Tag: POT

December 18 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Mendoza says Rauner can’t take criticism ‘from a 5-foot-3 woman from Chicago’ – Rick Pearson)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-susana-mendoza-20171219-story.html
— Lake Forest city manager: Nearly $200K spent lobbying without council OK – Daniel I. Dorfman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-forest/news/ct-lfr-city-manager-lobbying-money-tl-1221-20171215-story.html
— The balance challenge Diversity helps the workplace, but many companies still aren’t making it happen – Rhett Power (DIERSEN: Rhett Power should write a book about the success that Democrats had during the 1980s and 1990s in promoting diversity at GAO, that is, the success that they had in wasting the careers of and getting rid of GAO’s employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who they had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20171218/281822874154835

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Doug Jones: Trump shouldn’t resign over misconduct allegations – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/doug-jones-trump-shouldnt-resign-over-misconduct-allegations/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Don’t move backward on marijuana policy – Dr. Aaron Weiner, clinical psychologist and director of addiction services at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health in Naperville.
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171218/dont-move-backward-on-marijuana-policy
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Recently, two of our state legislators announced they would push for marijuana legalization as a solution to the state’s fiscal crisis when they return to Springfield in January. While quick to tout the potential for increased tax revenue, these politicians are ignoring the long-term, well-documented costs increased marijuana use would bring to our communities. As the director of an addiction service line and clinical psychologist with firsthand experience treating addiction, I know the public health consequences of promoting the sale of another addictive drug in Illinois will far outweigh any temporary benefit. Marijuana policies deserve a robust and informed debate, but that discussion should be driven by science and facts, not the motives of for-profit special interest groups (read: addiction profiteers) lobbying our elected officials. And when it comes to the negative health implications of marijuana use, the science is crystal clear. According to the CDC, one in 10 adults will develop an addiction when using marijuana regularly, and new research has even indicated that one in every three current marijuana users has a diagnosable marijuana use disorder. This is something I see in my clinics often. I treat patients suffering from marijuana addiction — a problem that, according to both my own experiences and published research, undermines my patients’ ability to complete school, achieve their maximum earning potential, hold their jobs, function in a healthy marriage, and find overall life satisfaction. Perhaps most concerning is the disproportionate impact legalizing marijuana would have on our young people. We now know Colorado leads the country in past-month marijuana use by youth. And the Centennial State isn’t an outlier in this trend: Oregon and Washington State, which have also legalized the drug, each rank in the top six states nationwide for past-month marijuana use by adolescents. Making matters worse, marijuana-related emergency room visits by young people in Colorado more than quadrupled since the state legalized marijuana. In fact, more Coloradans in drug treatment are self-reporting heavy use of marijuana than ever before. Moreover, states with legal marijuana are proving the impact of legalization stretches far beyond harms to the individual. A study conducted by the AAA in Washington State showed a doubling in the number of fatal drug-impaired car crashes after legalization. Adding insult to injury, Colorado still faces a $700 million state budget shortfall that it must compensate for through increased taxes or budget cuts elsewhere. Years ago, we realized that exposure to lead created significant adverse public health consequences. In response, we removed lead from nearly everything we could: paint, pencils, window blinds, glass, and so on. Like lead, the greater marijuana’s exposure to the public, the greater the negative health impact. Why move backward? There are far better ways for our state to make money than selling a new intoxicating, addictive substance to our residents. Marijuana commercialization will drive more kids to smoke pot, increase treatment admissions for addiction, and become a significant setback for public health and safety. The answer to criminal justice reform and our state’s financial crisis does not require creating a new industry that preys on our youngest and most vulnerable by marketing pot gummy bears, pot lollipops, and 93 percent THC concentrates. It’s time for politicians in Springfield to stand up to special interest groups campaigning for laws that would create a new for-profit addiction industry — the next Big Tobacco — and choose to promote healthy lifestyles instead. The residents of Illinois are depending on you.)
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: How limit on property, state tax deduction could hurt suburbs – AP (DIERSEN: Do you pay high real estate taxes? Under this “tax overhaul,” the more real estate tax that you pay, the more federal income tax that you will pay.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171218/how-limit-on-property-state-tax-deduction-could-hurt-suburbs
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The sweeping tax overhaul embraced by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers would impose a $10,000 limit on the combined sum of property and state and local income taxes that a household could deduct. And that’s even if taxpayers would have an incentive to itemize anymore. The $10,000 cap will help pay for corporate and personal tax cuts totaling $1.5 trillion over the next decade. Conservatives have argued that unlimited state and local deductions amount to a federal subsidy for the wealthy in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, California and Illinois with their prosperous suburbs. But many middle-class families in those states face disproportionately high housing costs and depend on deducting their state and local taxes. These households could soon pressure states and localities to ease their burden by cutting taxes — which would likely force cuts to social programs and public services.)

