Tag: marijuana

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
— ILGOP Selects Don Tracy as Next Chairman. Springfield businessman and lawyer becomes the first downstate chairman since 1988.
https://illinois.gop/ilgop-selects-don-tracy-as-next-chairman/
https://mailchi.mp/d9760b6d6f55/icymi-pritzker-admin-mia-while-over-20-of-lasalle-veterans-home-residents-die-of-covid-4741676
(FROM THE PRESS RELEASE: In December of 2020, outgoing Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider announced a transition plan in which there would be an open and transparent process for the selection of a new chairman. Today, after lengthy interviews with the three finalists, spirited discussion, and a weighted vote amongst the ILGOP State Central Committee, Don Tracy of Springfield has been chosen as the next chairman of the Illinois Republican Party and has unanimous support from the committee. Tim Schneider immediately offered his resignation and Don Tracy accepted the role of chairman to fill the remaining two years of Schneider’s term. Chairman Don Tracy has released the following statement in response to his selection: “I am truly honored and excited to have been chosen by the State Central Committee to serve as Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party. I want to thank each member for the opportunity to serve. I promise to lead with honesty, integrity, and the vigor we need to turn Illinois around. I also want to thank the other two finalists – Mark Shaw and Scott Gryder – for their tireless work on behalf of the Republican Party. I look forward to working with them to elect more Republicans. I ran for this position because I love Illinois – it’s my home – and I believe the ILGOP can be a tremendous catalyst for change in this state. The upcoming election cycle can be monumental if we seize on the tremendous opportunities before us. We have a weakened Governor who can be defeated; we have a US Senate seat to win; we are well-positioned to win back Congressional seats; we can claw back seats in the state legislature if we recruit the right candidates; and lastly, we have an historic opportunity to elect a fourth Republican to the state Supreme Court for the first time ever. The only way we can capitalize on these opportunities in 2022 is if we unite the party. My number one priority is to give every Republican a seat at the table and give every Republican a voice. Regardless of our differences, Republicans are the only hope for turning Illinois around and keeping it from becoming a depopulated, over-taxed, and anti-police financial basket case. There’s too much at stake in 2022 to be anything less than a united band of brothers and sisters in the fight to save Illinois. So, whatever your political leanings, wherever you live – if you want to fight corruption, restore fiscal sanity, grow our economy, and stand for law and order – you’re on our team. It’s time to suit up, work together, and bring home some wins for the people of Illinois.” Don Tracy is a successful businessman and lawyer from Springfield, Illinois. Born and raised in rural Mt. Sterling (Brown County, Illinois), he is the oldest of twelve children. Don and his eleven siblings own the thriving family business, Dot Foods, Inc., a national redistributor of food and related products, and other national businesses. Headquartered in Mt. Sterling (population: 2,025), Dot Foods, Inc. was founded in 1960 by Don’s father and currently employs 6,000 people across the United States and Canada. Don is the first chairman of the Illinois Republican Party from outside Chicago and the collar counties since 1988.)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Former Gaming Board chair picked to lead Illinois GOP. Don Tracy, a Springfield attorney who was appointed to lead the Illinois Gaming Board by former Gov. Bruce Rauner, won the backing of members of the state GOP’s central committee. – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2021/2/6/22270388/former-gaming-board-chair-picked-to-lead-illinois-gop
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Members of the Illinois Republican Party on Saturday picked a former gaming board chief to be the next head of the state party. Don Tracy, a Springfield attorney who was appointed to lead the Illinois Gaming Board by former Gov. Bruce Rauner, won the backing of members of the state GOP’s central committee. Tracy was not immediately available for comment. In a statement earlier this week, Tracy said the “state is in danger” of “becoming a depopulated, left wing, one party, over-taxed, and anti-police financial basket case. “Having been born in Illinois, and spent most of my life in Illinois, I am determined to help reverse Illinois’ decline,” he said. Tracy faced allegations in 2019 of making or directing several political contributions to Rauner in violation of state gambling laws. He labeled the report a “political hit job” and a “bunch of baloney.” The attorney beat out two other candidates vying to lead the party — Lake County Republican Chair Mark Shaw, who currently serves as state party co-chair and president of the Republican County Chairmen’s Association, and Kendall County Board Chair Scott Gryder. Former chair Tim Schneider announced in December he’d be stepping down from the position, which he called the “honor of a lifetime.”)
— Big game, big worries? Gambling addiction grows with Illinois’ booming sports betting industry — ‘It’s in your face all the time’ The number of Illinoisans seeking help for problem gambling has almost doubled since legislators approved a massive gambling expansion in 2019. Experts expect that number to keep growing. – Mitchell Armentrout and Sam Kelly
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2021/2/6/22241550/gambling-addiction-sports-betting-super-bowl-treatment-counseling
— Melrose Park mayor used racial slur while berating resident during public meeting. In a recording of the exchange, Mayor Ronald Serpico is heard using a slew of obscenities and a racial epithet for Black people. – Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2021/2/6/22267597/melrose-park-mayor-ronald-serpico-used-racial-slur-while-berating-resident-public-meeting
— Advocates urge city to use hotels, abandoned houses to keep homeless warm during cold snap. “People who are homeless are out here sleeping in tents and sleeping in doorways. You need to act and start putting us in hotels or anywhere that is warm,” said Johnny Bryant, secretary of the Chicago Union of the Homeless. – Manny Ramos
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/5/22269511/chicago-homeless-advocates-abaondoned-homes-hotels-cold-weather-emergency-housing
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters blame Trump for all problems.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/5/22268493/americans-split-trumps-impeachment-ap-norc-poll
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform. Ever-increasingly, anti-conservatives dominate the Republican Party. Ever-increasingly, those who lead the Republican Party reject planks in the Republican Party platform, most commonly, the traditional marriage/family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/5/22268522/gop-eyes-path-power-making-peace-far-right
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever since before the Civil War, Democrats have been at war with Republicans. Democrats use the following as soldiers in their army: those who are anti-law enforcement, anti-Trump, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-heterosexual, anti-traditional marriage/family, anti-non-poor people, anti-gun owners, anti-Christian, anti-Protestant, anti-Italian American, anti-German American, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/5/22268566/analysis-race-war-evident-before-capitol-siege
— Pentagon will deploy troops to assist COVID-19 vaccine drive. President Joe Biden has called for setting up 100 mass vaccination centers around the country within a month. Two are opening in California, and coronavirus senior adviser Andy Slavitt said military personnel will arrive at those centers in a little over a week. – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/5/22268404/pentagon-deploy-troops-assist-covid-19-vaccine-drive

