Tag: pension

January 15 Evening Edition

ABC7
— JB Pritzker signs 2 executive orders on first day as governor – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/jb-pritzker-signs-2-executive-orders-on-first-day-as-governor/5085005/
— Government shutdown 2019: Federal employees feel effects of working without pay, citizens worried about trickle down effects – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/government-shutdown-forces-thousands-to-work-without-pay-many-worry-about-trickle-down-effects/5075957/

 

NBC5
— On First Day, Pritzker Grants Raises to Some State Union Employees The move raised questions from critics about how the state will afford it – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pritzker-first-day-pay-raises-some-state-union-employees-504393201.html

— Pritzker Gives Democrats Near-Record Power in Illinois – John O’Connor
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/pritzker-gives-democrats-near-record-power-in-illinois-504366611.html

 

CBS2
— DuPage County Board Votes To Dissolve Election Commission
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/01/15/dupage-county-election-commission-board-dissolve/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Pritzker restores wage increases, signs pay equity order – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/pritzker-restores-wage-increases-signs-pay-equity-order
— IRS recalling 46K workers from furlough to handle tax refunds without pay – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/facebook-instant/irs-recalling-46k-workers-from-furlough-to-handle-tax-refunds-without-pay

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DuPage board votes 11-7 to immediately dissolve election commission, despite clerk’s push to wait till after April election – Alicia Fabbre
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-ecn-dupage-election-merger-debate-st-0116-story.html
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker approves pro-labor measure on first full day in office, contrasting with Bruce Rauner – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-bruce-rauner-labor-transparency-20190115-story.html
— ‘Where will the money come from? Rich people,’ Chicago Teachers Union says as it seeks increased pay, staffing in contract – Juan Perez Jr.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-teachers-union-contract-demands-20190115-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers, including 13 Chicago mayoral candidates, push pot.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-legalizing-recreational-marijuana-pot-caution-0116-20190115-story.html
— From free lunches to museum tickets, here’s how Chicago businesses are helping furloughed federal workers – Robert Channick
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-shutdown-federal-workers-help-chicago-20190114-story.html
— At Tribune meeting, five Chicago mayoral candidates duck specifics on how to fill pension hole – Bill Ruthhart
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chicago-mayors-race-editorial-board-20190115-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater promotes Kasich.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-john-kasich-2020-president-trump-gop-candidate-0116-20190115-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker restores state worker pay boosts, but says little about cost – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pritzker-restores-state-worker-pay-boosts-cost-afscme-inaugural-ball/
— Teachers union seeks 5 percent raises, says ‘rich people’ will pay for them – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ctu-teachers-union-contract-proposal-teachers-public-schools-strike-sharkey-emanuel/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Split vote, but DuPage disbands election commission – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190115/split-vote-but-dupage-disbands-election-commission
— Lake County ends retirement plan contributions for board members – Mick Zawislak
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190115/lake-county-ends-retirement-plan-contributions-for-board-members
— ‘Stymied’ by Lawlor case, Lake County Board to seek power to remove leaders – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190115/stymied-by-lawlor-case-lake-county-board-to-seek-power-to-remove-leaders

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker’s pension silence speaks volumes Early in his inaugural speech, the new governor emphasized the need for a “collective commitment to embracing hard choices.” Then he ducked the hardest—and most important—choice he’ll face. – JOE CAHILL
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/joe-cahill-business/pritzkers-pension-silence-speaks-volumes
— Crain’s Notable Chicago LGBTQ Executives Nearly 100 people attended our inaugural event on Jan. 10.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/news/crains-notable-chicago-lgbtq-executives

 

WTTW
— As Trump Mulls National Emergency, 31 Active Emergencies Continue – Evan Garcia
https://news.wttw.com/2019/01/15/trump-mulls-national-emergency-31-active-emergencies-continue

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Central Illinois Republicans wary but hopeful in the era of Pritzker – TOM LISI (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which individuals, organizations, companies, and governments should be wary in the era of Pritzker? ANSWER: Those that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/central-illinois-republicans-wary-but-hopeful-in-the-era-of/article_589c47dd-2ebd-5cba-84af-109d36e29340.html

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Shutdown is the topic of Casten’s town hall meeting – Susan O’Neill
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2019/01/15/shutdown-is-the-topic-of-castens-town-hall-meeting/awejzy/

 

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Shutting Down Lincoln Yards Was Aldermanic Privilege at its Finest And the Burke scandal, the unwritten rule at its worst. – EDWARD MCCLELLAND (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who seek/get government/political offices so that they can use the power of those offices a) to reward those who glorify and praise them, pander to them, give them money, and/or serve as their operatives/dues and b) to punish those who do NOT glorify and praise them, pander to them, give them money, and/or serve as their operatives/dues?)
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/January-2019/Shutting-Down-Lincoln-Yards-Was-Aldermanic-Privilege-at-its-Finest/

 

DUPAGE COUNTY
— DuPage County Consolidates Election Commission into County Clerk’s Office
https://www.dupageco.org/Content.aspx?id=59870

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Jeanne Ives decries lame duck pay hike for bureaucrats – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511721040-jeanne-ives-decries-lame-duck-pay-hike-for-bureaucrats
— Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell to speak at DuPage GOP dinner – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511721242-fox-news-political-analyst-gianno-caldwell-to-speak-at-dupage-gop-dinner

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— After veto from Rauner, lawmaker David McSweeney plans to re-file consolidation bill again this spring – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/after-veto-from-rauner-lawmaker-plans-to-re-file-consolidation/article_3212dc34-1852-11e9-b835-77f52c33276d.html

 

AMERICANS FOR TRUTH ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY
— Americans for Truth Live Debut Webcast – Peter LaBarbera
https://americansfortruth.com/2019/01/14/americans-for-truth-live-1-14-2019/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Pritzker signs EO on pay bias and theft, signs prevailing wage bill, starts process to reinstate step increases (DIERSEN: Have you gotten step increases? I got many step increases while I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always been furious about that. Step increases recognize the experience that you gain and the additional responsibilities that you are given. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always demonized, denigrated, and condemned the experience that I gained and the additional responsibilities that I was given during the almost 30 years that I worked for the federal government.)
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/15/pritzker-signs-eo-on-pay-bias-and-theft-sings-prevailing-wage-bill-starts-process-to-reinstate-step-increases/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Steps: Today, the state will initiate a process to bring state employees to their appropriate salary step level. Under this measure, union employees, many of whom have not received step increases since 2015, will be placed at their appropriate step for purposes of their pay going forward. This action does not address significant outstanding issues, including backpay. The administration will continue to work toward solutions to manage taxpayer resources effectively and compensate state employees fairly.)

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Illinois governor vows to work toward marijuana legalization in inaugural address – Andrew Blake
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/15/illinois-governor-vows-work-toward-marijuana-legal/

 

BREITBART
— House Passes Resolution Rebuking Steve King, White Supremacy – Sean Moran (DIERSEN: How soon will the Democrats pass resolutions that condemn individuals, condemn organizations, condemn companies, condemn governments, and condemn countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/15/house-passes-resolution-rebuking-steve-king-white-supremacy/
— DOJ: Less than 3 Percent of Nation’s Prisoners Acquired Firearms at Retail Stores, Gun Shows – Awr Hawkins
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/15/doj-less-3-percent-nations-prisoners-acquired-firearms-retail-gun-shows/
— Pelosi Holds the Gavel but Minorities in the ‘Tri-Caucus’ Wield Power in Nancy’s House – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/14/pelosi-holds-the-gavel-but-minorities-in-the-tri-caucus-wield-power-in-nancys-house/

 

TOWNHALL
— Tantrums: Democrats Are Refusing to End the Shutdown by Boycotting Meetings at the White House – Katie Pavlich Katie Pavlich
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2019/01/15/president-trump-hosts-another-meeting-on-border-security-with-chuck-and-nancy-mia-n2539072

 

DAILY CALLER
— POLL: 75 PERCENT OF AMERICANS SUPPORT RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION – Grace Carr
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/15/abortion-poll-75-percent/

 

GOPUSA
— Razor Burn: Gillette lectures on ‘toxic masculinity’ in new ‘We Believe’ ad
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63440
— Iowa’s Steve King accused of racism, stripped of committee assignments
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63430
— Unaccompanied child immigration loophole releases MS-13 gang members
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=63328
— New milestone in King County: Immigrant population tops 500,000 (DIERSEN: How soon will immigrants be the majority in America, in Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, in your municipality, in your precinct, and in your neighborhood? Democrats shout at immigrants that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, and bigots who should be gotten rid of once and for all.)
http://www.gopusa.com/new-milestone-in-king-county-immigrant-population-tops-500000/

 

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— DNC Withdraws Its Sponsorship of the Women’s March – Jeffrey Cimmino
https://freebeacon.com/politics/dnc-withdraws-sponsorship-of-womens-march/
— Senate Democrats Frustrated Over Ocasio-Cortez Becoming Face of Democratic Party – Cameron Cawthorne
https://freebeacon.com/politics/senate-democrats-frustrated-over-ocasio-cortez-becoming-face-of-democratic-party/

 

THE HILL
— House passes resolution condemning white nationalism – CRISTINA MARCOS (DIERSEN: How soon will the Democrats pass resolutions that condemn individuals, condemn organizations, condemn companies, condemn governments, and condemn countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/425457-house-passes-resolution-condemning-white-nationalism
— Poll: A majority of Americans support raising the top tax rate to 70 percent – Matthew Sheffield (DIERSEN: At what income level do those who support the 70 percent rate to kick in – $100,000, $50,000, $25,000?)
https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/425422-a-majority-of-americans-support-raising-the-top-tax-rate-to-70
— Democrats turn down White House invitation for shutdown talks – JORDAN FABIAN AND SCOTT WONG
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425425-democrats-turn-down-white-house-invitation-for-shutdown-talks

 

ROLL CALL
— House moves to protect federal interns from harassment and discrimination (DIERSEN: Were you an intern? GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinated did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 Step 1 (currently $32,978/year) intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They painted what GAO Analysts do as being a unique “trade or occupation.” They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.)
https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/house-moves-protect-federal-interns-harassment-discrimination
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The measure defines “intern” as an individual who performs uncompensated voluntary service in an agency to earn credit awarded by an educational institution or to learn a trade or occupation.)

 

CNN
— John Kasich joins CNN as political commentator after governorship – CHRIS WHITE
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/john-kasich-joins-cnn-as-political-commentator-after-governorship

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump administration recalls tens of thousands of federal workers as it seeks to blunt shutdown’s impact – Jeff Stein
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/15/irs-bring-back-more-than-half-workforce-despite-shutdown-warns-key-functions-will-go-unfulfilled/
— ‘The essence of involuntary servitude’: Federal unions sue the Trump administration to get paid for shutdown work
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/15/essence-involuntary-servitude-federal-unions-sue-trump-administration-get-paid-shutdown-work/

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Cabinet Secretary Blasts Federal Union for Using Veterans as Shutdown ‘Pawns’ – Eric Katz
https://www.govexec.com/management/2019/01/cabinet-secretary-blasts-fed-union-using-veterans-shutdown-pawns/154153/

 

EDITOR & PUBLISHER
— Facebook Pledges $300 Million to Support Local News – Campbell Brown (DIERSEN: Facebook is a Democrat website. He who pays the piper calls the tunes.)
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/facebook-pledges-300-million-to-support-local-news/

January 8 Evening Edition

WHITE HOUSE
— President Trump Addresses the Nation: 8:00 PM CST
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
— Congress Must Do More to Address The Border Crisis
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/congress-must-do-more-to-address-the-border-crisis/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— President Trump to take case for border wall to prime-time audience – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/president-trump-to-take-case-for-border-wall-to-prime-time-audience

 

ABC7
— TRUMP TO ADDRESS NATION TUESDAY NIGHT
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-to-address-nation-amid-government-shutdown/5033862/
— Woman with concealed carry license fatally shoots would-be robber in Fernwood, police say – Diane Pathieu
https://abc7chicago.com/video-woman-with-concealed-carry-license-fatally-shoots-would-be-robber-in-fernwood/5034294/
— More than 2M IL residents could lose SNAP benefits if shutdown continues – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-to-address-nation-amid-government-shutdown/5033862/
— Senator Dick Durbin calls for end to shutdown as TSA workers fear they won’t get paychecks – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/travel/sen-durbin-tsa-workers-victims-of-trump-shutdown/5033508/

 