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner keeping public in the dark about rates in Medicaid reboot – KRISTEN SCHORSCH
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171218/NEWS03/171219899

 

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Some Illinois Lawmakers Think It’s Too Soon To Pass Sexual Harassment Policies – DAISY CONTRERAS
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/some-illinois-lawmakers-think-its-too-soon-pass-sexual-harassment-policies

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Kasich: GOP is ‘losing future’ by ‘turning off millennials’ Gov. says he can’t support party if it isn’t fixed – MAEGAN VAZQUEZ (DIERSEN: Obviously, Kasich and his supporters want the Republican Party to pander to members of Group A and to dump 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 American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/kasich-gop-is-losing-future-by-turning-off-millennials/882485890

 

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Hey, Rahm — Lay Off Trump and Start Fixing Chicago – Steve Cortes
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/12/15/hey_rahm_–_lay_off_trump_and_start_fixing_chicago_135807.html

 

BLAZE
— The effect that California’s $15 minimum wage will have was just revealed — and it’s devastating – Chris Enloe
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/17/the-effect-that-californias-15-minimum-wage-will-have-was-just-revealed-and-its-devastating

 

BREITBART
— Congress: Illegals-Only Households Will Birth at Least 600,000 Children in Next Decade – NEIL MUNRO (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which employers prefer hiring illegals instead of citizens of America? ANSWER: Employers that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/17/cbo-illegals-only-households-will-birth-600000-children-next-decade/
— GAO Audit: TSA Inspectors Only Spend ‘Half Their Working Hours’ on Work amid ‘Increased’ Terror Threat – EDWIN MORA
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/12/17/audit-tsa-inspectors-only-spend-half-their-working-hours-fulfilling-work-amid-increased-terror-theat/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Republicans fear Trump’s ‘nonexistent’ political team will flop in 2020 – David M. Drucker
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republicans-fear-trumps-nonexistent-political-team-will-flop-in-2020/article/2643713

