same market, demographic and technological stress that killed off Blockbuster and is now adding to the ills of retailers like Sears. – TIM JONES
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/casino-government-jackpot-maybe-not
— New-home sales complete a shrunken decade Last year’s increase followed a decline the previous year and prolonged the trend of “hovering at below 5,000 sales, where we’ve been for 10 years,” a consultant says. Sales nationally have climbed about 50 percent in that time. – DENNIS RODKIN
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/new-home-sales-complete-shrunken-decade

 

NBC5
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats are extremely divisive. Ever-increasingly, Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout at women, and at everyone else, that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things who should be gotten rid of once and for all. Ever-increasingly, Democrats count on individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time to help them get rid of Republicans once and for all. How should Republicans react?
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/women-in-white-democrat-solidarity-stands-out-at-state-of-union/5122784/

 

WTTW
— Illinois Democrats Poised to Raise Minimum Wage to $15 by 2025 – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2019/02/06/illinois-democrats-poised-raise-minimum-wage-15-2025

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Girls from Troop 157 in Downers Grove officially join Boy Scouts
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2019/02/05/girls-from-troop-157-in-downers-grove-officially-join-boy-scouts/alxmxla/

 

REPUBLIC TIMES
— Gun shops fired up over new laws – James Moss
http://www.republictimes.net/gun-shops-fired-up-over-new-laws/

 

PARENTS OPPOSED TO POT
— OUTSTANDING: SENATOR DURBIN, ILLINOIS BISHOPS PUSH BACK AGAINST LEGALIZING MARIJUANA
http://www.poppot.org/2019/02/06/senator-durbin-illinois-bishops-against-marijuana/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— WHERE’S WEYERMULLER? AT CHICAGO YOUNG REPUBLICAN WATCH PARTY WITH WILLIE WILSON
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/02/wheres-weyermuller-at-chicago-young-republican-watch-party-with-willie-wilson-.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Naperville city council debates Rep. Stava-Murray comments
https://capitolfax.com/2019/02/06/naperville-city-council-debates-rep-stava-murray-comments/

 

GOPUSA
— Democrats Stare into Space as Trump Hits a Home Run – Bobby Eberle
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=64688

 

TOWNHALL
— GOP Whip Scalise’s Scathing Letter to Dems: Your Gun Control Bill Wouldn’t Have Prevented My Shooting – Beth Baumann
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2019/02/06/gop-whip-scalises-scathing-letter-to-dems-your-gun-control-bill-wouldnt-have-p-n2540935

 

DAILY CALLER
— PERFECT TIMING TO FIND OUT IF DEMOCRATS WOULD CLOSE GOVERNMENT FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD – Bob Maistros
https://dailycaller.com/2019/02/06/maistros-planned-parenthood/

 

THE HILL
— New poll finds overwhelmingly support for taxing the rich’s wealth (DIERSEN: Real estate taxes are wealth taxes.)
https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/428747-new-poll-americans-overwhelmingly-support-taxing-the-wealth-of

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Billionaires strike back as Democrats embrace higher taxes, economic populism – Damian Paletta and Jeff Stein
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/wave-of-tax-proposals-has-caught-wealthy-liberals-off-guard–but-they-may-not-be-able-to-stop-them/2019/02/06/0d3824e6-2a31-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html

 

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Shutdown spotlight on ‘fat-cat’ feds – Mike Causey
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/mike-causey-federal-report/2019/02/shutdown-spotlight-on-fat-cat-feds/

January 25 Evening Edition

ABC7
— President Trump, Congress agree to end longest government shutdown – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-congress-agree-to-end-longest-government-shutdown/5106488/

 

NBC5
— Trump, Congress Leaders Reach Deal to End Shutdown Without Wall Funding “I have a very powerful alternative but I didn’t want use it at this time and hopefully it won’t be necessary,” Trump said – Danielle Abreu
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Government-Shutdown-Solutions-Urgency-Senate-White-House-504867681.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Congress, Trump reach temporary deal to end government shutdown – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/facebook-instant/president-trump-to-make-announcement-regarding-government-shutdown

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Senate passes deal to temporarily reopen government after longest shutdown in U.S. history – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-government-shutdown-20190125-story.html
— Illinois lawmakers demand answers about monitoring for cancer-causing chemical during government shutdown – Michael Hawthorne
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-sterigenics-medline-vantage-epa-letter-20190125-story.html
— As shutdown ends, federal workers have little faith about future – AP (DIERSEN: With budget cuts, soon, if not already, the Democrats who run the federal government will have gotten rid of all their employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who they did not promote to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. Soon, if not already, they will have to get rid of their employees who are Democrat, minority, female, and/or veteran.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-government-shutdown-workers-20190125-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “The wall, the shutdown and the make-believe presidency.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-shutdown-wall-trump-crime-20190125-story.html
— The end of the shutdown, and what comes next – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-shutdown-end-trump-pelosi-20190125-story.html
— Early voting starts Tuesday
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-early-voting-money-mayors-race-ig-ferguson-code-silence-20190124-story.html
— Watchdog: CTA staffer tied to state senator likely hired for political reasons, didn’t work full shift most days – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-cta-hiring-illinois-senate-20190125-story.html

— Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering? – Austin Berg
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-berg-column-st-0127-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Increase in ‘sick leave’ causing flight delays at LaGuardia – AP (DIERSEN: While I worked part-time for the Park Forest Post Office 1966-1969, I worked many more hours because my coworkers had called in sick.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/increase-in-sick-leave-causing-flight-delays-at-laguardia/
— Leaving Legislature lucrative for Ed Burke brother now drawing $160K in pensions – Robert Herguth
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/burke-daniel-dan-edward-pensions-legislative-chicago-city-hall/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Trump tried to burn down the house and he got burned.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/federal-shutdown-donald-trump-nancy-pelosi/
— Illinois GOP facing dire financial straits – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/jb-pritzker-campaign-spending-democrats-illinois-republicans-dire-financial-straits/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Democratic Party of Illinois ended the year with about $1.4 million in the bank. The Illinois Republican Party finished with $313,000. The IL GOP is going to have to be frugal for a while until they can raise some dough. Rauner has been the state GOP’s most reliable donor. The former governor contributed $36.9 million to the state party since June 13th of 2014. The party raised another $20 million or so on top of that since that same date, but a large chunk of that money was pass-through cash from the two legislative caucuses for direct mail costs. The unofficial leader of the Republican Party’s wealthy Chicago-area “donor class” was Ron Gidwitz. He helped raise a ton of money for his party over the years. But Gidwitz is now the US Ambassador to Belgium, so he can’t do them any good. Bottom line: The Republican Party in this state is in very dire straits.)

 

DAILY HERALD
— Staffing shortages that slowed flights could have been ‘final straw’ to end shutdown – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190125/staffing-shortages-that-slowed-flights-could-have-been-final-straw-to-end-shutdown-
— Report: Financial incentives needed to get data centers in Illinois – Susan Sarkauskas
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20190125/report-financial-incentives-needed-to-get-data-centers-in-illinois

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Trump announces deal to reopen government for 3 weeks The stopgap measure includes no money for a border wall, sources say, but the accord would set up a period of negotiations on border security measures, and the president added he will make sure federal workers get back pay quickly. – Bloomberg
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/trump-announces-deal-reopen-government-3-weeks

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— As shutdown dragged on, and Trump’s polling went down, Bost stuck with president – JOSEPH BUSTOS
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article225077090.html

 

WPSD
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2019/01/24/medical-marijuana-to-be-available-to-more-illinoisans-under-new-program/

 

DEERFIELD PATCH
— Assault Weapons Ban, Gun Buyer Social Media Search Proposed Democrats introduced new legislation to ban certain semi-automatic firearms and add restrictions on who can legally buy a gun in Illinois. – Jonah Meadows
https://patch.com/illinois/deerfield/assault-weapons-ban-gun-buyer-social-media-search-proposed

 

WEST COOK NEWS
— Underwood, Casten did not sign letter to Pelosi about shutdown – Glenn Minnis
https://westcooknews.com/stories/511740722-underwood-casten-did-not-sign-letter-to-pelosi-about-shutdown

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Wheaton Bowl owner Sal Falbo says he was targeted by Council candidate Bray-Parker – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: In 2002, I succeeded in getting the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) to hold its monthly meetings in the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall and the MTRCC has held its monthly meetings there ever since.)
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511739295-wheaton-bowl-owner-says-he-was-targeted-by-council-candidate-bray-parker
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Sal Falbo thinks Erica Bray-Parker could use a new lesson plan. “I don’t think her actions were the right thing to be teaching her students,” Falbo told the DuPage Policy Journal as rumors of Bray-Parker’s attempting to bully him and other business owners in Wheaton into removing signs from their properties that were for political candidates she doesn’t agree with continue to swirl. “We all have a right to freedom of speech, and as a teacher you would think she would know and understand that,” he added. According to local business owner Jane Shaw, all the drama began when Bray-Parker, who teaches at Glenbard North and is an instructor at the Civics Club, penned a letter to Falbo and other local business owners demanding that they remove posters of former state Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Republican of Wheaton, from in front of their businesses, vowing never to return to their establishments if they failed to comply. Bray-Parker, who is running for Wheaton City Council in District 4, is also accused of using her students as part of her “bullying” campaign, Shaw added. “I don’t live in Wheaton but if I did there’s no way I would vote for her,” said Faldo, part owner of Wheaton Bowl. “She’s obviously an activist, but part of the responsibility in that is understanding that everyone has the same free speech rights that you do. On top of that, the signs she was complaining about weren’t even on my property; they were in front. She’s really made an issue out of a nonissue.” Meanwhile, Ives, who relinquished her seat in Springfield with the start of the legislative session, has been adamant in expressing her opinion that she doesn’t think what she calls Bray-Parker’s brand of politics is right for Wheaton. “Erica Bray-Parker should not be elected; make sure she isn’t,” she told the DuPage Policy Journal. “She is unfit to represent business owners and the respectful, hard-working taxpayers of Wheaton. She is a civics teacher who is not civil.” Bray-Parker also raised eyebrows in May 2018, when she penned a letter in the Daily Herald assailing Peter Breen, a Republican of Lombard who was a state representative at the time, over what she perceived to be his inadequate stance on the issue of gun control.)