CBS2
— Lawmakers Convene For Last Full Day Of The 100th General Assembly
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/01/08/lawmakers-convene-for-last-full-day-of-the-100th-general-assembly/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— New state lawmakers to be sworn in Wednesday. Some big names are out, but the biggest remain. – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-new-class-20190108-story.html#nt=oft13a-2gp1
— After 4-year political war, House Speaker Michael Madigan calls Gov. Bruce Rauner’s term an ‘epic struggle’ – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-final-report-20190108-story.html
— Government shutdown hits Chicago-area workers: ‘We have a big swath of people … who are just very concerned about putting food on their plates’ – Morgan Greene (DIERSEN: How have federal government shutdowns impacted you? I was a federal retiree and Social Security recipient during shutdowns in 2013 and this year. I was an IRS employee during shutdowns in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I was a GAO employee during shutdowns in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1996. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would stress that neither my wife nor I have never had any dependents to support and that my wife had income during all the shutdowns since we got married in 1978.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-federal-government-shutdown-chicago-update-20190107-story.html
— Congressmen give up pay during shutdown – Lisa Donovan
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-shutdown-congress-pay-brian-hopkins-sterling-bay-20190108-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Capitol Hill publication Roll Call, which is keeping a tally of lawmakers diverting their pay during the shutdown, points out: “Of course, members of Congress are typically much wealthier than federal employees. More than 200 members of the last Congress enjoyed a minimum net worth of $1 million or more, according to Roll Call’s Wealth of Congress report.”)
— Chicago student organizing local Women’s March rally: ‘We are ready to fight for humanity’ – Elvia Malagon (DIERSEN: Women’s marches are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-young-women-march-rally-20190108-story.html
— A Dem showdown in Springfield: Will Stava-Murray persist against Madigan? – Kristen McQueary
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-mcqueary-stava-murray-madigan-speaker-0109-20190108-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner riffs: ‘Scared’ for state, ‘appalled’ by Trump, ‘ecstatic’ Burke charged – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rauner-scared-pritzker-tax-appalled-trump-ecstatic-edward-burke-charged/
— Trump seeks an edge in shutdown fight with TV address – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/trump-border-wall-speech-oval-office-crisis-government-shutdown/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Illinois House votes to remove tollway board directors amid concerns of ‘unethical behavior’ – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190108/illinois-house-votes-to-remove-tollway-board-directors-amid-concerns-of-unethical-behavior
— Pence calls on Democrats to accede to demand for wall money, end shutdown – John Wagner
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190108/pence-calls-on-democrats-to-accede-to-demand-for-wall-money-end-shutdown

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Lawmakers order Illinois Tollway shake-up The Illinois House today overwhelmingly approved a bill to fire tollway Chairman Bob Schillerstrom and the rest of his board. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/lawmakers-order-illinois-tollway-shake

 

WTTW
— In Final Days as Governor, Rauner Opens Up on Trump, Taxes, Unions and Burke – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2019/01/08/final-days-governor-rauner-opens-trump-taxes-unions-and-burke

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner calls education achievements most important of administration – Doug Finke
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190108/rauner-calls-education-achievements-most-important-of-administration

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say that a Trump-hater “unravels Trump’s border wall claims.”
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/cuomo-unravels-trump-s-border-wall-claims/video_fa58bf99-ef57-58e6-a188-a150ac1fb6c2.html

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump to take case for border wall to prime-time audience – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-to-take-his-case-to-build-wall-to-prime-time-audience
— Networks to air Pelosi, Schumer rebuttal to Trump – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/pelosi-schumer-will-give-democratic-response-to-trump-primetime-remarks

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Where U.S. Battles Over Abortion Will Play Out In 2019 – JULIE ROVNER
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/where-us-battles-over-abortion-will-play-out-2019#stream/0
— Despite 70,000 Furloughed IRS Workers, White House Vows Refunds Will Be Issued – BRIAN NAYLOR
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/despite-70000-furloughed-irs-workers-white-house-vows-refunds-will-be-issued#stream/0

 

WQAD
— Outgoing Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner presents the highlights of his term – AP
https://wqad.com/2019/01/08/outgoing-illinois-governor-bruce-rauner-presents-the-highlights-of-his-term/

 

FOX ST. LOUIS
— Rauner touts less red tape, union-fee win – AP
https://fox2now.com/2019/01/08/rauner-touts-less-red-tape-union-fee-win/

 

WMAY
— Rauner’s Final Report To Lawmakers Repeats Call For Turnaround Agenda
https://www.wmay.com/2019/01/08/rauners-final-report-to-lawmakers-repeats-call-for-turnaround-agenda/

 

WHEATON PATCH
— DuPage, Kane Co. Sheriffs Join Forces To Fight Drugs, Sex Traffic “It’s all about public safety, not politics,” Republican Mendrick said of his partnership with Democrat Hain. – Lisa Marie Farver
https://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/dupage-kane-co-sheriffs-join-forces-fight-drugs-sex-traffic

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— McSweeney’s McHenry County Township Abolition by Referendum Bill Sent to Governor
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/08/mcsweeneys-mchenry-county-township-abolition-by-referendum-bill-sent-to-governor/
— McHenry County Clerk Tirio Sues Noonan, Tenner, Illinois Integrity Fund; Jack Franks, Breaker Press Cited as “Respondents in Discovery”
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/?p=123161

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives says state GOP should go back to basics – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511717576-ives-says-state-gop-should-go-back-to-basics
(FROM THE ARTICLE: State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) thinks it is time Republican lawmakers have a meeting of the minds to have any chance of saving themselves from themselves. “Republican Party leadership should meet and openly discuss [outgoing Gov. Bruce] Rauner’s wholesale betrayal and ineptitude,” Ives, who narrowly lost to Rauner in the Republican primary, told the DuPage Policy Journal. “The result should be throwing out the current head of the Illinois GOP [IGLOP}, Tim Schneider.” With Illinois in dire straits and many voters desperate for change, Ives said, Republican leaders should consider it a personal insult that the party did as poorly as it did in November’s general election, when Democrats easily captured both chambers of the legislature in Springfield as well as the governorship. “The ILGOP’s massive inability to win campaigns in the worst-run state in the nation is embarrassing,” she said. “Every aspect of our campaigns should be reassessed.” According to the Illinois Review, Ives joined Sean Morrison, Cook County GOP chairman and Cook County commissioner, in calling for immediate action. The two have been publicly backed by John McGlasson, an Illinois GOP State Central Committee member. Ives said many of the party’s issues could be solved by Republicans simply electing to be real Republicans again. “We have a party platform,” she said. “If leaders and candidates would agree to uphold the well-thought-out tenets of the Republican Party platform, there would be no division.” Finally, Ives said, it is time that Republican lawmakers make sure voters are well aware of why the state is as bad off as it is right now. “Our minority status in the legislature gives us an opportunity to place the blame squarely where it belongs, on the Democrats who have run this state into a fiscal mess,” she said.)

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— LAME-DUCK HOUSE PASSES STATE GOVERNMENT PAY HIKES – Joe Kaiser (DIERSEN: How big of a paycut would you take to get a government job?)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/lame-duck-general-assembly-pushes-for-state-government-pay-hikes/
— MOVING COMPANY RANKS ILLINOIS 2ND IN NATION FOR OUTBOUND MOVES – Joe Barnas
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/moving-company-ranks-illinois-2nd-in-nation-for-outbound-moves/

 

ILLINOIS CHANNEL
— Rep Jeanne Ives (R): Lessons Learned as a State Representative
http://www.illinoischannel.org/2019/01/07/rep-jeanne-ives-r-lessons-learned-as-a-state-representative/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner talks about the current state of the GOP and its future
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/08/rauner-talks-about-the-current-state-of-the-gop-and-its-future/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Speaking of politics, Rauner refused to comment on who should run for governor next, but said he hoped “reform-minded leaders” would step forward, saying he would “encourage them” and perhaps help them. He appeared to wave off a direct return to politics for himself, but said it’s “yet to be determined” what he would do. “We live in such volatile times. I can’t predict yet what makes sense.” When asked about former Gov. Jim Edgar’s admonition that the party choose a moderate and Rep. Jeanne Ives’ warning that the party needs to choose someone who will adhere to the party’s conservative platform, Rauner said the two “are both right [and] they’re both partly wrong, and unfortunately I think they’re both part of the problem”… Republicans won’t win unless we’re moderate in many ways on many things. And I certainly consider myself a moderate on many things. If you look at my record, and the things I’ve advocated and the bills I’ve signed, most people would say I’m a moderate. That said, if you’re gonna be a moderate to win elections, but you’re not going to be a reformer and fix the problems, what’s the point of winning? And, in Illinois, Republicans have won, in the 80s and 90s, but then they did the same bad stuff that the Democrats did. Kick the can on pension payments, don’t reform the system, raise taxes with no reforms, over-regulate businesses. If you’re gonna moderate to win and then do the same thing that the guy or gal that you were running against would do, what’s the point? And I think Rep. Ives is correct that you got to have some principles, and you’ve got to be fiscally responsible/conservative… balance budgets. To me, I hope the Republican Party rallies around a unifying message of being pro-taxpayer and pro-job-creator. I think that can be a unifying message and that should define the party. The other things, we’re going to have some vehement disagreements on. Obviously, some of my fellow party members disagree with me on some of my more moderate views. OK, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t all be Republicans and push for responsible things for taxpayers and for job-creators. And he had a few words about the president… “I support most of the President’s policy goals … and I’m appalled by his personal behavior. Just appalled.” Specifically, Rauner says he agrees on ending “illegal” immigration, with a focus on the “illegal”)
— Rauner predicts out-migration will “get a lot worse” under Pritzker (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats do everything that they can to drive out of Illinois individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://capitolfax.com/2019/01/08/rauner-predicts-out-migration-will-get-a-lot-worse-under-pritzker/

 

TOWNHALL
— Oval Office Opportunity: What Trump Should, and Shouldn’t, Say Tonight – Guy Benson
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2019/01/08/trumps-oval-office-opportunity-n2538642

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Mr. President, Here’s What You Must Tell The American People Tonight
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29440

 

GOPUSA
— All four living former presidents deny supporting a border wall (DIERSEN: That is, all four living former presidents side with foreign countries against America.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=62047

 

FOX NEWS
— Trump must defeat the crisis of border crisis denial in Tuesday’s address – Laura Ingraham
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/laura-ingraham-trump-must-defeat-the-crisis-of-border-crisis-denial-in-tuesdays-address

 

FEDERALIST
— Central American Countries Are Helping Middle Easterners Illegally Enter The United States – Todd Bensman
http://thefederalist.com/2019/01/02/central-american-countries-helping-middle-easterners-illegally-enter-united-states/

 

THE HILL
— Jimmy Kimmel says he’s putting federal employees to work on his show amid shutdown – JUDY KURTZ (DIERSEN: Do you know anyone who is/was a federal employee? I was a federal employee for almost 30 years.)
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/424323-jimmy-kimmel-says-hes-putting-federal-employees-to-work-on-his

 

ROLL CALL
— As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez flies high, eyes are rolling on the ground We all know who she is. But is that good for her agenda? – Patricia Murphy
https://www.rollcall.com/news/opinion/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-flies-high

 

ABC
— Jimmy Kimmel Puts Federal Employees to Work During Government Shutdown Today is Day 17 of the U.S. government shutdown. Nearly 800,000 federal employees are working without pay. So we are putting a federal employee to work every night until the shutdown ends. Tonight, Jimmy gives a job to John Kostelnik, a Law Enforcement Prison Guard at the Federal Correctional Complex in Victorville, CA. (DIERSEN: Do you know anyone who is/was a federal employee? I was a federal employee for almost 30 years.)
https://abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live/video/vdka7402553

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Single moms, small-business owners among those forced to crowdfund to pay bills during shutdown – Colby Itkowitz (DIERSEN: How have federal government shutdowns impacted you? I was a federal retiree and Social Security recipient during shutdowns in 2013 and this year. I was an IRS employee during shutdowns in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I was a GAO employee during shutdowns in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1996. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would stress that neither my wife nor I have never had any dependents to support and that my wife had income during all the shutdowns since we got married in 1978.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/08/single-moms-small-business-owners-among-those-forced-crowdfund-pay-bills-during-shutdown/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Shutdown Weighs on Federal Workers Employees who are set to miss a paycheck feel a pinch; ‘state of being unsure’ – Natalie Andrews and Andrew Duehren (DIERSEN: How have federal government shutdowns impacted you? I was a federal retiree and Social Security recipient during shutdowns in 2013 and this year. I was an IRS employee during shutdowns in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I was a GAO employee during shutdowns in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1996. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would stress that neither my wife nor I have never had any dependents to support and that my wife had income during all the shutdowns since we got married in 1978.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/shutdown-weighs-on-federal-workers-11546906831

 

FORTUNE
— New York Mayor Announces Healthcare For Low-Income and Undocumented Residents – ERIN CORBETT
http://fortune.com/2019/01/08/new-york-mayor-announces-healthcare-for-low-income-and-undocumented-residents-medicare-for-all/

 