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Rebelling Republican Suburbs Offer Democrats Path to House Control – Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/us/politics/house-control-2018-suburbs-trump-republicans-democrats.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The new president, Mr. Russell said, has accelerated things: “They were Republicans for fiscal reasons, and Trump has alienated them from the party they used to belong to.” It is not hard to find such voters in the Illinois district of Representative Peter Roskam, which favored Mrs. Clinton by seven points and has a median income over $90,000. Mr. Roskam is bracing for perhaps his most difficult race since his first election to the House in 2006. Seven Democrats are jockeying to challenge Mr. Roskam in the western suburbs of Chicago, and they have largely gravitated toward a single message. Kelly Mazeski, a planning commissioner in Barrington Hills and a leading Democratic contender, rebuked Mr. Roskam for his positions on health care and taxes, but for one transgression most of all. “Most of the time, I talk about Peter Roskam — that’s who my opponent is,” Ms. Mazeski said. “But to be clear, his voting record is 97 percent of the Trump agenda.” That rebuke resonates with voters like Pat Robinson, a retired teacher inclined to vote for a Democrat in 2018 but waiting to see who will emerge as the nominee. Ms. Robinson, who said she voted for Mrs. Clinton last year as the “lesser of two evils,” said she would not reward a lawmaker allied with the White House. “He’s certainly following Trump’s platform, and I can’t go along with that at all,” Ms. Robinson said of Mr. Roskam.)
— A Tax Plan to Turbocharge Inequality, in 3 Charts – David Leonhardt
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/17/opinion/taxes-inequality-charts.html
— FRONT PAGE: In One New Jersey Town, Pending Tax Changes Create Anxiety – Patrick McGeehan (DIERSEN: How similar is your municipality to Livingston? How similar is your county to Essex County?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/17/nyregion/livingston-new-jersey-tax-bill.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Politically speaking, Livingston is not the bluest of the suburbs surrounding New York City. But there are few places where people are feeling any more anxious about the potential impact of the federal tax bill proposed by Republican leaders in Washington. “They’re crippling us,” said Walter Levine, who has lived in this New Jersey community since 1976. As Mr. Levine sees it, Livingston, a fairly affluent town with a population of about 30,000, could become even less affordable as residents face rising tax bills and falling home values. They could be left with less disposable income to spend in the local stores, setting off a “domino effect” that could derail the town’s economy. It is a dire forecast, but not a radical one. Livingston sits on the western edge of Essex County, which Moody’s Analytics, a company that provides economic research, placed at the top of its list of places whose housing markets would suffer the most under the Republicans’ plan. According to Moody’s, the tax proposal could carve as much as 10.5 percent off the projected value of homes in Essex County in two years. Six other New Jersey counties made the top 10 on Moody’s list. Livingston’s Republican representative in Congress, Rodney Frelinghuysen, voted against the House version of the tax bill because, he said, of the “very negative impacts it would have on so many of my fellow New Jerseyans.”)
— FRONT PAGE: Champion of the ‘Little Guy’? Trump’s Actions Tell Another Story – Michael Tackett and Jim Tankersley
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/17/us/politics/trump-working-class.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Deduction Rollback Hurts High-Tax States, But Exodus Isn’t Assured Taxes look to be just one of many factors in Americans’ decisions about where to live – Ben Leubsdorf
https://www.wsj.com/articles/deduction-rollback-hurts-high-tax-states-but-exodus-isnt-assured-1513526894
— Democrats Against Tax Reform Unlike the past, the GOP has had no help passing these tax cuts. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-against-tax-reform-1513552419
— How to Get American Men Back Into the Workforce Rethink unemployment insurance and increase public investment in improving skills. – Jason Furman (DIERSEN: 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.wsj.com/articles/how-to-get-american-men-back-into-the-workforce-1513538496

 

USA TODAY
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Ways to save (or splurge!) on vacations – Larry Bleiberg (DIERSEN: Vacations are expensive. Your GOPUSA Illinois Editor and his wife are not planning any kind of vacation. My $50,856/year pension is only 41% of the $122,991/year salary that I earned in 1997 in today’s dollars. Because my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, we have at least $72,135 less each year or $6,011 less each month or $1,387 less each week or $198 less each day to spend on vacations. I went on vacations in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977. My wife and I went on many vacations, typically four each year, 1978-1992 in connection with her business trips to luxury resorts all across America. Of course, my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were beyond furious about that.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/12/18/save-splurge-europe-beach-and-cruise-options-spender-and-budget-conscious/953201001/
— Retirement tips: 4 steps to a happier retirement – Ken Fisher (DIERSEN: Are you retired? What do you do with your time? Needless-to-say, spending 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out is NOT fun, but it does give my life purpose.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2017/12/17/retirement-tips-4-steps-happier-retirement/954763001/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 4. Fill your time with fun. Did you know retirement can cause depression? Even if your job was a drag, it gave you purpose. Beat back the boredom blues with hobbies, volunteering or even a part-time job. Check out community college course catalogues for art classes or anything striking your fancy. Offer to teach classes in your specialty. Think about part-timing at some retail boutique you like. To keep fit, find groups for biking, hiking, jogging, tennis or dancing. If volunteering, ponder the most fun way to spend that time — with children, in nature, with animals, at museums, the library — abundant choices. You’ll make friends, too, which reduces depression. Fun is the most important of these four. It affects your attitude, which drives your body. Start now. Have the Merriest Christmas possible by offering extra-fun kindness to those around you. It will pay you back immediately, boosting your psyche heading into 2018. And I’ll see you Jan. 2, when my next column appears.)

