Tag: IVES

January 3 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Trump unloads on ex-strategist Steve Bannon: ‘He lost his mind’ – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-unloads-on-ex-strategist-steve-bannon-he-lost-his-mind/2856363/

 

NBC5
— Hastert Accuser Seeks to Reinstate Case – Phil Rogers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/dennis-hastert-accuser-seeks-to-reinstate-case-467744683.html
— Doug Jones Becomes Only Democratic Senator With a Black Chief of Staff Dana Gresham served for eight years as assistant secretary for governmental affairs at the Department of Transportation during the Obama administration – Liz Lane
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Doug-Jones-Chief-of-Staff-Dana-Gresham-Senate-Democrats-467880803.html

 

WGN TV
— Chris Kennedy accuses Emanuel of plan to force out black Chicagoans – TAHMAN BRADLEY
http://wgntv.com/2018/01/03/chris-kennedy-accuses-emanuel-of-plan-to-force-out-black-chicagoans/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kennedy accuses Emanuel of ‘strategic gentrification plan’ to force blacks out of Chicago – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: One could argue that Emanuel wants to force more than just Blacks out of Chicago. Emanuel talks and acts like he wants to force out of Chicago individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chris-kennedy-rahm-emanuel-black-voters-20180103-story.html
— Trump slams Bannon: ‘When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind’ – Alex Wayne, Jennifer Jacobs
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-steve-bannon-book-treasonous-20180103-story.html
— Bonus or no, don’t get your hopes up for a raise – Rebecca Greenfield (DIERSEN: What raises have you gotten? My salary increased every year that I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997 because of COLAs, step increases, and/or promotions except 1980 when I took a $19,203 (26%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-employee-raises-20180103-story.html
— Will County plans to demolish old courthouse – Susan DeMar Lafferty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-will-demo-courthouse-st-0103-20180102-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot promoters promote pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-pot-legalization-illinois-robert-reed-1418-story.html
— 2017 was bad, but 2018 could be much worse – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-war-recession-20180103-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump doesn’t have some master plan. He’s just angry and impulsive.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-tweets-angry-impulsive-20180103-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Kennedy contends Rahm behind plan to push blacks out of city – Mark Brown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chris-kennedy-accuses-rahm-emanuel-pushing-people-color-out-chicago/
— Army vet’s fight to avoid deportation lands in federal appeals court – Ashlee Rezin
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/army-vets-fight-to-avoid-deportation-lands-in-federal-appeals-court/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Her son served two tours in Afghanistan, but now faces deportation for a drug conviction. . .He had spent seven years behind bars for delivering cocaine. His family and supporters blame the error in judgement on head injuries and PTSD resulting from his time in the military that went untreated until Perez Jr. finally received medical attention behind bars.)
— Trump sinks to a new low in 2018, and the world shudders – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/trump-north-korea-nuclear-button-sinks-to-a-new-low-in-2018-and-the-world-shudders/
— Garry McCarthy inches closer to challenging Rahm Emanuel – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/garry-mccarthy-inches-closer-to-challenging-rahm-emanuel/
— Sessions sends Illinois four more federal prosecutors to focus on violent crime – Matthew Hendrickson
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sessions-sends-illinois-four-more-federal-prosecutors-to-focus-on-violent-crime/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trump: Bannon ‘lost his mind’ after leaving White House – Bloombrerg
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180103/trump-bannon-lost-his-mind-after-leaving-white-house
— College of DuPage helps students navigate toward success – Ann Rondeau
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20180103/college-of-dupage-helps-students-navigate-toward-success

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Taxpayers give $36M to scholarships on 1st day of new credit – AP (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180103/taxpayers-give-36m-to-scholarships-on-1st-day-of-new-credit

 

GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— Right wing targets Medicare, Social Security – Bill Knight (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are furious that I have gotten Medicare since 2013 and Social Security since 2010. Medicare costs me $1,308 a year. My $2,064/year Social Security is dramatically reduced because I get a Civil Service Retirement System pension.)
http://www.galesburg.com/opinion/20180103/bill-knight-right-wing-targets-medicare-social-security

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Police seek suspects in string of gambling machine burglaries; company offers reward – DANA RIECK
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article192782539.html

 

WGLT
— Davis Defends Trump’s ‘Strong Stance’ in North Korea Nuclear Button Tweet – RYAN DENHAM
http://wglt.org/post/davis-defends-trumps-strong-stance-north-korea-nuclear-button-tweet#stream/0

 

WNNS
— Rauner Vows to Roll Back “Madigan Tax Hike”
http://www.wnns.com/2018/01/03/rauner-vows-to-roll-back-madigan-tax-hike/

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Responds To California Becoming A Sanctuary State
http://mailchi.mp/f246a4c57a0b/ives-responds-to-california-becoming-a-sanctuary-state?e=985ad8c00b

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Balich sees high taxes as fueling exodus from ‘broke state’ – Angela Underwood
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511306950-balich-sees-high-taxes-as-fueling-exodus-from-broke-state

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives pledges to repeal “extreme and dangerous” Trust Act
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/ives-pledges-to-repeal-extreme-and-dangerous-trust-act/
— Mayor Emanuel, CPD Supt. Johnson respond *** Kennedy claims a “strategic gentrification plan” is deliberately forcing people of color to leave Chicago
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/kennedy-claims-a-strategic-gentrification-plan-is-deliberately-forcing-people-of-color-to-leave-chicago/
— Rauner makes some budget promises
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/rauner-makes-some-budget-promises/
— Rauner foundation donates $100K to Cairo Port project, but lots more needed
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/rauner-foundation-donates-100k-to-cairo-port-project-but-lots-more-needed/
— Pressed on anti-violence specifics, Kennedy says banning legislators from property tax appeals work is his top issue
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/pressed-on-anti-violence-specifics-kennedy-says-banning-legislators-from-property-tax-appeals-work-is-his-top-issue/

 

BLAZE
— Pennsylvania State Police urge gun owners to give up firearms to get medical marijuana – Sarah Taylor (DIERSEN: Further, to buy pot, you should be required to give up your driver’s license.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/03/pennsylvania-state-police-urge-gun-owners-to-give-up-firearms-to-get-medical-marijuana

 

HOT AIR
— “Morale Has Never Been Lower”: Federal Gov’t Employment Declines In First Trump Year – ED MORRISSEY (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, a) virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats and b) whenever Republican politicians did something harmful to federal employees, they took their anger out on me.)
https://hotair.com/archives/2018/01/02/morale-never-lower-federal-govt-employment-declines-first-trump-year/

 

FOX NEWS INSIDER
— ‘Essentially Un-American’: Varney Calls Out Bloated Salaries of Federal Gov’t Employees – Stuart Varney (DIERSEN: Varney should acknowledge that many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid. I doubt that Varney or anyone who agrees with him would ever stoop to take a job with the federal government.)
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/01/03/stuart-varney-report-federal-employee-pay-reveals-essentially-un-american-bureaucracy

 

GOPUSA
— Felons welcome! Fake road signs mock California’s new status as ‘sanctuary state’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36358
— Hillary donors paid $700K in hunt for Trump accusers
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36301
— Trump to announce awards for worst ‘fake news’ journalism (DIERSEN: It would be great if my critics/opponents would a) get together, b) review each of the almost 290,400 articles that I have included links to in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2004, c) identify all those articles that they disapprove of and explain in detail why they disapprove of each of them, d) identify all my comments in those emails that they disapprove of and explain in detail why they disapprove of each of them, and e) provide me with the aforesaid information in writing so that I could respond to it. In addition, it would be great if my critics/opponents would provide me with a written list of all those who are on their blacklists so that I could respond to that.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36361
— Renters Win in Tax Law; Dems Lie About It (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36307
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Renters came out winners under the new tax law. For over a century, the federal tax code catered to homeowners and treated renters like second-class citizens. Homeowners have been able to deduct interest on their mortgages and home equity loans, as well as property taxes. Meanwhile, everyone, including renters, footed the bill for these deductions by paying higher rates. The new tax law at last begins leveling the playing field between renters and homeowners. Millions of New Yorkers and Californians reap the benefits, because these states have among the lowest rates of homeownership in the nation, and renting is common. So ignore the hyperventilating from Democratic politicians that tax reform is a gift to the rich. New York Senator Chuck Schumer condemns the new tax law as “a gut shot to the middle class” while “rewarding the wealthiest among us.” Just the opposite is true. Tax reform benefits renters living in urban areas — a key Democratic constituency. Democrats are usually eager to slap taxes on millionaires. But today, they’re defending deductions that benefit only the wealthiest homeowners in the country’s most expensive East and West Coast enclaves. Places like Westchester County, New York, and Marin County, California. Under the new tax law, everyone — renters and homeowners alike — will have their tax rates cut and their standard deduction almost doubled. Most will end up paying less tax. To cover the cost of these cuts, the law caps the mortgage deduction for buyers of the priciest real estate. Few homebuyers will even notice it, because they’re not borrowing $750,000 or more. Last year, only 4 percent of homebuyers borrowed that much, and only about 100,000 buyers will take out such huge mortgages in 2018. It’s true that the cap will likely hit the wallets of the bicoastal elite. Some 64 percent of buyers in Manhattan’s rarefied real estate market took out a mortgage that big, and 58 percent of San Francisco buyers did. But the tax change certainly won’t hurt middle class first-time homebuyers. On average, they buy homes with a median price of $182,500. In the past, the tax code encouraged wealthy homeowners to buy even bigger homes and borrow more. Great for the wealthy and the banks. No much help for the average Joe. Homeownership isn’t any higher than in the late 1960s — with only 64 percent of households owning their own home. For minorities, the goal is even farther out of reach, with only 46 percent of black families and Hispanic families owning their home. So disregard the partisan claim that lowering the cap on the mortgage interest deduction is going to hurt the middle class. The other major deduction for homeowners has been property taxes. The new law puts a $10,000 lid on deducting all state and local taxes combined, whether income, sales, or property taxes. Homeowners in most of the nation don’t have much to worry about. Hardest hit are a few tony counties with multimillion dollar homes like Westchester County, New York, where the average property tax tab is a whopping $15,000. For that, the streets should be paved with gold. But only one-fifth of New York property owners pay over $10,000 and about 30 percent of New Jersey homeowners do. Schumer rants against the new tax law, claiming it hurts “middle-class and working families.” Baloney. Tax reform makes the tax code more progressive, not less. It imposes added costs on the wealthiest homeowners to fund across-the-board tax breaks for all filers. Including renters. Homeowners still have the option of taking deductions for most mortgage interest and property taxes, but almost all will crunch the numbers and find it pays to take the nearly doubled standard deduction instead. Only 5 percent of filers are expected to itemize. California’s Jerry Brown calls the tax law “evil in the extreme.” That’s demagoguery. Most taxpayers will end up with more money in their wallets. Betsy McCaughey is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research and a former lieutenant governor of New York State.)