ABC11
— Are you a federal employee? Here’s how you can make sure your finances remain in good standing during shutdown – DeJuan Hoggard
https://abc11.com/politics/how-federal-workers-can-handle-their-finances-during-shutdown/5035853/

 

INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— America First or the Free Market: Republicans Struggle to Agree Over Using E-Verify to Curb Illegal Immigration – Madison Dibble (DIERSEN: If you oppose E-Verify, you are a Democrat or Democrat plant, a Libertarian or Libertarian plant, a Green or Green plant, a RINO, or even worse things.)
https://ijr.com/republicans-struggle-to-agree-over-e-verify/

 

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Shut down and nowhere to go: Federal employees frustrated with furlough ‘limbo’ – Jory Heckman
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2019/01/shut-down-and-nowhere-to-go-federal-employees-frustrated-with-furlough-limbo/
— Top House Armed Services Republican: Using defense funds for border wall would hurt troops – Scott Maucione
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2019/01/top-house-armed-services-republican-using-defense-funds-for-border-wall-would-hurt-troops/

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— White House Takes Risk Directing IRS to Un-Furlough Staff to Process Tax Refunds – Charles S. Clark
https://www.govexec.com/management/2019/01/white-house-takes-risk-directing-irs-un-furlough-staff-process-tax-refunds/154016/

January 6 Evening Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump cites unlikely allies Clinton, Obama amid border wall showdown – Gregg Re
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/trump-cites-unlikely-allies-clinton-obama-amid-border-wall-showdown

 

ABC7
— US food stamp program could run out of funding if shutdown continues
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/food-stamp-program-could-run-out-of-funds-if-shutdown-continues/5025610/

 

WGN RADIO
— Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady: “We know Illinois needs stability” – CASERA (CASH) HEINING
https://wgnradio.com/2019/01/06/senate-republican-leader-bill-brady-we-know-illinois-needs-stability/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ed Burke grew impatient waiting for his golden eggs to drop – Neil Steinberg
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ed-burke-grew-impatient-waiting-for-his-golden-eggs-to-drop/
— Trump’s dealmaking faces test in shutdown standoff – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trumps-dealmaking-tested-shutdown-standoff/
— Trump says he needs to deal with Dem leaders to end shutdown – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-government-shutdown-talks-democrats-border-wall/
— Rahm on ending federal shutdown: ‘Chisel away at the will of the Republicans’ – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/rahm-government-shutdown-wall-republicans-democrats-pelosi/

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Sports betting no panacea for Illinois – Editorial
https://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20190106/our-view-sports-betting-no-panacea-for-illinois

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “How Trump’s constant lying might forever damage the presidency.”
https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/columnists/commentary-how-trump-s-constant-lying-might-forever-damage-the/article_7e2c4edf-9314-52f8-94be-96021af87e34.html

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Illinois Democrats have control — can they get work done? – AP (DIERSEN: Who has had control over you? While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, Democrat politicians had control over my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates. They focused on using Affirmative Action, Diversity, Inclusion, and budget cuts to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who they had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. They used the arguments that Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, and Lee Daniels made in Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_v._Republican_Party_of_Illinois and https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html) to waste my career and to get rid of me.)
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20190106/illinois-democrats-have-control—can-they-get-work-done

 

SOUTHERN
— Trump: ‘I may declare a national emergency’
https://thesouthern.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/trump-i-may-declare-a-national-emergency/video_96716741-fb8d-5f3a-bbd3-011f484bd671.html

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Each side accusing other of giving no ground on shutdown – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/each-side-accusing-other-of-giving-no-ground-on-shutdown

 

CHEROKEE TRIBUNE LEDGER
— Illinois posted 9th lowest individual income tax rate in 2018
https://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/by-the-numbers-illinois-posted-th-lowest-individual-income-tax/article_e55dfa6c-8ca5-5f24-82da-23b8c27cb78d.html

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— New Kane County Board Member Attacks Health Benefits for Part-Time Colleagues
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/06/new-kane-county-board-member-attacks-health-benefits-for-part-time-colleagues/

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— PROPOSAL WOULD MAKE ILLINOIS GAS TAX BURDEN THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION – Vincent Caruso
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/proposal-would-make-illinois-gas-tax-burden-the-highest-in-the-nation/

 

TOWNHALL
— Top Dem: Trump Can Use National Emergency Declaration, Military to Build the Wall – Julio Rosas
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2019/01/06/top-dem-trump-can-use-national-emergency-declaration-and-military-to-build-the-wall-n2538580
— Cpl. Singh Was Laid to Rest. Guess Which Politicians Were Conveniently Absent. – Beth Baumann
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2019/01/06/cpl-singh-was-laid-to-rest-guess-which-politicians-were-conveniently-absent-n2538567

 

FOX NEWS
— Graham: As long as ‘radical left’ reflexively calls GOP racist, shutdown over border wall won’t end – Gregg Re
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/graham-leftists-who-want-to-abolish-ice-attack-border-patrol-make-shutdown-progress-impossible
— Trump cites unlikely allies Clinton, Obama amid border wall showdown – Gregg Re
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-cites-unlikely-allies-amid-border-wall-showdown-hillary-clinton-barack-obama
— Trump again threatens to declare state of emergency, says he can ‘relate’ to furloughed federal workers – Gregg Re
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-heading-to-camp-david-says-he-can-relate-to-furloughed-federal-workers-amid-shutdown
— Herman Cain: Dems Sound Like an Out-of-Tune Orchestra Playing the ‘Hate Trump’ Symphony
http://insider.foxnews.com/2019/01/06/herman-cain-democrats-sound-out-tune-orchestra-playing-hate-trump-symphony

 

BREITBART
— Donald Trump Vows Not to Bend in Shutdown Fight: ‘I Don’t Like Doing This, but We Have No Choice’ – Charlie Spiering
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/06/donald-trump-vows-not-bend-shutdown-fight-dont-like-doing-we-have-no-choice/
— Trump Quotes Obama, Clinton ‘Build a Barrier’ to Fight Illegal Immigration – Michelle Moons
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/06/trump-quotes-obama-clinton-build-a-barrier-to-fight-illegal-immigration/

 

NEWSMAX
— Robert De Niro: Trump Shows He’s ‘a Real Racist’ – Eric Mack
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/actor-robertdeniro-racism-whitesupremacist/2019/01/06/id/897034/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Border walls shown to work – ARTHUR HORN, Boca Raton, Fla.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/6/letters-to-the-editor-border-walls-shown-to-work/
— Sen. Richard Durbin: Trump has ‘made it clear he doesn’t care’ about shutdown consequences – David Sherfinski
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/6/richard-durbin-donald-trump-doesnt-care-about-gove/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Ann Coulter: Trump acting as if he wants to be impeached – Daniel Chaitin
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ann-coulter-trump-acting-as-if-he-wants-to-be-impeached

 

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— Ocasio Cortez’s Wired Brain: Idiotic, Radical and Dangerous – Jim Clayton
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2019/01/ocasio-cortezs-wired-brain-idiotic-radical-and-dangerous/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— California admits it has no idea whether non-citizens voted in last primary – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/california_admits_it_has_no_idea_whether_noncitizens_voted_in_last_primary.html
— Democrat objections to border wall: dumb and dumber – Thomas Lifson
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/dem_objections_to_border_wall_dumb_and_dumber.html

 

EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Supporters Urge President to Stand Firm on Shutdown – CHARLOTTE CUTHBERTSON
https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-supporters-urge-president-to-stand-firm-on-shutdown_2758462.html
— Hundreds Attend Funeral of ‘American Hero’ Gunned Down After Stopping Illegal Immigrant – DANIEL HOLL AND JANITA KAN
https://www.theepochtimes.com/hundreds-attend-funeral-of-american-hero-gunned-down-by-alleged-illegal-immigrant_2757865.html

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— POLARIZING POLITICS Lowell Ponte examines some terrifying possibilities in government (DIERSEN: Democrats have made it clear that they are going to use government to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries for once and for all that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/polarizing-politics/
— THE 8 BIGGEST LIES OF 2018 Joseph Farah nails brazen untruths circulating amidst mainstream media
https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/the-8-biggest-lies-of-2018/

 

NEWS BUSTERS
— CNN Seeks to Improve Trust in the Media … Among Democrats – Nicholas Fondacaro
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2019/01/06/cnn-seeks-improve-trust-media-%E2%80%A6-among-democrats

 

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Durbin: “I Can’t Say That We’re Close” On Shutdown Deal Because Trump “Doesn’t Care” – Tim Hains
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/01/06/durbin_i_cant_say_that_were_close_on_shutdown_deal_because_trump_doesnt_care.html

 

THE HILL
— Trump pushing for steel barrier instead of concrete wall at border – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424080-trump-says-hes-pushing-for-steel-barrier-instead-of-concrete-wall-at
— Trump’s idea to declare national emergency raises legality questions – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/424069-lawmakers-shoot-down-trump-idea-to-declare-a-national-emergency-to
— Border lawmakers press Trump to beef up existing security – RAFAEL BERNAL
https://thehill.com/latino/423974-border-lawmakers-press-trump-to-beef-up-existing-security

 

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “The government shutdown makes Americans less safe.”
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/06/opinions/presidential-weekly-briefing-shutdown-vinograd/index.html

 

NEW YORK POST
— Democrats say Trump ‘doesn’t have the power’ to declare a national emergency – Mark Moore Janua
https://nypost.com/2019/01/06/dems-say-trump-doesnt-have-the-power-to-declare-a-national-emergency/

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Houston mail carrier accused of pepper-spraying barking dog charged with animal cruelty – Jay R. Jordan
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-mail-carrier-who-pepper-sprayed-barking-13508916.php

 

WASHINGTON CITY PAPER
— Workers Impacted by Government Shutdown Stretch Groceries, Cut Dining – LAURA HAYES (DIERSEN: Since 1966, I have been impacted by the success that my Democrat superiors in the federal government had in wasting my career. Since 1997, I have been impacted by the success that my Democrat GAO superiors had in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” Since 1997, my Civil Service Retirement System pension has only been 41% of what my GAO salary was in today’s dollars.)
https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/food/article/21039749/workers-impacted-by-government-shutdown-stretch-groceries-cut-dining

 

BLOOMBERG
— Trump Renews Threat to Declare Emergency Over Border Wall – Mark Niquette and Justin Sink
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-06/trump-won-t-demand-concrete-wall-to-end-shutdown-mulvaney-says

 

FORBES
— The Best Places To Work In 2019 – Janice Gassam (DIERSEN: The federal government is not on this list. Because the federal government gives preference to its employees who are Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran, it might be a better place to work for the employees who have the aforesaid demographics. But a big problem for the aforesaid employees is that virtually all federal employees have one or more of the aforesaid demographics. Therefore, if a federal employee has only one of the aforesaid demographics, they may very well be unhappy. One thing is certain. If you are a federal employee who is Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran, the federal government will waste your career and get rid of you if you do not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. Extremely few federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2018/12/07/the-best-places-to-work-for-2019/#626c8671528f

 

NEWSWEEK
— LINDSEY GRAHAM REJECTS ANY COMPROMISE WITH ‘RADICAL LEFT’ NANCY PELOSI IN DIVISIVE INTERVIEW – BENJAMIN FEARNOW
https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-nancy-pelosi-one-dollar-radical-left-border-wall-trump-1280872
— TRUMP HAS AUTHORITY TO USE MILITARY TO BUILD HIS WALL, HOUSE ARMED SERVICES CHAIR ADAM SMITH SAYS – BENJAMIN FEARNOW
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-border-wall-military-force-national-emergency-defense-department-1280819
— OCASIO-CORTEZ ACCUSES REPUBLICANS OF ‘HOSTAGE-TAKING’ WITH GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN – JASON LEMON
https://www.newsweek.com/ocasio-cortez-republicans-hostage-taking-government-shutdown-1280807

 

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump asks “Is Mitt Romney the man to lead a Republican rebellion against Trump?”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/06/mitt-romney-republican-rebellion-trump

 

EXPRESS
— New migrant caravan heading for US set to be biggest yet
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1068122/migrant-caravan-us-mexico-border-honduras

January 3 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Ed Burke, longtime Chicago alderman, charged with attempted extortion – Sarah Schulte, Eric Horng, Liz Nagy, Craig Wall and Leah Hope
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/alderman-ed-burke-charged-with-attempted-extortion/5010033/
— Representative reintroduces impeachment articles against President Donald Trump
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/rep-reintroduces-impeachment-articles-against-president-donald-trump/5010255/

 