December 17 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Boy, 15, shot to death delivering newspapers with stepdad on SW Side
http://abc7chicago.com/boy-15-shot-to-death-delivering-newspapers-with-stepdad-on-sw-side/2792120/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Keeping ‘Dreamers’ would cost taxpayers $26B over next 10 years, feds say
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/keeping-dreamers-would-cost-taxpayers-26b-over-next-10-years-feds-say

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— One more way GOP tax plan sticks it to Chicago – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-one-more-way-gop-tax-plan-sticks-it-to-chicago/
— Trump dislikes being investigated; so did Al Capone – Neil Steinberg
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-fbi-academy-chicago-crime-statistics/
— Illinois horse tracks say more gambling can stop ‘downward spiral’ – Taylor Hartz (DIERSEN: Gambling is a vice. If you promote gambling, you promote vice.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/horse-racing-tracks-illinois-gambling-regulations/

 

DAILY HERALD
— 2 candidates gone after challenges in Lake County Board races – Mick Zawislak
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171217/2-candidates-gone-after-challenges-in-lake-county-board-races
— Collateral damage of “credibly accused” – KATHLEEN PARKER
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171217/collateral-damage-of-x201ccredibly-accusedx201d

 

STATELINE
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Republican Tax Bill Expected To Impact Property Tax Deductions Limits deductions to 10,000 dollars a year – Gregory Cormier
http://www.mystateline.com/news/republican-tax-bill-expected-to-impact-property-tax-deductions/882614534

 

WGN RADIO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats use Barickman to promote pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://wgnradio.com/2017/12/17/the-sunday-spin-politics-with-rick-pearson-full-show-12-17-17/

 

KMOV
— Illinois State Rep. Dan Beiser to step down effective immediately – Michael Ritter
http://www.kmov.com/story/37086576/illinois-state-rep-dan-beiser-to-step-down-effective-immediately

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives: ‘Rauner is not in charge in Springfield’ – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511297583-ives-rauner-is-not-in-charge-in-springfield

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Andrew Gasser’s Amended Complaint Against Local 150
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/17/algonquin-township-road-commissioner-andrew-gassers-amended-complaint/
— Reick Steps into Township Efficiency Issue
nrycountyblog.com/2017/12/16/reick-steps-into-township-efficiency-issue/
— Discussion of November Referendum to Put McHenry Township Road District Under Township Board Set for January Meeting
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/discussion-of-november-referendum-to-put-mchenry-township-road-district-under-township-board-set-for-january-meeting/
— Republicans on McHenry Township Board Make Next Term’s Posts Voluntary–No Salary
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/republicans-on-mchenry-township-board-make-next-terms-posts-voluntary/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Poll Shows Nation Divided Between America First And Blame America First – GINNI THOMAS
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/16/poll-shows-nation-divided-between-america-first-and-blame-america-first-video/
— Final Tax Bill Contains Language Allowing Illegal Immigrants To Get Tax Credit – Alex Pfeiffer
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/16/final-tax-bill-contains-language-allowing-illegal-immigrants-to-get-tax-credit/

 

CNN
— McCain returning to Arizona, will miss tax bill vote – Dana Bash, Jeff Zeleny and Maegan Vazquez
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/17/politics/mccain-return-arizona-tax-bill/index.html

December 17 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ethics, redemption become issues in Will County clerk race – Ted Slowik
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-will-county-clerk-st-1214-20171213-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: I wondered this week how Lauren Staley-Ferry’s admission and apology for a felony forgery charge she faced 15 years ago in Arizona would affect her candidacy for Will County clerk. Staley-Ferry, 39, of Joliet, is one of two candidates running in the March 20 Democratic primary for county clerk. The other is Denise Mushro-Rumchak, 59, of Crest Hill.)
— I got kicked out of diversity training – Joanne Cleaver (DIERSEN: Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to get rid of Republicans, and especially to get rid of Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-diversity-feminism-white-privilege-20171217-story.html

 

WBEZ
— Are Taxpayers Footing The Bill For Patriotic Tributes At College Games? – Monica Eng (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps are anti-patriotic.)
https://www.wbez.org/shows/curious-city/are-taxpayers-footing-the-bill-for-patriotic-tributes-at-college-games/d81a450a-b7e5-41a7-bbcd-46a3dbce251f

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Illinois Has Highest Pension Liability In Nation – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=256991#.WjaRKt-nGM8

 

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— TRAGIC: Quincy City Council considers raising cap on video gaming terminals – Doug Wilson
http://www.whig.com/20171216/quincy-city-council-considers-raising-cap-on-video-gaming-terminals#//

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— POLL: As Chicago contemplates pot legalization, Decatur officials still skeptical – JAYLYN COOK
http://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/poll-as-chicago-contemplates-pot-legalization-decatur-officials-still-skeptical/article_a2b4b6f6-eb83-56c6-95ad-ad49c5f0d80a.html