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Republicans pick Springfield businessman as new party chairman – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-republican-party-gop-new-chairman-20210207-w2sbznaw4farxlonp2uy5btuzm-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Don Tracy, a former state Gaming Board chairman and unsuccessful 2010 lieutenant governor candidate, was picked by top Republicans on Saturday as the new Illinois GOP chairman. . .The election was based on the weighted votes of the 18-member Republican State Central Committee, which met in Bolingbrook. The vote was close, 52% for Tracy and 48% for Shaw, according to two sources, who asked not to be identified because the results were pledged by members to remain secret. The party then agreed to make the choice unanimous. “I promise to lead with honesty, integrity, and the vigor we need to turn Illinois around,” Tracy said in a statement after hours of candidate interviews and discussion. Contending the GOP has “tremendous opportunities” in 2022 in what is now a one-party Democratic state, Tracy emphasized the need for unity. . .The pick of Tracy was viewed as an establishment conservative GOP choice over Shaw, a sometimes controversial figure who previously sought the chairmanship. Shaw orchestrated the December effort among hard-liners that led former Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider to agree to step down as party leader with more than a year left in his term. Schneider was Rauner’s hand-picked choice for GOP chair in May 2014. . .Tracy has donated more than $400,000 to candidates and causes since 1999, state campaign finance records show, primarily to himself and his sister-in-law, but also to local GOP causes in candidates in Springfield. He also gave $25,000 to the successful effort to defeat Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s effort to have voters approve a graduated-rate income tax amendment to the state constitution on Nov. 3. Tracy also has given more than $10,000 over the years to Family PAC, a socially conservative group that has fought abortion and gay rights in Springfield, state records show. Tracy has long opposed abortion rights and has touted his support of gun-owner rights.)
— Illinois GOP says Rep. Adam Kinzinger and other Republicans who voted to impeach Trump ‘created widespread division and anger’ in the party – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-adam-kinzinger-illinois-republicans-20210205-7cwxhciinzcmvjyaue6ohenc2y-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The state party’s rebuke of Kinzinger falls short of actions taken by other state parties against their GOP congressional members who voted for impeachment. Some have issued a censure, a statement of strong disapproval but carrying no formal penalties, against those representatives. In Illinois, LaSalle County Republicans voted to censure Kinzinger, whose sprawling 16th Congressional District includes the county. Kinzinger spokeswoman Maura Gillespie said Kinzinger plans to speak early next week with GOP county chairmen and committee members in his district “to hear their concerns and share with them where he stands on things.” “Congressman Kinzinger looks forward to building on that solid foundation as they all work together to navigate these next four years under a Democrat majority and through the course of this pandemic, keeping the focus on serving the community and the shared interests of the party,” she said. Kinzinger’s actions had been expected to become a subject of discussion on Saturday when top state Republicans convened in Bolingbrook and picked former Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Don Tracy of Springfield as a replacement for Chairman Tim Schneider. But the GOP statement made it clear that it wanted the meeting to focus on the future and not on Kinzinger.)
— Rep. Liz Cheney censured by Wyoming GOP for impeachment vote – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-liz-cheney-wyoming-gop-censure-20210206-fy3yqaahkjg3fhz3tg65fjnbxu-story.html
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 3,062 new COVID-19 cases and 60 additional deaths reported Saturday; highly contagious UK strain detected in Lake County
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-aud-covid-19-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20210206-gbxnp64vi5hmda3rsfpbqmlgym-story.html