NBC5
— Powerful Chicago Alderman Ed Burke Charged With Attempted Extortion In court Thursday, Burke was given a $10,000 bond and was ordered to surrender his passport and the 23 firearms the government said he had in his possession – Carol Marin and Don Moseley
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/chicago-alderman-ed-burke-charged-following-raids-503849391.html
— Read the Criminal Complaint Filed Against Ald. Ed Burke This year will mark a political milestone for Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, his 50th year as 14th Ward alderman – Carol Marin and Don Moseley
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/ed-burke-chicago-politics-charged-503858651.html
— Judge Grants Ald. Ricardo Munoz’s Wife Order of Protection – Lauren Petty and Sandra Torres
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/ald-ricardo-munoz-to-appear-in-court-domestic-battery-503843851.html

 

CBS2
— Ald. Edward Burke Charged With Trying To Shake Down Restaurant Owner
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/01/03/alderman-ed-edward-burke-14th-ward-charged-attempted-extortion/
— Wheaton Ranked Best Place To Live In Illinois
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/01/03/wheaton-best-place-to-live/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Longtime Ald. Ed Burke charged with attempted extortion – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/longtime-ald-ed-burke-charged-with-attempted-extortion

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ald. Ed Burke charged in attempted extortion of Burger King – Jon Seidel, Tim Novak, Mitch Dudek, Stefano Esposito, and Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-alderman-ed-burke-federal-court-case/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Worries grow about impact of a prolonged government shutdown.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/worries-grow-impact-prolonged-government-shutdown-donald-trump-kevin-mccarthy/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Lauren Underwood sworn in as youngest ever black woman in Congress; Illinois’ freshmen Democrats vote Pelosi for speaker – Patrick M. O’Connell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-lauren-underwood-chuy-garcia-sean-casten-inauguration-20190102-story.html
— Ald. Edward Burke charged with attempted extortion of Burger King owners – Jason Meisner
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-alderman-ed-burke-charges-20190103-story.html
— Campaign money tied to Ald. Edward Burke’s alleged extortion scheme was intended for County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, sources say – Bill Ruthhart and Jason Meisner
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-ed-burke-charged-chicago-mayors-race-20190103-story.html
— A look inside the 37-page criminal complaint charging Ald. Edward Burke with attempted extortion
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-ed-burke-case-highlights-20190103-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats crow about their success in turning women against Republicans. Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout at women that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things who should be gotten rid of once a for all.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-women-congress-republicans-democrats-0104-20190103-story.html

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-men march is planned in New Lenox.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-womens-march-st-0104-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Lake County GOP leader dismisses concerns about meme targeting Sen. Elizabeth Warren – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190103/lake-county-gop-leader-dismisses-concerns-about-meme-targeting-sen-elizabeth-warren
— Kane County sheriff books himself into jail, to see what complaints are about – Susan Sarkauskas
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190102/kane-county-sheriff-books-himself-into-jail-to-see-what-complaints-are-about
— Five Lisle trustee candidates trying to stay on April ballot – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190103/five-lisle-trustee-candidates-trying-to-stay-on-april-ballot

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Ed Burke charged in attempted extortion case In a federal complaint unsealed today, the alderman is accused of trying to land a fast-food company as a client for his law firm, Klafter & Burke, after the company approached him for his political support of a project. – CLAIRE BUSHEY
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/ed-burke-charged-attempted-extortion-case

 

JOURNAL TOPICS
— Legalize Or Play Cool? Forum On Future Of Recreational ‘Pot’ In Illinois Set For Friday At DP Library – Todd Wessell
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/legalize-or-play-cool/

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Former Sangamon County state’s attorney confirmed as U.S. Attorney for Central Illinois – PAUL SWIECH
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/former-sangamon-county-state-s-attorney-confirmed-as-u-s/article_c9c2f6f4-0685-5296-9acc-370bf9d26703.html

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Kyle McCarter, state senator from metro-east, named U.S. ambassador to Kenya – JOSEPH BUSTOS
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article223867410.html

 

WJBC
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
http://www.wjbc.com/2019/01/03/barickman-good-chance-for-marijuana-legislation-in-2019/

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Feds Charges Jack Franks’ Fishing Buddy, Contributor Chicago Alderman Ed Burke
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/01/03/feds-charges-jack-franks-fishing-buddy-contributor-ed-burke/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— First round of pension buyout plan being offered but no money available to pay – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/first-round-of-pension-buyout-plan-being-offered-but-no/article_599c1772-0f95-11e9-b447-6740c409498d.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Town Hall Meeting on Marijuana Friday, January 4, 2019 in Des Plaines
https://illinoisfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/TownHall_Marijuana_Des-Plaines.pdf

 

FOX NEWS
— Democrats need to stop playing games with America’s safety and fund border security now – Rep. Steve Scalise
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-steve-scalise-democrats-need-to-stop-playing-games-with-americas-safety-fund-border-security-now

 

GOPUSA
— Women’s college to admit male students posing as women
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61543

 

BREITBART
— Cher: Can’t Wait Until the ‘White Men’ in Trump’s Cabinet ‘Go to Jail’ – Justin Caruso
https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2019/01/03/cher-cant-wait-until-the-white-men-in-trumps-cabinet-go-to-jail/
— Ann Coulter Says She Would Accept Border ‘Fence’: ‘I Would Like Exactly What Israel Has’ – Robert Kraychik
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/03/ann-coulter-says-she-would-accept-border-fence-i-would-like-exactly-what-israel-has/
— Democrats Insert Language to Expand Abortion into Bill to End Shutdown – Dr. Susan Berry
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/03/democrats-insert-language-to-expand-abortion-into-bill-to-end-shutdown/

 

HILL REPORTER
— Republicans Create Job Posting, Hinting at Trump Impeachment Expectation – TODD NEIKIRK
https://hillreporter.com/republicans-create-job-posting-hinting-at-trump-impeachment-expectation-20013

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Undocumented Worker Says Trump Resort Shielded Her From Secret Service – Miriam Jordan
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/us/trump-golf-club-illegal-immigrant-employee.html
— ‘New Chapter’ in Space Exploration as China Reaches Far Side of the Moon – Steven Lee Myers and Zoe Mou
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/asia/china-change-4-moon.html

 

NPR
— ‘An Irony’: Shutdown Fight Over Border Security Takes Toll On Immigration Enforcement – Joel Rose
https://www.npr.org/2019/01/03/681969112/an-irony-shutdown-fight-over-border-security-takes-toll-on-immigration-enforceme

 

NEW REPUBLIC
— Why Aren’t Democrats Standing Up for Low-Wage Government Workers? Janitors, security guards, and other contractors deserve back pay after the shutdown ends, just like federal employees do. – DAVID DAYEN
https://newrepublic.com/article/152841/arent-democrats-standing-low-wage-government-workers
— Who Is Mitt Romney Kidding? The new senator from Utah has too much in common with Trump to become part of the #Resistance. – MATT FORD
https://newrepublic.com/article/152839/mitt-romney-antitrump-washington-post-oped

January 2 Evening Edition

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IL GOP SEEKS GUIDANCE FOR 2020 VIA ONLINE SURVEY (DIERSEN: INITIAL QUESTIONS: Who is exactly paying for this survey? When did you first learn that this survey was going to be conducted and who did you learn that from? Who developed the survey? What input did you, your Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain, the officers of your Republican township/ward/county party organizations, your representative on the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee, the IRP officers, the IRP National Committeeman, and the IRP National Committeewoman have in the development of this survey? Where is the document that details the methodology used for this survey? What has been done to publicize this survey? Of course, anti-conservatives want liberals and moderates to respond to the survey and NOT conservatives. What about liberal and moderate responders who falsely claim to be conservative?)
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/il-gop-seeks-guidance-for-2020-via-online-survey.html
— DI LEO: MITT ROMNEY AND THE MISGUIDED OP-ED
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/mitt-romney-and-the-misguided-op-ed.html
— HUNDREDS OF PUBLIC PENSION MILLIONAIRES LIVE IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS, NEW REPORT SAYS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/hundreds-of-public-pension-millionaires-live-in-southwest-illinois-new-report-says.html
— CHICAGO SENDS ALLEGED COMMUNIST SYMPATHIZER JESUS GARCIA TO US CONGRESS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/chicago-sends-alleged-communist-sympathizer-jesus-garcia-to-us-congress.html
— THORNER: SHOULD SHARIA SUPREMACISM CONCERN THIS NATION?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/thorner-should-sharia-supremacism-concern-this-nation.html

 

ILLINOIS 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN PARTY
— Happy New Year! The Illinois Republican Party is seeking your input. The survey will be open through January 10, 2019. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LBGPSVC
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=300523616785758&story_fbid=1071563839681728

 

WILL COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE
— The Illinois Republican party put together a survey that allows Republican voters, volunteers, and committeemen to have a voice in the direction of your Illinois Republican Party. Below is the link where the survey can be completed. The cutoff for completion will be January 10, 2019! Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LBGPSVC
https://mailchi.mp/61975fedb10e/breaking-local-republican-news-and-events-near-you

 

ABC7
— Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten have priorities ready ahead of Congress swearing-in – Graig Wall (DIERSEN: The Democrat Party will insist that Underwood and Casten do everything that they can a) to promote welfare, 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, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, retaliation, and even worse things and b) to drive out of Illinois individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/underwood-casten-have-priorities-ready-ahead-of-congress-swearing-in/5006266/
— Government Shutdown 2019: Trump meets with Democrats, says shutdown ‘could be a long time’ – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/government-shutdown-could-be-a-long-time-trump-says-after-meeting-with-dems/5004611/

 

NBC5
— New GOP Rivalry? Romney Barrels Into DC Blistering Trump Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, had criticized President Donald Trump before — notably, in a March 2016 speech he called Trump a “fraud” and opposed his bid for the GOP nomination – Kevin Freking
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Mitt-Romney-Criticizes-Donald-Trump-in-Op-Ed-503781741.html
Ald. Ricardo Munoz Arrested in Domestic Violence Incident: Police
— The long-serving member of the Chicago City Council was placed into police custody after a “victim states that a verbal argument took place between him and his wife”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/alderman-ricardo-munoz-chicago-police-arrest-question-503802491.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump’s ‘Game of Thrones’-inspired poster featured during Cabinet meeting sparks social media frenzy – Jennifer Earl
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/trumps-game-of-thrones-inspired-poster-featured-during-cabinet-meeting-sparks-social-media-frenzy

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Anne Stava-Murray, a Michael Madigan critic who will be sworn in next week, eyeing 2020 run for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat – Lisa Donovan
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-anne-stava-murray-eyes-senate-20190102-story.html
— Watch the new Madigan ad with a heap of skepticism – Kristen McQueary
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-mcqueary-madigan-ad-democrats-on-your-side-0103-20190102-story.html
— Deodorizing marijuana – Editorial (DIERSEN: Stink is the least of the many problems with pot.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-marijuana-smell-farm-nuisance-20181224-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Get moving on project to keep Asian carp out of Lake Michigan – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/asian-carp-illinois-brandon-road-joliet/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Vote to disband DuPage election commission could be delayed – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190102/vote-to-disband-dupage-election-commission-could-be-delayed
— State Rep.-elect Stava-Murray now plans to run for Durbin’s U.S. Senate seat – Katlyn Smith
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190102/state-rep-elect-stava-murray-now-plans-to-run-for-durbins-us-senate-seat

 

HERALD NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-male march is set for Jan. 19 in New Lenox
https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/02/womens-march-set-for-jan-19-in-new-lenox/a11f140/

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Put the brakes on gas tax idea – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019-01-02/editorial-put-the-brakes-gas-tax-idea.html

 

BEVERLY REVIEW
— Leaders share blame, shame – Editorial
http://www.beverlyreview.net/opinion/our_opinion/article_83e8ad7a-0eb3-11e9-862c-27175aac6330.html

 

ILLINOIS WATCHDOG
— By the numbers: Illinois ranked No. 28 in average charitable giving (DIERSEN: Democrats always demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans for not giving enough money to charities.)
https://www.watchdog.org/illinois/by-the-numbers-illinois-ranked-no-in-average-charitable-giving/article_911d112a-0a2b-11e9-83ee-5395e9545603.html

 

FREE BEACON
— Romney: ‘I Would Vote for the Border Wall’ and Mandate E-Verify – Paul Crookston
https://freebeacon.com/issues/romney-i-would-vote-border-wall-mandate-e-verify/

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— It’s The Democrats Who Refuse To Compromise On The Wall
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29404

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Castro screams at US like a cornered rat – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/01/castro_screams_at_us_like_a_cornered_rat.html

 

NEW AMERICAN
— Democrats Hiding Real Reason for Opposing Walls – John F. McManus
https://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/opinion/item/31071-democrats-hiding-real-reason-for-opposing-walls

 