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— McGlasson discouraged by lack of response to meeting request – W.J. Kennedy (DIERSEN: What do the following have to say about this: your Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain, the officers of your Republican township, ward, and/or county party organizations, your representative on the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee, the IRP officers, the IRP National Committeeman, and the IRP National Committeewoman?)
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511740588-mcglasson-discouraged-by-lack-of-response-to-meeting-request
(FROM THE ARTICLE: All that Republican Committeeman John McGlasson says he is likely to get out of his call for a special meeting of the state GOP after the shellacking the party took in November is a chance to speak his mind at the party’s regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 9 in Bolingbrook. If he can make his way onto the agenda. “Never heard back from anyone,” McGlasson, referring to his request for a special meeting, told Prairie State Wire. “I’m completely discouraged. I’ll try to give my viewpoints at the regular party meeting, if I get a chance.” The conservative McGlasson, committeeman from the 16th Congressional District, seconded fellow Committeeman’s Sean Morrison’s call for a special meeting after the embarrassing revelation in mid-December that Bruce Rauner sought someone to take his place on the ballot soon after his near loss to former State Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Republican of Wheaton, in the March primary. Again, he heard nothing. “We should be out looking hard for someone to challenge (U.S. Senator Dick) Durbin in 2020,” he said. “A good, enthusiastic candidate will help other candidates in down-ticket races. Maybe we could take a few of the House seats back. But they seem to be content with the way things are.” McGlasson needs five of the 18 Republican Central Committee members to call a special meeting of the party. He says with Bob Winchester’s legal claim for his Committee spot in the 15th Congressional District still in legal limbo, he doesn’t have them. “It is my opinion that the party needs to return to its roots as expressed in our party platform,” he said. “And we need to search for a leader that will lead us back to the basics of conservatism.” McGlasson said that a move is on to have Ives speak in Bolingbrook, but she told the Prairie State Wire that she has yet to receive an invitation. “I would tell them that they are disorganized and rudderless,” Ives said. “We need a fiscal contract with Illinoisans and a strategy to carry it out.” “We need new leadership,” she added, “after that bloodbath in November, and (the) revelation about Rauner. They (party leaders) can’t claim ignorance about that. He’s been funding the party for years.”)

 

ILLINOIS TIMES
— Anti-Muslim post appears on clerk’s Facebook page Circuit clerk says it was hack job – Bruce Rushton
https://illinoistimes.com/article-20874-anti-muslim-post-appears-on-clerks-facebook-page.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— A Crisis When It Suits Their Purpose – Robert Knight
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2019/01/a-crisis-when-it-suits-their-purpose/

 

TOWNHALL
— Trump Announces a Deal to Reopen the Government – Katie Pavlich
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2019/01/25/breaking-trump-announces-a-deal-to-reopen-the-government-n2540272

 

BREITBART
— NewsGuard’s Advisory Board Has History of Fake News, Unethical Journalism – Charlie Nash
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/01/25/newsguards-advisory-board-has-history-of-fake-news-unethical-journalism/

 

DAILY CALLER
— NEW YORK TO SPEND MILLIONS PUTTING DREAMERS THROUGH COLLEGE – Jason Hopkins
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/25/new-york-college-dreamers/

 

GOPUSA
— Trump flinched … and Pelosi will dig in
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=64041
— Do you ‘have it coming’ if you wear a MAGA hat? (DIERSEN: My Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that “I had it coming” a) because I avoided the draft, b) because I refused to become a Democrat, and c) because I refused to help them get rid of federal employees because they were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran and who had not made GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=64081
— Europe is failing because it’s been hijacked by activists determined to impose a socialist agenda
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63961

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Trump Agrees to Three-Week Spending Bill Without Wall Funding to End Shutdown – JACK CROWE
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/donald-trump-agrees-to-three-week-spending-bill-with-no-wall-funding-to-end-shutdown/

 

THE HILL
— Trump agrees to end shutdown without getting wall funding – JORDAN FABIAN AND BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/427004-trump-agrees-to-end-shutdown
— Senate votes to reopen government after Trump agrees to end shutdown – JORDAIN CARNEY
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/427041-senate-votes-to-reopen-government-after-trump-agrees-to-end-shutdown

 

POLITICO MAGAZINE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Why 2019 Could Be Marijuana’s Biggest Year Yet A green tide in Congress raises hopes that pot could be legal under federal law by year’s end. – JAMES HIGDON
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/21/marijuana-legalization-congress-224031

 

CBS NEWS
— Trump says he’ll sign bill to reopen government for 3 weeks – live updates – GRACE SEGERS
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-deal-reached-trump-speech-announcement-opens-government-shutdown-over-today-live-updates-2019-01-25/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Announces Deal to Reopen Government, in Surprise Retreat From Wall – Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Nicholas Fandos and Peter Baker
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/us/politics/trump-shutdown-deal.html
— ‘We Didn’t Get Ph.D.s Just to Sit Around’: Civil Servants’ Good Will Erodes – Campbell Robertson
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/us/civil-servants-government-work.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— At least 14,000 unpaid IRS workers did not show up for work as broad shutdown disruption hits tax agency, according to House aides – Jeff Stein and Danielle Paquette (DIERSEN: I worked for IRS 1971-1980 and I worked for GAO on audits of IRS 1986-1988.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/25/least-unpaid-irs-workers-did-not-show-up-work-broad-shutdown-disruption-hits-tax-agency-according-house-aides/
— Trump announces deal for government to reopen for three weeks, ending longest shutdown; no money for his border wall – Erica Werner and Mike DeBonis and John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-leaders-continue-to-seek-a-deal-to-end-shutdown-that-will-satisfy-trump/2019/01/25/09c898dc-20ad-11e9-8e21-59a09ff1e2a1_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Trump disapproval swells as president, Republicans face lopsided blame for shutdown.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-majority-of-americans-hold-trump-and-republicans-responsible-for-shutdown/2019/01/25/e7a2e7b8-20b0-11e9-9145-3f74070bbdb9_story.html
— Rep. Wittman, a Virginia Republican, wants to stop members of Congress from flying first class – Jenna Portnoy (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, overwhelmingly, my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates painted themselves and painted all federal employees as being underpaid and as having financial problems. They did not like it at all, and some were furious, when I a) bought a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967, b) bought a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968, c) bought a new 1972 Corvette in 1971, d) bought a new town home in University Park in 1972, e) bought a studio condo in the Outer Drive East building in 1974, f) bought a one bedroom condo in that building in 1976, g) bought a home in Wheaton with my wife in 1978, h) had a home built with my wife in Wheaton in 1984, i) bought a 1962 Chevy Impala SS collector car in 1989, j) bought a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T collector car in 1994, k) paid for tuition and books to earn 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, and l) paid for tuition and books to earn job-related professional certifications when I was 30 and 32.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/rep-wittman-a-virginia-republican-wants-to-stop-members-of-congress-from-flying-first-class/2019/01/24/78b2508e-2013-11e9-8b59-0a28f2191131_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “I don’t think [flying first class] sets the right example,” he said in an interview. “I think members of Congress ought to be held to the same standard as others flying on government business.”)