 

SOUTHERN
— At campaign stop, Pritzker tells Southern Illinois Democratic Women he’s ‘ready to resist’ – K. JANIS ESCH (DIERSEN: Ever-increasing, Pritzker makes it clear that if he is elected, he will drive out of Illinois all the individuals, organizations, and companies that are a member of one or more of the following groups: 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://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/at-campaign-stop-pritzker-tells-southern-illinois-democratic-women-he/article_0f2d9e0e-80f6-5606-b20f-33b82437a0b0.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: During a campaign-stop luncheon hosted by the Southern Illinois Democratic Women on Saturday afternoon, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker billed himself as a feminist ally and a proud member of the anti-Trump resistance. Pritzker, a billionaire investor and entrepreneur, told a crowd of 250 people at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 318 that he was “ready to listen … ready to resist and ready for the fight ahead.” After his speech, Pritzker moderated a panel discussion featuring female leaders. His running-mate, Juliana Stratton, state representative of the 5th District, noted in her introductory remarks that Pritzker was the first candidate in the race to choose a woman for the lieutenant governor position. “This is a partnership, and together, we’re going to put Springfield back on the side of women and families,” she said. In 2016, Stratton said, Illinois women made an average of $41,327, compared to the average for men of $52,161. She said equal pay for equal work will be a top priority for Pritzker’s administration. Pritzker spoke about his disappointment after the 2016 election, when Donald Trump won the presidency in a stunning upset over Hillary Clinton. “I was sad for our country, I was sad for the direction that it would take us in and for what it meant about and for our values. I was sad that my daughter witnessed a misogynistic, racist man defeating a deeply qualified woman for president,” Pritzker said.)

 

RIVER CITIES READER
— Can Rauner Really Take Out Madigan? – Rich Miller
https://www.rcreader.com/commentary/can-rauner-take-out-madigan

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives outscores Rauner in tax group’s policy survey – W.J. Kennedy
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511287066-ives-outscores-rauner-in-tax-group-s-policy-survey

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— If Congress Doesn’t Act Soon To Save Dreamers, It Might Not Save Them At All Immigration reform advocates want legal status for undocumented young people as part of a government spending bill. – Elise Foley
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/government-shutdown-dreamers_us_5a2989ece4b0b185e53a3098

 

BLAZE
— Pope Francis says journalists commit ‘sins of communication’ – Teri Webster (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes will hint/imply/argue/shout that the Pope is talking about me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/16/pope-francis-says-journalists-commit-sins-of-communication
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Pope Francis weighed in on the issue of freedom of the press as he delivered a sermon to a group of journalists Saturday about “the sins of communication,” NPR News reported. Who was there? The Pope made his comments to members of the Italian Periodical Press Union and the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies, reports state. According to the Pope, journalism is a field “dominated by the anxiety of speed” and is driven by sensationalism. Reliable information, he said, is at a premium. Pope Francis also spoke about the perils of disinformation and slander, NPR reported. What did Pope Francis say? “You shouldn’t fall into the ‘sins of communication:’ disinformation, or giving just one side, calumny that is sensationalized, or defamation, looking for things that are old news and have been dealt with and bringing them to light today,” he said. Pope Francis added: “We must not fall prey to the ‘sins of communication’: disinformation that is, giving just one side of the argument, slander, which is sensationalistic, or defamation, looking for outdated and old things, and bringing them to light today. They are very grave sins, which damage the heart of the journalist and harm people.” The world can expect to hear similar sermons from the pope in the future. Pope Francis plans to make “fake news and journalism for peace,” the topic of his 2017 World Communications Day speech. The pope has waded into media issues in the past, as well. NPR reported last year that the pope told “journalists and media consumers” that an interest in dredging up scandals is similar to “the sickness of coprophilia,” which is an abnormal interest in feces “that can include elements of sexual arousal.”)

