January 6 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Trump, in pushback against new book, says he is ‘a very stable genius’ – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-pushing-back-against-book-says-he-is-a-very-stable-genius/2872778/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Police: Vehicle pulled over in Riverside was ‘rolling drug store’
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/police-vehicle-pulled-over-in-riverside-was-rolling-drug-store

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump boasts that he’s a ‘very stable genius’ amid questions over his mental fitness – David Nakamura
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-stable-genius-20180106-story.html
— Cold snap expected to tie record, won’t break it – Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-ties-cold-snap-record-but-wont-break-it-20180106-story.html

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner’s to-do list looks familiar – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180106/statehouse-insider-rauners-to-do-list-looks-familiar
— Harley in the garage? Rauner gets his skates; Salary changes; Odom out; Turning Point – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180106/bernard-schoenburg-harley-in-garage-rauner-gets-his-skates

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— McHenry County clerk candidate Janice Dalton files for bankruptcy same day she joined race – ED KOMENDA
http://www.nwherald.com/2018/01/05/mchenry-county-clerk-candidate-janice-dalton-files-for-bankruptcy-same-day-she-joined-race/ajov0fw/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Dalton’s Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy filing lists $10,000 in video gambling losses and $30,000 in money she withdrew in her husband’s name from his annuity fund. Her husband, Michael Dalton, listed those losses in a separate Chapter 7 bankruptcy he filed in October, reporting the $32,000 loss as “wife misappropriated annuity funds.” Janice Dalton would not comment on details about the withdrawal from her husband’s annuity fund. “That’s between my husband and I, and that’s personal,” she said.)

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Private school tax credits off to good start – Editorial (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20180106/our-view-private-school-tax-credits-off-to-good-start

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Illinois 15th District Congressional Democratic candidate forum to be held January 9 (DIERSEN: The first question for candidates participating in Republican candidate forums in Illinois should be: If elected, do you promise to defend and advance all the planks in the Republican Party and Illinois Republican Party platforms including their traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks? The second question should be: What have you done that shows that you oppose the promotion of LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, diminution of Second Amendment rights, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination?)
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/114084/illinois-15th-district-congressional-candidate-forum-to-be-held

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Pot industry frets, then shrugs off Sessions’ new policy – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/pot-industry-frets-then-shrugs-off-sessions-new-policy/904228745
— The Latest: Trump sees possible deal on young immigrants (DIERSEN: If Dreamers were surveyed, if they were asked if they would vote for Trump if Trump gave them U.S. citizenship, what would they say?)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/the-latest-trump-says-hes-well-prepared-for-2018-agenda/904247541

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Evangelicals and Mormons Are Political Allies, But Theological Rivals – TOM GJELTEN
http://nprillinois.org/post/evangelicals-and-mormons-are-political-allies-theological-rivals#stream/0

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— House Democrat announces he will not attend State of the Union address – Sally Persons
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/5/earl-blumenauer-oregon-democrat-not-attend-state/

 

BREITBART
— Tucker Carlson: Republican Party Is Gone, Over, Toast If It Makes Deal With Dems on DACA, Chain Migration – JEFF POOR
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2018/01/06/tucker-carlson-republican-party-gone-toast-makes-deal-dems-daca-chain-migration/

 

TOWNHALL
— ‘No Wall, No DACA’ – Trump Speaks from Camp David – Timothy Meads
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2018/01/06/trump-demands-full-border-wall-funding-and-security-in-daca-negotiations-n2430929

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Illinois city (Harvey) runs out of other people’s money – Thomas Lifson
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/illinois_city_runs_out_of_other_peoples_money.html
— Just who are the ‘DREAMers’? – Thomas Lifson
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/just_emwhoem_are_the_dreamers.html
— For NeverTrumps, good news for America is bad news – David Zukerman
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/for_never_trumpers_good_news_for_america_is_bad_news.html
— Trump offers DREAMer amnesty now for 300 miles of border wall by 2027 – Ed Straker
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/trump_offers_dreamer_amnesty_now_for_300_miles_of_border_wall_by_2027.html

 

NBC NEWS
— LGBTQ nonprofits fear ‘disastrous’ losses under new tax plan – Julie Moreau
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-nonprofits-fear-disastrous-losses-under-new-tax-plan-n835081

 

CNN
— Jobs everywhere! Except at stores – Chris Isidore
http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/05/news/economy/retail-job-losses/index.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— The top 10 gubernatorial races of 2018 – Amber Phillips
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/06/the-top-10-gubernatorial-races-of-2018/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 4. Illinois (Republican defending): What happens when two billionaires clash? We’re about to find out. Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) is running for reelection in the bluest states in the Midwest and has already given his own campaign $50 million. But that’s peanuts to fellow billionaire J.B. Pritzker, of one of the wealthiest families in the country, who has said if he wins the nomination (over a field that includes a member of the Kennedy family), he’ll spend whatever it takes to win the general election. The Illinois race is shaping up to be the most expensive nonpresidential race in American history, which both sides say make it extremely unpredictable.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Senate Republicans become Trump accomplices in manipulating the system.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/01/05/senate-republicans-become-trump-accomplices-in-manipulating-the-system/

 

USA TODAY
— Marijuana sellers undeterred by threat of federal prosecution – Trevor Hughes
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/01/05/marijuana-sellers-undeterred-threat-federal-prosecution/1008483001/

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Website scores churches on the transparency of their LGBTQ policies – David J. SegalJan
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/houston-belief/article/Website-scores-churches-on-the-transparency-of-12478780.php

 

SACRAMENTO BEE
— California had a TV ad that promoted drug use? It’s Reefer Madness! – ERIKA D. SMITH
http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/erika-d-smith/article193302749.html

 

FORBES
— Marijuana Investors Aren’t Scared By Sessions’ Change In Pot Policy – Mona Zhang (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/monazhang/2018/01/06/marijuana-investors-arent-scared-by-sessions-change-in-pot-policy/#5cf2da0880fb

 

BLOOMBERG
— Trump Warns Democrats Again: No Mexican Border Wall, No DACA – Bill Allison, Margaret Talev, and Laura Litvan
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-06/trump-warns-democrats-there-won-t-be-daca-deal-if-no-border-wall

 

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Overwhelmingly, a) Democrats are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and b) Republicans are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/06/republicans-now-party-identity-politics-donald-trump