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-considering-agreeing-to-sign-three-week-spending-bill-as-early-as-friday-11548439078
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-considering-agreeing-to-sign-three-week-spending-bill-as-early-as-friday-11548439078

 

NEWSBUG
— Illinois Republican Party in dire straits – Rich Miller
http://www.newsbug.info/illinois-republican-party-in-dire-straits/article_2590b6ef-c671-5b89-879e-5e09a973dc06.html

 

FED SMITH
— Short-Term Agreement Reached to Re-Open Government – Ralph R. Smith
https://www.fedsmith.com/2019/01/25/short-term-agreement-reached-re-open-government/

January 24 Evening Edition

CNN
— White House preparing draft national emergency order and identified $7 billion for wall – Priscilla Alvarez and Tammy Kupperman
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/24/politics/trump-border-wall-emergency-draft/index.html

 

ABC7
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pritzker signs an executive order that encourages illegals to come to Illinois and to stay in Illinois.
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/pritzker-signs-executive-order-supporting-immigrants-and-refugees/5104912/
— Illinois offers $100 million in loans to federal workers – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/illinois-offers-$100-million-in-loans-to-federal-workers/5105086/
— Longest government shutdowns in history: A look back at other recent federal government shutdowns – Danny Clemens (DIERSEN: I was a GAO employee during the 1995-1996 and 1990 shutdowns.)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/a-look-back-at-other-recent-federal-government-shutdowns/2971149/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The current government shutdown is the longest in American history, surpassing the previous three-week shutdown in late 1995 and early 1996. Before 2019, the federal government experienced more than a dozen shutdowns and funding gaps of varying lengths and with varying impacts. While the federal government went more than a decade without a shutdown in the early 2000s, they happened almost annually during the Carter presidency, and there were six during Reagan’s presidency. In the early 1980s, opinions by then-Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti altered the impact of lawmakers’ failure to pass new spending bills. Prior to that, shutdowns did not always entail an actual stop to government functioning, according to the Associated Press, and they were “simply funding gaps with little real-world effect.” Here’s a look back at shutdowns since 1990:)

 

NBC5
— Chicago Billionaire Buys New York Penthouse for $238M, Setting US Record Griffin is no stranger to multi-million dollar homes – he bought several floors of a Chicago condominium this year for $58.75 million
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Billionaire-Buys-New-York-Penthouse-for-238M-Setting-US-Record-504816251.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cook County prosecutor supports marijuana legalization
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/kim-foxx-supports-marijuana-legalization

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Asylum seekers to wait in Mexico as soon as Friday, officials say – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/asylum-seekers-wait-mexico-policy-change-trump-administration/
— What’s free for Chicago’s federal workers during the shutdown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/chicago-government-shutdown-free-admission-food-federal-workers/
— Senate rejects rival Dem, GOP plans for ending government shutdown – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/senate-rejects-rival-dem-gop-plans-for-reopening-government-shutdown-trump-schumer-mitch-mcconnell/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announces support for legalizing pot, calls for expunging misdemeanor convictions – William Lee
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-states-attorney-kim-foxx-drug-possession-20190124-story.html
— Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin just bought the most expensive U.S. home ever: A $238 million New York penthouse – Randi Stevenson and Bob Goldsborough
https://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/elitestreet/ct-re-elite-street-ken-griffin-nyc-penthouse-most-expensive-home-sale-20190123-story.html
— Elizabeth Warren to propose new ‘wealth tax’ on very rich Americans, economist says – Jeff Stein and Christopher Ingraham (DIERSEN: What about an “immediate pleasures tax?”)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-elizabeth-warren-wealth-tax-20190124-story.html
— Commerce secretary doesn’t understand why unpaid federal workers use food banks – Damian Paletta
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-wilbur-ross-shutdown-food-banks-20190124-story.html

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Former Exelon CEO John Rowe encourages illegals to come to Illinois and to stay in Illinois.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/former-exelon-ceo-john-rowe-wants-us-treat-immigrants-better

 

DAILY HERALD
— R.M. Chin Promotes Beth Tatro to Director — Corporate Development
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20190123/rm-chin-promotes-beth-tatro-to-director-x2013corporate-development
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Video gambling cafes could become neighbors in Wheeling – Chacour Koop
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20190124/video-gambling-cafes-could-become-neighbors-in-wheeling

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pritzker signs an executive order that encourages illegals to come to Illinois and to stay in Illinois.
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190124/gov-pritzker-signs-order-supporting-immigrant-families

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— GOP is serious, if Pritzker is – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019-01-24/editorial-gop-serious-if-pritzker.html


— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/2019-01-24/jim-dey-marijuana-full-steam-ahead-seems-inevitable.html

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois’ federal employees turn to food pantries during government shutdown – Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-federal-employees-turn-to-food-pantries-during-government-shutdown/article_9c798d23-c791-5779-836d-261c7fb9d44d.html

 

STATELINE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pritzker signs an executive order that encourages illegals to come to Illinois and to stay in Illinois.
https://www.mystateline.com/news/illinois-governor-signs-order-supporting-immigrant-families/1723612346

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pritzker signs an executive order that encourages illegals to come to Illinois and to stay in Illinois.
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/illinois-governor-signs-order-supporting-immigrant-families

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Downplayed Shutdown Hardships. Dems Raged – SCOTT HORSLEY
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/commerce-secretary-wilbur-ross-downplayed-shutdown-hardships-dems-raged#stream/0

 

AURORA PATCH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pritzker signs an executive order that encourages illegals to come to Illinois and to stay in Illinois.
https://patch.com/illinois/aurora/pritzker-signs-order-expand-illinois-immigrant-programs

 

PALATINE PATCH
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Video Gambling Proposal Gets Second Chance In Palatine – Erika Hobbs
https://patch.com/illinois/palatine/video-gambling-proposal-gets-second-chance-palatine

 

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
— Underwood & Casten Missing from Freshman-led Letter Urging Pelosi Work To End Government Shutdown
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ilgop/posts/?ref=page_internal

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— CAN PRITZKER KEEP PROMISE TO STOP ILLINOIS GERRYMANDERING? – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/can-pritzker-keep-promise-to-stop-illinois-gerrymandering/

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— GOP chair Schneider holding Pritzker to redistricting promise – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511740621-gop-chair-schneider-holding-pritzker-to-redistricting-promise

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives charges Bray-Parker with bullying – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511739013-ives-charges-bray-parker-with-bullying
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton says Erica Bray-Parker does not deserve to represent that city. “Erica Bray-Parker should not be elected; make sure she isn’t,” Ives told the DuPage Policy Journal of the Glenbard North teacher and Civics Club instructor now running for Wheaton City Council in District 4. “She is unfit to represent business owners and the respectful, hard-working taxpayers of Wheaton. She is a civics teacher who is not civil.” Indeed, Bray-Parker’s campaign has recently been dogged by controversy, with local business owner Jane Shaw telling the DuPage Policy Journal of rumors she heard about Bray-Parker bullying local business owners into taking down the signs of candidates she doesn’t support. The veteran educator is also accused of having manipulated her students into aiding her and her campaign. Ives argues Bray-Parker is all about special interests, warning voters that if she is elected they face additional taxes, being told what to do with their property and some form of censorship. “Churches beware too, as she has opinions, apparently, about which views of Christianity are best,” Ives added. “When your church wants to expand, would she allow a zoning change or block it with her vote?” Finally, Ives charges Bray-Parker is more than willing to run roughshod over “our Constitutional and God-given natural rights,” adding she thinks Bray-Parker has not shown herself to be inclusive in the least. “Fortunately, the business owner at Wheaton Bowl (one of the owners Bray-Parker is accused of trying to strong-arm) refused to be bullied by her,” she added. “Other businesses, I am told, cowered to her demands—which is why everyone should frequent Wheaton Bowl and tell them you appreciate their common sense and decency.” Ives urged voters to take to the polls in April to reject what she called Bray-Parker’s brand of politics. “There are two seats up for Wheaton City Council at-large,” she said. “Running against ((Bray-)Parker are Suzanne Fitch and Ron Almiron. They have my support and will receive my vote.)

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— No Federal Workers Seek General Assistance in Big McHenry County Townships
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/24/no-federal-workers-seek-general-assistance-in-big-mchenry-county-townships/
— Algonquin Township Trustees Rachael Lawrence and Melissa Victor Call Special Meeting for 2 Friday Afternoon to Release Secret Session Info
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/24/algonquin-township-trustees-rachael-lawrence-and-melissa-victor-call-special-meeting-for-2-friday-afternoon/
— McSweeney Moving On Outmigration
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/24/mcsweeney-moving-on-outmigration/
— Don DeWitte Named GOP Spokesman on Senate Transportation, Plus Government Accountability and Pensions Committee
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/24/don-dewitte-named-gop-spokesman-on-senate-transportation-plus-government-accountability-and-pensions-committee/
— Examining Maine Township Surpluses
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/24/examining-maine-townshp-surpluses/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— After foot-dragging by Rauner, Pritzker orders all appropriated dollars spent for immigrant welcoming centers
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/24/after-foot-dragging-by-rauner-pritzker-orders-all-appropriated-dollars-spent-for-immigrant-welcoming-centers/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers want to push pot.
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/24/anti-reefer-madness/

 

FOX NEWS
— Historic number of women aim for Madam President; experts credit #MeToo, recruitment efforts – Elizabeth Llorente (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters shout at women, and at everyone else, that Trump and his supporters are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things. How soon, if not already, will Democrat Presidential candidates promise to get rid of Trump and his supporters once and for all?)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/more-women-than-ever-eyeing-u-s-presidency-experts-cite-metoo-and-decades-of-grooming-female-candidates

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— The New York Times Attacks Us Deplorables, I Fight Back – Richard A Viguerie
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29548

 

DAILY CALLER
— SUPER-RICH COMMERCE SECRETARY QUESTIONS WHY FEDERAL WORKERS WITHOUT PAY NEED FOOD BANKS – Saagar Enjeti
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/24/rich-wilbur-ross-furloughed-federal-workers-food-banks/
— CATHOLICS DEMAND GOVERNOR CUOMO’S EXCOMMUNICATION OVER NY ABORTION LAW – Joshua Gill
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/24/catholics-cuomo-excommunication-abortion/