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Tax Bill That Inequality Created – Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/opinion/sunday/tax-bill-inequality-created.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Many Want Nothing to Do With the ‘R’ Word A growing number of older Americans continue to work for a variety of reasons. – Claudia Dreifus (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, what I do 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out is NOT work. They hint/imply/argue/shout that because no one pays me for what I do as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor, that because I send the emails out free of charge, and that because the emails contain no advertising, what I do as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor is worthless.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/business/asked-about-retiring-they-have-a-simple-answer-why.html
— Bringing Down Our Monsters – Maureen Dowd (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the harder that anti-Trumps work to destroy you: 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.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/opinion/sunday/sexual-harassment-salma-hayek.html
— Are You Old? Infirm? Then Kindly Disappear – FRANK BRUNI (DIERSEN: If you work for the federal government and you are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran, the federal government wants you to disappear if you do not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/opinion/sunday/are-you-old-infirm-then-kindly-disappear.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump labor adviser’s plan for cutting federal compensation, potentially even paid holidays – Joe Davidson (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.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/18/trump-labor-advisers-plan-for-cutting-federal-compensation-potentially-even-paid-holidays/

December 16 Morning Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Conservative GOP support for pot legalization could tip scale – MARK BROWN (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you are not conservative or Republican. You are Libertarian, Democrat, or Green. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/brown-conservative-gop-support-for-pot-legalization-could-tip-scale/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Food stamp benefits disrupted for thousands as state launches new eligibility system – Greg Trotter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-snap-benefits-delayed-20171214-story.html
— There’s a difference between giving thanks and getting played – Austin Berg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-berg-column-st-1217-20171215-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— 22 months into talks, still no deal in West Chicago District 94 – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171214/22-months-into-talks-still-no-deal-in-west-chicago-district-94

 

ABC7
— Cutting bureaucratic bloat in Ill. – BGA (DIERSEN: Are/were you a government employee? Ever since 1966, when I was 18 years old and started working part-time for the Park Forest Post Office, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me as being bureaucratic bloat.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/weekend-watch-cutting-bureaucratic-bloat-in-ill-/2785310/
— Some CTA workers get free parking in paid Blue Line lot – Jason Knowles and Ann Pistone (DIERSEN: In 1973, my 1962 Chevy BelAir was stolen while I was working at IRS’s office at 63rd and Halsted in Chicago.)
http://abc7chicago.com/travel/some-cta-workers-get-free-parking-in-paid-blue-line-lot/2786862/

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— As Chicago contemplates pot legalization, Decatur officials still skeptical – JAYLYN COOK (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/as-chicago-contemplates-pot-legalization-decatur-officials-still-skeptical/article_a2b4b6f6-eb83-56c6-95ad-ad49c5f0d80a.html

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Duckworth: ‘I do have some real concerns’ with GOP tax plan – Tom Kacich (DIERSEN: What about the housing market crash that taking away itemized deductions will cause?)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-16/duckworth-i-do-have-some-real-concerns-with-gop-tax-plan.html

 

TIMES
— Windy City guides Illinois politics – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/column-windy-city-guides-illinois-politics/article_bc1448ad-dc2b-5930-8a02-27e86e0feb6f.html

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Republicans on McHenry Township Board Make Next Term’s Posts Voluntary–No Salary
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/republicans-on-mchenry-township-board-make-next-terms-posts-voluntary/ext
— Discussion of November Referendum to Put McHenry Township Road District Under Township Board Set for January Meeting
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/discussion-of-november-referendum-to-put-mchenry-township-road-district-under-township-board-set-for-january-meeting/
— Illinois Leaks Claiming “Corruption and Fraud” at Algonquin Township Road District
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/illinois-leaks-claiming-corruption-and-fraud-at-algonquin-township-road-district/
— Algonquin Township Loses 2014 Property Tax Protest Case, Excessive Taxation Found
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/algonquin-township-loses-property-tax-protest-case/
— The Algonquin Township Street Sweeper That Ended Up in Island Lake
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/14/the-algonquin-township-street-sweeper-that-ended-up-in-island-lake/
— Algonquin Township Has Calm Meeting, Property Taxes Cut 5%
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/14/algonquin-township-has-calm-meeting-property-taxes-cut-5/
— North West Herald Missed Big News–the 5% Tax Levy Cut–at Algonquin Township Meeting
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/14/nwh-misseds-big-news-at-algonquin-township-meeting/
— McHenry County Residents Can Prepay Property Tax Bills
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/14/mchenry-county-residents-can-prepay-property-tax-bills/
— Roskam on Income Tax Reform Conference Committee Report
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/13/roskam-on-income-tax-reform-conference-committee-report/
— Lakewood’s Serwatka Censured by 5-1 Vote, 10% Tax Levy Cut Consideration Postponed Until Monday
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/13/lakewoods-serwatka-censured-by-5-1-vote-10-tax-levy-cut-consideration-postponed-until-monday/
— Anonymous Web Site Criticizes Mary McClellan’s Ethics (McClellan Is Running for Judge)
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/12/anonymous-web-site-criticizes-mary-mcclellans-ethics/