TOWNHALL
— RNC Chair Calls Out Her Uncle Mitt for His Anti-Trump Op-ed – Cortney O’Brien
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2019/01/02/wow-rnc-chair-calls-out-her-uncle-mitt-for-his-antitrump-oped-n2538366
— Incoming Senator Romney Publishes Blistering Op/Ed on Trump’s Character. Why, and Why Now? – Guy Benson
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2019/01/02/romney-oped-n2538350
— Former NYT Editor: Anti-Trump Bias Is Destroying The Times’ Credibility – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2019/01/02/former-nyt-editor-the-times-credibility-is-being-destroyed-with-their-anti-trum-n2538362

 

BREITBART
— 5 ‘America First’ Legal Immigration Promises Trump Must Keep This Year – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/02/5-america-first-legal-immigration-promises-trump-must-keep-this-year/
— RNC’s Ronna McDaniel Calls Uncle Romney’s Anti-Trump Op-Ed ‘Disappointing and Unproductive’ – Kristina Wong
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/02/rncs-ronna-mcdaniel-calls-uncle-romneys-anti-trump-op-ed-disappointing-unproductive/

 

GOPUSA
— Incoming Sen. Mitt Romney grabs media attention with attack on Trump
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61717
— Fake news from once reputable sources abounds
http://www.gopusa.com/fake-news-from-once-reputable-sources-abounds/

 

LIBERTY NATION
— Top 20 Conservative News Sites To Read In 2019 (DIERSEN: GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails regularly include links to articles on many of these 20.)
https://www.libertynation.com/top-20-conservative-news-sites-to-read-in-2019/

 

THE HILL
— McConnell suggests shutdown could last for weeks – JORDAIN CARNEY
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/423590-mcconnell-suggests-shutdown-could-last-for-weeks
— Attorney says more undocumented workers are employed at Trump golf course
https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/423465-attorney-says-more-undocumented-workers-are-employed-at-trump-golf-course

 

NEW YORK POST
— Trump was right to rein in federal workers’ gravy train – Betsy McCaughey (DIERSEN: Of course, because federal pay and benefits are so bad, McCaughey would never take a federal job.)
https://nypost.com/2019/01/02/trump-was-right-to-rein-in-federal-workers-gravy-train/

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Only 1 out of 36 newly elected female representatives in Congress is Republican – here’s why it matters – Malliga Och
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Only-1-out-of-36-newly-elected-female-13502764.php

 

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Shutdown: Winter vacation or financial nightmare? – Mike Causey
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/mike-causey-federal-report/2019/01/shutdown-winter-vacation-or-financial-nightmare/

 

FEDERAL TIMES
— House Democrats plan to dismantle fed-targeting rule – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: My Democrat superiors in the federal government acted like their Democrat U.S. Senators and their Democrat U.S. Representatives wanted them to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who they had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/federal-oversight/congress/2019/01/02/house-democrats-plan-to-dismantle-fed-targeting-rule/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A House of Representatives rule that gives Congress the authority to cut the pay of an individual federal employee or eliminate entire agency programs will be removed under a proposed rules package for the 116th Congress. The Holman Rule, first established in 1876 and reintroduced in the 115th Congress, enables lawmakers to cut individual salaries, programs or agency office sizes in appropriations language. The rule was never successfully used during the two years it was recently in effect, but lawmakers have tried to cut the salary of the Western Area Power Administrator and to remove the Congressional Budget Office’s budget analysis division by invoking the rule.)

January 2 Morning Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Incoming Sen. Romney: Trump hasn’t ‘risen to the mantle’ of presidency – Nicole Darrah
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/incoming-sen-romney-trump-hasn-t-risen-to-the-mantle-of-presidency

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps criticize ICE.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20190102/281633896365743

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— US fires tear gas across Mexico border to stop migrants – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/us-fires-tear-gas-across-mexico-border-to-stop-migrants/

 

DAILY HERALD
— ‘I won big, and he didn’t’: Trump answers criticism from Romney – John Wagner
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190102/i-won-big-and-he-didnt-trump-answers-criticism-from-romney
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s wall is a symbol of ruin.”
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20190102/trumps-wall-is-a-symbol-of-ruin

 

HERALD & REVIEW & SAUK VALLEY & DANVILLE COMMERCIAL NEWS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/marijuana-legalization-debate-shifts-from-when-to-how/article_50f6c225-b0e4-546d-a716-adc04a5aab19.html
https://www.saukvalley.com/2018/12/31/debate-on-marijuana-legalization-in-illinois-shifts-from-when-to-how/asmhx7o/
https://www.commercial-news.com/news/state_news/to-smoke-or-not-to-smoke/article_c7c8995c-6a84-5157-bd8b-f6cd228ab812.html

 

MADISON RECORD
— Southwestern Illinois home to 340 pension millionaires – Brad Weisenstein
https://madisonrecord.com/stories/511691217-southwestern-illinois-home-to-340-pension-millionaires

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Romney criticizes Trump’s ‘character’ in scathing op-ed – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/romney-criticizes-trumps-character-in-scathing-op-ed

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— The Grotesque Indecency and Arrogance of the “Trans” Cult – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/homosexuality/the-grotesque-indecency-and-arrogance-of-the-trans-cult/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— NOT YET SWORN IN AS STATE REP, ANNE STAVA-MURRAY ANNOUNCES BID TO CHALLENGE DURBIN IN 2020
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/not-yet-sworn-in-as-state-rep-anne-stava-murray-announces-bid-to-challenge-durbin-in-2020.html
— TIME TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION’S RESTRICTIVE PENSION CLAUSE – Mark Evenson of Palatine, IL
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/letter-to-editor-time-to-change-the-constitutions-restrictive-pension-clause.html
— TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER FREEZING FEDERAL PAY SAVES TAXPAYERS FROM EXTRAORDINARY PAY INCREASES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2019/01/trumps-executive-order-freezing-federal-pay-saves-taxpayers-from-extraordinary-pay-increases.html

 

GOPUSA
— Churches help illegal aliens to break our laws
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61570
— Border Patrol Repels Mob Attempting to Storm U.S. Border in San Diego
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61720

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘Violent mob’ repelled in attempt to storm U.S. border in San Diego – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/1/border-patrol-agents-repel-migrant-caravan-violent/
— U.S. fires tear gas to stop migrants from breaching border – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/1/us-fires-tear-gas-stop-migrants-breaching-tijuana-/

 

FOX NEWS
— Authorities use tear gas to stop migrants at southern border – Elizabeth Llorente
https://www.foxnews.com/world/authorities-use-tear-gas-to-stop-migrants-at-southern-border
— Democrats need to stop playing games with America’s safety and fund border security now – Rep. Steve Scalise
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-steve-scalise-democrats-need-to-stop-playing-games-with-americas-safety-fund-border-security-now

 

FRONTPAGE NEWS
— OPEN BORDERS FACILITATE AMERICA’S RACE TO THE BOTTOM “Cheap labor” is anything but cheap. – Michael Cutler (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes want “cheap labor.”)
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272387/open-borders-facilitate-americas-race-bottom-michael-cutler

 

TOWNHALL
— FBI Special Agents Ask for Some Shutdown Relief – Cortney O’Brien
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2019/01/02/the-fbi-agents-association-asks-for-some-shutdown-relief-n2538336
— Trump’s Right About ‘Ridiculous’ Misuse of US Forces – Jacob Sullum
https://townhall.com/columnists/jacobsullum/2019/01/02/trumps-right-about-ridiculous-misuse-of-us-forces-n2538283
— ‘Federalist’ Principles of Governing Are Dead – Consider the Impasse Over ‘The Wall’ – Bob Barr
https://townhall.com/columnists/bobbarr/2019/01/02/federalist-principles-of-governing-are-dead–consider-the-impasse-over-the-wall-n2538341

 

NEWSMAX
— Federal Employee Union Sues Over Shutdown – Jason Devaney
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/government-shutdown-trump-union/2019/01/01/id/896509/

 

BREITBART
— Feds Fire Tear Gas at Caravan Migrants During New Year’s Border Breach – AP
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/01/01/feds-fire-tear-gas-at-caravan-migrants-during-new-years-border-breach/
— Democrats Silent on ‘Good Faith’ Offer to Open Government, Says White House – Michelle Moons
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/01/democrats-silent-on-good-faith-offer-to-open-government-says-white-house/
— Poll: Most Democrats Pessimistic About 2019 – Katherine Rodriguez (DIERSEN: QUESTION: What makes Democrats happy? ANSWER: More welfare, more dependency on government, more dependency on charity, more LGBTQ activity, more abortion, more mass/illegal immigration, more diminishment of First and Second Amendment rights, more booze, more gambling, more pot, more other vices, more patronage, more political affiliation discrimination, more reverse discrimination, more age retaliation, and more retaliation. Democrats want government to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/01/poll-most-democrats-pessimistic-about-2019/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— The Truth About Democratic Morality – Lloyd Marcus
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/01/the_truth_about_democratic_morality.html
— It’s not about the Wall — it’s about Trump – Brian C. Joondeph
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/01/its_not_about_the_wall__its_about_trump.html
— Restore the Founders’ Federalism – Bruce Walker
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/01/restore_the_founders_federalism.html

 

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— A Nonpartisan Military Means a Political Military – Bill Kilgore
https://www.amgreatness.com/2019/01/01/a-nonpartisan-military-means-a-political-military/

 

EPOCH TIMES
— Meet Representative-Elect ‘Chuy’ Garcia: A Longtime Friend of Communists – Trevor Loudon
https://www.theepochtimes.com/meet-representative-elect-chuy-garcia-a-longtime-friend-of-communists_2728436.html

 

THE HILL
— White House: Pelosi’s plan to reopen the government ‘a non-starter’ – MARY TYLER MARCH
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423445-white-house-pelosi-plan-to-reopen-the-government-a-non-starter

 

WASHINGTON POST
— ‘Nothing short of inhumane’: Union sues Trump administration over shutdown – Deanna Paul
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/02/federal-work-force-shouldnt-be-used-pawn-union-sues-trump-administration-over-shutdown/
— Mitt Romney: The president shapes the public character of the nation. Trump’s character falls short. (DIERSEN: What organizations are/were you a member of? Who shapes/shaped the character of those organizations?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mitt-romney-the-president-shapes-the-public-character-of-the-nation-trumps-character-falls-short/2019/01/01/37a3c8c2-0d1a-11e9-8938-5898adc28fa2_story.html

 

POST REGISTER
— GOP platform leads the way – Mark Fuller
https://www.postregister.com/opinion/columns/gop-platform-leads-the-way/article_54815de7-3730-5a91-98a1-d9b796f29167.html

 

HILL COUNTRY NEWS
— Bipartisanship is another word for ignoring the base – Michael Shannon
http://www.hillcountrynews.com/stories/bipartisanship-is-another-word-for-ignoring-the-base,79165

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— As Government Shutdown Continues, Workers’ Worries—and Bills—Grow Some federal employees are bracing for the worst, deferring payments, filing unemployment claims and notifying landlords they may not make rent – Andrew Duehren
https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-government-shutdown-continues-workers-worriesand-billsgrow-11546344001
— Heavy Demand Crashes Government Visa Site, Leaving Seasonal Business in Limbo Companies rush to file for H-2B visas as soon as the application opens – Lalita Clozel and Ruth Simon
https://www.wsj.com/articles/heavy-demand-crashes-government-visa-site-leaving-seasonal-business-in-limbo-11546378055

 

FORBES
— What To Expect On Immigration In 2019 – Stuart Anderson (DIERSEN: Democrats want immigrants because immigrants vote for Democrats. RINOs want immigrants because RINOs want cheap labor.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2019/01/02/what-to-expect-on-immigration-in-2019/#4cff48f13347
— 3 Steps To Help Your Retirement Income Last 50 Percent Longer – Nancy L. Anderson
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nancyanderson/2018/12/28/3-steps-to-help-your-retirement-income-last-50-percent-longer/#1b8224d547b7

 

KIPLINGER
— Retirement Planning Is Cash Flow Planning Cash flow planning may sound complicated, but what it boils down to is comparing your assets to your expenses over time and identifying periods when you may fall short and when you may come out ahead. – KEN MORAIF
https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T037-C032-S014-retirement-planning-is-cash-flow-planning.html

 

WINDY CITY TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: To promote LGBTQ activity is to destroy traditional marriage and the traditional family.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-year-in-LGBT-national-news/65103.html

 

GLOBE AND MAIL
— How Trump is shrinking America’s imperialism – Lawrence Martin
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-how-trump-is-shrinking-americas-imperialism/

December 31 Morning Edition

CBS2
— Police Reviewing Surveillance From Saturday Mob Attacks Along Mag Mile – Jeremy Ross
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/12/30/police-reviewing-surveillance-from-saturday-mob-attacks-along-mag-mile/
— North Riverside Park Mall Closes After Juveniles Cause Disturbance, 2 Arrested
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/12/30/north-riverside-park-mall-closes-after-juveniles-cause-disturbance-2-arrested/