 

GOPUSA
— Blocking national security invites permanent chaos on the border
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63985
— Fake News Parrots
http://www.gopusa.com/fake-news-parrots/
— Kirsten Gillibrand: White women must bear burden of fighting racism alongside people of color
http://www.gopusa.com/kirsten-gillibrand-white-women-must-bear-burden-of-fighting-racism-alongside-people-of-color/

 

THE HILL
— CNN: White House preparing draft for Trump to declare national emergency – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/426883-white-house-preparing-draft-for-trump-to-declare-a-national-emergency
— Poll: Majority of voters support $15 minimum wage (DIERSEN: What job requirements did you have to meet before you first earned $15/hour in today’s dollars? Job requirements that I had to meet in 1966 included: be a United States citizen, be 18 years old, have a high school diploma, pass an employment test, pass a physical examination, have a driver’s license, pass a truck driving test, pass a background investigation, and have a car to use to make deliveries with.)
https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/426780-poll-a-majority-of-voters-want-a-15-minimum-wage

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Shutdown showdown: Senate votes down two bills to end shutdown after Trump agrees to postpone State of the Union – John Wagner and
Felicia Sonmez
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/shutdown-showdown-senate-prepares-to-vote-on-competing-bills-after-trump-agrees-to-postpone-state-of-the-union-speech/2019/01/24/7b65e314-1fc7-11e9-9145-3f74070bbdb9_story.html
— As it stands, the Democratic 2020 field is by far the most diverse in history – Philip Bump (DIERSEN: Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to not hire, to not retain, to not promote, and to get rid of Republicans, and especially Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/24/it-stands-democratic-field-is-by-far-most-diverse-history/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.S. to Start Returning Some Asylum Seekers to Mexico New Trump border plan to begin in San Diego ‘imminently’
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to-start-sending-some-asylum-seekers-back-to-mexico-11548362672

 

WSPA
— This marijuana marketplace is giving free weed to federal employees during the shutdown
https://www.wspa.com/news/this-marijuana-marketplace-is-giving-free-weed-to-federal-employees-during-the-shutdown/1723579239

 

WORKERS WORLD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to not hire, to not retain, to not promote, and to get rid of Republicans, and especially Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.
https://www.workers.org/2019/01/24/reclaiming-the-radical-legacy-of-martin-luther-king-jr/

January 22 Evening Edition

ABC7
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters promote an “actress and activist” who calls red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat ‘the new white hood.’
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/alyssa-milano-maga-hat-is-the-new-white-hood/5101169/

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, OUTRAGEOUS: Pritzker signs an executive order to promote abortion.
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/pritzker-signs-executive-order-on-womens-reproductive-rights/5101234/

 

CBS2
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: To promote mass/illegal immigration, anti-Trumps glorify and praise federal employees who they had previously demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being lazy, stupid, and grossly overpaid.
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/01/22/illinois-family-autistic-son-government-shutdown-hardship/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— OUTSTANDING: Groups urge Illinois lawmakers not to legalize recreational marijuana – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/groups-urge-illinois-lawmakers-not-to-legalize-recreational-marijuana
— Ocasio-Cortez defends call for 70 percent tax on rich: At what point are we ‘living in excess?’ – Joseph A. Wulfsohn (DIERSEN: Do/did you live in excess? I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who since 1966 have hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I live in excess. Compared to me, they spend far more time and money on immediate pleasures including pets, booze, fancy restaurant meals, fancy clothes, entertainment, vacations, etc. Compared to me, they spent far less time and money on education, real estate, cars, etc.)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-defends-call-for-70-percent-tax-on-rich-at-what-point-are-we-living-in-excess-
— Trump moving ahead to deliver State of the Union speech next week – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/trump-moving-ahead-to-deliver-state-of-the-union-speech-next-week

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker vows ‘most progressive state’ on abortion — GOP sees ‘left wing’ agenda – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pritzker-progressive-abortion-roe-v-wade-hb40-gop-left-wing/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The move prompted one Republican legislator to accuse Pritzker of running a “highly-politicized and left wing administration.” . . . Rauner’s decision to sign the bill angered the state’s conservatives and spawned a primary challenger in former state Rep. Jeanne Ives, who lost by just 4 percentage points. . .State Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, has always opposed HB40. McSweeney said Pritzker has “rubbed HB40 in the face of conservatives by saying he’s actually going to expand it even more.” “My concern is he claims he wants to be bipartisan but he takes on highly inflammatory issues like taxpayer funding of abortions and expansion … and also the implied threat to opposition of the progressive tax,” McSweeney said. “I don’t see much bipartisanship. It looks like a highly politicized and left-wing administration to me.”)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats a) demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans as being Nazis and b) paint illegals as being Jews.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/arthur-jones-border-wall-congress-nazi-trump-immigration/
— Alyssa Milano slammed for ‘MAGA hat is the new white hood’ tweet – USA TODAY
https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/alyssa-milano-tweets-maga-hat-is-new-white-hood-of-klan/
— When liberals can’t bring themselves to denounce the likes of Farrakhan – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/tamika-mallory-louis-farrakhan-womens-march/
— Fate uncertain for Trump’s ‘End The Shutdown and Secure The Border Act’ – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/fate-uncertain-for-trumps-end-the-shutdown-and-secure-the-border-act/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— MAGA-hatted teens, a Native American and the peril of instant judgment – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-video-teen-native-american-racist-covington-20190121-story.html
— Chicago has a mental health crisis. Reopening 6 clinics isn’t enough. – Alexa James
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-mental-health-clinics-reopen-crisis-city-council-0123-20190122-story.html
— As government shutdown enters 5th week, museums, zoos, businesses offer deals for workers – Elvia Malagon (DIERSEN: To promote mass/illegal immigration, “museums, zoos, businesses” glorify and praise federal employees who they had previously demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being lazy, stupid, and grossly overpaid.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-government-shutdown-chicago-free-admissions-20190122-story.html
— Members of Chicago’s trans community have ‘complicated’ reactions to Supreme Court’s revival of military ban – KT Hawbaker
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-trans-military-ban-chicago-activists-20190122-story.html
— Senate set to vote on competing plans to end shutdown, but both expected to fail – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-shutdown-senate-20190122-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
–DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater promotes hatred of Trump.
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20190122/trump-may-prove-not-to-be-benefactor-to-pro-life-movement-he-seems
— DuPage to provide mental health training to teachers, students – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190122/dupage-to-provide-mental-health-training-to-teachers-students

 

HERALD NEWS
— DuPage Township supervisor William Mayer resigns – ALEX ORTIZ
https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/22/dupage-township-supervisor-resigns/aemsjwn/

 

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
— Local firearm rights advocates face new state laws – ROB STROUD & RYAN VOYLES
https://jg-tc.com/news/local/local-firearm-rights-advocates-face-new-state-laws/article_d7c1d3ed-c981-5c15-bc34-b9af87634cff.html

 

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Rauner administration reduced number of state patronage jobs – AP (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted patronage. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.daily-journal.com/news/illinois/rauner-administration-reduced-number-of-state-patronage-jobs/article_3098398c-1e4f-11e9-883c-a7c79bd80b59.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters promote an “actress and activist” who calls red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat ‘the new white hood.’
https://foxillinois.com/news/entertainment/alyssa-milano-calls-red-make-america-great-again-hat-the-new-white-hood
— Despite Pelosi request to delay, Trump moves ahead with SOTU – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-moving-ahead-with-state-of-the-union-speech-next-week

 

POSITIVELY NAPERVILLE
— Meet & Greet the Candidates in the 2019 Consolidated Election
https://www.positivelynaperville.com/2019/01/22/meet-greet-the-candidates-in-the-2019-consolidated-election/95536

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Nybo adds lobbying arm to his law firm – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511726493-nybo-adds-lobbying-arm-to-his-law-firm

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois GOP pushes Pritzker to support change to legislative mapmaking – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-gop-pushes-pritzker-to-support-change-to-legislative-mapmaking/article_5ea3eeee-1e8f-11e9-aae5-27c1acfaed83.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pritzker vows to make Illinois most progressive state for abortion rights – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/pritzker-vows-to-make-illinois-most-progressive-state-for-abortion/article_06654662-1e6f-11e9-b587-5f7fd1a8d83f.html
— With private money, pay for Pritzker top aides eclipses other states – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/with-private-money-pay-for-pritzker-top-aides-eclipses-other/article_0c9fcf64-1e80-11e9-8bb1-5bd52d0b9053.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Stava-Murray says home town has “white supremacist policies” (DIERSEN: 92 comments as of 5:14 PM)
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/22/stava-murray-says-home-town-has-white-supremacist-policies/
— HGOPs unveil independent map commission proposal
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/22/hgops-unveil-independent-map-commission-proposal/
— The high cost of Rauner’s failed war with AFSCME
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/22/the-high-cost-of-rauners-failed-war-with-afscme/
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/22/pritzker-and-raoul-could-take-one-simple-step-to-expand-medical-marijuana/

 

DAILY CALLER
— HERE’S HOW THE WHITE HOUSE IS TRYING TO STOP FUTURE CARAVANS – Saagar Enjeti
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/22/trump-white-house-plan-stop-migrant-caravans-illegal-immigration/