 

DAILY SIGNAL
— The ‘Dreamers’ Have No Right to Demand Anything – Peter Parisi
http://dailysignal.com/2018/01/03/why-dreamers-have-no-right-to-demand-anything/

 

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Not-So-Beautiful Dreamers: The Reality Behind the Media Airbrushing – Hans A. von Spakovsky
http://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/not-so-beautiful-dreamers-the-reality-behind-the-media-airbrushing

 

THE HILL
— Labor Department eyes drug test rule for unemployment pay – LYDIA WHEELER
http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/367154-labor-department-eyes-drug-test-rule-for-unemployment-pay
— In the long run, low-wage workers lose out in ‘Fight for $15’ – JACK SALMON
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/367111-in-the-long-run-low-wage-workers-lose-out-in-fight-for-15

 

POLITICO
— Trump disbands voter fraud commission
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/03/trump-disbands-voter-fraud-commission-322621

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Cuomo says New York will sue over GOP tax law – Jeff Stein (DIERSEN: Will all those across America who prepaid their real estate taxes have the opportunity to be parties in class action lawsuits?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/01/03/cuomo-says-new-york-will-sue-over-gop-tax-law/?utm_term=.83aff040f025
(FROM THE ARTICLES: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that New York state will sue the federal government over the new Republican tax law, but legal experts are skeptical the lawsuit will hold up in court. Cuomo said New York will challenge a provision of the law that limits how much Americans can deduct from their federal taxes for payments made to state and local governments. Many of the people most affected by that provision live in states run by Democrats, which tend to have higher state and local tax rates. Cuomo, widely seen as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, said the provision is “violative of states’ rights and the principle of equal protection.”)
— Trump portrayed as uninformed, unprepared and lacking focus in unflattering new book – John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-portrayed-as-uninformed-unprepared-and-lacking-focus-in-unflattering-new-book/2018/01/03/f63895f8-f0bd-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html
— Trump abolishes controversial commission studying voter fraud – John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-abolishes-controversial-commission-studying-voter-fraud/2018/01/03/665b1878-f0e2-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Why Steve Bannon’s revolt may only wind up strengthening establishment Republicans – NOAH ROTHMAN
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/bannon-revolt-wind-strengthening-establishment-article-1.3735860

 

FED WEEK
— Mileage Rates Increase Slightly (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes remain furious that the Post Office paid me millage when I a) used my 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint to deliver mail during 1966 and 1967, b) used my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 to deliver mail in 1968, and used my 1969 Dodge Charger SE to deliver mail in 1969. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes remain furious that IRS paid me mileage when I used my 1962 Chevy BelAir to collect delinquent taxes 1971-1978.)
http://www.fedweek.com/federal-managers-daily-report/mileage-rates-increase-slightly/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: GSA has announced the calendar year 2018 mileage reimbursement rates for federal employees using personal vehicles while on official business and as authorized by the agency. The new rates are: for the use of a privately owned automobile, 54.5 cents per mile if no government-owned vehicle is available and 18 cents per mile if one is available; for a motorcycle, 51.5 cents per mile; for a privately owned airplane, $1.21 per mile. The so-called “POV” rate, the most closely watched, mirrors a recent increase by the IRS in a comparable rate used for certain tax deduction purposes. The GSA typically mirrors the IRS regarding that rate in setting the federal employee rate, although it is not required to.)

January 2 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Conservative groups file appeal in taxpayer-funded abortion challenge – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-abortion-lawsuit-20180102-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Catholic Thomas More Society filed a notice of appeal Tuesday on behalf of conservative groups and legislators. They’re seeking an emergency injunction to keep the law from taking effect. State Rep. Peter Breen, a Lombard Republican who’s special counsel for the society, says lawmakers passed the measure too late in 2017 for it to take effect Jan. 1 and didn’t appropriate funding. Breen says there’s still time to block the law from being implemented since processing requests for procedure reimbursements takes months.)
— Giving up booze for Dry January? Here’s some advice from the experts – Fritz Hahn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-dry-january-tips-20180102-story.html
— Michele Bachmann mulls run for Al Franken’s Senate seat – Sarah Pulliam Bailey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-michele-bachmann-al-franken-senate-20180102-story.html
— State Senator Michael Connelly to speak at Republican monthly meeting Saturday, January 6th
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/arlington-heights/community/chi-ugc-article-state-senator-connelly-to-speak-at-republican-2018-01-02-story.html
— Trump takes hard line on ‘dreamers,’ but remains interested in a deal – Robert Costa, David Nakamura and Ashley Parker
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-immigration-daca-20180102-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Cronin: Merging two county offices (county clerk’s office with the DuPage Election Commission) a top issue – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/cronin-merging-two-county-offices-a-top-issue
— State Sen. Michael Connelly meeting with Palatine Republicans Saturday, Jan. 6
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/state-sen-connelly-meeting-with-palatine-republicans

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Cook County property tax prepayments reach $750 million. How high will they go? – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180102/BLOGS02/180109991/cook-county-property-tax-prepayments-reach-750-million-how-high-will

 

WTTW
— Conservative Lawmakers Back Effort to Block Publicly Funded Abortions – Nick Blumberg
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/01/02/conservative-lawmakers-back-effort-block-publicly-funded-abortions

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Conservative groups appeal in public-pay abortion challenge – AP
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180102/conservative-groups-appeal-in-public-pay-abortion-challenge

 

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Mail carriers walk to stay warm ‘when it’s this extreme’ – Jack Cullen (DIERSEN: I worked part-time for the Park Forest Post Office 1966-1969.)
http://qctimes.com/news/local/mail-carriers-walk-to-stay-warm-when-it-s-this/article_65185e78-06a8-57df-80df-e0b88540be02.html

 

WJBC
— Illinois ACLU: Trust Act not a substitute for Bloomington ‘welcoming city’ ordinance – Howard Packowitz (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, ACLU makes it clear that it is anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/01/02/illinois-aclu-trust-act-not-a-substitute-for-bloomington-welcoming-city-ordinance/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— U.S. calls on Iran to unblock social media sites amid protests – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/us-calls-on-iran-to-unblock-social-media-sites-amid-protests/897164460

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Fremont Township Republicans Unanimously Endorse Ives for Governor
http://mailchi.mp/36f517dd81d2/fremont-township-republican-organization-unanimously-endorses-ives-for-governor
— Ives On Fox News Channel Report on Deaths in Quincy Veterans Home
http://mailchi.mp/f3d3f5bc2eff/ives-on-fox-news-channel-report-on-deaths-in-illinois-veterans-home

 

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— 2017 IN REVIEW: Bruce Rauner and his money grabbers ruin Illinois
https://realgopillinois.com/2018/01/02/2017-rauner-gop-ruin-illinois/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Researcher: Government shares some blame in opioid crisis – Benjamin Yount
https://www.ilnews.org/news/health/researcher-government-shares-some-blame-in-opioid-crisis/article_c1173f46-ecc1-11e7-820a-0735050da85d.html