January 5 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Downstate governor candidate blames lack of attention on his ‘middle-class’ status – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bob-daiber-illinois-governor-20180105-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers say “Pot cures town’s economic ills.”
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20180105/281895888630617
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON AMERICA TIGHTENS: 1 in 10 youths has been homeless over the past year, survey finds – Moriah Balingit (DIERSEN: Democrats promote homelessness because they promote a) the breakdown of the traditional family, b) dependency on government, c) dependency on charity, d) LGBTQ activity, e) abortion, f) mass/illegal immigration, g) booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, and h) even worse things.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-homeless-youths-survey-20171231-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Questions about Trump’s mental, physical health brewing.” Have the Democrats succeeded in forcing you out? In 1997, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” In 1969, my Democrat Post Office superiors succeeded in forcing me to resign.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sweet-questions-about-trumps-mental-physical-health-brewing/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Democrats in the meantime are trying to figure out a way to invoke the 25th Amendment for the first time — that’s the one where a president can be removed from office if he can’t discharge his duties because of a physical or mental condition. My take on the question of what the public will learn about Trump’s Jan. 12 physical exam is . . . Trump, 71, who does not exercise and is not careful about what he eats, wants the nation to know his body mass index about as much as he wants to release his tax returns. Barack Obama and other presidents have allowed their doctors to provide a detailed medical report. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has pledged a “readout.” Obama’s March 8, 2016, physical, besides the body mass index, disclosed his weight, resting heart rate, pulse and the results of pulmonary, cardiac, gastrointestinal and other tests and studies. In addition there were lab results for cholesterol, fasting blood glucose tests and the list of medications being taken. Obama got good grades for a healthy diet and consistent exercise. You may recall that in December 2015, Trump’s personal physician, Harold Bornstein, declared that Trump “will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” We’ll see. There are other reasons besides the Wolff book to wonder about Trump’s mental competence. How about that risky and innuendo-laced Tweet on Tuesday night taunting North Korea leader Kim Jong Un over whose nuclear button is bigger? Or Trump’s compulsion to disregard facts, even when he has been proven wrong? Or his insistence that everything he does is bigger and better than every president before him? Republicans feel they have to be circumspect about Trump’s behavior. But Trump’s erratic moves energizes Democrats who are itching to invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to force Trump out of the White House. Now this is not impeachment. This is about using the 25th Amendment for the first time to remove a president from office for a physical or mental incapacity. Section 4 says when the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet members or Congress find “that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”)
— Regular folks have no real chance of making a difference in elections – Donald Nauyokas, Brighton Park (DIERSEN: By their blaming me for all the defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that I am more than just a “regular folk.”)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/regular-folks-make-difference-elections-letters/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Mount Prospect gives manager 5 percent raise, $20,000 bonus – Steve Zalusky
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180104/mount-prospect-gives-manager-5-percent-raise-20000-bonus

 

WTTW
— Bannon Slams Trump: Republicans (Matt Murphy and Jennifer Nevins) React to Claims of West Wing Chaos – Eddie Arruza
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/01/04/bannon-slams-trump-republicans-react-claims-west-wing-chaos

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Kennedy keeps firing at bosses – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-01-05/kennedy-keeps-firing-bosses.html

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Sangamon County’s population declines by 2,500 in five years – Rachel Droze
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/sangamon-countys-population-declines-by-2500-in-five-years#new_tab

 

WBEZ
— Illinois First Lady To Join Rauner At Vets’ Home With Legionnaires’ History – Tony Arnold, Mariah Woelfel
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/illinois-first-lady-to-join-rauner-at-vets-home-with-legionnaires-history/a3516b7e-77f1-4195-ad43-cec739d83ecd

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Rauner Polls – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/01/04/rauner-polls/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois legislators react to possible DOJ move on marijuana prohibition – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-legislators-react-to-possible-doj-move-on-marijuana-prohibition/article_006ed280-f17c-11e7-88eb-ff866e2039c8.html

 

GOPUSA
— OUTSTANDING: ICE leader says sanctuary city politicians should be arrested
http://www.gopusa.com/ice-leader-says-sanctuary-city-politicians-should-be-arrested/
— Planned Parenthood enters transgender market
http://www.gopusa.com/planned-parenthood-enters-transgender-market/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— ANTI-INVASION GROUP HITS TWITTER WITH CIVIL-RIGHTS COMPLAINT Immigration PAC blocked for issuing statement about DACA legislation – ALICIA POWE (DIERSEN: Who wants to block you from doing what? My critics/opponents want to block me from a) sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, b) knowing about their events and other activities, b) promoting their events and other activities, c) attending their events, and d) reporting on their events and other activities.)
http://www.wnd.com/2018/01/twitter-being-hit-with-civil-rights-complaint/

 

INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
— America Is Migrating To Trump States – MICHAEL BARONE
https://www.investors.com/politics/columnists/america-is-migrating-to-trump-states/

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “New scrutiny for Trump’s mental fitness after book, tweets.” Democrats always hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans are not mentally fit.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367512-book-tweets-prompt-new-scrutiny-for-trumps-mental-fitness

 

POLITICO
— Journalists scrutinize Michael Wolff’s credibility ‘Fire and Fury’ author to appear on ‘Today’ while other reporters criticize — and defend — his reporting. – MICHAEL CALDERONE (DIERSEN: Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, and Greens and Green plants criticize my credibility and my reporting. Republicans defend my credibility and my reporting.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/04/michael-wolff-fire-fury-credibility-325399

 

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump’s bully bluster works better from Trump Tower than the White House.”
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/opinions/trumps-bully-bluster-works-better-from-trump-tower-than-the-white-house-opinion-callan/index.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Can States Fix the G.O.P. Tax Law? – Editorial (DIERSEN: For example, will states cap real estate tax bills at say $7,000/year and cap state income tax at say $3,000/year?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/opinion/states-fix-gop-tax.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “The Bogus Voter-Fraud Commission Is Dead, but the Myths Aren’t.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/opinion/voter-fraud-commission.html
— California Defiant in Face of Federal Move to Get Tough on Marijuana – Thomas Fuller (DIERSEN: How soon will California leave the United States and join up with Mexico? Constructively, Mexico has declared war on the United States.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/us/california-defiant-in-face-of-federal-move-to-get-tough-on-marijuana.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— If 2017 posed problems for feds, 2018 could be worse with attacks on pay, benefits – Joe Davidson (DIERSEN: I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 20 years. Who hates you? Overwhelmingly, a) past, present, and future federal employees and retirees hate me because I have always been a Republican and b) those who hate past, present, and future federal employees and retirees hate me because I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 20 years.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/01/05/if-2017-posed-problems-for-feds-2018-could-be-worse-with-attacks-on-pay-benefits/

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Steve Bannon reportedly loses support of top financial backer Rebekah Mercer – David Boroff (DIERSEN: It would be great if my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would disclose who their financial backers are. Operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents talk and act like they have been promised lots of money, a new home, a new car, a sweetheart job, a sweetheart contract, favorable legislation, and lots more if they succeed in stopping me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. In the past, they succeeded in ending my a) TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship, b) Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee membership, c) Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster service, d) Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee membership, e) American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board membership, f) GAO employment, g) etc.)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bannon-reportedly-loses-support-top-financial-backer-article-1.3736973

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— OUTSTANDING: Justice Department Rescinds Obama-Era Relaxation of Marijuana Prosecution – Del Quentin Wilber and Dan Frosch
https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-to-rescind-obama-era-relaxation-of-marijuana-prosecution-1515080168
— Trump Administration Seeks $18 Billion Over Decade to Expand Border Wall Expansion would cover about half of the entire southwest border, as described in document sent to senators – Laura Meckler
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-seeks-18-billion-over-decade-to-expand-border-wall-1515148381
— Downside of Automatic 401(k) Savings: More Debt New research finds employees auto-enrolled in retirement plans borrow more than they otherwise would have, offsetting savings – Anne Tergesen (DIERSEN: It should be illegal to say that anyone is rich UNLESS they are debt-free and have at least $1 million in retirement savings or are on track to have that by the time they retire.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/downside-of-automatic-401-k-savings-more-debt-1515148201
— NFL Ratings Fall at Faster Pace Average audience for a game fell 9.7% to 14.9 million, but league says NFL programming still accounted for 33 of top 50 programs on TV in 2017 – Joe Flint
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nfl-ratings-fall-at-faster-pace-1515061801
— Mark Zuckerberg Resolves to ‘Fix’ Facebook in 2018 Chief executive has set annual personal challenge since 2009; in post, says company ‘has made too many errors’ – Deepa Seetharaman
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mark-zuckerberg-resolves-to-fix-facebook-in-2018-1515104645
— ‘The Character Gap’ by Christian B. Miller – Julian Baggini (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes focus on a) destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, b) promoting LGBTQ activity, c) promoting abortion, d) promoting mass/illegal immigration, e) promoting booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, f) promoting patronage, g) promoting political affiliation discrimination, h) promoting reverse discrimination, i) promoting age discrimination, j) promoting hatred of past, present, and future union members and federal employees, and k) promoting hatred of federal retirees.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/review-good-people-bad-people-and-the-character-gap-1515110640