 

NBC5
— Prices Rise as the Minimum Wage Increases in Several States New minimum wage requirements will take effect in 20 states and nearly two dozen cities around the start of the new year – David A. Lieb
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/Minimum-Wage-Increase-Several-States-US-503695231.html

 

ABC7
— Sen. Elizabeth Warren takes step toward 2020 presidential run – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/elizabeth-warren-takes-big-move-toward-2020-presidential-run/4994770/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Federal government shutdown enters second week with no resolution in sight – Mike DeBonis
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-government-shutdown-20181230-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trump’s promise of a wall may not be fulfilled as advertised – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181230/news/312309936/

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20181230/legal-marijuana-industry-toasts-banner-year

 

SOUTHERN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters promote Trump-haters.
https://thesouthern.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/mcchrystal-i-think-trump-is-immoral-dishonest/video_cdd4bc30-d493-58c2-9a56-e38deb398232.html

 

SAUK VALLEY
— Illinois farmers face uncertainty despite record harvests – AP
https://www.saukvalley.com/2018/12/30/illinois-farmers-face-uncertainty-despite-record-harvests/acoacic/

 

WPSD
— Illinois Equal Pay Act amendment extends protections to African Americans – Logan Gay (DIERSEN: If I had not been denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v. GAO, I would presented a jury with many examples in which GAO paid its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or younger higher salaries than it paid its employees who were Republican, White, and/or older who had more work experience, education, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses.)
https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2018/12/28/illinois-equal-pay-act-amendment-extends-protections-to-african-americans/

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Rauner developed a reputation in Springfield that his word just wasn’t good – Scott Reeder
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511712140-reeder-rauner-developed-a-reputation-in-springfield-that-his-word-just-wasn-t-good

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— State must pay $845 million more to pension systems next year, report finds – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/state-must-pay-million-more-to-pension-systems-next-year/article_ef7c5b6a-0aba-11e9-8d33-f745b66a248a.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘Fake news’ a real problem long before Trump era, media watchdogs say – S.A. Miller
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/30/donald-trumps-fake-news-call-often-real/

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— UNVEILING THE LEFT’S GLOBALIST AGENDA Christine Williams reveals the real culprit behind illegal immigration.
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272391/unveiling-lefts-globalist-agenda-frontpagemagcom
— DEMOCRATS’ SANCTUARY STATE CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM Police officer Ronil Singh, legal immigrant, falls to criminal who “doesn’t belong here.” – Lloyd Billingsley
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272402/democrats-sanctuary-state-claims-another-victim-lloyd-billingsley

 

DAILY CALLER
— TRUMP: AMERICA NEEDS ‘SLIGHTLY LARGER VERSION’ OF WALL PROTECTING OBAMA’S HOUSE – Virginia Kruta
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/30/trump-larger-version-wall-obama-house/

 

TOWNHALL
— A Look Back at the Demise of the Mainstream News Media in 2018 – Rachel Alexander
https://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2018/12/31/a-look-back-at-the-demise-of-the-mainstream-news-media-in-2018-n2538275

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Democrat House Poised To Attack Gun Rights – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/article/29394-democrat-house-poised-attack-gun-rights

 

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— CNN Attacks The Military – Jim Clayton
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/12/cnn-attacks-the-military/

 

NEWS BUSTERS
— New York Times Lets Illegal Immigrant ‘Journalist’ Condemn Standard Descriptions as Dangerous – Clay Waters
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2018/12/30/ny-times-lets-illegal-immigrant-journalist-condemn-standard

 

PJ MEDIA
— Store Clerk Loses His Mind When Man Wearing Trump Gear Walks In (DIERSEN: What would anti-Trumps and Trump-haters do to you if you wore Trump gear?)
https://pjmedia.com/trending/watch-store-clerk-loses-his-mind-when-man-wearing-trump-gear-walks-into-store/

 

EPOCH TIMES
— Democrats Commit Self-Sabotage by Dumping on Whites and Christians – Carol M. Swain (DIERSEN: What do you say to “Republicans” who dump on 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? Are these “Republican” dumpers really Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs?)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/democrats-commit-self-sabotage-by-dumping-on-whites-and-christians_2750760.html

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— AP Poll: Veterans’ support for Trump strong – EMILY SWANSON and HANNAH FINGERHUT
https://www.apnews.com/8d3610f4fc2f4dafb87ac4479b721de1

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE: In Orange County, a Republican Fortress Turns Democratic – Adam Nagourney and Robert Gebeloff
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/31/us/orange-county-republicans-democrats-demographics.html
— Too Old to Be a Freshman in Congress? Donna Shalala Doesn’t Care – Emily Cochrane
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/30/us/politics/donna-shalala-congress.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Dozens of journalists were murdered in 2018. This is a crisis of press freedom. – Editorial (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have charged me with disseminating “false” or “fake” news. Should I sue my critics/opponents? According to my critics/opponents, all news and commentary is “false” or “fake,” except for the news and commentary that they put out or bless.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/dozens-of-journalists-were-murdered-in-2018-this-is-a-crisis-of-press-freedom/2018/12/30/eab8ad2e-092d-11e9-88e3-989a3e456820_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In Saudi Arabia, the same campaign against dissent that led to Mr. Khashoggi’s murder left 16 journalists imprisoned in December, according to the CPJ account, including four women who reported on women’s rights. Egypt had the dishonorable distinction of imprisoning the most people — 19 — on charges of disseminating “false” or “fake” news. The growing number of journalists jailed or attacked on that pretext is one illustration of the deleterious influence that President Trump has had on press freedom globally. His labeling of the U.S. media as the “enemy of the people” and charges of “fake news” have been imitated by regimes around the world. At the same time, his refusal to hold Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for Mr. Khashoggi’s murder, despite a CIA finding that he likely ordered it, has, as CPJ put it, “signaled that countries that do enough business with the United States are free to murder journalists without consequence.” It won’t be a surprise if 2019 produces another large body count.)

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Shutdown Enters a New Week as House Democrats Ponder Next Move As talks break down over border wall, Democrats could pass short- or long-term funding bills – Kristina Peterson and Peter Nicholas
https://www.wsj.com/articles/shutdown-enters-a-new-week-as-house-democrats-ponder-next-move-11546198295


— If Democrats Were Shrewd . . . They’d divide and conquer, splitting Trump and his populist base from more conventional Republicans. – Bobby Jindal
https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-democrats-were-shrewd-11546199954
— Retraining Programs Fall Short for Some Workers The goal was to help displaced workers gain skills in new industries. But studies show people are earning less or failing to find work – Eric Morath (DIERSEN: Between 1992 and 1997, I paid for my own “retraining.” In 1989, the Democrats who ran GAO’s Chicago office a) made it clear that they would never again assign me to audits of IRS and b) assigned me to audits of federal financial industry regulators. Between 1992 and 1997, I took graduate finance courses at IIT, and in 1997 earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/retraining-programs-fall-short-for-some-workers-11546088401

 

BLOOMBERG
— Washington Parses Trump’s Wall Semantics in Search for Compromise – Anna Edgerton
https://www.yahoo.com/news/washington-parses-trump-wall-semantics-162921177.html

 

ACCOUNTING TODAY
— IRS provides safe harbors related to the SALT deduction – Michael Cohn
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-provides-safe-harbors-for-businesses-related-to-the-salt-deduction

 

WORLD SOCIALIST WEB SITE
— One sixth of world’s people want to flee their home countries
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/12/31/pers-d31.html

December 27 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Republicans seek optimism, lawmakers search for normalcy as Democratic regime prepares to take control of state government – Rick Pearson
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-democrats-springfield-control-20181217-story.html

— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Oklahoma quickly becoming medical marijuana hotbed
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–oklahoma-marijuana-rapid-rollout-20181222-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Cupich aide gives ‘talking points’ to priests to counter AG report on sex abuse – Robert Herguth
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/catholic-church-sex-abuse-crisis-blase-cupich/
— No honor in Bill Daley’s proposal to rename Dan Ryan to honor Obama – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/no-honor-bill-daleys-proposal-rename-dan-ryan-honor-president-barack-obama/
— Local Women’s March leaders say Jan. march was never planned, urge small events – David Struett (DIERSEN: Under the Democrats, we already have anti-male and anti-Trump marches. Under the Democrats, how soon, if not already, will we have anti-Protestant marches, anti-conservative marches, anti-patriotic marches, anti-Republican marches, anti-American marches, anti-White marches, anti-older people marches, anti-rich people marches, anti-gun owners marches, anti-German Americans marches, anti-draft avoider marches, anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time marches, anti-etc. marches?)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/womens-march-anniversary-january-anniversary-trump/

 

DAILY HERALD
— What politicians should do about Illinois’ declining population – Austin Berg
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181227/what-politicians-should-do-about-illinois-declining-population
— Lawmakers, make solving the pension crisis the top priority – Editorial
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181227/editorial-lawmakers-make-solving-the-pension-crisis-the-top-priority
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Are bylaw changes weakening the tollway board, and still keeping them ethical? – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181227/are-bylaw-changes-weakening-the-tollway-board-and-still-keeping-them-ethical

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Illinois Agriculture Director Raymond Poe ready to enjoy retirement – BERNARD SCHOENBURG (DIERSEN: Retirement is far less enjoyable when you are forced into it early. My retirement income is only 43% of what my ending salary was in today’s dollars. Further, if you are forced to take early retirement, your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes use that against you until you die.)
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/illinois-agriculture-director-raymond-poe-ready-to-enjoy-retirement/article_beecd0fc-703a-513a-af6b-cbd0f8b521c5.html

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Rauner says “Rauner leaves legacy of failure.”
https://qconline.com/opinion/columnists/rauner-leaves-legacy-of-failure/article_5b667add-54ba-535d-926c-bdc8b00b7dd8.html

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Farm Bill Boosts Money To Rural Areas With Slow Or No Internet – MARY HANSEN
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/farm-bill-boosts-money-rural-areas-slow-or-no-internet#stream/0

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— What Will Jack Franks Do with the Money that Ed Burke Contributed?
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/27/what-will-jack-franks-do-with-the-money-that-ed-burke-contributed/

 

PUBLIUS FORUM
— Joseph and Mary Were NOT ‘Refugees,’ ‘Immigrants,’ or ‘Homeless’–Stop Saying They Were – Warner Todd Huston
http://www.publiusforum.com/2018/12/26/joseph-and-mary-were-not-refugees-immigrants-or-homeless-stop-saying-they-were/

 

NEWSMAX
— Largest Federal Employee Union Doesn’t Support Shutdown – Solange Reyner
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-shutdown-union-federalworkers/2018/12/26/id/895964/

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— AMERICAN CRIMINALS’ LOBBY UNLIMITED ACLU: the faithful friend to America’s foes. – Lloyd Billingsley
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272338/american-criminals-lobby-unlimited-lloyd-billingsley
— WHY TRUMP’S WALL IS A MUST And why a “virtual fence” will stop no one. – Michael Cutler
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/272349/why-trumps-wall-must-michael-cutler

 

DAILY CALLER
— POLL: TRUMP APPROVAL REMAINS HIGH AMONG REPUBLICANS, BUT NOT FOR GENERAL ELECTORATE – David Krayden
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/27/poll-trump-approval-high-republicans-low-generally/
— FACEBOOK DINGS DEM OPERATIVES WHO PULLED A FAST ONE DURING ALABAMA ELECTION – Chris White
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/26/facebook-russian-ads-democrats/
— SHERROD BROWN TAKES NEXT STEP TOWARDS LAUNCHING A RUN FOR PRESIDENT — PICKS HIS CAMPAIGN SLOGAN – Molly Prince (DIERSEN: Who does your critics/opponents look down on? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes look down on workers. They stress that I was a lowly worker 1962-1997. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.)
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/26/sherrod-brown-2020-slogan-dignity/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has chosen his campaign slogan for a potential presidential run while he is still mulling over a challenge to President Donald Trump in 2020. Brown, notable for his “rumpled” image and more than 40-year public service tenure in Ohio, is exhibiting his midwestern liberal populism with a concise slogan: “The Dignity of Work,” reported Politico on Wednesday.)