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— LAND OF LEAVING: MOVING COMPANIES RANK ILLINOIS NO. 1 FOR OUTBOUND VANS – Brendan Bakala
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/land-of-leaving-moving-companies-rank-illinois-no-1-for-outbound-vans/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— FIRST GOP TOWNSHIP ORG ENDORSES IVES OVER GOVERNOR RAUNER
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/first-gop-township-org-endorses-ives-over-governor-rauner.html

— KEY DEMOCRATS RIPPED FOR STICKING WITH COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR JOE BERRIOS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/key-democrats-ripped-for-sticking-with-cook-county-assessor-joe-berrios.html
— EARLY VOTING STARTS FEBRUARY 21 IN ILLINOIS PRIMARY CONTESTS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/early-voting-starts-february-21-in-illinois-primary-contests.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives suggests Rauner to blame for veterans’ home deaths – Stephen Dinan
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/02/ives-suggests-rauner-to-blame-for-veterans-home-deaths/
— Illinois pulls EDGE credit for spiraling company after investors (including Pritzker) are subpoenaed
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/02/illinois-pulls-edge-credit-for-spiraling-company-after-investors-including-pritzker-are-subpoenaed/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats plan MLK holiday ‘teach-ins’ to rally against Trump – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/2/dems-plan-mlk-holiday-teach-ins-against-trump/

 

CNS NEWS
— Planned Parenthood: We Did 321,384 Abortions; Got $543.7 Million in Tax Dollars – Terence P. Jeffrey
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/planned-parenthood-we-did-321384-abortions-got-5437-million-tax

 

FOX NEWS
— ‘How MUCH is that federal salary?’ Now you (and all taxpayers) can help drain the swamp – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: Those who have represented me in Washington have acted like my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have shouted at them a) that the federal government has always overpaid me, b) that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is too generous, and c) that my federal health, dental, and vision subsidies are too generous. Of course, they protested a) when the Post Office hired me in 1966 and let me work there for almost 3 years, b) when IRS hired me in 1971 and let me work there for almost 9 years, c) when IRS promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, d) when GAO hired me in 1980 and let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) when GAO promoted me in 1986. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/02/how-much-is-that-federal-salary-now-and-all-taxpayers-can-help-drain-swamp.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It’s past time to take on the governing elite and reform federal civil service compensation and you should feel that way too. The source of the problem is often not the employees themselves, who are spread across the country, but politicians in Washington who refuse to set priorities and make hard choices. You may feel like trying to put some reformist heat on them after checking out what’s happening in your own area. What will you find in your own backyard? Whatever it is, let Washington know. Call it entitlement reform for bureaucrats and the politicians who fund them.)

 

THE HILL
— Legally, slashing federal payrolls won’t save us any money – SAM WICE
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/367048-legally-slashing-federal-payrolls-wont-save-us-any-money

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— GOP’s Bachmann mulling bid for Franken’s Senate seat
https://wtop.com/congress/2018/01/gops-bachmann-mulling-bid-for-frankens-senate-seat/

 

CNN
— Liberal media pushes Democrats’ tax propaganda
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36155

 

NEW YORK POST
— New York and co. are paying the price for being Deep Blue – John Podhoretz
https://nypost.com/2018/01/02/new-york-and-co-are-paying-the-price-for-being-deep-blue/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: But what we do know is this: Had there been a single Republican senator in any of the high-tax states in America — a senator in New York or New Jersey or Illinois or California or Oregon or Minnesota or Hawaii — the elimination of the SALT deduction would likely not have been included in the final tax-reform bill.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump takes hard line on ‘dreamers,’ but remains interested in a deal – Robert Costa, David Nakamura and Ashley Parker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-takes-hard-line-on-dreamers-but-remains-interested-in-a-deal/2018/01/02/45a47e20-efdf-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html

 

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP SAYS HISPANICS WILL START ‘FALLING IN LOVE’ WITH HIM AND REPUBLICANS OVER DACA – MARIA PEREZ (DIERSEN: Will Trump say that all those who prepaid their real estate taxes will start falling in love with him over the Republican tax bill?)
http://www.newsweek.com/trump-says-hispanics-will-start-falling-love-him-and-republicans-over-daca-768263

January 1 Evening Edition

ABC7
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California pot shops ring in 2018, ring up first legal sales – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/california-pot-shops-ring-in-2018-ring-up-first-legal-sales/2848154/

 

NBC5
— Hastert Case Returns to Court Tuesday – Phil Rogers (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, if you have ever done anything that subjects you to blackmail, you should not seek or hold any kind of government or political office.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Hastert-Case-Returns-to-Court-Tuesday-467535533.html
— 2018 Brings Governor’s Race, Other Big Contests in Illinois – Sara Burnett
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/2018-Brings-Governors-Race-Other-Big-Contests-in-Illinois-467558543.html

 

CBS2
— Trump Rings In New Year At Mar A Lago Before the clock struck midnight, the President spoke with the press about his expectations for 2018. CBS 2’s Diane King Hall reports.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-wbbmtv/3785563-trump-rings-in-new-year-at-mar-a-lago/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: A ‘monumental moment’ for fully legal marijuana in California – Patrick McGreevy
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-california-legal-marijuana-20180101-story.html
— Keeping stoners from driving cars – John O’Halloran, DeKalb
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-keep-pot-heads-off-road-legalize-marijuana-20171228-story.html
(FROM THE LETTER: As a commercial driver, I don’t want to share the road with pot heads. But I do support legalization of marijuana in Illinois. The state legislature should pass a law that says a citizen who chooses to purchase marijuana may be issued a special drug-use license, but will first have to surrender their driver’s license. You can use drugs. Or you can drive. But you can’t do both safely.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How to make regular folks’ $50 donations count in elections – Editorial (DIERSEN: Should I write a book about “Republican” candidates who hint/imply/argue/shout that unless I give them lots of money, a) they do not want me to know about their fundraisers, b) they do not want me to promote their fundraisers, c) they do not want me to attend their fundraisers, and d) they do not want me to report on their fundraisers? They hint/imply/argue/shout that I fraudulently claim to be a member of the news media to get information to intentionally/unintentionally use to harm them. They blame me for their problems. They blame me for your problems. They blame me for my problems. They blame me for everyone’s problems. They blame me for all the losses that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-how-to-make-average-voters-50-donation-count/
— Remember, rekindle the spirit of Emancipation Proclamation – Jesse Jackson (DIERSEN: When did your ancestors immigrate to America? What do you say to those who hint/imply/argue/shout that if you are an old White male Republican, the longer that your ancestors have been in America, a) the more that you have benefited from their discrimination against minorities and against women and b) the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion?)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/jackson-remember-rekindle-the-spirit-of-emancipation-proclamation/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Armed with new data, officials target ‘drug-dealing’ doctors – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180101/news/301019948/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— 2018 Brings Governor’s Race, Other Big Contests in Illinois The new year will be one of big decisions in Illinois. – SARA BURNETT
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180101/2018-brings-governors-race-other-big-contests-in-illinois
(FROM THE ARTICLE: All statewide offices will be on the ballot on Nov. 8, but no contest will be as fevered — or costly — as the governor’s race. Democratic candidates including billionaire J.B. Pritzker, wealthy businessman Chris Kennedy and state Sen. Daniel Biss are seeking their party’s nomination in the March 20 primary, when Rauner also faces a GOP primary challenge from conservative state Rep. Jeanne Ives. Already, the candidates are raising and spending money at a pace that could make this the most expensive governor’s race in U.S. history. Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s unexpected announcement that she won’t seek a fifth term created a crowded Democratic primary for that office. Some congressional races also will be closely watched. Several Democrats are vying for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Chicago, who’s retiring. And Republican Congressman Peter Roskam will try to hold his seat representing suburban Chicago, a district Democrats are eyeing as one of the party’s best chances to gain a seat in the U.S. House after voters there supported Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016.)
— Police seize $5 million in pot at Morgan Co. truck stop (DIERSEN: If the Democrats legalize pot for recreational use in Illinois, what percent of those in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois will become stoners, that is, what percent will become wards of the state?)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180101/police-seize-5-million-in-pot-at-morgan-co-truck-stop

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Legal Recreational Marijuana Sales Begin In California
http://nprillinois.org/post/legal-recreational-marijuana-sales-begin-california#stream/0

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Californians line up to legally buy recreational pot Seen as another milestone of mainstreaming weed – THERESA WALDROP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/californians-line-up-to-legally-buy-recreational-pot/895012072