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: ISIS in our own backyard: Group’s U.S. followers are diverse, in places large and small – Christal Hayes
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/01/04/fight-against-isis-teenager-playing-basketball-fbi-agent-and-couple-their-honeymoon-heres-how-isis-s/953954001/

 

SPECTRUM NEWS
— DREAMERS: ‘WE HAVE DREAMS, WE WANT TO WORK HERE’ – Alex Peterson (DIERSEN: What dreams have you had dashed? In 1969, my dream of continuing to work for the Post Office was dashed when my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me to resign. In 1971, my dream of working for Oldsmobile was dashed when Oldsmobile withdrew its job offer saying it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. After 1974, my dream of getting promoted to GS-13 was dashed when my Democrat IRS superiors made it clear that they would never do that. In 1980, my dream of GAO offering me a promotion to GS-13 to transfer to GAO was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to take a $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO. During 1980-1985 and 1989-1997, my dream of being assigned to audits of IRS was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors refused to do that. After 1986, my dream of getting promoted to GS-14 was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors made it clear that they would never do that. In 1997, my dream of continuing to work for GAO was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to take their early retirement “offer.”)

http://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2018/01/05/dreamers-hold-rally-in-uptown-charlotte

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Democrats Challenge Proposed Citizenship Question on 2020 Census – Charles S. Clark (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally.)
http://www.govexec.com/management/2018/01/democrats-challenge-proposed-citizenship-question-2020-census/144972/

January 4 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner calls Republican federal tax overhaul ‘punishing’ to Illinois – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: Did Rauner prepay his real estate taxes? One could argue that those who are being punished by the federal tax overhaul are homeowners, and especially homeowners who pay more than $10,000 a year in real estate tax and state income tax. One could argue that homeowners who are being punished the most are homeowners who took the trouble to prepay their real estate taxes.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-congress-taxes-20180104-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Late last month, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner gave his take on the Republican D.C. tax overhaul, saying he wished it “did more for the middle class” but praising its corporate tax cuts as “more supportive of businesses.” On Wednesday, though, Rauner called the new federal tax law “punishing,” criticizing a $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes. “That’s going to hurt a lot of middle-class families and higher income families and it’s going to push more employers out of the state. That’s going to hurt job creation and that’s going to increase the cost of living for the people of Illinois,” Rauner said in an interview with WJOL 1340-AM in Joliet. The governor also repeated his belief that the state and local tax deduction limit could give a boost to his call for freezing property taxes and rolling back a state income tax hike. “It’s punishing in that regard,” Rauner said of the tax limitation. “That’s why it’s so critical that we get the reforms done that I’ve been advocating.” Rauner said in the interview that he was in Joliet on Wednesday, but the governor’s office listed no events on his public schedule. He has not been out in public since the week before Christmas.)
— Slow growth, low patient count, political uncertainty: The state of medical pot in Illinois – Ally Marotti (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-medical-cannabis-new-year-20180107-story.html
— Job market delivered for Trump in 2017, but 2018 may be tougher
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-trump-us-job-market-20180104-story.html
— Why we can’t stop checking Facebook – Vivek Wadhwa
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-facebook-technology-personal-relationships-mental-health-0104-20180103-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Facebook’s recent acknowledgment that social media may be making its users feel bad in some cases is a significant milestone. So far, the technology industry hardly has talked about the downsides of their products. Now a realization seems to be setting in that perhaps something has gone wrong along the way. Academic research that Facebook cited in a corporate blog post in December documented that when people spend a lot of time passively consuming information they feel worse. For example, reading Facebook posts for even 10 minutes can put people in a bad mood, and clicking or liking too many links and posts can have a negative effect on mental health. Some researchers also believe that reading rosy stories about others leads to negative comparisons about one’s life and that being online too much reduces in-person socializing. Social media may well be making many of us unhappy, jealous and anti-social.)

 

DAILY HERALD
— Elgin mayor blasts councilman for spending $6,000 to attend Harvard program – Elena Ferrarin (DIERSEN: I spent lots of my personal time and my personal money taking job-related courses while I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997. However, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the courses that I took a) were not job-related, b) did not help me carry out my job duties, c) were taken by me to get a job in the private sector, and d) were a distraction. To keep their jobs and to get promoted, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government focused on getting rid of federal employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180103/elgin-mayor-blasts-councilman-for-spending-6000-to-attend-harvard-program
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The mayor of Elgin blasted a councilman’s decision to attend a program offered by Harvard University that cost the city $6,015. Councilman Rich Dunne took part in June in the program on senior executives in state and local government by the John F. Kennedy School of Government, which cost $5,700 — plus $315 for airfare — according to information obtained by the Daily Herald. Dunne said he took vacation from his job. “Being a former training manager, I believe in it. I believe in career development and executive development,” he said. Mayor David Kaptain said the city should pay for only employees to attend such programs, not council members. Dunne received approval from City Manager Rick Kozal.” I was pretty upset with Rick and the whole thing at the time, but the horse had already left the barn, so to speak,” Kaptain said. Police Chief Jeff Swoboda participated in the program in 2016, and former City Manager Sean Stegall attended when he was assistant city manager in 2008. “It’s a long-term investment (to pay for employees),” Kaptain said. “It’s not to help somebody’s political career.” Dunne’s tuition came at a 55 percent discount because he’d been placed on a waiting list and was offered a spot three days before the start of the program. The city paid $12,400 tuition for Swoboda, who also was paid his regular city salary. Dunne put Kozal “in a bad spot,” Kaptain said, by making a last-minute request and saying Stegall had promised him he could go in 2017. Kozal didn’t respond to a request for comment. Dunne said the mayor never told him he had any objections.)
— Trump’s cease-and-desist letter to Bannon sounds tough. Is it? – Samantha Schmidt (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180104/trumps-cease-and-desist-letter-to-bannon-sounds-tough-is-it

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Davis says Trump, Republicans still big in 13th District – Tom Kacich (DIERSEN: How big are Trump and the Republicans in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in your county board district, in your state house district, in your state senate district, in your congressional district, and in Illinois?)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-01-04/davis-says-trump-republicans-still-big-13th-district.html

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— 2 men suspected of breaking into video gaming terminals – AP
http://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article192889444.html

 

SAUK VALLEY
— Seniors should have health care options available at home Guest workers, senior citizens would benefit from proposal – Brian Bartoz Morrison (DIERSEN: My 87-year-old aunt is paying $239 a day to live in an assisted living facility. That is $1,673 a week, $7,403 a month, $87,235 a year, and $872,350 a decade.)
http://www.saukvalley.com/2017/12/18/seniors-should-have-health-care-options-available-at-home/aht1l26/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— The Latest: Trump blasts states resisting vote fraud probe – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/the-latest-trump-blasts-states-resisting-vote-fraud-probe/901809035
— Divided Democrats face liberal backlash on immigration – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/divided-democrats-face-liberal-backlash-on-immigration/901691118

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— As U.S. Retreats From World Stage, China Moves To Fill The Void
http://nprillinois.org/post/journalist-us-retreats-world-stage-china-moves-fill-void#stream/0

 

WBIR
— Trump’s tax cut won’t deliver promised growth. Republicans put politics over permanence. Trump’s ‘get even’ tax cut will fail – Melvyn Krauss
http://www.wbir.com/article/news/nation-now/trumps-tax-cut-wont-deliver-promised-growth-republicans-put-politics-over-permanence/465-b3189891-505b-48f4-99fa-f878af5fe700

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Khouri says despite exodus, it’s not to late to save the state – Angela Underwood
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511306112-khouri-says-despite-exodus-it-s-not-to-late-to-save-the-state