 

GOPUSA
— To Win in 2020, Trump Must Build the Wall
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63757
— Biden: Trump brought ‘folks out from under the rocks,’ ‘legitimized’ hate
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63849
— Lady Gaga defines Christianity as — Not Mike Pence
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63831
— House Democrat called for banning MAGA hats for teens; now claims it was a joke
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63818
— Supreme court lets military implement transgender restrictions
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63860

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— The New York Times Attacks Us Deplorables, I Fight Back: Part 1 of 3 – Richard A Viguerie
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29530

 

HOT AIR
— Are You Ready For The *Democratic* Mega-Billionaire Populists Of 2020? – ED MORRISSEY
https://hotair.com/archives/2019/01/21/ready-democratic-mega-billionaire-populists-2020/

 

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— The Culture War Over Our Fiscal Crisis Underlying our political battles is another division: those who risk losing public money and those who must pay for it. – LEWIS M. ANDREWS
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-culture-war-over-our-fiscal-crisis/

 

THE HILL
— Supreme Court allows transgender military ban to be enforced – LYDIA WHEELER
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/426377-supreme-court-allows-transgender-military-ban-to-be-enforced
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Odds of border agents being corrupted grow as shutdown continues.”
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/426388-odds-of-corrupted-border-agents-grow-as-shutdown-continues

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— Passenger Confronts GOP Congressman Rodney Davis Over Flying First Class During Shutdown “Do you think it’s appropriate?” he asked the lawmaker. “Taking that as a yes.” – Akbar Shahid Ahmed
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rodney-davis-flying-first-class-ggovernment-shutdown_us_5c477fe1e4b083c46d634be8
(FROM THE ARTICLE: With President Donald Trump and the GOP prolonging the partial government shutdown, a Republican lawmaker had an uncomfortable run-in Tuesday when a fellow airplane passenger found him flying first class from Chicago to Washington, D.C., according to a video of the encounter shared with HuffPost. “Congressman, do you think it’s appropriate to fly first class while 57 TSA agents aren’t being paid?” the person says to Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), in an apparent reference to the Transportation Security Administration’s 57,000 employees, who are being required to work without pay. A tipster who asked to remain anonymous shared the video with HuffPost, which hasn’t been able to identify the person who approached Davis. Davis remained silent, prompting the person to say, “Taking that as a yes.” “Taxpayers paid for this flight? Fair enough,” he added. Members of Congress can have the government pay for regular flights to and from their home jurisdictions, as maintaining constituency contact is part of their job. Unlike the paychecks of TSA workers, as well as those of hundreds of thousands of other federal government workers affected by the shutdown, those paid flights do not go away during a government shutdown. Davis did not use his taxpayer-provided budget to purchase a first-class ticket and has never done so, his spokeswoman Ashley Phelps told HuffPost in an email. His office bought a regular coach ticket, but he was upgraded automatically because of his frequent flyer status, she added. “There was no additional cost to taxpayers.” Accepting the upgrade is not a violation of anti-corruption rules because it’s something available to any person who accrues a certain number of miles and wasn’t offered exclusively to Davis because of his position as an elected representative, an ethics officer in the House, who asked to speak on background since the episode is not under any official investigation, told HuffPost. All the same, for someone with power over people’s paychecks to enjoy a luxe experience amid mass economic disruption makes for a jarring sight. A photograph of Davis in the first class section of the plane made it into Politico’s Playbook PM newsletter on Tuesday. Most of the GOP has stood with President Donald Trump during the shutdown, arguing that he’s right to reject deals to reopen the government until he gets the funding he wants for his promised wall on the border with Mexico. Davis has frequently supported the party on the issue, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, and praised Trump’s approach. But the congressman recently sided with Democrats on bills to reopen some agencies ― a nod, perhaps, to his political vulnerability, given his tight re-election in the 2018 midterms.)

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Senate Leaders Reach Deal That Offers Possible Path to Reopen Government – Sheryl Gay Stolberg
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/us/politics/government-shutdown-senate.html
— Supreme Court Revives Transgender Ban for Military Service – Adam Liptak
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/us/politics/transgender-ban-military-supreme-court.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump administration asks Supreme Court to quickly take up census citizenship question – Robert Barnes
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/trump-administration-asks-supreme-court-to-quickly-take-up-census-citizenship-question/2019/01/22/93734014-1e73-11e9-8e21-59a09ff1e2a1_story.html
— DACA program that protects young undocumented immigrants not likely to get Supreme Court review this term – Robert Barnes
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/daca-program-that-protects-young-undocumented-immigrants-not-likely-to-get-supreme-court-review-this-term/2019/01/22/dd3ac11a-1db3-11e9-8e21-59a09ff1e2a1_story.html
— Supreme Court allows Trump restrictions on transgender troops in military to go into effect as legal battle continues – Robert Barnes and Dan Lamothe
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-allows-trump-restrictions-on-transgender-troops-in-military-to-go-into-effect-as-legal-battle-continues/2019/01/22/e68a7284-1763-11e9-88fe-f9f77a3bcb6c_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say: Trump shut down the government over his wall. It’s jeopardizing his other priorities.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/22/trump-shut-down-government-over-his-wall-its-jeopardizing-his-other-priorities/

 

USA TODAY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: To promote mass/illegal immigration, “Banks, phone companies, nonprofits” glorify and praise federal employees who they had previously demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being lazy, stupid, and grossly overpaid.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/22/government-shutdown-2019-creditors-roll-out-help-federal-workers/2642924002/

January 17 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Pritzker signs gun dealer licensing bill into law – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/governor-jb-pritzker-signs-gun-dealer-licensing-bill-into-law/5092894/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Supporters of the bill say federal regulators are stretched too thin, but opponents say the new licensing is expensive, and could force small dealers out of business. The Illinois Rifle Association released a statement Thursday saying, “The state licenses for gun dealers measure was passed in the previous General Assembly but was never sent to Governor Rauner because 2nd Amendment rights opponents knew he would veto it. Political gamesmanship like this is just a typical day in Illinois politics. The Illinois State Rifle Association is deeply disappointed in the action taken today, but is certainly not surprised. The federal government already licenses gun dealers. There is no need to add yet another layer of bureaucracy on gun dealers. The only thing this measure is going to do is make it cost more money for gun dealers to do business in Illinois, which is going to hurt the smaller dealers. The action taken today is another assault on our 2nd Amendment rights. Nothing in this bill is going to enhance public safety in Illinois. The only thing that is being accomplished here is the creation of a bureaucratic nightmare for gun dealers. Rest assured, we will be challenging this new law in court.”)
— Smoking in car with kids could carry $1,000 fine in Indiana soon (DIERSEN: What about smoking pot in a car with kids?)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/$1000-fine-proposed-for-smoking-with-kids-in-car/5093429/

 

NBC5
— Pritzker Orders Worker-Training Investment Review (DIERSEN: How much of your time and your money have you invested in job-related education? I invested lots of my time and my money earning 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.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/pritzker-orders-worker-training-investment-review-504478272.html

 

CBS2
— Governor JB Pritzker Signs Gun Dealer Licensing Law – Mike Puccinelli
Governor JB Pritzker Signs Gun Dealer Licensing Law
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Supporters have called it commonsense legislation, but opponents have said it’s classic government overreach. Gun rights advocates said the measure would run small dealers out of business due to the cost of the new regulations.)

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Pritzker signs bill allowing Illinois to license gun dealers – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/new-gov-pritzker-signs-oft-rejected-gun-dealer-licensing
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The law affects about 2,400 firearms dealers and its provisions take effect in six months. Each must show it is licensed with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and purchase a five-year state permit — $1,500 for retail shops and $300 for independent dealers. Each must install videotaping in retail sections of the store, maintain an electronic inventory and require annual employee training in spotting so-called straw purchases. The Illinois State Rifle Association promised a lawsuit challenging the plan. “The federal government already licenses gun dealers. There is no need to add yet another layer of bureaucracy on gun dealers,” executive director Richard Pearson said in a statement. “The only thing this measure is going to do is make it cost more money for gun dealers to do business in Illinois, which is going to hurt the smaller dealers. “The action taken today is another assault on our 2nd Amendment rights.” Pritzker, who already this week reversed course on GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner’s policies toward labor with pro-union action, said gun-rights organizations are “just wrong” in their criticism of the licensing bill. He added, “I’m going to continue to make sure that we’re standing up to the voices like the Illinois State Rifle Association and the National Rifle Association to protect our families and our children.”)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs law requiring state licensing of Illinois gun dealers; rifle association threatens lawsuit – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-signs-gun-legislation-20190117-story.html
— DuPage County fentanyl deaths up 76% in 2018, total opioid-related deaths up 3%, coroner says – Erin Hegarty
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-dupage-county-opioid-deaths-2018-st-0118-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Anti-abortion activist Matthew Wiersema, 26, of Wheaton, says Melrose Park cop chastised and left him in Maywood – Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/anti-abortion-activist-says-melrose-park-cop-chastised-dropped-off-maywood/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Wiersema told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday that he was handcuffed, put in a police car and driven to nearby Maywood, where police released him but kept his camera. “This isn’t an arrest, so shut up with your bull—- and go show this garbage to somebody in f—— Wheaton,” a voice can be heard saying on Wiersema’s video. Hours later, Wiersema returned to the Melrose Park police station to file a complaint and retrieve his camera. He later posted the video online.)
— Pritzker signs ‘long overdue’ gun dealer licensing bill, vows ‘more work to do’ – Tina Sfondeles (DIERSEN: ‘More work to do’ is code for abolishing the Second Amendment and confiscating all firearms from non-Democrats.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pritzker-signs-gun-dealer-licensing-measure/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Illinois State Rifle Association said in a statement that the law will hurt small dealers by making them pay more. And they called it “another assault on our 2nd Amendment rights.” “Nothing in this bill is going to enhance public safety in Illinois,” the group said in a statement. “The only thing that is being accomplished here is the creation of a bureaucratic nightmare for gun dealers. Rest assured, we will be challenging this new law in court.”)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater asks “Two years in: Is American great again yet?”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/steinberg-trump-administration-two-year-anniversary-reelection/
— The dubious attack of psychologists on ‘traditional masculinity’ – Gene Lyons
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/the-dubious-attack-of-psychologists-on-traditional-masculinity/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Construction to begin on long-awaited Jefferson center in District 200 – Katlyn Smith
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190117/construction-to-begin-on-long-awaited-jefferson-center-in-district-200