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Help make your Government accountable in 2018! – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/01/help-make-your-government-accountable-in-2018/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— INCUMBENTS FACE PRIMARY CHALLENGES IN ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/incumbents-face-primary-challenges-in-illinois-congressional-districts.html
— THORNER & INGOLD: DAY OF RECKONING FOR GOP TAX BILL NAYSAYERS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/thorner-ingold-day-of-reckoning-for-gop-tax-bill-naysayers.html
— PETITION SIGNATURE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO 16TH CD GOP CANDIDATE WITHDRAWING
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/marter-investigation-into-petition-signatures-leads-to-16th-cd-candidate-withdrawing.html
— CHICAGO 2017 MURDERS AVERAGED 2 A DAY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/chicago-2017-murders-averaged-2-a-day.html
— DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE MAKES ILLINOIS FIRST IN BANNING LIVE ELEPHANT SHOWS (DIERSEN: The elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party. In 2007, I had the honor of raising $2,000 from DuPage Republicans on short notice to sponsor an elephant that walked behind Congressman Peter Roskam in Wheaton’s Independence Day parade. Outstandingly, Roger Claar contributed $500 of that $2,000. SEE: http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2007/07/photos-from-the.html)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/democrat-controlled-legislature-makes-illinois-first-in-banning-live-elephant-shows.html

 

NEWSMAX
— Blue States Look to Blunt Tax Law by Legal Challenges – Jeff Rodack (DIERSEN: Did you prepay your real estate taxes? Will the Democrats try to get all those who prepaid their real estate taxes to join in a class action lawsuit against the Republicans? What percent of those who prepaid their real estate taxes are Democrats and what percent are Republicans?)
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/blue-states-california-new-york-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act/2018/01/01/id/834551/

 

GOPUSA
— Obama worried about rollback of his so-called ‘legacy’ (DIERSEN: Obama condemned my 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX V-8 as being a clunker. SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Allowance_Rebate_System Will Trump pardon my 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX V-8? It gets 24 MPG on the highway.)
http://www.gopusa.com/obama-worried-about-rollback-of-his-so-called-legacy/
— Bloody Chicago: It took 2 hours to record city’s first homicide of 2018
http://www.gopusa.com/bloody-chicago-it-took-2-hours-to-record-citys-first-homicide-of-2018/
— Chain migration concerns grow as millions enter US with legal status
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36066
— Fighting for religious liberty proving costly for average Americans (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are members of the following groups force individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries to promote LGBTQ activity: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36153

 

FOX NEWS
— Hillary Clinton backer paid $500G to fund women accusing Trump of sexual misconduct before Election Day, report says – Robert Gearty
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/31/hillary-clinton-backer-paid-500g-to-fund-women-accusing-trump-sexual-misconduct-before-election-day-report-says.html

 

BREITBART
— California Ushers in 2018 with Ammunition Control – AWR HAWKINS
http://www.breitbart.com/california/2018/01/01/california-ushers-2018-ammunition-control/
— Weak 17: A Frozen Wasteland of Empty Seats on the Final Week of the NFL Year – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2017/12/31/weak-17-frozen-wasteland-empty-seats-final-week-nfl-year/

 

BLAZE
— Republicans and Democrats open 2018 by arguing over how much to grow the size of government – Leon Wolf
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/01/republicans-and-democrats-open-2018-by-arguing-over-how-much-to-grow-the-size-of-government

 

DAILY CALLER
— Trump Really Is Draining The Swamp – ROBERT DONACHIE (DIERSEN: One could say that Trump supporters promote hatred of past, present, and future federal employees. How should past, present, and future federal employees react to that?)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/31/trump-really-is-draining-the-swamp/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The federal workforce grew sizably under both former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, ballooning from roughly 1.8 million employees in 2000 to 2.14 million at the height of Obama’s presidency. Trump’s administration is moving at a historically slow pace in filling political positions at federal agencies, whether it be part of his “draining the swamp” promise or a slow movement on the part of the Senate is unclear. The Senate has only confirmed 240 of the over 600 political appointments that are supposed to help carry out the administration’s agenda.)

 

THE HILL
— Most key federal agencies have cut staff under Trump: report – JULIA MANCHESTER (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. They use budget cuts to get rid of their employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366925-most-key-federal-agencies-have-cut-staff-under-trump-report

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Winners and losers from 2017, the year in politics – Aaron Blake (DIERSEN: One could argue that those who have itemized their deductions are losers, and especially those who pay lots of mortgage interest, real estate taxes, state income taxes, medical and dental expenses, 501(c)(3) contributions, and/or job-related education.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/01/winners-and-losers-from-2017-the-year-in-politics/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Congress’s Gift to Blue-State Taxpayers Limiting the SALT deduction will enforce fiscal discipline. – Alfredo Ortiz (DIERSEN: Those who dominate Illinois talk and/or act like they want to drive out of Illinois those who itemize their deductions. Most commonly, those who itemize their deductions spend lots of money on mortgage interest, real estate tax, state income tax, medical and dental expenses, contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations, and/or job-related education.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/congresss-gift-to-blue-state-taxpayers-1514823290
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The great American migration out of high-tax states like New York and Illinois may be about to accelerate. The tax reform enacted last month caps the deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, at $10,000. This means millions of people will finally feel the full tax burden imposed by state and local politicians. When the SALT shield shrinks, so may people’s willingness to put up with these high taxes. Such states already are losing population, and new Census Bureau data—released the same day tax reform passed the House and Senate—shows the continued migration. Of the seven states that grew the fastest between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017, four (Nevada, Washington, Florida and Texas) have no income tax, and the other three (Idaho, Utah and Arizona) have low taxes. On the flip side, high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and Rhode Island either lost residents or stagnated. Pennsylvania quietly became the fifth-most-populous state in the nation, displacing Illinois. When people move, they take their money with them. The five high-tax states listed above have lost more than $200 billion of combined adjusted gross income since 1992, according to the website HowMoneyWalks.com, which aggregates IRS data. In contrast, Nevada, Washington, Florida and Texas gained roughly the same amount. If politicians in high-tax states want to prevent this migration from becoming a stampede, they will have to deliver fiscal discipline.)
— What New Tax Law? Caterpillar Fights to Protect Its Swiss-Made Profits American manufacturing icon pays little on parts sales outside U.S., so the IRS wants $2 billion – Andrew Tangel and Michael Rapoport
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-new-tax-law-caterpillar-fights-to-protect-its-swiss-made-profits-1514834745
— California Poses Problem for GOP as 2018 Dawns Party policies ranging from taxes to immigration cast a shadow over midterm prospects – Gerald F. Seib
https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-poses-problem-for-gop-as-2018-dawns-1514819328
— In Cities With Low Unemployment, Wages Finally Start to Get Bigger Ending an economic riddle, pay is moving higher and could point to improved incomes nationally in 2018 – Shayndi Raice and Eric Morath (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents want cheap labor.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-cities-with-low-unemployment-wages-finally-start-to-get-bigger-1514808001

 

USA TODAY
— Trump rings in new year at glitzy Mar-a-Lago party, predicts ‘fantastic 2018’ – AP
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/01/trump-rings-new-year-glitzy-mar-lago-party-predicts-fantastic-2018/994015001/
— Retirement planning: Here’s how much money you should have saved at every age – Kathleen Elkins (DIERSEN: How much had you saved for your retirement when you were 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65. I was 65 in 2013. In today’s dollars, my salary in 1997 when I was 49 years old was $122,991. Eight times $122,991 is $983,928.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2018/01/01/retirement-planning-heres-how-much-money-you-should-have-saved-every-age/990172001/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In your 20s: Aim to save 25% of your overall gross pay, Greene tells CNBC. “That 25% is the combination of 401(k) withholdings, matching funds from your employer and any cash savings that you have,” she notes. “It can also include debt repayment. “Just make sure your lifestyle expenses don’t exceed 75% of your gross income.” By age 30: Have the equivalent of your annual salary saved, Greene says. If you earn $50,000 a year, aim to have $50,000 in savings when you hit 30. Again, this includes any retirement account contributions, matching funds from your company, cash savings, or money you have invested elsewhere, in index funds or robo-advisers. By age 35: Have twice your annual salary saved. By age 40: Have three times your annual salary saved. By age 45: Have four times your annual salary saved. By age 50: Have five times your annual salary saved. By age 55: Have six times your annual salary saved. By age 60: Have seven times your annual salary saved. By age 65: Have eight times your annual salary saved.)