 

WEST COOK NEWS
— Faced with exodus, it’s time to oust the charlatans, Leef says – Glenn Minnis
https://westcooknews.com/stories/511303225-faced-with-exodus-it-s-time-to-oust-the-charlatans-leef-says

 

WEST CENTRAL REPORTER
— Despite exodus from state, Jonas not giving up hope – Glenn Minnis
https://westcentralreporter.com/stories/511304242-despite-exodus-from-state-jonas-not-giving-up-hope

 

METRO EAST SUN
— Jameson fears flight from Illinois could get worse without major policy changes – Glenn Minnis
https://metroeastsun.com/stories/511300716-jameson-fears-flight-from-illinois-could-get-worse-without-major-policy-changes

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Coles County contracting assessment work violates settled law. – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/01/coles-county-contracting-assessment-work-violates-settled-law/


ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Mattoon Township businesses see over 100 percent property tax hike in one year – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/mattoon-township-businesses-see-over-percent-property-tax-hike-in/article_9f6ae1ea-f0bd-11e7-8452-679a5eaeb92f.html
— Repeal of fine for not having health insurance set for 2019 – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/health/repeal-of-fine-for-not-having-health-insurance-set-for/article_70dc98fc-efe9-11e7-9291-23ed57b46f75.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Anger and the Church – Laurie Higgins (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, “religious leaders” act as operatives or as dupes from the Democrat Party.)
https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/anger-and-the-church-2/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There are some battles in which all Christians and all who are committed to truth are called to engage: all Christians should have opposed slavery; all Christians should have fought for the civil rights of blacks; all Christians are called to oppose abortion; and we are all called to oppose the rancorous, pernicious demands to affirm the pro-homosexuality/pro-“trans” ideologies. In his book Kingdoms in Conflict, Chuck Colson writes about the failure of the church to oppose the extermination of Jews and the government usurpation of control of the church in Nazi Germany. Immediately following the naming of Hitler as Chancellor of Germany, the persecution of the church began in earnest. In response, a resistance movement sprang up headed by Martin Niemoller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Initially, they had the support of the dominant Protestant group, the German Evangelical Church, but as the persecution increased, so did the cowardice and concomitant rationalization of cowardice on the parts of most church leaders. In Germany only a remnant, who came to call themselves the Confessing Church, remained standing courageously in the gap for truth.)

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner says he’s focused on one… wait… two statewide campaigns
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/04/rauner-says-hes-focused-on-one-wait-two-statewide-campaigns/

 

BREITBART
— Kris Kobach: ‘Amnesties Are Always Bad Policy’; ‘Knife in the Back of Trump’s Base’ – ROBERT KRAYCHIK
http://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2018/01/03/kris-kobach-amnesty-always-bad-policy/
— Kris Kobach: DACA Amnesty Will ‘Cause Surge in Illegal Immigration,’ Trump Must ‘Demand E-Verify’ – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2018/01/03/kris-kobach-daca-amnesty-will-cause-surge-illegal-immigration-trump-must-demand-e-verify/
— Nine Reasons Why Democrats’ DACA Amnesty ‘Deadline’ Does Not Exist – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2018/01/03/nine-reasons-why-democrats-daca-deadline-does-not-exist/

 

WEEKLY STANDARD
— What Should Trump Read? – ADAM RUBENSTEIN (DIERSEN: To keep up to date with government and political news and commentary in Illinois, I suggest that Trump read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.weeklystandard.com/christina-hoff-sommers-what-should-trump-read/article/2011006

 

THE HILL
— The Memo: Bannon firestorm consumes Washington – NIALL STANAGE
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367335-the-memo-bannon-firestorm-consumes-washington

 

POLITICO
— ‘It’s a giant present to the tax lobbying community’ K Street lobbyists are banking on years of paydays from the tax overhaul. – THEODORIC MEYER
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/02/tax-overhaul-paydays-for-k-street-261668

 

CNN
— OUTSTANDING: Sessions to rescind Obama-era rules on non-interference with states where pot is legal – Laura Jarrett
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/politics/jeff-sessions-cole-memo/index.html
— Trump’s many staff breakups (and some reconciliations), ranked – Greg Krieg (DIERSEN: In 1971, when I was 22 years old, when I gave him my 2-week notice, my Firestone Stores boss rudely fired me. But then Oldsmobile withdrew it job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. That directly resulted in my accepting a job offer from IRS. Then, my Firestone Stores boss offered me a part-time job which I accepted and held until the end of 1972.)
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/politics/donald-trump-steve-bannon-break-ups/index.html

 

ABC NEWS
— Trump attorney sends Bannon cease and desist letter over ‘disparaging’ comments – JOHN SANTUCCI (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-attorney-sends-bannon-cease-desist-letter-disparaging/story

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— OUTSTANDING: Trump Administration to Move to Weaken Marijuana Legalization Movement – Charlie Savage and Jack Healy
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/us/politics/marijuana-legalization-justice-department-prosecutions.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Challenges in Federal Tax Bill Color Cuomo’s Agenda for 2018 – Jesse McKinley and Vivian Wang
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/nyregion/albany-cuomo-state-of-the-state.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In his 90-minute State of the State speech, Mr. Cuomo said the state would challenge the new Republican-led federal tax plan in court — earning a standing ovation from the crowd — and asked the Legislature to restructure the state’s tax code by adding a statewide payroll tax and to counter the effects of the so-called carried interest loophole. The governor’s office suggested that it was reviewing eliminating the state income tax, whose deductibility was capped by the new federal tax bill, likely in favor of a payroll tax, which is deductible, an idea also being floated in other states. Precise details on the plan were scant, and such a plan would face an uphill battle, with Republicans generally opposing new taxes and some conservative economists already voicing concerns on Wednesday.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump lawyer seeks to block insider book on White House Trump says Bannon ‘not only lost his job, he lost his mind’ as president’s lawyers send cease-and-desist letter – Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-slams-bannon-when-he-was-fired-he-not-only-lost-his-job-he-lost-his-mind/2018/01/03/21fb158a-f0aa-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Late Wednesday, lawyers for Trump sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bannon, arguing he violated the employment agreement he signed with the Trump Organization in numerous ways and also likely defamed the president. They ordered that he stop communicating either confidential and or disparaging information, and preserve all records in preparation for “imminent” legal action.)

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Hey, Bargain-Hunters: An M.B.A. Is Cheaper Than You Think Top business schools are setting aside millions in scholarships and financial aid to lure young professionals – Kelsey Gee (DIERSEN: When I started working for IRS in 1971 as a GS-7 (currently $45,703/year) Revenue Officer, IRS encouraged its Revenue Officers to take graduate business, accounting, and law courses. In 1972, I started taking graduate business courses at Loyola and I earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976. However, my Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the courses a) were not job-related, b) did not help me carry out my job duties, c) were taken by me to get a job in the private sector, and d) were a distraction. In 1978, they and Money Magazine disallowed all the tuition and books that I had paid and deducted for those graduate business courses. However, I took IRS to the Tax Court, and the Tax Court ruled in my favor.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hey-bargain-hunters-an-m-b-a-is-cheaper-than-you-think-1514988000

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Refugee admissions to U.S. plummet in 2017 – Alan Gomez (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps shout at refugees that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/03/refugee-admissions-u-s-plummet-2017/999903001/
— Warren Buffett in ‘Time’: U.S. kids will live better than parents, he writes in Gates edited issue – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/01/04/buffett-time-u-s-kids-live-better-than-parents-he-writes-gates-edited-issue/1001218001/
— World War II vet, 93, sworn in as New Jersey mayor – Katie Park (DIERSEN: How old are you? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted age discrimination. They stress that the federal government gets rid of its non-veteran White male employees who 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. They stress that I did not make GS-13 until I was 38 and that I never made GS-14, GS-15, or SES. They stress a) that my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) that my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) that my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/03/world-war-ii-vet-93-nj-mayor/999781001/