 

AFSCME31
— Rauner appeals court ruling that employees owed step increases (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always been beyond furious that I got step increases and COLAs while I worked for the federal government. They have also always been beyond furious a) that the Post Office hired me in 1966 and let me work there for almost 3 years, b) that IRS hired me in 1971 and let me work there for almost 9 years, c) that IRS promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, d) that GAO hired me in 1980 and let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) that GAO promoted me in 1986.)
http://www.afscme31.org/news/rauner-appeals-court-ruling-that-employees-owed-step-increases

 

NEWSMAX
— CBO: Legalizing ‘Dreamers’ Would Cost US Nearly $26B Over 10 Years – Wanda Carruthers (DIERSEN: Of course, anti-Trumps want Trump supporters to pay that $26B.)
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/daca-dreamers-congressional-budget-office-economy/2017/12/15/id/832125/

 

TOWNHALL
— ‘Christ’ Purged from Christmas and the Left Rejoices – Douglas MacKinnon
https://townhall.com/columnists/douglasmackinnon/2017/12/16/christ-purged-from-christmas-and-the-left-rejoices-n2423048

 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
— Trump’s tax plan: Why many middle-class Republicans support it UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATIONS While some Trump voters see the bill as a betrayal of his populist campaign promises, more than two-thirds of GOP voters say they support it – even if it may not help them personally. – Christa Case Bryant  (DIERSEN: What about the housing market crash that taking away itemized deductions will cause?)
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/1215/Trump-s-tax-plan-Why-many-middle-class-Republicans-support-it

 

POLITICO
— Progressives hunt down one of the last conservative Democrats Chicago-based Congressman Dan Lipinski has never before been targeted with so much political firepower. – NATASHA KORECKI
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/16/dan-lipinski-conservative-democrat-election-299572
— Jeff Sessions Isn’t Giving up on Weed. He’s Doubling Down. Congressional dysfunction may do what the pot-hating attorney general hasn’t managed to do all year: Remove protections for the booming legal weed industry. – JAMES HIGDON (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes talk and/or act like a) they smoke pot, b) they want to smoke pot legally, c) they want to make lots of money selling pot legally, and/or d) they want government to take in lots of revenue from taxing pot. If you are any of the aforesaid, you are not conservative or Republican, you are Libertarian, Democrat, or Green.)
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/16/jeff-sessions-marijuana-216109

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— A Middle-Class Tax Cut? Americans Aren’t Buying It – Ben Casselman and Jim Tankersley
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/business/economy/tax-survey.html
— Charities’ Fear Under Tax Bill: Less Money to Help the Needy – Ann Carrns
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/business/charities-tax-bill.html
— Facebook Conceded It Might Make You Feel Bad. Here’s How to Interpret That. – Farhad Manjoo
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/technology/facebook-blog-feel-bad.html
— E.P.A. Contractor Has Spent Past Year Scouring the Agency for Anti-Trump Officials – Eric Lipton and Lisa Friedman (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted patronage. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/us/politics/epa-scott-pruitt-foia.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Law School Is Hot Again as Politics Piques Interest The number of people applying to law school has risen 12%, in the first significant boost in years – Sara Randazzo
https://www.wsj.com/articles/law-school-is-hot-again-as-politics-piques-interest-1513333801
— Facebook Acknowledges Some Social-Media Use Is Harmful Rare admission follows criticism by former executives of Facebook’s imprint on the world – Deepa Seetharaman
https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-acknowledges-some-social-media-use-is-harmful-1513379765

 

USA TODAY
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Growing wealth gap will lead to retirement crisis – Peter Dunn
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/12/16/how-handle-growing-wealth-gap-crisis/921655001/

 

DEMOCRAT UNDERGROUND
— If Your Are A Federal Employee You Risk Being Purged If Not Loyal To Trump/GOP Policies. (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. Those Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to not hire, to not retain, to not promote, and to get rid of Republicans, and especially Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/10029989944