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Kinzinger is right to call out shutdown stupidity – Editorial
https://www.nwherald.com/2019/01/16/our-view-kinzinger-is-right-to-call-out-shutdown-stupidity/ar2egxb/
— The future of the Republican Party in Illinois – David McSweeney
https://www.nwherald.com/2019/01/16/our-view-the-future-of-the-republican-party-in-illinois/axhgeni/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Gov. Pritzker signs gun dealer certification bill – AP
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190117/gov-pritzker-signs-gun-dealer-certification-bill

 

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— People, not politicians, should hold power – Scott Reeder
https://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/columnists/scott-reeder-people-not-politicians-should-hold-power/article_5d788294-1905-11e9-9def-7b5c477e2714.html

 

TIMES
— Sen. Sue Rezin named to Republican leadership team
https://www.mywebtimes.com/2019/01/17/sen-sue-rezin-named-to-republican-leadership-team/ab67o9t/

 

  1. LOUIS BUSINESS JOURNAL
    — DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
    https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2019/01/17/medical-marijuana-meet-seven-st-louis-players.html

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Party bosses, pols pick Illinois leaders – SCOTT REEDER
https://qconline.com/opinion/columnists/party-bosses-pols-pick-illinios-leaders/article_6009b7ee-bc54-5038-8bf0-1e7718435809.html

 

WSPY
— Local Legislators Appointed to House, Senate Leadership Roles
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/local-legislators-appointed-to-house-senate-leadership-roles/article_1541c458-1a5f-11e9-8da8-87e29b771b8b.html

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Cohen acknowledges rigging polls for Trump in 2014 and 2015 – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/cohen-acknowledges-rigging-polls-for-trump-in-2014-and-2015
— 2020 Democrats face a choice: Fight Trump or ignore him? – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/connect-to-congress/2020-democrats-face-a-choice-fight-trump-or-ignore-him

 

NAPERVILLE COMMUNITY TELEVISION
— DuPage County Election Commission Dissolves
https://www.nctv17.com/news/dupage-county-election-commission-dissolves/

 

CHICAGO CRUSADER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Face it America, racism is the trump card of the current presidency.” Typically, Trump-haters also hate individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://chicagocrusader.com/face-it-america-racism-is-the-trump-card-of-the-current-presidency/

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives weighs in on DuPage Township corruption scandal – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511723648-ives-weighs-in-on-dupage-corruption-scandal
— Ives blasts Rauner for last-minute veto – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511723012-ives-blasts-rauner-for-last-minute-veto

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Benford hopes Mayer’s departure heralds new era for DuPage Township – Glenn Minnis
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511723695-benford-hopes-mayer-s-departure-heralds-new-era-for-dupage-township

 

ILLINOIS OPPORTUNITY PROJECT
— What We Want to See from Governor J.B. Pritzker
https://illinoisopportunity.org/what-we-want-to-see-from-governor-j-b-pritzker/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois congressman Rodney Davis wants site of Springfield Race Riot to be a National Historic Monument (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout that members of the following groups benefitted from their parents’, their grandparents’, their great grandparents’, and the rest of their ancestors’ discrimination against minorities and against women and therefore should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/illinois-congressman-wants-site-of-springfield-race-riot-to-be/article_0e367af8-1a75-11e9-bc69-1308c9169d6f.html
— Illinois’ gubernatorial race sets national spending record – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-gubernatorial-race-sets-national-spending-record/article_81122c72-1a91-11e9-8ce1-438f59ef61ef.html
— Gun advocates eye court challenge after Pritzker signs gun dealer licensing bill – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/gun-advocates-eye-court-challenge-after-pritzker-signs-gun-dealer/article_824a835e-1a7e-11e9-a31b-9f9391dc7aca.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner deletes his account
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/17/rauner-deletes-his-account/
— McSweeney’s path forward for the GOP
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/17/mcsweeneys-path-forward-for-the-gop/
— Edgar out front on horsemen gaming push
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/17/edgar-out-front-on-horsemen-gaming-push/

 

FOX NEWS RADIO
— Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL): Senator Rand Paul Is A Very Weak Person Wanting To Retreat From The Middle East
https://radio.foxnews.com/2019/01/17/congressman-adam-kinzinger-r-il-senator-rand-paul-is-a-very-weak-person-wanting-to-retreat-from-the-middle-east/

 

BREITBART
— New York Times Op-Ed Urges Open Borders: ‘Let Them In’ – Neil Munro
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/01/17/new-york-times-op-ed-urges-open-borders-let-them-in/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Federal employees need to prepare for the next government shutdown – Ryan Ellis
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/federal-employees-need-to-prepare-for-the-next-government-shutdown

 

CNS NEWS
— GOP Congressman Introduces Bill to Prevent Government Shutdowns – Melanie Arter
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-arter/gop-congressman-introduces-bill-prevent-government-shutdowns
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The bill was also sponsored by Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and Fred Upton (R-Mich.).)

 

EAGLE FORUM
— Feminism Destroys Lives (DIERSEN: What do you say to men who pander to feminists? I should write a book about men in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who pander to feminists.)
https://eagleforum.org/publications/efr/jan19.html

 

GOPUSA
— NAACP, Maxine Waters and Ocasio-Cortez go after CBS for lack of black reporters; CBS caved (DIERSEN: How has EEOC impacted you? What did you want when you were young? I wanted a successful career in the automotive industry. EEOC ended all that in 1971 when I was 22 when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. That made me unemployed because Firestone had fired me for accepting that offer. I had to get a job fast because I had a financial hardship draft deferment to help support my mother and brother. Because of the aforesaid, I accepted a job offer from IRS.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63488
— Ed Case, Hawaii Democrat, claims he’s ‘an Asian trapped in a white body’ (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Whites act like they are minorities trapped in White bodies, men act like they are females trapped in male bodies, older people like they are younger people trapped in older people bodies, German Americans act like they are non-German Americans trapped in German American bodies, and Whites act like they are Democrats trapped in Republican bodies. Ever-increasingly, in America, it is unpopular to be White, male, older, German American, and Republican.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63588
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, bringing ‘gangster’ to government
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63457
— Harry Reid hits Ocasio-Cortez’s 70% tax hike, warns Democrats not to push ‘radical change’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63510

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Marines Hoist White Flag To Social Justice Warriors
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29502

 

THE HILL
— Trump fires back at Pelosi, cancels her foreign travel – JORDAN FABIAN
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425887-trump-fires-back-at-pelosi-cancels-her-foreign-travel

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Only an anti-American would say “There’s Nothing Wrong With Open Borders.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/opinion/open-borders-immigration.html
— As Shutdown Drags On, Some Step Up to Help Unpaid Federal Workers – Glenn Thrush, Julie Bosman and Kirk Johnson
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/us/politics/government-shutdown-security-net-.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Back pay approved for furloughed federal employees once shutdown ends – Eric Yoder
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/17/back-pay-approved-furloughed-federal-employees-once-shutdown-ends/?utm_term=.0c4e4b568d32
— The abortion issue is more polarized than ever, leading some to view March for Life as a Republican rally – Julie Zauzmer (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois a) who reject the right to life plank in the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform and b) who have worked the hardest to destroy those like me who support that plank.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/01/17/abortion-issue-is-more-polarized-than-ever-leading-some-view-march-life-republican-rally/

 

CAMPUS SAFETY
— GAO Report: Gov’t Must Do More to Combat Hunger on College Campuses A new report from the GAO found in 2016, two million college students who qualified for food assistance did not receive the benefits. – Amy Rock (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents provided me with room and board in their home in Crete while I attended UIC 1966-1968, weekends during my first semester at NIU in 1969, and the summer of 1969.)
https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/university/gao-hunger-on-college-campuses/

 

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Bills to protect federal employees, interns from sexual harassment pass House – Eric White
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-newscast/2019/01/bills-to-protect-federal-employees-and-interns-from-sexual-harassment-pass-house/