 

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP’S THREAT OF LAWSUIT AGAINST BANNON IS ‘STUPID’ AND COULD HURT THE PRESIDENT, SAYS LAWYER – GRAHAM LANKTREE (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
http://www.newsweek.com/trumps-threat-lawsuit-against-bannon-stupid-and-could-hurt-president-says-770251

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Recent court decision reminds agencies they can put indicted employees on indefinite suspension – Nicole Ogrysko (DIERSEN: Constructively, even though they never indicted me for anything, my Democrat GAO superiors have had me on “indefinite suspension” since 1997.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/workforce-rightsgovernance/2018/01/recent-court-decision-reminds-agencies-they-can-put-indicted-employees-on-indefinite-suspension/

January 2 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California rolls its own recreational pot sales out for 2018 – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-bc-us–california-marijuana-open-for-business-20180102-story.html
— Stories to watch in Chicago and Illinois politics in 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-chicago-politics-look-ahead-2018-20171221-story.html
— Paying for pricey continuing care – Patricia Mertz Esswein and Eileen Ambrose (DIERSEN: My 87-year-old aunt is paying $239 a day to live in an assisted living facility. That is $1,673 a week, $7,403 a month, $87,235 a year, and $872,350 a decade.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/success/kiplinger/tca-paying-for-pricey-continuing-care-20171227-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California rolls its own recreational pot sales out for 2018 – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180102/news/301029979/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats promote Democrats.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/democrats-vying-to-oppose-roskam-give-views-on-health-care

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The next step in tax reform is tax repair – NOAH SMITH (DIERSEN: Hopefully, the Republicans will remove the $10,000 limit on real estate and state income tax deductions.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171229/OPINION/171229916
— Downtown growth leads Chicago to highest job peak in decades – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: I worked in downtown Chicago in 1971 and then 1973-1997. I lived in downtown Chicago weekdays 1974-1976 and then full-time 1976-1978. I took courses in downtown Chicago 1966-1968, 1971-1983, and 1992-1997.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180102/BLOGS02/180109998

 

WBEZ
— Illinois Tax Credits For Private Schools Expected To Be Claimed In Days – Linda Lutton (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/illinois-tax-credits-for-private-schools-expected-to-be-claimed-in-days/b329d4c6-0fc0-4e37-8d2d-099f8467553a

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats want more money to register Democrats to vote.
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257784

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Illinois taxpayers expected to snap up credits for scholarships – Pam Adams (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171231/illinois-taxpayers-expected-to-snap-up-credits-for-scholarships

 

WAND
— Medicaid overhaul adds clients, bumps up cost
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37171533/medicaid-overhaul-adds-clients-bumps-up-cost

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— RAUNER TO SPEAK — The Lincoln Forum, which launched late last year as something of a foil to the City Club of Chicago, has booked Gov. Bruce Rauner as its first speaker of 2018. The event is at 5:30 p.m. January 22 in the Chicago Athletic Association’s historic Madison Ballroom, 12 S. Michigan Ave. Unless we’re mistaken, Rauner hasn’t spoken at the City Club, though Illinois First Lady Diana Rauner has. The Lincoln Forum was started in part by longtime Rauner ally Pat Brady. More details here: www.LincolnForum.org (DIERSEN: Of course, Pat Brady and all my other critics/opponents are overjoyed that TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois is dead.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/01/02/sizing-up-governor-candidates-fundraising-234247
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Natasha Korecki says “Happy New Year, Illinois! Great to be back after completely unplugging for two weeks.” Your GOPUSA Illinois Editor has never been completely unplugged, does not want to be completely unplugged, and will never be completely unplugging. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails go out each and every morning and each and every evening.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/01/02/sizing-up-governor-candidates-fundraising-234247

 

DAILY CALLER
— Never Trumpers Check Their White Privilege – Scott Greer (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the more that you are viciously demonized, viciously denigrated, and viciously condemned: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/01/never-trumpers-check-their-white-privilege/

 

FREE BEACON
— Trump Admin Throws Weight Behind Union Challenge Brief argues that government unions are inherently political – Bill McMorris (DIERSEN: GAO did not unionize until 2007. If GAO had been unionized in 1997, I might still be a GAO employee.)
http://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-admin-throws-weight-behind-union-challenge/

 

PUBLIUS FORUM
— Donald Trump Has Trimmed Thousands of Government Workers, But So Far it is Tens of Thousands Too Few – Warner Todd Huston (DIERSEN: Do you want all federal employees to be Democrats, minorities, females, and/or veterans? Jobs should not be trimmed at all agencies, for example, jobs should not be trimmed at GAO. Democrats run the federal government. When they trim jobs, they get rid of employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. Soon, all federal employees will be Democrats, minorities, females, and/or veterans.)
http://www.publiusforum.com/2018/01/01/donald-trump-trimmed-thousands-government-workers-far-tens-thousands/

 

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

 

CBN NEWS
— 5 Tips For Making Financial Resolutions For The New Year
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2018/january/5-tips-for-making-financial-resolutions-for-the-new-year

 

THE HILL
— Financial New Year’s resolutions that will pay off – JOHN PELLETIER
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/366820-financial-new-years-resolutions-that-will-pay-off

 

CBS NEWS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Recreational marijuana sales begin in California
https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/recreational-marijuana-sales-begin-in-california/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Recreational Pot Is Officially Legal in California – Thomas Fuller
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/us/legal-pot-california.html
— The Retreat to Tribalism – David Brooks (DIERSEN: Democrats used to promote integration, but now they promote segregation.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/opinion/the-retreat-to-tribalism.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR GRAPHIC: Caterpillar Clashes With IRS – Andrew Tangel and Michael Rapoport
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2018/01/02/caterpillar-clashes-with-irs-wsj-2.html

 

USA TODAY
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot sales now legal in California – Colin Atagi
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/01/01/legal-california-pot/994263001/

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Paying yourself first pays off – Mike Causey
https://federalnewsradio.com/mike-causey-federal-report/2018/01/paying-yourself-first-pays-off/

 

FINANCIAL EXPRESS
— Top 10 New Year resolutions for 2018 that will put your financial house in order – Sanjeev Sinha
http://www.financialexpress.com/money/top-10-new-year-resolutions-for-2018-that-will-put-your-financial-house-in-order/997103/

 

REALTOR
— What Is ‘House Poor’? What It Means, and Whether You’re at Risk – Daniel Bortz
https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/what-is-house-poor/

 

MILLENNIUM POST
— INDIA: Driving out underemployment – Nantoo Banerjee (DIERSEN: Are/were you underemployed? While I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, I became increasingly underemployed. I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32. If I had been a Democrat, minority, or female, the federal government would not have underemployed me.)
http://www.millenniumpost.in/opinion/driving-out-underemployment-277638

January 1 Evening Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

December 29 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

December 28 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Judge rejects anti-abortion groups’ lawsuit against Illinois abortion law HB40
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/judge-rejects-anti-abortion-groups-lawsuit-against-illinois-abortion-law/2834826/
— California doctor develops breathalyzer measuring THC on breath – Corin Hoggard
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/california-doctor-develops-breathalyzer-measuring-thc-on-breath/2834590/
— Fees, fares and taxes: What’s going up in Chicago in 2018 – Sarah Schulte
http://abc7chicago.com/finance/fees-fares-and-taxes-whats-going-up-in-2018/2835304/

 