 

CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
— The cost of the wall is nothing compared to the yearly cost of illegal immigration – Daniel Horowitz
https://www.conservativereview.com/news/the-cost-of-the-wall-is-nothing-compared-to-the-yearly-cost-of-illegal-immigration/
— Encouraging illegal immigration is not compassionate; it’s dangerous – Nate Madden
https://www.conservativereview.com/news/encouraging-illegal-immigration-is-not-compassionate-its-dangerous/

 

NEW AMERICAN
— ICE Dump of Illegals Highlights Leftist Attack on Detention Policy, Numbers Crossing Border – R. Cort Kirkwood
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/immigration/item/31026-ice-dump-of-illegals-highlights-leftist-attack-on-detention-policy-numbers-crossing-border

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Scripture Scholar Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, SJW – Jeannie DeAngelis
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/12/scripture_scholar_alexandria_ocasiocortez_sjw_.html

 

BREITBART
— Sen. Mike Lee Blocks Senate Confirmation of LGBT Activist to EEOC – Dr. Susan Berry (DIERSEN: How has EEOC impacted you? What did you want when you were young? I wanted a successful career in the automotive industry. EEOC ended all that in 1971 when I was 22 when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. That made me unemployed because Firestone had fired me for accepting that offer. I had to get a job fast because I had a financial hardship draft deferment to help support my mother and brother. Because of the aforesaid, I accepted a job offer from IRS.)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/26/sen-mike-lee-blocks-senate-confirmation-of-lgbt-activist-to-eeoc/

 

BLAZE
— YouTube changed search results to appease liberal writer angry over pro-life videos Who needs government censorship when companies readily stifle speech – Carlos Garcia
https://www.theblaze.com/news/youtube-changed-search-results-to-appease-liberal-writer-angry-over-pro-life-videos

 

PJ MEDIA
— Opposition to Texas GOP Official Shahid Shafi Is Not Due to Bigotry – ROBERT SPENCER (DIERSEN: Far too many Democrat plant, Libertarian plant, Green plant, and RINO activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. a) not only fail/refuse to defend/advance planks in the Republican Party platform, b) they work against those like me who defend/advance those planks.)
https://pjmedia.com/homeland-security/opposition-to-texas-gop-official-shahid-shafi-is-not-due-to-bigotry/

 

PATRIOT POST
— The Crisis of America’s Upper Class – R. Emmett Tyrrell (DIERSEN: What does the “upper class” think of you? According to operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents, the “upper class” in my precinct, in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois hates me.)
https://patriotpost.us/opinion/60238-the-crisis-of-americas-upper-class

 

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Anti-Catholic Senators – Steve Cortes
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2018/12/26/anti-catholic_senators_139012.html

 

THE HILL
— Trump’s military moves accelerate GOP search for next McCain – ALEXANDER BOLTON (DIERSEN: Are you a veteran? One thing used against candidates for political and government offices who are male is their not being a veteran. But if you are a draft avoider, that will be used against you tremendously.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/422918-trumps-foreign-policy-moves-accelerate-gop-search-for-next-mccain

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— Homeland Security Chief Faults Parents, ‘Open Border’ Supporters In Migrant Kids’ Deaths Kirstjen Nielsen ordered an overhaul of medical screening procedures at the Mexican border after Felipe Gómez Alonzo, 8, died on Christmas Eve. – Carla Herreria
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dhs-secretary-kirstjen-nielsen-migrant-child-death_us_5c11a49be4b002a46c13f3c3

 

CNBC
— Trump scolds Democrats over border wall with no government shutdown resolution in sight – Jacob Pramuk
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/27/trump-chides-democrats-over-border-wall-amid-government-shutdown.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— As Shutdown Continues, Resolution May Depend on Definition of ‘Wall’ – Emily Cochrane and Jennifer Medina
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/government-shutdown-wall.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump claims without evidence that ‘most of the people not getting paid’ in partial government shutdown are Democrats – Felicia Sonmez (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-claims-without-evidence-that-most-of-the-people-not-getting-paid-in-partial-government-shutdown-are-democrats/2018/12/27/afbc992a-09cc-11e9-88e3-989a3e456820_story.html
— Here’s how much the federal minimum wage fell this year – Christopher Ingraham (DIERSEN: When did you work the federal minimum wage? I did 1964-1966.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/12/26/heres-how-much-federal-minimum-wage-fell-this-year/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: This is a problem for workers at the low end of the wage scale, because inflation — the tendency of the price of just about everything to rise over time — steadily gnaws away at the value of the minimum wage as time passes. The federal minimum was last increased in July 2009, when it was set to $7.25 an hour. It remains nominally at that level today, but in real terms inflation has chipped more than a dollar away from its value: $7.25 in 2009 works out to about $6.19 today. In the past year alone, the minimum wage has lost 14 cents of value, relative to 2009. While that’s bad news for low-end workers, it’s good news for the companies that employ them: an hour of minimum wage labor now costs less, relative to the price of everything else, than it did back in 2009. Employers get to decide what to do with that $1.06 in savings. They could pass it on to consumers, for instance, or they could simply pocket it as profit for themselves and their shareholders. Given that corporate profits are near record levels, it’s safe to assume there’s a considerable amount of the latter going on. Zooming out, all the way back to the inception of the federal minimum wage in 1938, we can see that there’s been a steady decline in the inflation-adjusted value of the wage going back to about 1968, when it peaked at about $11.39 in 2018 dollars.)

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Trump’s 2017 tax bill will probably mean billions less in donations for charities this year – Bill Theobald
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/12/26/giving-charitable-groups-bracing-drop-donations-year/2352327002/

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Americans use young citizens of foreign countries as cannon fodder.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/12/26/immigration-border-security-guatemala-death-child-talker/2413367002/

 

NEW YORK SUN
— New Attack By Elites On Deplorables – BETSY McCAUGHEY (DIERSEN: Who are the elites in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois? How strongly do they attack deplorables, that is, how strongly do they attack those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://www.nysun.com/national/new-attack-by-democrats-on-deplorables/90514/

 

WBUR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage children to engage in LGBTQ activity.
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/12/26/lgbtq-education-illinois

 

NPR
— How Is Trump’s Insistence On A Border Wall Playing To His Base? (DIERSEN: Members of Trump’s base include those who are Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Obviously, anti-Trumps want the Republican Party to dump Trump’s base.)
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/26/680139108/how-is-trump-s-insistence-on-a-border-wall-playing-to-his-base

 

TIME
— Returning Christmas Gifts and Taking a Second Job: Federal Workers Are Already Feeling the Pain of the Shutdown – MAHITA GAJANAN (DIERSEN: How have federal government shutdowns impacted you? I was a federal retiree and Social Security recipient during shutdowns in 2013 and this year. I was an IRS employee during shutdowns in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I was a GAO employee during shutdowns in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1996.)
http://time.com/5488566/government-shutdown-federal-workers-furlough-salary/

 

NEW YORKER
— Evangelicals of Color Fight Back Against the Religious Right – Eliza Griswold
https://www.newyorker.com/news/on-religion/evangelicals-of-color-fight-back-against-the-religious-right

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Trump: Most Furloughed Employees Are Democrats – Tom Shoop (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, viturally all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats.)
https://www.govexec.com/management/2018/12/trump-most-furloughed-employees-are-democrats/153811/

 

DAILY MAIL
— ICE releases another 522 migrants in Texas and New Mexico – bringing total number of asylum seekers released from federal detention facilities to more than 1,000 this week – ARIEL ZILBER (DIERSEN: What if ICE released lots of illegals into your precinct, into your municipality, into your township/ward, into your county, and into Illinois?)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6531935/ICE-releases-522-migrants-Texas-New-Mexico-bringing-total-released-1-000.html

December 26 Evening Edition

ABC7
— President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump make surprise visit to troops in Iraq for Christmas – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/president-trump-first-lady-visit-troops-in-iraq-for-christmas/4970506/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps stress the importance of employees who oversee federal food stamps.
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/shutdown-to-cut-office-overseeing-federal-food-stamps-by-95-percent/4970744/

 

NBC5
— 30 New Illinois Laws Taking Effect in 2019 – Shelby Bremer
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/new-2019-illinois-laws-503509331.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump signals no end to shutdown: ‘You have to have a wall’ – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/trump-signals-no-end-to-shutdown-you-have-to-have-a-wall-

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Racial divide scuttles Chicago’s Women’s March. What happens now? – Clarence Page
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-chicago-womens-march-louis-farrakhan-donald-trump-tamika-mallory-20181226-story.html
— While GM idles sedan production, Chicago-area Ford, Chrysler plants are going strong after shifting to SUVs – Robert Channick
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-ford-chrysler-jeep-auto-plants-chicago-20181203-story.html
— The voice of the people of 1968 – Ron Grossman (DIERSEN: What were you doing in 1968? I was a full-time student at UIC and a part-time employee for the Park Forest Post Office. I lived with my parents and brother in Crete. I sold my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and bought a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE. I saved money for college expenses.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-flashback-1968-letters-editor-voice-people-1230-20181219-story.html
— Top stories of 2018: Lake County Democrats join national blue wave – Frank Abderholden
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-top-stories-blue-wave-st-1227-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump received bone spurs diagnosis as a favor.” (DIERSEN: Did you register for the draft? I did in 1966 when I was 18 years old. I was classified 1-A notwithstanding the fact that my eyesight could not be corrected to 20/20, I had partial red/green color blindness, and I had Osgood-Schlatter disease (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease). I got four student draft deferments 1966-1970 while I attended UIC and NIU and I got a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971. I always knew that would be used against me, but I did know that it would be used against me so strongly.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-trump-bone-spurs-vietnam-20181226-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Politics aside, renaming Dan Ryan Expressway for Obama has appeal – Editorial (DIERSEN: In a state in which Republicans are in the minority, renaming the expressway would shout “Republicans are not welcome.”)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/dan-ryan-expressway-barack-obama-bill-daley-renaming-chicago-mayoral-election/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Our wishes for lawmakers in new era: independence, cooperation – Editorial (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, tragically, far more Democrat lawmakers defend and advance the Democrat Party platform than Republican lawmakers defend and advance the Republican Party platform.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181226/editorial-our-wishes-for-lawmakers-in-new-era-independence-cooperation
— ‘I feel respected’: Navy recruits welcomed at Arlington Heights school for Christmas – Russell Lissau (DIERSEN: Who disrespects you? My critics/opponents, their operatives, their dupes disrespect those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181225/i-feel-respected-navy-recruits-welcomed-at-arlington-heights-school-for-christmas

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Pain at the pump? Move to increase Illinois’ gas tax gaining some traction – KEVIN BARLOW
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/pain-at-the-pump-move-to-increase-illinois-gas-tax/article_621f8df8-313d-5a31-a4df-e59fd5197b5b.html

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Rauners say that they want Trump to learn from Rauner’s difficulties.
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-12-26/editorial-the-bogus-budget-battle.html

 

GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— Rauner years an expensive lesson – Scott Reeder
https://www.galesburg.com/opinion/20181226/scott-reeder-rauner-years-expensive-lesson

 

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Republican lawmaker (Tim Bivins) wants to see more party leadership – Scott Bertram
https://www.daily-journal.com/news/illinois/republican-lawmaker-wants-to-see-more-party-leadership/article_b0e52d88-0915-11e9-93da-0ba2d1dc9973.html

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Over $17M donated to GoFundMe for Trump’s border wall – McKenzie Stauffer
https://foxillinois.com/news/offbeat/over-17m-donated-to-gofundme-for-trumps-border-wall
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump confuses, misleads on border wall.”
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/fact-check-trump-confuses-misleads-on-border-wall

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Mike Walkup Writes of Jack Franks’ Threat During 2016 County Fair
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/26/walkup-writes-of-franks-threat-during-2016-county-fair/
— Politician Other Than Jack Franks Called a Weasel
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/26/politician-other-than-jack-franks-called-a-weasel/

 

SE ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey decries continuing exodus from state, cites taxes as cause – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511689988-bailey-decries-continuing-exodus-from-state-cites-taxes-as-cause

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ANOTHER IL GOP OFFICIAL (John McGlasson) JOINS CALL FOR STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE TO RE-GATHER FOLLOWING RAUNER REVELATIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/another-il-gop-official-joins-the-call-for-state-central-committee-to-re-gather-following-rauner-rev.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “The conservative wing of the party willingly and enthusiastically supported Governor Rauner in his first campaign,” McGlasson said. “Then, in my opinion, he broke his word and turned to liberal stances on social issues and forgot his plans to balance the budget and reform our pension system. That is why he lost the enthusiastic support of social conservatives.” McGlasson said the IL GOP leadership change is urgent. “We need to find a leader who can bring us together while respecting the party platform. Chairman Schneider’ term lasts through the spring of 2020. We cannot wait that long to begin the transformation,” he said. Illinois Review reached out to Morrison after his December 14th statement, and he has yet to reply.)
— FAMILIES ENCOURAGED TO “SHOUT THEIR ADOPTIONS!” JANUARY 27 AT STATE CAPITOL
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/families-encouraged-to-shout-their-adoptions-january-27-at-state-capitol.html
— CHICAGO WOMEN’S MARCH CANCELS JANUARY OUTDOOR RALLY; LEADERSHIP LINKED TO ANTI-SEMITISM
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/chicago-womens-march-cancels-january-outdoor-rally-leadership-linked-to-anti-semitism.html