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Federal Employees Rally to Highlight the Work They’re Not Doing During the Shutdown – Eric Katz
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2019/01/federal-employees-rally-highlight-work-theyre-not-doing-during-shutdown/154258/

 

INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
— Government Shutdown: Pampered Federal Workers Don’t Deserve Anyone’s Pity – Editorial (DIERSEN: Should I write a book about those who have demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me the most since 1966 when I was 18 years old a) for my being a federal employee for almost 30 years and b) for my being a federal retiree for more than 21 years?)
https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/federal-workers-government-shutdown/

(FROM THE EDITORIAL: The worst thing about the government shutdown isn’t the — minimal — harm it’s causing. It’s all the misplaced hand-wringing about federal workers, most of whom are overpaid and underworked, and all whom will get their back pay once government reopens. As the shutdown goes on, news accounts of the alleged suffering of federal workers mount. They’re lining up at food banks! They’re forced to take odd jobs, or rent rooms out on Airbnb! They need help! This week, Kraft Foods announced that it was opening a “pop-up” store in Washington, D.C. to provide free food to federal workers so that none of them “have to worry about putting dinner on the table because they aren’t receiving a paycheck.” Whole Foods hosted a free spaghetti dinner at select stores. Other companies are chipping in. Keep in mind that the 800,000 federal workers affected by the shutdown have so far missed a grand total of one paycheck, which would have arrived five days ago. There’s no doubt that this is challenging for many workers, particularly those who don’t budget their money well. But Congress has already guaranteed they will be made whole once the shutdown ends. This is an inconvenience, not a hardship. In the meantime, let’s remember who we are talking about here. While there are certainly plenty of hardworking, dedicated federal workers, they are, for the most part, incredibly pampered. They get better pay and more generous benefits than private sector workers doing the same things. They work fewer hours. And they have far greater job security. Better Pay and Benefits An analysis of federal pay by the Congressional Budget Office found that when you combine pay and benefits, federal workers make as much as 52% more than their private sector counterparts, depending on their education level. It also found that this gap has widened in recent years, because even when the economy was in a recession, federal workers kept getting annual pay hikes. A more recent analysis by the Cato Institute found that federal employees make 76% more than private sector workers. Using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Cato report found that the average federal employee pulls down $123,160 a year in pay and benefits, compared with $69,901 in the private sector. It also found that this gap had increased since the 1990s, when it was 39%. They also get generous amounts of paid time off, including nearly two weeks of paid sick leave, 10 federal holidays and at least two weeks paid vacation. Less Productive Not only do federal workers make more, they work less than those in the private sector. A Heritage Foundation analysis found that federal employees put in an average 38.7 hours a week, compared with 41.4 in the private sector. Other reports show that government workers are 38% more likely to take time off work for illness or personal reasons, and miss 50% more hours than private sector workers. Here’s one case in point. After the Obama administration eliminated the International Labor Comparisons office, which employed 16 economists, the private sector Conference Board took on the work. But instead of 16 workers, the Conference Board needed only three to do the work. Project Veritas recently produced a series of undercover videos, in which federal workers bragged about how little they work, or how much time they spend at work on outside projects. Is it any surprise that the quit rate among federal workers is one-quarter the quit rate in the private sector? Unmatched Job Security What’s more, it is almost impossible to fire a federal worker. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the rate of layoffs and discharges among federal workers is one sixth the rate of the private sector. A Government Accountability audit found that it can take between five months to more than a year to fire a poor performing worker. Another GAO audit found that managers routinely hand out top performance ratings to federal workers. In fact, 99.5% got a “fully successful” rating or above. More than a third earned the highest rating of “outstanding.” At the other end of the spectrum, just 0.4% of federal workers got “minimally successful” and 0.1% “unacceptable” ratings. Worse still, federal workers who do cause serious problems at work often get put on paid administrative leave as punishment. Yet another GAO audit found that the government spent more than $3 billion in just two years for what amounted to paid vacations. Hundreds of federal workers had received a year or more of paid administrative leave. One Quarter Are ‘Non-Essential’ As we noted in this space earlier, government agencies affected by the shutdown furloughed about 400,000 workers. (The other 400,000 “essential workers” are at their jobs, but not currently getting paychecks.) Excluding the military (which is unaffected by the shutdown) and the Postal Service (which is self-financed), that means 25% of the total federal work force of just over 3 million is “nonessential.” At several agencies, the vast majority of workers are “nonessential.” Here’s a sampling compiled by Government Executive of the share of workers furloughed during the shutdown. NASA: 95.4% Housing and Urban Development: 95.4% Securities and Exchange Commission: 93.5% Commerce Department: 86% Federal Trade Commission 76.7% Department of the Interior: 76% Department of Agriculture: 66.5%. Collectively, just this sampling of government agencies spent more than $244 billion of taxpayer money last year. If nothing else, the shutdown has highlighted how bloated the federal workforce has become. Many Threatened To Quit Anyway Lastly, more than a quarter of the federal workforce threatened to quit if President Donald Trump got elected. A survey of federal employees by the Government Business Council and GovExec.com found that 14% said they would “definitely” consider quitting their jobs and another 13% said they might consider it. Just 65% said they’d stay on at their jobs no matter who wins. The shutdown provides these workers a perfect opportunity to live up to their promise. And the booming labor market means that there are plenty of jobs in the private sector. (Of course, that would mean giving up their cushy federal jobs.) The government will eventually reopen. All of these workers will be back on the job. And they’ll all get paid for the days they stayed home. So please, spare us the crocodile tears.)

January 16 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Government Shutdown 2019: Nancy Pelosi asks Donald Trump to postpone State of the Union – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/pelosi-asks-trump-to-postpone-state-of-the-union-due-to-government-shutdown/5088792/
— Celebrity chef Jose Andres opens pop-up kitchen to feed furloughed government employees in Washington – Danny Clemens (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn past, present, and future federal employees and federal retirees as being lazy, stupid, grossly overpaid, and even worse things. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 21 years.)
https://abc7chicago.com/society/celebrity-chef-opens-emergency-kitchen-to-feed-furloughed-gov-employees/5090919/
— Karen Pence teaching art at school that bans gay students, parents – CNN (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries ban those who do not promote LGBTQ activity.)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/karen-pence-teaching-art-at-school-that-bans-gay-students-parents/5090266/

 

NBC5
— Chicago Announces Dates, Sites for Early Voting Super Site voting is expected to begin Jan. 28, and early voting sites in all 50 wards will open Feb. 11
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-early-voting-mayoral-sites-504451662.html

 

CBS2
— Chicago Politicians Spending Thousands On Campaign Meals – Derrick Blakley
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/01/16/chicago-campaign-meals/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— President Trump signs bill giving federal workers back pay – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/president-trump-signs-bill-giving-federal-workers-back-pay
— Speaker Nancy Pelosi asks Trump to reschedule State of the Union address until after the government – CATHERINE LUCEY, JILL COLVIN LISA MASCARO
http://www.fox32chicago.com/facebook-instant/speaker-nancy-pelosi-asks-trump-to-reschedule-state-of-the-union-address-until-after-the-government-1
— Fake Washington Post paper editions being circulated in DC
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/fake-washington-post-paper-editions-being-circulated-in-dc

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— OUTRAGEOUS: Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign bill to require state licensing of Illinois gun dealers on Thursday – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-gun-dealer-licensing-20190116-story.html
— Almost 1,200 immigration hearings in Chicago canceled because of government shutdown; backlogs expected to grow – Elvia Malagon
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-immigration-court-government-shutdown-20190115-story.html
— Noise, garbage, dog poop: 10 Chicago neighborhoods with the most complaints
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-chicagos-annoying-neighbors-20190107-photogallery.html
— Speaking with Tribune Editorial Board, five more Chicago mayoral candidates offer few specifics for looming budget woes
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chicago-mayors-race-editorial-board-meeting-20190116-story.html
— From commuter tax to city lottery, Chicago mayoral candidates disagree on ways to address city budget woes – John Byrne
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chicago-mayors-race-editorial-board-meeting-20190116-story.html
— Mayoral forum, Part 2: Taming Chicago’s pension beast – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-mayor-chicago-forum-brown-fioretti-kozlar-mendoza-vallas-20190116-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats make it clear that they want to abolish the Second Amendment.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-concealed-carry-gun-self-defense-risks-20190114-story.html
— Link: Despite ‘hypocritical’ Rauner veto, township road district consolidation bid is not dead – Jim Newton
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-link-road-district-veto-st-0117-story.html
— William Brauer, DuPage Forest Preserve worker, park district board member, dies – Bob Goldsborough
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/obituaries/ct-met-william-brauer-obituary-20190116-story.html
— VERY SAD: Standing up by sitting down for anthem a mantra of Crete-Monee’s Marsha Howard at Wisconsin – Tony Baranek
Daily Southtown
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/sports/ct-sta-spt-tony-baranek-column-st-0117-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: During this season and last, Howard has elected not to stand for the national anthem in a protest against gun violence and oppression of minorities. She took her inspiration from former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Early voting expected to begin Jan. 28 – Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-mayoral-election-early-voting/
— The bad bet: How Illinois bet on video gambling and lost – Jason Grotto and Sandhya Kambhampati, and Dan Mihalopoulos
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/legalized-video-gambling-illinois-bad-bet-poker-slot-gaming-machines-propublica-wbez/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Kane County felonies up slightly while juvenile crime jumps 19 percent – Harry Hitzeman
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190116/kane-county-felonies-up-slightly-while-juvenile-crime-jumps-19-percent
— Federal workers take on odd jobs to make ends meet – MICHELLE R. SMITH (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn past, present, and future federal employees and federal retirees as being lazy, stupid, grossly overpaid, and even worse things. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 21 years.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20190116/news/301169921/