WLS AM
— Judge rules against group trying to stop expansion of publicly funded abortions – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/28/judge-rules-against-group-trying-to-stop-expansion-of-publicly-funded-abortions/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Hundreds lining up daily in DuPage, Will counties to prepay taxes before year’s end – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-prepay-property-tax-dupage-will-st-1229-20171228-story.html
— Judge tosses conservative challenge to new Illinois abortion law, which takes effect Monday – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-abortion-law-20171228-story.html
— Due to unprecedented interest, Lake County opens up online property tax prepayments – Emily K. Coleman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-lake-county-property-taxes-prepayment-1227-20171227-story.html
— Conservative activists, legislators seek to stop Illinois abortion law from taking effect Monday – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-abortion-law-20171228-story.html
— School district consolidation proposal has benefits — and messy details – Pat Lenhoff
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/mundelein/news/ct-lmv-lenhoff-tl-0104-20171228-story.html
— 2018’s challenge: Too many jobs, not enough workers – Danielle Paquette
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-not-enough-workers-20171228-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— As Cook County residents rush to prepay property taxes, IRS sows confusion – Nader Issa
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/as-cook-county-residents-rush-to-prepay-property-taxes-irs-sows-confusion/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In Illinois and elsewhere, local officials had told residents that property taxes due next year could be pre-paid through the end of this year; that way, the full amount paid this year could still be deducted on returns 2017 returns filed next year. But an IRS advisory issued Wednesday appeared to throw a monkey wrench into the works. The directive, which some found confusing, drew a distinction between paying an estimated amount and paying exact amounts on assessments made prior to 2018.)
— Cook County extends office hours for end-of-year rush to pre-pay property taxes – Nader Issa
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/as-cook-county-residents-rush-to-prepay-property-taxes-irs-sows-confusion/
— Some Chicago voters will see rent control on March ballot – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/some-chicago-voters-will-see-rent-control-on-march-ballot/
— ‘Call it a good day’ and go away, Joe Biden – Jamie Stiehm
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/joe-biden-president-jamie-stiehm/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Cook County property taxes can be paid at treasurer’s office Sunday
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171228/cook-county-property-taxes-can-be-paid-at-treasurers-office-sunday

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Despite IRS warning, property tax stampede rolls on – STEVEN R. STRAHLER
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171228/NEWS02/171229923/despite-irs-warning-property-tax-stampede-rolls-on
— The new tax law maybe isn’t playing the way the GOP planned – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171228/BLOGS02/171229924/the-new-tax-law-maybe-isnt-playing-the-way-the-gop-planned
(FROM THE ARTICLE: More: The rush is on—to pay taxes before cap kicks in I’m not yet in that group, although I’ve been tempted. But I think I can speak for a vast majority of them in saying that this was not how I was expecting to be spending this holiday season. I think I can say something else, too. If the Internal Revenue Service turns thumbs down on this panicky effort to game a system that’s been stacked against average taxpayer here—so far, the IRS has been less than precise—that panic is going to turn to total outrage. All of this was predictable. While there are good things in the tax bill and some changes were needed, it didn’t need to be stacked against relatively high-tax blue states like Illinois just because most Republicans now come from relatively low-tax red states. Yet, every GOP congressman from Illinois voted for this travesty. Randy Hultgren of Plano, Adam Kinzinger of Joliet, Mike Bost of Murphysboro, Rodney Davis of Taylorville, Darin LaHood of Peoria, John Shimkus of Collinsville and, of course, Peter Roskam of Wheaton. Every one of them voted to tax money that already had been paid as taxes, something Republicans used to stand against. In case you don’t know, Roskam was one of the prime authors of the tax plan. He keeps saying it will turn out to be an overall plus. Maybe yes, maybe no. Trump promised everyday Americans a “giant tax cut for Christmas.” But for many, many of Roskam’s constituents here in Illinois, this yuletide season has become time to scramble in hopes minimizing the damage from the GOP’s big tax “cut.” Roskam was in a position to do something about that. He was on the conference committee that produced the final bill. But if he did something to help his state and his district to make sure it was treated the same as other states, he sure kept it quiet. What all those headlines and prepayments tell me is that people are prepared to vote their fears and not their hopes this fall. We’ll see if that’s right. Meanwhile, on behalf of Roskam & Co.: Merry Christmas, suckers! And a happy new year.)
— Rauner’s Medicaid revamp just became a little less secret – KRISTEN SCHORSCH
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171228/NEWS03/171229925/rauners-medicaid-revamp-just-became-a-little-less-secret

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Practices, opinions vary for early tax payments – Edith Brady-Lunny
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/government-and-politics/practices-opinions-vary-for-early-tax-payments/article_23949912-1fbd-5331-94cf-b23ec4a0a0e3.html
— Illinois judge dismisses public abortion-funding challenge – AP
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/government-and-politics/illinois-judge-dismisses-public-abortion-funding-challenge/article_e78b9a00-dc87-5b7b-966b-3482a4ba34cf.html

 

MADISON RECORD
— Reaction to tax bill is as partisan as votes taken to get through Congress – Ann Maher
https://madisonrecord.com/stories/511306119-reaction-to-tax-bill-is-as-partisan-as-votes-taken-to-get-through-congress

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Abortion Opponents Lose In Court, But Say They’ll Appeal – BRIAN MACKEY
http://nprillinois.org/post/abortion-opponents-lose-court-say-theyll-appeal#stream/0
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California Prepares For Recreational Marijuana Sales On Jan. 1.
http://nprillinois.org/post/california-prepares-recreational-marijuana-sales-jan-1#stream/0

 

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Illinois Political Expert Predicts ‘Intense’ Election Year – MARK SCHULTZ
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-political-expert-predicts-intense-election-year

 

WRAL
— Judge dismisses public-pay abortion challenge, appeal next – AP
http://www.wral.com/activists-seek-injunction-against-illinois-abortion-law/17217026/

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Challenge of John Reinert’s State Senate Petition Signatures Being Judged by State Board of Elections
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/28/challenge-of-john-reinerts-state-senate-petition-signatures-being-judged-by-state-board-of-elections/
— $11,000 More for John Reinert’s State Senate Campaign as He Faces Petition Challenge
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/22/11000-more-for-john-reinerts-state-senate-campaign-as-he-faces-petition-challenge/

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Kessem sees reform as way to curb Illinois exodus – Glenn Minnis
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511304577-kessem-sees-reform-as-way-to-curb-illinois-exodus

 

EAST CENTRAL REPORTER
— LaHood waits on gubernatorial endorsement
https://eastcentralreporter.com/stories/511279581-lahood-waits-on-gubernatorial-endorsement

 

LAKE COUNTY GAZETTE
— Wilcox says halting mass exodus will be his No. 1 priority – Angela Underwood
https://lakecountygazette.com/stories/511301872-wilcox-says-halting-mass-exodus-will-be-his-no-1-priority

 

LIFE NEWS
— Judge Forces Illinois Taxpayers to Pay for Abortions – STEVEN ERTELT
http://www.lifenews.com/2017/12/28/judge-forces-illinois-taxpayers-to-pay-for-abortions/

 

FOX NEWS
— VIDEO: FNC Special Report: IL Governor’s Race 12 27 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3mWMqKS50M&feature=youtu.be
https://ivesforillinois.com/stories/511306297-rauner-makes-fox-news-list-of-the-worst-of-201

 

BLAZE
— Poll: Fewer Americans say they donated to a religious charity this year – Kate Scanlon
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/28/poll-fewer-americans-say-they-donated-to-a-religious-charity-this-year

 