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— President Trump, Take Your Case For The Wall To The People
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29374

 

FOX NEWS
— Farrakhan awash in federal dollars, anti-Semitic hate notwithstanding – Deroy Murdock
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/farrakhan-awash-in-federal-dollars-anti-semitic-hate-notwithstanding

 

DAILY CALLER
— OPINION: 10 REASONS WE CAN ALL BE THANKFUL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP – Paris Dennard
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/26/reasons-thank-trump/

 

EAGLE PAC
— Facebook suspends accounts tied to Dem disinformation scheme in Alabama race – Greg Norman
https://eagleactionreport.com/articles/facebook-suspends-accounts-tied-to-dem-disinformation-scheme-in-alabama-race

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— People Believe ‘Fake News’ Because They Want it to Be True – JIM GERAGHTY
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/people-believe-fake-news-because-they-want-it-to-be-true/

 

THE HILL
— Democrats worry: Top three candidates in polls are all white men – AMIE PARNES (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? According to anti-Trumps, the following are bad demographics: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, draft avoider, German American, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/422545-dems-worry-top-three-candidates-in-polls-are-all-white-men

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Juan Escalante glorifies and praises citizens of foreign countries.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-2018-trump-immigrants_us_5c1a76cee4b0ce5184b98729

 

CBS NEWS
— “We do live paycheck by paycheck”: Federal workers struggle as shutdown continues – ROB LEGARE (DIERSEN: Have you ever lived “paycheck by paycheck?” I have never lived “paycheck by paycheck,” and of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always been furious about that. They stress a) that my parents provided me with room and board 1966, 1967, 1968, weekends during my first semester at NIU in 1969, and the summer of 1969, b) that I got student draft deferments 1966-1970 and a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971, c) that I got married in 1978, d) that my wife had savings and income, and e) that we gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-workers-struggle-as-shutdown-continues-through-christmas-2018-12-25/

 

ABC NEWS
— ABC Sneers: ‘Without Any Proof,’ Trump Cites Federal Workers Who Back Him on Border Wall – Tim Graham (DIERSEN: Some of my Democrat superiors and supervisors in the federal government disapproved of their having to waste the careers of and to get rid of their employees like me who were 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. That is, they disapproved of having to carry out political affiliation, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation orders.)
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2018/12/26/abc-without-any-proof-trump-cites-federal-workers-who-back-him-border

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq to See American Troops – Annie Karni, Mark Landler and Thomas Gibbons-Neff
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/trump-iraq-troops-visit.html
— Stocks Bounce Back From Edge of Bear Market – Emily Flitter
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/business/business-stock-markets.html
— As Shutdown Lingers, Only Guarantee for Federal Workers Is More Uncertainty – Alan Blinder and Kate Taylor (DIERSEN: How have federal government shutdowns impacted you? I was a federal retiree during shutdowns in 2013 and this year. I was an IRS employee during shutdowns in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I was a GAO employee during shutdowns in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1996.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/shutdown-federal-workers-.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Dow soars more than 1,050 points, its biggest point gain in history, recovering from days of losses – Thomas Heath
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/us-stocks-volatile-as-markets-try-to-recover-from-christmas-eve-freefall/2018/12/26/29f8905e-0928-11e9-85b6-41c0fe0c5b8f_story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Dow Industrials Post First-Ever 1,000 Point Gain in a Session
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-stocks-poised-for-gains-11545827647

 

BOSTON
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Bill would bar workers from being fired for private pot use Workers can still be fired for using the drug, even if it’s outside of work and its effects have worn off by the time they return to their jobs. – AP
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2018/12/25/bill-would-bar-workers-from-being-fired-for-private-pot-use

 

SEATTLE TIMES
— As labor market tightens, women are moving into male-dominated jobs – CLAIRE CAIN MILLER and Jed Kolko (DIERSEN: Women did not want the jobs that I had because they were male-dominated jobs. Women did not want the jobs that I had because they were bad jobs. Because the jobs that I had were bad jobs, my superiors had an extremely hard time hiring women to take them. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.)
https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/as-labor-market-tightens-women-are-moving-into-male-dominated-jobs/

 

BLOOMBERG
— Hot Labor Market Brought Full-Time Perks to Part-Time Employees – Rebecca Greenfield (DIERSEN: I got full-time Civil Service Retirement System credit while I worked part-time for the Post Office 1966-1969. My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious about that. They would not have been furious about that if I had been a Democrat, a minority, a female, or a veteran.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-24/hot-labor-market-brought-full-time-perks-to-part-time-employees

 

FORBES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/12/26/these-states-are-most-likely-to-legalize-marijuana-in-2019/#7e226d6c5add

 

FEDERAL TIMES
— Trump claims federal workers want shutdown for border wall – Jessie Bur
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/2018/12/26/trump-claims-federal-workers-want-shutdown-for-border-wall/

December 23 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Durbin poised to run in 2020: ‘Raising money and trying to lose some weight’ – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/durbin-poised-to-run-in-2020-raising-money-and-trying-to-lose-some-weight/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s reluctant backers sour on his leadership, policies.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/trumps-reluctant-backers-sour-on-his-leadership-policies/

 

NBC5
— Did Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin Admit to Running in 2020? “We now have reached a depth of dysfunction that I’ve never seen before in Washington,” – Daniela Prizont-Cado
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Did-Illinois-Sen-Dick-Durbin-Admit-to-Running-in-2020-503409241.html

 

ABC7
— Trump: Mattis out as of Jan. 1; deputy to be acting chief – CNN (DIERSEN: Have you been let go earlier than your “planned departure.” I had planned to retire no sooner than 2003 when I would be 55 years old and eligible for a regular Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. But in 1997, when I was 49 years old, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” Consequently, my CSRS pension is only 41% of what my GAO salary was in today’s dollars. In 1971, I wanted a successful career in the automotive industry. But EEOC ended all that when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. That made me unemployed because Firestone had fired me for accepting that offer. I had to get a job fast because I had a financial hardship draft deferment to help support my mother and brother. Because of the aforesaid, I accepted a job offer from IRS.)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-mattis-out-as-of-jan-1/4954503/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump announced on Sunday he would replace Defense Secretary James Mattis at the start of the new year, two months earlier than Mattis’ planned departure. “I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019. Patrick has a long list of accomplishments while serving as Deputy, + previously Boeing. He will be great!” Trump tweeted. Mattis announced his resignation on Thursday with a letter saying his views were not aligned with Trump, who said Mattis would retire at the end of February. A source familiar with the matter said Trump was mad at the extensive coverage given to Mattis’ resignation and therefore was forcing him to leave earlier than he originally planned.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Americans promote anti-American activities.
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/response-to-viral-gofundme-page-seeks-ladders-to-defeat-border-wall/4943075/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Profiting off presidency? Trump biz takes hit since election – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181223/news/312239970/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “How history should guide a Trump impeachment inquiry.”
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/how-history-should-guide-trump-impeachment-inquiry

 

WBBM 780
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Declining Illinois Population Likely To Set Off Congressional Remapping – CRAIG DELLIMORE
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/declining-illinois-population-likely-set-congressional-remapping

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Marijuana legalization a bad idea – Robert Gebhardt, Johnsburg
https://www.nwherald.com/2018/12/21/letter-marijuana-legalization-a-bad-idea/ad7mrpa/

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Rauner shouldn’t have run in the first place – Editorial
https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-rauner-shouldn-t-have-run-in-the-first-place/article_be551d94-edf1-52ba-9487-b22bcdc93db4.html

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Lawmakers may gamble on a casino bill again – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-12-23/tom-kacich-lawmakers-may-gamble-casino-bill-again.html

 

MC HENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Northwest Herald Finally Recognizes Jack Franks Lies
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/23/northwest-herald-finally-recognizes-jack-franks-lies/
— “Franks was not immediately available for comment.”
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/23/franks-was-not-immediately-available-for-comment/

 

FOX NEWS
— President Trump, you must keep your promise to build the wall — You cannot buckle – Judge Jeanine Pirro
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/jeanine-pirro-president-trump-you-must-keep-your-promise-to-build-the-wall-you-cannot-buckle

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Dick Durbin says Dems want to keep out drugs and guns, doesn’t mention illegals – Valerie Richardson
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/23/dick-durbin-says-democrats-want-keep-out-drugs-and/
— Trump insists on steel slatted fence with funding counteroffer to Democrats – Valerie Richardson and Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/23/donald-trump-concedes-wall-funding-not-steel-slatt/
— Group that escorts migrant caravans to U.S. border draws scrutiny – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/23/pueblo-sin-fronteras-group-escorts-migrant-caravan/

 

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— The Government Lost Billions More Bailing Out GM Than The $5.7 Billion Request For Wall Funding – Molly Prince
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/12/the-government-lost-billions-more-bailing-out-gm-than-the-5-7-billion-request-for-wall-funding/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— WAY TO FUND A BORDER WALL Lowell Ponte emphasizes ‘some kind of solution is desperately needed’
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/way-to-fund-a-border-wall/
— MR. PRESIDENT, BUILD THE WALL! Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson slams Dems who ‘want power by any means necessary’
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/mr-president-build-the-wall/

 

COLLEGE FIX
— Profs: Trump’s ‘anti-immigrant’ rhetoric harms health of Latino families
https://www.thecollegefix.com/profs-trumps-anti-immigrant-rhetoric-harms-health-of-latino-families/

 

CAMPUS REFORM
— Top 5 times higher ed cried ‘white supremacy’ this year – Celine Ryan
https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11676

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— A Shutdown to Nowhere – Editorial
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/12/government-shutdown-trump-border-wall-funding-fight/

 

NBC NEWS
— What could go wrong with the 2020 census? Almost everything, GAO says The company printing the forms went bankrupt, there aren’t enough workers, and field tests have been cut back. Then there’s the citizenship question. – Dartunorro Clark
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/what-could-go-wrong-2020-census-almost-everything-government-watchdog-n947761

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Which boxes to check? College hopefuls weigh race, identity and affirmative action. – Nick Anderson (DIERSEN: What if I had claimed Swedish ancestry? What is your national origin? During the 1840s and 1850s, all my ancestors immigrated to northeast Illinois from what is now Germany. Of course, needless-to-say, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always used that against me. In my defense, I stress that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans during WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans during WWII, and that my father would have fought the Germans during WWII if he had not been 4-F. Further, according to http://dna.ancestry.com, my ancestry is 33% Europe West, 28% Scandinavia, 24% Great Britain, 11% Ireland, 2% Europe East, 1% Finland/Northwest Russia, and 1% Italy/Greece. What if I had claimed Swedish ancestry?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/which-boxes-to-check-college-hopefuls-weigh-race-identity-and-affirmative-action/2018/12/23/d8458af0-f7d9-11e8-8d64-4e79db33382f_story.html

(FROM THE ARTICLE: Sabria Kazmi’s background defies easy classification. She has grandparents from Tennessee, Iraq and two countries in South Asia. So when the 18-year-old filled out her college application, she puzzled over what boxes to check. The task is all the more sensitive this year amid the mounting debate over the role of race and ethnicity in admissions. First, Kazmi came to white. Check. Then Asian. Check. Followed by Middle Eastern and Pakistani. Check, check. She found a blank space to write in her Bangladeshi roots. Kazmi, a high school senior in Northern Virginia, could have gone further because one grandmother is part Cherokee. But she stopped there. “I remember someone once telling me something like, ‘Oh, you should put Native American on your college applications. It will help you,’ ” Kazmi said. “I of course did not because it would not be fair for me to claim to have the same culture and to have faced the same obstacles as someone with a larger connection to their Native American ancestry.” The roiling national debate over affirmative action in college admissions has raised the stakes for these questions about identity. Hundreds of thousands of applicants are wrestling with whether and how to describe their race and ethnicity and what that information should mean to the gatekeepers reading their files.)

 

NEW YORK POST
— Dick Durbin blasts Trump’s ‘political insecurity’ – Marisa Schultz
https://nypost.com/2018/12/23/dick-durbin-blasts-trumps-political-insecurity/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Administration Warns Shutdown Could Last Into January High-stakes spending fight could extend into new Congress with Democratic House – Stephanie Armour, Natalie Andrews and Kristina Peterson
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-warns-shutdown-could-last-into-january-11545580036
— The Phony Shutdown War Trump and Democrats put political symbolism over policy substance. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-phony-shutdown-war-11545593815

 

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP HAS BEEN FORCED TO HIRE FORMER BUSH OFFICIALS AS HIS STAFF LEAVE, DESPITE PREVIOUSLY MOCKING THEM – TIM MARCIN (DIERSEN: Constructively, my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates mocked me. GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, they did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 Step 1 (currently $32,978/year) intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.)
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-allies-suspicious-bushies-bush-family-hiring-conservatives-1269916