 

OAKLAND PRESS
— Financial advisor suggests couples try to live like a retired person before retiring – Debra Kaszubski (DIERSEN: My Civil Service Retirement System pension is only 41% of my ending salary in today’s dollars.)
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/lifestyle/20171226/financial-advisor-suggests-couples-try-to-live-like-a-retired-person-before-retiring

December 30 Morning Edition

NBC5
— Silverstein Has Petition Troubles, May Not Make it to Primary Ballot – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Silverstein-Has-Petition-Troubles-May-Not-Make-It-To-Primary-Ballot-467220783.html

 

ABC7
— New Illinois Laws 2018: Laws that take effect January 1
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/new-illinois-laws-2018-laws-that-take-effect-january-1/2785524/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Time at Mar-a-Lago is a respite for Trump — and a headache for his staff – Ashley Parker and Josh Dawsey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-staff-mar-a-lago-20171229-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “In a 30-minute interview, President Trump made 24 false or misleading claims.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/factcheck/ct-trump-interview-fact-check-20171229-story.html
— Trump administration fires all members of HIV/AIDS advisory council – Ben Guarino
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-trump-hiv-aids-council-20171229-story.html
— Cheap Amazon shipping leaves the Postal Service ‘dumber and poorer,’ Trump tweets – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-trump-postal-service-rates-amazon-20171229-story.html
— How 2018 will transport Americans back to 1968 – Editorial (DIERSEN: What did you do in 1968? I worked as a part-time mailman for the Democrats who ran the Park Forest Post Office. I was a full-time student at UIC. I lived with my parents and brother in Crete. I sold my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and bought a 1969 Dodge Charger SE. I saved money for college expenses.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-nineteen68-0101-story.html
— Bernie Sanders to Republicans: Stop saying I support your tax bill – David Weigel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-bernie-sanders-republican-tax-bill-20171229-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURES: Suburban homeowners flock to prepay property tax bills to beat looming deadline – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171229/suburban-homeowners-flock-to-prepay-property-tax-bills-to-beat-looming-deadline#autoplay
— FRONT PAGE: New consolidation twist surfaces about Naperville township roads – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171229/new-consolidation-twist-surfaces-about-naperville-township-roads

 

WBEZ
— Chicago Murder Rate Drops, But Not In All Neighborhoods – Patrick Smith, Natalie Moore
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/chicago-murder-rate-drops-but-not-in-all-neighborhoods/3658ab1f-3cbd-4c50-b60b-73cf87dad6e3

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Gov. Rauner announces staff changes
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171229/gov-rauner-announces-staff-changes
— Springfield’s Winter Warming Center seeing big crowds during first month – Crystal Thomas
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171228/springfields-winter-warming-center-seeing-big-crowds-during-first-month

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Abortion on decline in McHenry County Declines seen among most age groups, especially teens since start of decade – ERIC R. OLSON
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/30/abortion-on-decline-in-mchenry-county/af4haa/

 

TIMES
— In 2018, Illinois needs to stop the decline – Editorial (DIERSEN: Members of Group A run Illinois and they focus on driving out of Illinois those individuals, organizations, and companies that are members of Group B. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/editorial/our-view-in-illinois-needs-to-stop-the-decline/article_d752af8e-f266-5fc6-89e0-52dc6f4933ea.html

 

JOURNAL COURIER
— Governor rejects elderly home care plan – AP
http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/117604/governor-rejects-elderly-home-care-plan

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Alton Daily News badmouths those who prepaid their real estate taxes; says they want to “skirt the new law.”
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257637#.Wkd2Dt-nGM8

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Transgender Rights Lead NPR’s Top LGBTQ Stories of 2017 – DANNY NETT (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, you will be barred from getting an education, barred from getting a job, etc.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/transgender-rights-lead-nprs-top-lgbtq-stories-2017#stream/0

 

CHICAGO PATCH
— Year In Review: Trump’s 5 Biggest Clashes With Chicago In 2017 The president and the city were constant sparring partners throughout the year. But who won in the end? – Joe Vince
https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/year-review-trumps-5-biggest-clashes-chicago-2017

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives points finger at Rauner following report on Legionnaires’ outbreak at veterans home – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511306058-ives-points-finger-at-rauner-following-report-on-legionnaires-outbreak-at-veterans-home

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Will County Clerk candidate McPhillips: Taxes causing residents to flee Illinois – Glenn Minnis
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511304245-will-county-clerk-candidate-mcphillips-taxes-causing-residents-to-flee-illinois

 

FOX NEWS
— Capitol Hill’s sexual harassment scandal reignites debate about thrifty lawmakers sleeping in their office – Chad Pergram
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/30/capitol-hill-s-sexual-harassment-scandal-reignites-debate-about-thrifty-lawmakers-sleeping-in-their-office.html
— Facebook rolling back controversial initiative to fight fake news
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/12/28/facebook-rolling-back-controversial-initiative-to-fight-fake-news.html

 

BREITBART
— Judge Upholds Controversial Bill Requiring Taxpayers to Fund Abortions in Illinois – THOMAS D. WILLIAMS, PH.D.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/29/judge-upholds-controversial-bill-requiring-taxpayers-to-fund-abortions-in-illinois/

 

DAILY CALLER
— REPORT: Obama’s DOJ Suffered From ‘Systemic’ Sexual Misconduct – Joe Simonson
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/28/obamas-doj-suffered-from-systemic-sexual-misconduct/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Is amnesty for DREAMers worth it if we get a border wall? – Ed Straker
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/12/is_amnesty_for_dreamers_worth_it_if_we_get_a_border_wall.html
— White Privilege: An Article of Left-Wing Faith – Eileen F. Toplansky (DIERSEN: To be accepted by Democrats, you have agree with them that the more of the following that you are, the more that you have benefited from discrimination against minorities and against females and the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/12/white_privilege_an_article_of_leftwing_faith.html

 

TOWNHALL
— Mr. President: No DACA, Build The Wall, or No Deal at All! – Arthur Schaper
https://townhall.com/columnists/arthurschaper/2017/12/30/mr-president-no-daca-build-the-wall-or-no-deal-at-all-n2428356

 

THE HILL
— Nonprofits are the unintended victims of the new tax bill – CHRIS GATES
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/366773-nonprofits-are-the-unintended-victims-of-new-tax-bill

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Don’t Cheer as the I.R.S. Grows Weaker – Editorial (DIERSEN: What do you base your knowledge of IRS on? I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173. I worked for GAO on audits of IRS for 3 years at the GS-13 Step-1-3 levels, currently, $94,610-$100,917. I have filed federal income tax returns since 1964 and itemized returns since 1972. I took IRS to Tax Court and won a split decision on my education deductions. Nevertheless my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes continue to viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn my knowledge of IRS.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/opinion/dont-cheer-as-the-irs-grows-weaker.html
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: No federal agency generates as much rancor as the Internal Revenue Service, part of that duo of inevitability, taxes and death. Despite its reputation for toughness, the I.R.S. relies on voluntary compliance, as in Americans’ sense of duty, to collect the money that powers our government. That’s more true than ever, because as it prepares to implement the most sweeping tax overhaul in 30 years, the I.R.S. is perhaps weaker than it has ever been. In 1986, the last time Congress passed major changes in the tax code, it included a budget increase for the agency, allowing it to hire 2,100 more employees to carry out the changes. Earlier this year, as the agency struggled to do its job with a decimated staff, a shrinking budget and decrepit computers, its commissioner pleaded with Congress to at least give it time to prepare for the big tax overhaul Republicans wanted. That didn’t happen. Instead, Republicans rushed hastily written legislation larded with amendments through both chambers. Even before this hash hit their desks, I.R.S. officials were warning about the potential for a catastrophic breakdown that could imperil our tax system. Then, at its busiest time of year, the agency was given a week before the tax law goes into effect to translate hundreds of pages of conflicting provisions, potential loopholes and unintended consequences into coherent guidance for taxpayers.)
— America, Can We Talk About Your Drinking? More people are consuming alcohol in risky ways. That’s not a good trend. – GABRIELLE GLASER
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/opinion/sunday/alcohol-binge-drinking.html
— Germans Will Ring in New Year With Extra Security, Especially for Women – Melissa Eddy
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/world/europe/germans-will-ring-in-new-year-with-extra-security-especially-for-women.html

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— The GOP Tax Bill Has Affluent Homeowners Enraged and Confused – Eric Levitz (DIERSEN: Those who itemize their deductions have always been demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being affluent. I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized our deductions since we got married in 1978.)
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/the-gop-tax-bill-has-wealthy-homeowners-enraged-and-confused.html

 

BLOOMBERG
— Ken Griffin Kicks in $3 Million for Soccer – Amanda L Gordon
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-29/ken-griffin-kicks-in-3-million-for-soccer-philanthropy-tracker

 

INEWS
–UK: Millennials will get an ‘inheritance boom’ – but too late to help housing struggles – Karl McDonald
https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/millennials-will-get-inheritance-boom-late-help-housing-struggles/

 

COMMUNITIES DIGITAL NEWS
— Why 20% of American households will not benefit from tax cut – Michael Busler (DIERSEN: One could argue that the tax bill is designed to reward renters and to punish homeowners.)
https://www.commdiginews.com/business-2/economic-politics/why-20-percent-households-will-not-benefit-tax-cut-97552/

 

SLATE
— Homeowners Lining Up to Pay Early Taxes Is a Sign of Blue-State Pain to Come – Henry Grabar (DIERSEN: Those who itemize their deductions have always been demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being wealthy. I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized our deductions since we got married in 1978. High real estate taxes depress home values.)
https://slate.com/business/2017/12/the-first-drops-of-rain-from-a-tax-bill-hurricane.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: And now, in these frigid waning days of December, come the tax bill’s first visible losers: wealthy blue-state property owners (and the governments their taxes support). In the four days since Christmas, homeowners have lined up at city halls across the Northeast, doing something whose unnatural aspect reveals the scale of damage the tax bill will wreak in the Northeast: voluntarily handing over thousands of dollars in taxes months and months in advance. Hundreds of people waited on lines at city halls and county seats from Fairfax County, Virginia, to the suburbs of Baltimore, New York, and Boston, trying to pay their property taxes while they remain fully deductible on federal returns. Starting next year, the IRS will impose a limit of $10,000 on all state and local tax deductions. Of course, the bracket here is pretty limited to a certain privileged class: homeowners who not only have enormous property tax bills but also the money and the wherewithal to pay them in advance. It is overwhelmingly a wealthy group, and one concentrated in a handful of Democratic states and counties. Real estate taxes make up only about a third of SALT deductions, but they are easy to pay in advance. And if filing now means taking $10,000 off your 2018 tax return, a little dead-week trip to the Finance Department could save you thousands on next year’s taxes. So it’s not surprising that early payers are dedicating a few hours to fixing cash-flow issues in cities, suburbs, and counties up and down the Northeast Corridor, and in Illinois, Texas, and California as well. On the one hand, it’s hard to drum up much sympathy for the winners of a home price run that has sent the collective value of real estate in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, to take one example, higher than the GDP of the United Kingdom.)