CHRISTIAN POST
— Amazon and Microsoft Employees Caught Buying Sex Workers Through Their Work E-Mails – Shannon Azares
https://www.christianpost.com/news/amazon-and-microsoft-employees-caught-buying-sex-workers-through-their-work-e-mails-211695/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— U.S. WOMAN STABBED 14 TIMES BY SOMALI MIGRANT, MEDIA GO DARK 1 more for growing Big List of related crimes being swept under rug – LEO HOHMANN
http://www.wnd.com/2017/12/u-s-woman-stabbed-14-times-by-somali-migrant-media-go-dark/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Pew: Trump media three times more negative than for Obama, just 5 percent positive – Paul Bedard
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/pew-trump-media-three-times-more-negative-than-for-obama-just-5-percent-positive/article/2644448

 

THE HILL
— Confusion reigns as people try to figure out property tax rules – NAOMI JAGODA
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/366719-confusion-reigns-as-people-try-to-figure-out-property-tax-rules

 

REUTERS
— Illinois judge rejects lawsuit challenging abortion coverage expansion – Chris Kenning
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-illinois-abortion/illinois-judge-rejects-lawsuit-challenging-abortion-coverage-expansion-idUSKBN1EM1XW

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— To Transform Government, Start With the People – Michael J. Keegan (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
http://www.govexec.com/excellence/promising-practices/2017/12/transform-government-start-people/144858/

 

BLACK ENTERPRISE
— DECLINE IN HIRING OF BLACK MANAGERS IN FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ‘UNACCEPTABLE,’ SAYS MAXINE WATERS – Jeffrey McKinney (DIERSEN: Of course, Waters wants financial firms to stop hiring Whites. In 1971, when I was 22 years old, Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint.)
http://www.blackenterprise.com/decline-hiring-black-managers-financial-industry/

December 27 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN NAPERVILLE SUN: Change in property tax deduction affects thousands in Naperville – Erin Hegarty (DIERSEN: From what I see, under “tax reform,” the less federal income tax that you have paid because you itemized your deductions, the more federal income tax that you will pay in the future. Those who promote envy and class warfare have always shouted at those who take the standard deduction (typically, those who are younger, who are not married, who rent, who do not pay much state income tax, who do not have high medical and dental expenses, who do not pay for job-related education, and/or who do not give much money to 501(c)(3) organizations) that those who itemize their deductions (typically, those who are older, who are married, who are homeowners, who pay more state income tax, who have high medical and dental expenses, who pay for job-related education, and/or who give more money to 501(c)(3) organizations) are undeservedly rich and should pay much more federal income tax.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-property-tax-overhaul-st-1227-20171226-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Thousands of Naperville homeowners pay more than $10,000 a year in property taxes and will be impacted by limits to deductions in a new federal income tax plan set to kick in after Jan. 1. In Lisle Township, 3,221 City of Naperville property owners — or about 21.5 percent of city residents in Lisle Township — paid at least $10,000 in property taxes based on last year’s assessed values. In Naperville Township, 2,447 property owners in the City of Naperville paid at least $10,000 in property taxes. The new tax plan includes a $10,000 cap on the amount taxpayers can deduct in property tax and local and state income tax while nearly doubling standard deductions of $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for married couples who file jointly. This means many people who have historically itemized to deduct things like property taxes or mortgage interest will get more by claiming the standard deduction. But those who pay their property taxes ahead of time can use the uncapped deduction one more time, local financial experts said.)

 

DAILY HERALD
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: False news is everywhere Sorting fake from fact is ‘new basic skill’ required in our era – Editorial (DIERSEN: Of course, according to my critics/opponents, all news is false/fake except for the news that they publish. My critics/opponents not only do not want me to include links to articles written by those on their blacklists, they “punish” me for including links to articles written by those on their blacklists. Should I write an article about those who “punish” me because I refuse to carry out their blacklist orders?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171227/editorial-without-diligent-readers-fake-news-spreads-like-wildfire
— O’Hare western access is road to opportunity – John Carpenter
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171227/ohare-western-access-is-road-to-opportunity
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: Why the legal age to buy tobacco isn’t going up to 21 everywhere – Russell Lissau (DIERSEN: Many if not most of my Democrat superiors and supervisors in the federal government who worked the hardest against me were big smokers and big drinkers. They vehemently disapproved of my conservatism.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171227/why-the-legal-age-to-buy-tobacco-isnt-going-up-to-21-everywhere

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— When meetings are secret, reporters lose. So does the public. – KRISTEN SCHORSCH (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents do not want me to know about their events or their other activities, do not want me to promote their events or their other activities, do not want me to attend their events, and do not want me to report on their events or their other activities. They refuse to keep diersen@aol.com on their press advisory and press release lists. They pander to Rich Miller and to the rest of the Democrat news media in Illinois. They a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or they are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171227/OPINION/171229969#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccb-morning10&utm_campaign=ccb-morning10-20171227

 

TIMES
— Through supporters, candidate James Marter, of Oswego, has filed objections to the petitions of opponent Jaye DeBates, of Putnam County’s McNabb. – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/campaign-accused-of-petition-forgeries/article_8bbe2ca7-6eca-5092-a687-a6d64e207416.html
— A complaint over Democratic congressional candidate Neill Mohammad’s residency has been withdrawn. – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/voter-pulls-complaint-against-candidate/article_075d0a1a-0944-5603-99fc-e5c558ad2e5a.html

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— What Illinois needs from lawmakers in 2018 – Orphe Divounguy
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171226/orphe-divounguy-what-illinois-needs-from-lawmakers-in-2018

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Obama warns of divisive social media use Obama conducts BBC interview with Prince Harry – LAURA SMITH-SPARK (DIERSEN: QUESTION: What do divisive people do? ANSWER: They turn members of Group A against members of Group B. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/obama-warns-of-divisive-social-media-use/889130378

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Political Analysts Foresee Aggressive Democratic Challengers in 2018 – MARK SCHULTZ
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/political-analysts-foresee-aggressive-democratic-challengers-2018#stream/0

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— The Tax Law’s New Way Of Measuring Inflation Could Take A Toll On Taxpayers – JIM ZARROLI
http://nprillinois.org/post/tax-bills-new-way-measuring-inflation-could-take-toll-taxpayers#stream/0

 

WSIL TV
— How tax reform could impact Illinoisans – Andrew Feather (DIERSEN: From what I see, under “tax reform,” the less federal income tax that you have paid because you itemized your deductions, the more federal income tax that you will pay in the future. Those who promote envy and class warfare have always shouted at those who take the standard deduction (typically, those who are younger, who are not married, who rent, who do not pay much state income tax, who do not have high medical and dental expenses, who do not pay for job-related education, and/or who do not give much money to 501(c)(3) organizations) that those who itemize their deductions (typically, those who are older, who are married, who are homeowners, who pay more state income tax, who have high medical and dental expenses, who pay for job-related education, and/or who give more money to 501(c)(3) organizations) are undeservedly rich and should pay much more federal income tax.)
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37143321/how-tax-reform-could-impact-illinoisans

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— “Things You Don’t Hear About Gender Dysphoria” – Laurie Higgins and David Smith
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/podcast/things-you-dont-hear-about-gender-dysphoria-spotlight-074/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Planned Parenthood Losing Some Big Donors – Charlie Butts
https://illinoisfamily.org/life/planned-parenthood-losing-big-donors/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— TRUMP AND THE GOP’S MASSIVE TAX VICTORY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/trump-and-the-gops-massive-tax-victory.html
— ENDING NET NEUTRALITY WILL SAVE THE INTERNET, NOT DESTROY IT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/ending-net-neutrality-will-save-the-internet-not-destroy-it.html

 

GOPUSA
— Muslim refugees spur rife anti-Semitism in Europe
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35966

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— THE OBAMA YEARS: A LEGACY OF SCANDAL AND DECEPTION Joe Biden’s bizarre disconnect regarding his scandal-ridden former boss. – Ari Lieberman
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/268842/obama-years-legacy-scandal-and-deception-ari-lieberman

 