ABC7
— Wife of Republican Sen. Josh Hawley files criminal complaint over protest at their home – Mike Levine
https://abc7chicago.com/josh-hawley-wife-files-complaint-protests-senator-missouri-donald-trump/10318327/
— 2 Republican lawmakers fined $5,000 for not completing Capitol security screening – CNN
https://abc7chicago.com/10318499/
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Virginia lawmakers pass marijuana legalization bills – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/virginia-lawmakers-pass-marijuana-legalization-bills/10318431/

NBC5
— Wyoming GOP Censures Rep. Liz Cheney Over Impeachment Vote – Mead Gruver
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/wyoming-gop-censures-rep-liz-cheney-over-impeachment-vote/2431537/
— Illinois Reports 3,062 New COVID-19 Cases, 60 Additional Deaths Saturday. Illinois’ seven-day positivity rate rose Saturday after being on a steady decline.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-reports-3062-new-covid-19-cases-60-additional-deaths-saturday/2431448/
— Virus Outbreaks Stoke Tensions in Some State Capitols. Since the start of this year, more than 50 state lawmakers in roughly one-third of the states already have fallen ill with the virus, according to an Associated Press tally. – David A. Lieb
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/virus-outbreaks-stoke-tensions-in-some-state-capitols/2431280/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— GOP lawmakers say Pelosi should be fined $5G for violating new House security measures – Caitlin McFall
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/gop-lawmakers-say-pelosi-should-be-fined-5g-for-violating-new-house-security-measures

DAILY HERALD
— Police: 100 people present when fights led to Bloomingdale hotel shootings, killing one – Susan Sarkauskas
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210206/police-100-people-present-when-fights-led-to-bloomingdale-hotel-shootings-killing-one

WLDS
— Greene, Other Southern IL GOP County Committees Condemn Kinzinger – Benjamin Cox
https://wlds.com/greene-other-southern-il-gop-county-committees-condemn-kinzinger/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— College of DuPage – Former Trustee Dianne McGuire leaked privileged documents contrary to her denial during past board meeting – KIRK ALLEN & JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2021/02/college-of-dupage-former-trustee-dianne-mcguire-leaked-privileged-documents-contrary-to-her-denial-during-past-board-meeting/

CAPITOL FAX
— Don Tracy chosen as new ILGOP Chair
https://capitolfax.com/2021/02/06/don-tracy-chosen-as-new-ilgop-chair/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: I don’t have a press release from the ILGOP, but I do have one from the IDCCA… Following the Illinois Republican Party electing Raunerite Don Tracy as their new Party Chair, President Kristina Zahorik of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) released the following statement: “It is rich that the Illinois GOP appointed a new chair with a history of corrupt behavior. We repeatedly watch Illinois Republicans cry crocodile tears over political corruption, and today they proved they’re the Grand Old Party of hypocrisy with their appointment of Don Tracy.” The State of Illinois Office of Inspector General found that Don Tracy illegally made campaign contributions through his wife while serving on the Illinois Gaming Board. The report said Tracy “made loans and contributions either directly, or through his wife, to political committees” in violation of state law. Tracy was appointed to the Gaming Board by former Republican Governor Bruce Rauner in 2015. . .From Mary Morrissey, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois…“As the Republican Party struggles to take control of its party back from white supremacists and violent extremists, Illinois Republicans have chosen a leader whose ties to Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner promise a return to the failed policies of the past. The Illinois GOP has deemed Don Tracy, a Trump supporter who resigned as the Illinois Gaming Board chair after steering illegal contributions to former Governor Rauner’s campaign, as their best hope to carry their party into the future. It will be interesting to see if the Illinois Republican Party will continue to embrace questionable leadership, division and extremism or consider working with Democrats to find solutions that lift up workers and families across Illinois. We aren’t holding our breath.”)