December 29 Morning Edition

ABC7
— IRS warns only some can benefit from filing property taxes early – MEGHAN KENEALLY
http://abc7chicago.com/irs-warns-only-some-can-benefit-from-filing-property-taxes-early/2836065/

 

CBS2
— Effort To Delay Abortion-Funding Law Fails – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/28/effort-to-delay-abortion-funding-law-fails/
— Gambling Watchdog Hits Jackpot – Charlie De Mar
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/28/gambling-watchdog-hits-jackpot/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Prepaying property taxes to cut federal tax bill a confusing mess for now – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sweet-congress-or-courts-will-have-to-fix-property-tax-prepayment-confusion/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Who is to blame for this confusion? Congress. In the conference report that accompanies the new tax law, Congress was explicit in stating that one could not prepay state income taxes — but was silent about property taxes. Lawmakers should have anticipated the IRS concerns and address property tax prepayment. Congress “could have given explicit guidance,” about property taxes Jaffe said. “.. . If they had put that in the bill, everybody would be a happy camper at this point.” Congress “could have given explicit guidance,” Jaffe said. “… If they had put that in the bill, everybody would be a happy camper at this point.” What happens to the extra tens of millions of dollars being collected by the counties? The money will be held in escrow, put in short-term investments with the interest likely apportioned among the local taxing districts.)
— Secret political donors to judges hurt the image of the bench – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/undisclosed-donors-hurt-image-judges-editorial/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Thousands in Chicago area prepay property taxes, with payoff uncertain – Erin Hegarty and Nereida Moreno
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-property-taxes-prepaid-20171228-story.html
— Lake County continues accepting property tax prepayments in wake of tax code overhaul – Emily K. Coleman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-lake-county-property-taxes-st-1229-20171228-story.html
— Chicago’s homicide total drops by over 100, but violence still ‘intolerably high’ – Jeremy Gorner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-violence-2017-story.html
— FRONT PAGE: #MeToo in 2018: Will the movement create real change in the workplace? – Samantha Bomkamp
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-metoo-sexual-harassment-future-20171214-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Will property tax prepayments matter in all counties?
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171228/will-property-tax-prepayments-matter-in-all-counties
— California law enforcement readies for new marijuana laws – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171229/news/312299976/
— How a fact becomes fabrication Hyped-up ‘spin’ can bury grain of truth under layers of innuendo and opinion – Editorial (DIERSEN: Virtually everything published by the mainstream media is anti-Trump and promotes the Democrat Party platform, the Libertarian Party platform, and/or the Green Party platform.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171229/editorial-how-a-fact-becomes-fabrication

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Rep. Steve Reick launches petition against bill that would give Jack Franks power of appointments – ED KOMENDA
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/28/rep-steve-reick-launches-petition-against-bill-that-would-give-jack-franks-power-of-appointments/ai4et43/

 

JOURNAL COURIER
— Anti-gambling crusader wins $25,000 in sweepstakes – Robert McCoppin
http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/117574/anti-gambling-crusader-wins-25000-in-sweepstakes

 

JOURNAL STAR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps make it clear that they are also anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors._
http://journalstar.com/opinion/columnists/ruben-navarrette-racists-claim-trump-s-name/article_4c112b89-0027-51eb-a7f5-62fd7b281e38.html

 

WSIL TV
— A busy year ahead in Illinois politics – Brandon Richard
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37155001/a-busy-year-ahead-in-illinois-politics
— What’s on the agenda for Congress in 2018? – Brandon Richard
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37155124/whats-on-the-agenda-for-congress-in-2018

 

WJPF
— Newsradio WJPF interview with Jeanne Ives
http://www.wjpf.com/episode/newsradio-wjpf-interview-with-jeanne-ives-3/

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump Scorns Mainstream News, But Not The Christian Broadcasting Network – SARAH MCCAMMON
http://nprillinois.org/post/trump-scorns-mainstream-news-not-christian-broadcasting-network#stream/0

 

NORTH COOK NEWS
— Illinois GOP criticizes Pritzker for silence on Barrios ‘corruption’ allegations – Robert Hadley
https://northcooknews.com/stories/511306049-illinois-gop-criticizes-pritzker-for-silence-on-barrios-corruption-allegations

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Straub: Term limits are needed in Springfield – Glenn Minnis
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511304318-straub-term-limits-are-needed-in-springfield

 

ROCK ISLAND TODAY
— Businessman Kleine hopes to ride anti-incumbent tide to unseat Bustos
https://rockislandtoday.com/stories/511306132-businessman-kleine-hopes-to-ride-anti-incumbent-tide-to-unseat-bustos

 

WHEATON PATCH
— All Eyes On Illinois’ 6th District In 2018 Political experts have pegged the race for Rep. Pete Roskam’s seat as one of the most important contests in 2018. – Lisa Marie Farver
https://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/all-eyes-illinois-6th-district-2018

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Crazy College Courses and the Religion of Sex – Dr. Frank Turek
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/crazy-college-courses-religion-sex/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘Fake News’: Half of all Americans believe the media make up anti-Trump stories – Bradford Richardson
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/28/fake-news-half-all-americans-believe-media-make-an/

 

BREITBART
— ‘A Presidency-Defining Moment’ Looms: All Eyes on Donald Trump as DACA Amnesty Deal Lurks in January Spending Fight – MATTHEW BOYLE
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/28/a-presidency-defining-moment-looms-all-eyes-on-donald-trump-as-daca-amnesty-deal-lurks-in-january-spending-fight/

 

CNN
— Trump tweets that ‘cold’ East Coast ‘could use a little bit of’ global warming – Dan Merica
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/28/politics/trump-global-warming-tweet/index.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Last-Minute Rush to Prepay Taxes Gives Way to Confusion and Anger – Ben Casselman and Jeffery C. Mays
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/business/economy/irs-prepay-property-tax.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— The economic riddle for 2018: Will the middle and working classes see any gains from the big tax cut? – Michael Hiltzik
http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-2017-yearend-20171228-story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR GRAPHIC: Looking to Prepay Property Taxes? Check Local Timetables First IRS says only property taxes that have been assessed prior to 2018 are deductible on 2017 returns – David Harrison, Joseph De Avila, and Jennifer Levitz
https://www.wsj.com/articles/looking-to-prepay-property-taxes-check-local-timetables-first-1514479088
— Five Things to Know If You Want to Prepay Your Property Taxes Speaking with your mortgage provider is just one important step to make sure you aren’t creating a headache for yourself – David Harrison
https://www.wsj.com/articles/five-things-to-know-if-you-want-to-prepay-your-property-taxes-1514486522
— Who’s the Center of Attention at Holiday Parties? Your Tax Accountant Accountants face long hours, anxious clients, but ‘it’s never been a better time to be a CPA’ – Michael Rapoport
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-tax-law-makes-cpas-interesting-for-now-1514457000
— A Big, Beautiful Trump 2018 Issue Civil-service reform could get bipartisan support, even in a rough election year. – Kimberley A. Strassel (DIERSEN: Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-big-beautiful-trump-2018-issue-1514499989
— Baby Boomers Looking for Reinvention Try College—Again – Douglas Belkin (DIERSEN: To get rid of me, in 1988, my Democrat GAO superiors made it clear that they would never again assign me to audits of IRS. But in 1990, they implied that they would assign me to audits of federal financial industry regulators at least until I would be eligible to retire in 2003. That was a major reason I spent lots of my personal time and money earning a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/baby-boomers-looking-for-reinvention-try-collegeagain-1514466001

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: TRAGIC: California sees plenty of green in legal pot – Trevor Hughes
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/12/28/legal-marijuana-arriving-california-after-decades-underground-dealing/975323001/
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Plan to partake in pot? Read This. California permits marijuana for recreation, but there are still rules to follow. Trevor Hughes
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/12/28/what-californias-legalization-marijuana-means-you/975348001/

December 26 Evening Edition

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

 