 

WTTW
— Jennifer Pritzker: GOP’s Policies ‘Marginalize Me Out of Existence’ – Alexandra Silets (DIERSEN: In your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, who takes the lead in marginalizing members of the following groups out of existence: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, federal employees, federal retirees, past, present, and future union members, those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time, American-nameplate vehicle owners, etc.?)
https://news.wttw.com/2019/01/16/jennifer-pritzker-gop-s-policies-marginalize-me-out-existence

 

ROCHELLE NEWS LEADER
— Politicians hold voters in contempt – Scott Reeder (DIERSEN: Who holds you in contempt? I should write a book about those who hold me in contempt.)
https://rochellenews-leader.com/article/opinion-politicians-hold-voters-in-contempt

 

MADISON RECORD
— Pritzker gives $100 million in pay raises to some of the nation’s highest paid state workers – Adam Schuster
https://madisonrecord.com/stories/511722911-pritzker-gives-100-million-in-pay-raises-to-some-of-the-nation-s-highest-paid-state-workers

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Rep. Rodney Davis joins House’s rebuke of Rep. Steve King’s ‘white nationalist’ remark From the Read our ‘Herald & Review Politics’ column series – RYAN VOYLES
https://herald-review.com/news/local/rep-rodney-davis-joins-house-s-rebuke-of-rep-steve/article_15eadce0-9ca9-569b-9f64-8f01c8d81ff9.html

 

PAXTON RECORD
— Barickman appointed to Senate leadership role
http://www.paxtonrecord.net/news/2019-01-16/barickman-appointed-senate-leadership-role.html

 

WLDS
— Davidsmeyer named Assistant Republican Leader in Illinois House – Blake Schnitker
http://wlds.com/news/davidsmeyer-named-assistant-republican-leader-in-illinois-house/

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Rep. Bourne announces new role in Illinois House Republican Caucus
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/rep-bourne-announces-new-role-in-illinois-house-republican-caucus
— Rep. Davis encourages Republicans, Democrats to listen to Trump’s proposals
https://foxillinois.com/news/connect-to-congress/rep-davis-encourages-republicans-democrats-to-listen-to-trumps-proposals
— President Trump gives tons of access to reporters – MICHELLE MACALUSO
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/president-trump-gives-tons-of-access-to-reporters

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— For Seventh Consecutive Year Visa Overstays Exceeded Illegal Border Crossings – RICHARD GONZALES
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/seventh-consecutive-year-visa-overstays-exceeded-illegal-border-crossings#stream/0

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BOLG
— Furloughed Federal Employees and Others Can Get Free Food Friday in Crystal Lake
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/16/furloughed-federal-employees-and-others-can-get-free-food-friday-in-crystal-lake/


— Judge Thomas Meyer Orders $55,000 Taken from Algonquin Township Road District Bank Account to Satisfy Illinois Leaks’ Freedom of Information Suit Win
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/16/judge-thomas-meyer-orders-55000-taken-from-algonquin-township-road-district-to-satisfy-illinois-leaks-freedom-of-information-suit-win/
— Chuck Wheeler Reminds County Board Members That They Are in Charge
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/16/chuck-wheeler-reminds-county-board-members-that-they-are-in-charge/
— Critiquing Jack Franks’ State of the County Speech
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/16/critiquing-jack-franks-state-of-the-county-speech/
— Woodstock Resident Says Tirio Suit “Wasting Everyone’s Time”
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/16/woodstock-resident-says-tirio-suit-wasting-everyones-time/
— Illinois Leaks Merits Attack by Northwest Herald Editor
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/15/illinois-leaks-merits-attack-by-northwest-herald-editor/
— NWH Reports Algonquin Township Supervisor Sued in Role of Road District Treasurer by Road District
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/15/nwh-reports-algonquin-township-supervisor-sued-in-role-of-road-district-treasurer/
— McSweeney Re-Introduces Township Abolition by Referendum Bill for McHenry County
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/15/mcsweeney-re-introduces-township-abolition-by-referendum-bill-for-mchenry-township/
— State Rep. Steve Rieck’s Take on Rauner’s Killing of Opportunity to Abolish Township by Referendum
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/14/state-rep-steve-riecks-take-on-rauners-killing-of-opportunity-to-abolish-township-by-referendum/

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives: former Rep. David Harris “will get along well with Gov. Pritzker” as director of revenue – Kyla Asbury
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511721024-ives-former-rep-david-harris-will-get-along-well-with-gov-pritzker-as-director-of-revenue

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— “Until It Affects You” This episode Spotlights the marijuana debate, specifically in Illinois. Dr. Karen Randall joins Monte Larrick and David Smith to discuss the problems that Colorado is experiencing resulting from commercializing marijuana.
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/podcast/illinois-family-spotlight-129/
— District U-46 Attorney Affirms Right of Men Who Pretend to Be Women to Supervise Girls’ Locker Rooms – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2019/01/district-u-46-attorney-affirms-right-of-men-who-pretend-to-be-women-to-supervise-girls-locker-rooms/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— COMP MENDOZA PRAISES STATE WORKER RAISES; ANNOUNCES $8.2 B IN UNPAID BILLS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/comp-mendoza-praises-state-worker-raises-announces-82-b-in-unpaid-bills.html
— CHICAGO MARCH FOR LIFE SETS NEW RECORD IN 2019
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/chicago-march-for-life-sets-new-record-in-2019.html
— REPUBLICANS KINZINGER, DAVIS RESPOND TO “STUPID” ONGOING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/republicans-kinzinger-davis-respond-to-stupid-ongoing-government-shutdown.html
— ILLINOIS COLLEGE INVITES STUDENTS TO ‘GET A LESSON IN SOCIAL JUSTICE’ BY PLAYING MONOPOLY
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/-illinois-college-invites-students-to-get-a-lesson-in-social-justice-by-playing-monopoly.html
— BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION SPOTS JESSE WHITE’S $11.5M TAXPAYER-FUNDED TUMBLE
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/better-government-association-spots-jesse-whites-115m-taxpayer-funded-tumble-.html

 

FOX NEWS
— Church helps feed government workers during shutdown: ‘When our community hurts, we hurt’ – Caleb Parke (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn past, present, and future federal employees and federal retirees as being lazy, stupid, grossly overpaid, and even worse things. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 21 years.)
https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/church-helps-feed-government-workers-during-shutdown-when-our-community-hurts-we-hurt

 

TOWNHALL
— Secret Service Fact Checks Nancy Pelosi: We Are Fully Prepared and Able to Handle Trump’s State of the Union Address – Katie Pavlich
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2019/01/16/secret-service-we-are-fully-prepared-and-able-to-handle-trumps-state-of-the-union-address-n2539156

 

BREITBART
— ‘THE SMOKING GUN’: Google Manipulated YouTube Search Results for Abortion, Maxine Waters, David Hogg – Allum Bokhari
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/01/16/google-youtube-search-blacklist-smoking-gun/
— LEAK: ‘Huge Teams’ Engaged in Manual Interventions on Google Search Results – Allum Bokhari
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/01/16/leak-huge-teams-engaged-in-manual-interventions-on-google-search-results/

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— How Responsible Is Trump for the Bad Advice He’s Getting? – JIM GERAGHTY (DIERSEN: What are political consultants advising candidates to do? In Illinois, “Republican” political consultants who are really Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, or RINOs want Republicans to lose. What are they advising Republican candidates to do? From what I hear/see, they are advising Republican candidates to: — Demonize, denigrate, and condemn Trump, but if not that, distance yourself from Trump, — Distance yourself from Trump supporters, the Republican Party, the Illinois Republican Party (IRP), your Republican county party organization, your Republican township/ward party organization, your Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain, and Dave Diersen and his GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, — Do not promise to defend or advance the traditional family plank in the IRP platform, — Do not promise to defend or advance the right to life plank in the IRP platform, — Do not promise to defend or advance the immigration plank in the IRP platform, — Do not promise to defend or advance the Second Amendment plank in the IRP platform, — Do not promise to defend or advance the illegal drugs plank in the Republican Party platform, — Do not promise to defend or advance the equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) plank in the Republican Party platform, — Do not promise to oppose the promotion of LGBTQ activity, — Do not promise to oppose the promotion of abortion, — Do not promise to oppose the promotion of mass/illegal immigration, — Do not promise to oppose the promotion of the abolition or the First and Second Amendments, — Do not promise to oppose the promotion of booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, and — Do not promise to oppose the promotion of patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, or age discrimination.)
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/how-responsible-is-trump-for-the-bad-advice-hes-getting/