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump’s defense team will show clips of Democrats urging violence in 2020 – Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/6/trumps-defense-team-will-show-clips-democrats-urgi/

GOPUSA
— Democrat Nadler Denies Gaetz’s Request To Start Committee Meetings With Pledge Of Allegiance
https://www.gopusa.com/democrat-nadler-denies-gaetzs-request-to-start-committee-meetings-with-pledge-of-allegiance/
— School District Aims To Deconstruct The ‘Nuclear Family.’
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=106121
— Macron “Very Upset” By Platforms’ Muzzling Of Trump
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=106223

BREITBART
— Donald Trump Backs Lou Dobbs After Fox Ends Program: ‘Nobody Loves America More’ – CHARLIE SPIERING
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2021/02/05/trump-backs-lou-dobbs-fox-ends-program/
— Sebastian Gorka: Democrats Working on Amendment for NSA, CIA to Target Americans as Terrorists – ROBERT KRAYCHIK
https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2021/02/05/sebastian-gorka-democrats-working-amendment-nsa-cia-target-americans-terrorists/

NEWSMAX
— Biden’s Honeymoon Balloon Deflating Rapidly – Conrad Black
https://www.newsmax.com/conradblack/blinken-kerry-wallace/2021/02/06/id/1008894/

ONE NEWS NOW
— AZ sheriff: Illegals flooding border under Biden is ‘Obama 2.0’ – Michael F. Haverluck
https://onenewsnow.com/national-security/2021/02/06/az-sheriff-illegals-flooding-border-under-biden-is-obama-20

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters say “Republicans worry Greene could be drag on party in suburbs.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/537599-republicans-worry-greene-could-be-drag-on-party-in-suburbs

CNN
— Two House Republicans fined $5,000 each for not completing security screening to enter House floor
https://abc57.com/news/two-house-republicans-fined-5-000-each-for-not-completing-security-screening-to-enter-house-floor

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater says “Lawsuits Take the Lead in Fight Against Disinformation. Defamation cases have made waves across an uneasy right-wing media landscape, from Fox to Newsmax.” My critics/opponents want to sue me for my including links in GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters to articles that they do not like. But beyond hypocritically, they do not sue the authors of those articles or the websites that those articles were published on. My critics/opponents see me as being an “easy target” a) because of the non-support that I get from the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization and b) because of the non-support that I got from TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Illinois Center Right Coalition, etc.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/business/media/conservative-media-defamation-lawsuits.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters say “Trump’s lie that the election was stolen has cost $519 million.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/cost-trump-election-fraud/

MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater paints Capitol rioters as being “Christian nationalists.” The Democrat Party platform is extremely anti-Christian. Democrats have declared war on Christians.
https://www.startribune.com/capitol-siege-puts-spotlight-on-christian-nationalists/600019959/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Biden Wants a $15 Minimum Wage. Here’s What People Say It Would Do to the Economy. White House says a raise would help workers; opponents warn of job cuts. – Eric Morath (DIERSEN: Have you ever worked for the minimum wage? I worked for the minimum wage washing dishes in the basement of the S.S. Kresges in Chicago Heights 1964-1966 part-time during my junior and senior years at Crete-Monee High School and full-time during the summer in between. With the money that I earned doing that, I bought a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in May of 1966.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-wants-a-15-minimum-wage-heres-what-people-say-it-would-do-to-the-economy-11612348201
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Minimum-wage employees are disproportionately women and Black workers.)

INDEPENDENT
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater uses Kinzinger to promote hatred against Republicans.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-adam-kinzinger-republican-impeachment-b1798642.html

GUARDIAN
— Mike Pence to launch ‘video podcast’ with conservative group. Podcast will be produced with Young America’s Foundation, group that has stoked ‘free speech’ controversies at US college campuses. – Lois Beckett
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/06/mike-pence-video-podcast-young-americas-foundation