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

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Key factors point to higher Chicago voter turnout in March – Marisel A. Hernandez (DIERSEN: PREDICTION: Members of Group A will vote for those candidates who promise to do the most to get rid of those who are members of Group B. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors. Members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/opinion-key-factors-point-to-higher-chicago-voter-turnout-in-march/
— U.S. industries can start counting their benefits from tax law – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/tax-overhaul-industries-craft-beer-retailers-benefits/
— Tax overhaul seems mostly designed to confuse the masses – Phil Kadner
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/textview
— Politicians care about school funding — only in election years – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/school-funding-illinois-candidates-governor-promise-money-kadner/
— As Trump weakens EPA, citizens must lead fight to protect environment – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/scott-pruitt-donald-trump-cathy-stepp-weakens-epa-fight-to-protect-environment-great-lakes-air-quality-drinking-water-wisconsin/

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Illinois’s Tax Burden Is Keeping People Away The state loses one person every five minutes on net to other states. – Mailee Smith, Illinois Policy Institute (DIERSEN: Yes, but many other things also keep people away. Those who dominate Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago governments promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things. Those who dominate Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago governments are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/illinoiss-tax-burden-is-keeping-people-away-1514316972

 

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

 

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

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

 

FED SMITH
— Congressmen Want Federal Employee Pay Cuts Taken Off the Table – Ian Smith (DIERSEN: Are/were you accused of being overpaid? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always accused me of being overpaid. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/26/congressman-want-federal-employee-pay-cuts-taken-off-table/
— Biggest and Smallest 2018 Raises for Federal Employees – Ralph R. Smith
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/26/biggest-smallest-2018-raises-federal-employees/

 

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

December 26 Morning Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Abuse claims of Human Services residents up, reviews slower – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/abuse-claims-of-human-services-residents-up-reviews-slower/
— How solid local journalism delivered in Chicago in 2017 – Madeleine Doubek (DIERSEN: Many in Illinois first learn of what investigative journalists deliver by reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/chicago-illinois-failed-people-2017-doubek/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Those are just some of the gifts we got this year from the investigative journalists at the Better Government Association where I work.)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Generation Grumpy is frustrated – Editorial (DIERSEN: What did you do during your “prime earning years” age 45-54? When I was 49 years old in 1997, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” My ending salary in today’s dollars was $122,991. My Civil Service Retirement System pension is only $50,856.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-grumpy-20171212-story.html
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: Look around. At year’s end markets are up, this nation’s rate of economic growth is rising and paychecks are about to get bigger. Americans 45 to 54 years old see all of this, sure. But they also have economic war stories to mull. In their adult lives they’ve experienced a remarkable mix of boom and bust, pleasure and pain. Yes, their income and net worth have grown, but this group also has endured several recessions and stock market crashes, plus the upheaval of globalization and the arrival of the internet. Now they’re in prime earning years, with retirement on the horizon, unhappy with their economic state of being. They are grumpy, in fact. “Let’s call them the Grumpy Middle,” data analysis reporter Robert Gebeloff writes in The New York Times. “They are unhappier than previous generations. And they’ve been this way for years.” This rings true. We know some fine people in their 50s still shaking off the effects of the 2007-09 Great Recession. The value of their homes declined, their retirement accounts went backward and they took pay cuts or missed out on better raises. They are worried because they need to make up for those lost years before they’re handed gold (or maybe tin?) watches.)
— Lessons learned from coming out at work (DIERSEN: From what I see as those who promote LGBTQ activity take over the world, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, those who promote LGBTQ activity, their operatives, and their dupes will get rid of you.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/success/fastcompany/tca-lessons-learned-from-coming-out-at-work-20171110-story.html
— 4 myths about safe spaces at NU and other campuses – Morton Schapiro (DIERSEN: Those who promote safe places are filled with hatred of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-safe-spaces-snowflake-myths-pc-university-universities-northwestern-university-morton-schapiro-1226-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Stocking full of coal: Illinois shrinkage poses major problems – Austin Berg
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171226/stocking-full-of-coal-illinois-shrinkage-poses-major-problems
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “As the year ends, the moral authority of the presidency is in tatters.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171226/as-the-year-ends-the-moral-authority-of-the-presidency-is-in-tatters
— FRONT PAGE: You can’t overstate power of information – Editorial (DIERSEN: Since 2000, according to my critics/opponents, everything in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails has been “fake news.” According to my critics/opponents, the only government and political news and commentary that is not fake is that which they publish.)
http://e-edition.dailyherald.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?edid=3d07b42a-29db-4211-8017-3f990e817c62
— PAGE 6: The heart of the threat facing free press The ongoing dangerous assault on the media demands constant, staunch response – Editorial (DIERSEN: Since 2000, according to my critics/opponents, everything in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails has been “fake news.” According to my critics/opponents, the only government and political news and commentary that is not fake is that which they publish.)
http://e-edition.dailyherald.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?edid=3d07b42a-29db-4211-8017-3f990e817c62

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, and Aaron DeGroot, communications director for the Illinois Republican Party, took to Twitter on Christmas Day to announce some personal news. “We’re getting married!,” Bourne tweeted.
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171225/state-rep-avery-bourne-aaron-degroot-engaged
— Ex-administrators fault management in nursing home closure fallout – Dean Olsen
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171226/ex-administrators-fault-management-in-nursing-home-closure-fallout
— Promises made, promises kept – Darin LaHood (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership and paying for job-related education. The tax bill discourages homeownership and paying for job-related education. QUESTION: Who wants itemized deductions to be cut if not eliminated? ANSWER: Those who do not itemize. Overwhelmingly, those who do not itemize a) are younger, b) are not married, c) are not homeowners, d) do not pay lots of state income tax, e) do not have high medical and dental expenses, f) do not give lots of money to 501(c)(3) organizations, and/or g) do not pay for job-related education. I itemized 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized since we got married in 1978. I have have been a homeowner since 1972 and my wife and I since 1978. I paid state income tax 1964-1997 and my wife 1966-2017. Increasingly, our medical and dental expenses have increased. We have always given money to 501(c)(3) organizations. I deducted job-related my job-related education expenses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171225/darin-lahood-tax-relief-promises-made-promises-kept

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— ‘Trust us’ policies no way to combat corruption – Editorial
http://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-trust-us-policies-no-way-to-combat-corruption/article_cb58f800-6f3a-598e-9b7c-7d9a58743ed6.html

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Illinois Gets Tougher On Hate Crimes – RACHEL OTWELL (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage hate crimes against those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-gets-tougher-hate-crimes#stream/0
— Illinois Agencies Will Have To Disclose All Their Bills – BRIAN MACKEY
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-agencies-will-have-disclose-all-their-bills#stream/0

 

CHICAGO NOW
— No, Chicago Reader, Mount Greenwood is one of Chicago’s best – not worst – neighborhoods – William J. Kelly (DIERSEN: I should write a book about vile, mean-spirited, intolerant, and bigoted people in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who attack, demonize, denigrate, and condemn my hometown Crete.)
http://www.chicagonow.com/kelly-truth-squad/2017/12/no-chicago-reader-mount-greenwood-is-best-not-worst/

 

WILLIAM J. KELLY
— Kelly Responds to Chicago Reader’s Attack on Mount Greenwood (DIERSEN: I should write a book about vile, mean-spirited, intolerant, and bigoted people in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who attack, demonize, denigrate, and condemn my hometown Crete.)
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-responds-to-chicago-readers-attack-on-mount-greenwood

 

POLITICO
— Universities fear a violent 2018 – KIMBERLY HEFLING (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps want to get rid of Trump supporters.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/26/white-nationalists-antifa-university-violence-305014

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DAILY HERALD HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: ‘Words can build up or tear down’ Trumps hear homily on power of speech – Kayla Epstein (DIERSEN: I should write a book about religious, government, political, and financial “leaders” in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who use abuse their elected or appointed positions to tear down those like me a) who they cannot manipulate/dominate, b) who do not glorify and praise them, c) who do not pander to them, d) who do not serve as one of their operatives or dupes, and/or e) who do not give them money.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/12/25/trump-hears-christmas-homily-about-the-power-of-words/?utm_term=.cabca12059a9

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Uncharitable Charities The philanthropy lobby wins big but still trashes tax reform. – Editorial (DIERSEN: Starting next year, for joint filers, if their itemized deductions other than charitable contributions do not exceed $24,000, they will be discouraged from making charitable contributions.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-uncharitable-charities-1514237452

 

OBSERVER
— The 5 Tightest Gubernatorial Races to Watch in 2018 – John A. Tures (DIERSEN: Will Rauner use Ives to paint himself as being a “good” Republican, that is, a Republican who rejects the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform?)
http://observer.com/2017/12/races-to-watch-for-governor-in-2018-illinois-california-ohio/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois: The Land of Lincoln has a Republican governor, but perhaps not for long. Not only has he attracted several tough Democratic opponents, but he also faces some primary opponents who could either oust him or drain his support. Bruce Rauner, a former businessman who defeated Democratic Governor Pat Quinn four years ago, has struggled to make in-roads the way the GOP has in state houses in Maryland and Massachusetts. He has feuded frequently with the state legislature, as well as members of his own party. He faces TV producer and media strategist William Kelly, as well as State Representatives Jeanne Ives and Richard Morthland, in the GOP primary. Should Rauner survive, he’ll face a strong Democratic opponent; the only question is who it will be. Will it be the son of Robert F. Kennedy, businessman and University of Illinois Trustee Chris Kennedy? Or Hyatt heir J. B. Pritzker? Or perhaps Dan Biss, a veteran of the state legislature and the college classroom? Or will Bob Daiber, the Madison County Superintendent of Schools, prevail against them all? While the state’s Democratic leanings and Rauner’s approval ratings should help the Democrats, a nasty primary could cost the party unless they find a way to unite around the nominee.)