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
— VIDEO: Massive Federal Spending on Government Salaries – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GXlM3iRodc
— The movement to impeach Trump is just beginning – Michael Goodwin
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/12/26/michael-goodwin-movement-to-impeach-trump-is-just-beginning.html

 

LIFEZETTE NEWS
— Washington’s Wealthiest Bureaucrats Will Get Even Richer in 2018 Federal locality pay system rewards already-affluent government workers living in the nation’s capital region – Mark Tapscott (DIERSEN: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
https://www.lifezette.com/polizette/washingtons-wealthiest-bureaucrats-will-get-even-richer-in-2018/

 

TOWNHALL
— Educational Rot – Walter E. Williams (DIERSEN: In 1979, my Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt. Very few of them had taken the examination and even fewer of them had passed it on their first attempt. In 1981, my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt. Very few of them had taken the examination and even fewer of them had passed it on their first attempt.)
https://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2017/12/27/educational-rot-n2426293
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There’s another educational issue that’s neither flattering nor comfortable to confront. That’s the low academic quality of so many teachers. It’s an issue that must be confronted and dealt with if we’re to improve the quality of education. Most states require prospective teachers to pass a certification test. How about a sample of some of the test questions.)
— Federal Employees Will Be Getting a Raise in 2018 – Leah Barkoukis (DIERSEN: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2017/12/27/federal-workers-salaries-n2427348

 

OPEN THE BOOKS
— Mapping The Swamp, A Study of the Administrative State
https://www.openthebooks.com/openthebooks_oversight_report_-_mapping_the_swamp_a_study_of_the_administrative_state/
https://www.openthebooks.com/map/?Map=5874&MapType=Pin

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— GOP lawmaker: Federal agencies need to be ‘purged’ of ‘deep state’ bias – Sally Persons
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/26/francis-rooney-says-some-federal-agencies-need-be-/
— Republicans care about voter fraud; Democrats want to come out ahead, says study – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/26/republicans-care-about-voter-fraud-democrats-want-/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Nearly 450,000 People Fled These Three Deep Blue States (New York, Illinois, and California) In 2017 – Will Racke
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/26/nearly-450000-people-fled-these-three-deep-blue-states-in-2017/

 

DAILY WIRE
— ONE-THIRD Of U.S. Homicide Spike Coming From 5 Chicago Neighborhoods Murders in the U.S. rose as a whole last year, thanks in large part to a Windy City crime wave. – JARED SICHEL
https://www.dailywire.com/news/25092/one-third-us-homicide-spike-coming-just-few-jared-sichel#

 

BREITBART
— Entire Palm Springs City Council Is Now Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBTQ) – JOEL B. POLLAK
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/26/entire-palm-springs-city-council-now-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-andor-queer-lgbtq/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— To the Chicago Police, Any Black Kid Is in a Gang – Tamar Manasseh
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/25/opinion/chicago-police-black-kids-gangs.html
— Incomes Grew After Past Tax Cuts, but Guess Whose – Eduardo Porter (DIERSEN: One could argue that if you do not qualify yourself for better paying jobs, you should not expect your income to grow. What did you do to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/26/business/economy/tax-cuts-incomes.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— White nationalists built a memorial for the white woman fatally shot by a Minneapolis policeman – Marwa Eltagouri
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/12/26/white-nationalists-built-a-memorial-for-the-white-woman-fatally-shot-by-a-somali-cop/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Homeowners Rush to Prepay 2018 Property-Tax Bills Filers line up at municipal offices before the GOP law kicks in; ‘It’s been insane here’ – David Harrison and Jennifer Levitz
https://www.wsj.com/articles/homeowners-rush-to-prepay-2018-property-tax-bills-1514335989
— Both Parties Are Deft at Ignoring Deficit Each party pretends to care about rising federal deficits and accumulating national debt only when that suits its interests – Gerald F. Seib
https://www.wsj.com/articles/both-parties-are-deft-at-ignoring-deficit-1514212971
— Murder in America: What Makes Cities More Dangerous Neighborhoods where killings have gone up share deepening poverty, lots of vacant properties and police pullbacks following officers’ shootings of young black men – Max Rust, Scott Calvert in Baltimore and Shibani Mahtani in Chicago
https://www.wsj.com/articles/murder-in-america-what-makes-cities-more-dangerous-1514293200
— Anti-Trumps say “Haitians Should Stay” because “These longstanding residents are valuable assets to the U.S.” According to anti-Trumps, members of the following groups are deplorable and should be gotten rid of: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-the-haitians-should-stay-1514331750

 

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Not only those who are anti-White oppose Trump, but those who are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors also oppose Trump.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/navarrette/article/It-s-no-surprise-when-racists-claim-the-name-12456353.php

 

USA TODAY
— Self-control proves key to financial health, wealth – Peter Dunn (DIERSEN: What do your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes attribute your “financial health, wealth” to? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes attribute my “financial health, wealth” to a) my being born with a silver spoon in my mouth, b) my having always been privileged, c) my being grossly overpaid by the federal government, d) my avoiding the draft, e) my getting married, f) my wife and I giving up trying to have children, our not adopting, and our not becoming foster parents, g) my federal pension and health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies being much too generous, and h) my not giving lots of money to churches like they do.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/usa-today-us-edition/20171227/281827169137916

 

FEDERAL TIMES
— Motivated by mission – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: The importance of GAO’s mission was a major reason why I agreed to take an $18,847/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old. The importance of GAO’s mission helped me endure my Democrat GAO superiors’ tremendous efforts to waste my career and to get rid of me. They always gave me unrealistic performance expectations and unfair performance appraisals. They assigned me to work for, to work with, or to supervise all the office’s disabled and problematic employees. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. In 1987, they got rid of the manager who had hired me, who had gotten me assigned to audits of IRS in 1986, and who had promoted me to GS-13 in 1986. They did not promote me beyond GS-13. They always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes. They forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/hr/2017/12/26/motivated-by-mission/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: According to Donald Kettl, professor of public policy at the University of Maryland, where baby boomers often sought out federal service for the stability it provided, millennials are more concerned with making a difference in the work that they do. “Most don’t imagine that they will work in the same job for five or 10 years, let alone for their entire careers,” said Kettl. “That means traditional benefit programs — like pensions — matter relatively little. Having jobs where they feel valued and can make an impact matters much more. That puts far more focus on employee engagement, development opportunities and networking than was the case in the past.” The federal government is one of few sectors that still offers pension benefits to its employees, and retirement benefits have recently been a sticking point in congressional budget negotiations. “From a personal perspective, a lot of federal jobs are pretty high scope, and they’re very, very responsible positions,” said Wynn. “And while it’s hard to have a public-sector equivalent, I think that one of the things that the government should do reasonably is make sure that when you’re giving up a portion of pay […] offering them security and some retirement benefits and health care will give them a better employee. We want the best and brightest, and if we can’t compete on salary then we ought to compete on giving them a more stable life.” However, according to Kettl, this focus on pensions and benefits may be a moot point for new employees entering federal service. He questioned how much risk the government was taking on if it assumed that millennials would adapt to current policy, rather than policy adapting to them. “And it’s a case where the emerging battle over changing employee pensions, something that the Republicans are pushing and Democrats are fiercely opposing, might be a case of fighting the last war,” said Kettl. “The big, important and often overlooked question is how best to get the next generation of government employees into the workforce — how the environment will have to change to do so — and the new contributions that the new generation of workers will make.”)

 

WINDY CITY TIMES
— 2017: Local LGBT news highlights – Matt Simonette (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, everyone will be barred from getting an education, from getting a job, from etc. unless they promote LGBTQ activity.)
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/2017-Local-LGBT-news-highlights/61477.html

December 26 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

December 25 Evening Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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