 

FORBES
— Make 2018 the Year to Improve Your Employees’ Experience – William Craig (DIERSEN: What did your superiors do to damage your employee experience? My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamcraig/2017/12/26/make-2018-the-year-to-improve-your-employees-experience/#4584f8624fc2

December 24 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump criticizes FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe as he plans retirement – AP (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors always wanted to replace me with a Democrat, and especially with a Democrat who was minority, female, and/or younger. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-reacts-to-reports-of-fbi-deputy-directors-retirement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: McCabe plans to retire in about 90 days, when he becomes fully eligible for pension benefits, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the situation. Trump and his Republican allies have made it clear that they want McCabe out of the FBI. But McCabe is a civil service employee who cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an all-of-the-front page editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps glorify and praise a) those who come to America illegally, b) those who stay in America illegally, and c) those who bring others to America illegally.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/maria-no-documents-no-health-insurance-cancer-fight-angels-rush/

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats aim to turn tax plan into cudgel in 2018 midterms – AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dems-aim-to-turn-tax-plan-into-cudgel-in-2018-midterms/2017/12/24/2d0a7b72-e8ae-11e7-956e-baea358f9725_story.html
— Most federal employees in D.C.-Baltimore area to receive 2.3 percent raise in January – Eric Yoder
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/23/most-federal-employees-in-d-c-baltimore-area-to-receive-2-3-percent-raise-in-january/?utm_term=.e8ca8d7b0493
— Washington careerists work to undermine Trump’s agenda – Christopher Flavelle and Benjamin Bain (DIERSEN: Because I have always opposed political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination, a) my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/washington-careerists-work-to-undermine-trump-s-agenda/article_4e69fbf6-1fc2-5770-afdc-693af7b2c9a6.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In the long run, career staff can face consequences for resisting presidential policy. While it’s hard to outright fire a civil servant, congressional Republicans in January gave themselves the ability to reduce the annual pay for any individual federal employee to $1. An administration can also punish bureaucrats through punitive reassignments, designed to make them quit. Joel Clement, a senior policy manager at the Department of Interior, was moved to the accounting office in June — retaliation, he alleged, for speaking out about the risks of climate change.)

 

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

 

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

December 23 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

December 22 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— And now, folks, let’s hear it for Illinois Governor Money! – Laura Washington
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/and-now-folks-lets-hear-it-for-illinois-governor-money/
— How Chicago sausage is made when progressives take on regulars – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/miller-how-chicago-sausage-is-made-when-progressives-take-on-regulars/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois has too many school districts – Scott Reeder
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-reeder-column-st-1224-20171221-story.html
— The top 10 Chicago political stories of 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-chicago-politics-top-10-stories-20171222-story.html
— AT&T hands out bonuses to some workers, pink slips to others – Robert Channick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-att-layoffs-20171222-story.html
— Syverson says proposed Wisconsin casino would ‘devastate’ Rockford – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wisconsin-casino-rockford-concerns-20171222-story.html
— Two Chicago-area residents sue Apple over its practice of slowing older iPhones – Lauren Zumbach
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-apple-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-1223-story.html
— Will tax cuts help Republicans in 2018? – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-tax-cuts-mcconnell-ryan-20171224-story.html
— Illinois Supreme Court grants Dorothy Brown’s request to delay e-filing in Cook County – Steve Schmadeke
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-supreme-court-e-filing-20171222-story.html
— Comptroller calls for hearing on food stamp computer contract in wake of problems – Greg Trotter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-snap-system-hearing-20171222-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Maine Township highway commissioner says trustees broke law – Chacour Koop
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171222/maine-township-highway-commissioner-says-trustees-broke-law

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: What do you say to employers that prefer hiring citizens of foreign countries over citizens of America?
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171222/OPINION/171229997/daca-recipients-dreamers-good-for-gdp

 

ABC7
— Trump signs, lauds $1.5 trillion tax overhaul; off to Florida for holidays – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-signs-lauds-$15-trillion-tax-overhaul/2811909/
— Officials in Will, DuPage counties call for ban on sale of commercially bred pets – Sarah Schulte
http://abc7chicago.com/pets-animals/officials-in-will-dupage-counties-call-for-ban-on-sale-of-commercially-bred-pets/2813018/
— Gubernatorial candidate Kennedy highlights Chicago gun violence to call for change – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/kennedy-highlights-chicago-gun-violence-to-call-for-change/2812483/

 

NBC5
— Trump Signs Tax Cut in ‘Rush Job’ Oval Office Signing Event Asked if he had any regrets, Trump shook his head and said, “No” – Laurie Kellman and Jonathan Lemire
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/Trump-Signs-1-Trillion-Tax-Overhaul-Package-465927733.html
— Chris Kennedy Discusses Different Approach to Combating Gun Violence – Charlie Wojciechowski
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/kennedy-takes-different-approach-to-combating-gun-violence-466000553.html

 

CBS2
— Chris Kennedy Hopes 2018 Brings New Life — And Cash — To Campaign – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/22/chris-kennedy-hopes-2018-brings-new-life-and-cash-to-campaign/

 

WLS AM
— Bill Cameron sits down with the Chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors, Kirk Dillard.
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/22/connected-to-chicago-12-24-2017/

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Will, DuPage County officials to propose banning sale of commercially-bred pets in stores
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/12/22/will-dupage-county-officials-to-propose-banning-sale-of-commercially-bred-pets-in-stores/ax568z7/

 

DAILY HERALD
— State looks to control dog, cat sales at DuPage, Will pet shops – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171222/state-looks-to-control-dog-cat-sales-at-dupage-will-pet-shops

 

WJPF
— Newsradio WJPF interview with Evelyn Sanguinetti
http://www.wjpf.com/episode/newsradio-wjpf-interview-with-evelyn-sanguinetti/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps a) want women to see heterosexual Republican men as being sexual harassers, if not rapists and b) want women to vote only for Democrat women or for Democrat men who demonize, denigrate, and condemn heterosexual Republican men and/or who are gay, transsexual, or queer.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/poll-7-in-10-americans-say-sexual-harassment-is-a-very-serious-problem/886512273
— Hundreds of EPA employees leave under Trump Scientists out, political appointees in – SOPHIE TATUM (DIERSEN: During the 1980s and 1990s, overwhelmingly, a) GAO employees who were pushed out were Republican, White, male, older, non-veteran, and/or accounting degree holders and b) those who replaced them were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or public policy degree holders.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/report-hundreds-of-epa-employees-leave-under-trump/886369616

 

CHICAGO ARGUS
— Pot is the Republican boogeyman. Or so says governor candidate Jeanne Ives – Gregory Tejeda (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2017/12/pot-is-republican-boogeyman-or-so-says.html

 

WILL COUNTY NEWS
— Ives Statement on WBEZ Report, ‘Beginning of an Epidemic: Email Shows State Wanted to Wait 6 Days to Publicize Legionnaires’ Outbreak’ – Steve Balich
http://willcountynews.com/2017/12/21/ives-statement-on-wbez-report-beginning-of-an-epidemic-email-shows-state-wanted-to-wait-6-days-to-publicize-legionnaires-outbreak/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE BLUE UN HELMETS PROTECTING VIOLENT CHICAGOANS FROM THEMSELVES?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/can-we-expect-to-see-blue-un-helmets-protecting-violent-chicagoans-from-themselves.html
— U OF I URBANA-CHAMPAIGN SEEKS ADMIN FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ‘ADVOCACY AND ACTIVISM’ (DIERSEN: To promote social justice is 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 Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/u-of-i-urbana-champaign-seeks-admin-for-social-justice-advocacy-and-activism.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Reader comments closed for the holidays I’ll be back in the new year. (DIERSEN: Since 2004, I have sent a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email out each and every morning, and since 2015, each and every evening too free of charge and without any advertising. Those emails have included links to more than 289,600 articles and information on many upcoming events.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/22/reader-comments-closed-for-the-holidays-7/

 

BREITBART
— Liberals Celebrate Christmas with ‘I Am So Sick of White Guys’ Coloring Book – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/22/liberals-celebrate-christmas-sick-white-guys-coloring-book/