December 14 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Emanuel breaks silence on Berrios, calls for review of property tax assessments – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-rahm-emanuel-joe-berrios-20171214-story.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Thank black women for Moore’s defeat in Alabama – Dahleen Glanton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-alabama-black-women-dahleen-glanton-20171213-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ample tax cuts for business, wealthy in new GOP tax accord – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/tax-overhaul-wealthy-business-obamacare/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who are members of Group A use Moore to demonize, denigrate, and condemn those who are members of Group B. Those who are 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 those who are 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.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/cupp-for-gop-stain-of-roy-moore-will-be-hard-to-wash-away/
— As ‘net neutrality’ vote nears, some brace for a long fight – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/net-neutrality-fcc-vote-internet-broadband-rules/

 

DAILY HERALD
— HARDCOPY EDITORIAL HEADLINE: Perspectives on professional development (DIERSEN: What have you done to develop yourself professionally? 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. However, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the undergraduate and graduate 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/discuss/20171213/editorial-dont-overlook-value-of-conferences-but-manage-the-costs
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, those who are anti-men paint all men as being sexual harassers.
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171214/womens-rage-unleashed

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— “Objection! (to nominating petitions), Pritzker endorsements
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171213/under-dome-podcast-objection-to-nominating-petitions-pritzker-endorsements
— Governor candidates want action on Legionnaire’s outbreak at veterans home
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171213/governor-candidates-want-action-on-legionnaires-outbreak-at-veterans-home

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— State Funded Abortion Law Soon To Take Effect – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=256844#.WjJfscvR-M8

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— John McCain to Trump: Lay off the ‘fake news’ claims Report: Increase in number of journalists jailed – JACKIE WATTLES (DIERSEN: Who wants you to be jailed? My critics/opponents want me to be jailed, and especially my critics/opponents who 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 those who 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/or those who disapprove of my demographics.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/john-mccain-to-trump-lay-off-the-fake-news-claims/880723380
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Trump is known for dismissing press coverage he doesn’t like as “fake news.” CPJ’s report was highly critical of Trump’s tactics. “President Donald Trump’s nationalistic rhetoric, fixation on Islamic extremism, and insistence on labeling critical media ‘fake news’ serves to reinforce the framework of accusations and legal charges that allow [some foreign] leaders to preside over the jailing of journalists,” it reads. The most common reasons journalists are put behind bars around the world include “anti-state charges” and “broad and vague terror laws,” according to the CPJ report.)

 

WAND
— A new law aims to stop “doctor shopping” for getting prescribed opioid – Dawn Sterling
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37063187/a-new-law-aims-to-stop-doctor-shopping-for-getting-prescribed-opioid

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois Women Tell Their #Metoo Stories – MAUREEN FOERTSCH MCKINNEY (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who are anti-men paint all men as being sexual harassers.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-women-tell-their-metoo-stories#stream/0

 

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Jim Durkin’s Intimidation Campaign
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/jim-durkins-intimidation-campaign

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— White House sides with Rauner in union fight
https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511296664-white-house-sides-with-rauner-in-union-fight

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— LUNCH WITH TRUMP — Two congressmen from Illinois joined President Donald Trump in the White House for lunch. According to the pool report: “Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Ways and Means Committee Member and Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), Energy and Commerce Committee.” Trump hosted the lunch to get a handle on progress for major tax legislation.” Roskam has been intimately involved in those efforts. – Natasha Korecki
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/12/14/cullerton-to-launch-hearings-over-veterans-home-deaths-rauner-defends-actions-on-quincy-gutierrez-backs-berrios-kaegi-puts-in-another-250k-230728

 

ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Report calls Rauner’s management 7th worst in country
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-report-calls-rauners-management-7th-worst-in-country/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— In spite of tax hike, ratings agency eyes change that could junk Illinois – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/economy/in-spite-of-tax-hike-ratings-agency-eyes-change-that/article_38190674-e02e-11e7-b766-57ea540652e7.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Politics of #HimToo The Democratic Party has taken a very clear stand on sexual misconduct, setting its sights on President Trump. – Thomas B. Edsall (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/opinion/democratic-party-sexual-misconduct.html
— Donald Trump’s Gift to Women – Gail Collins (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/opinion/donald-trump-women.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Our Harasser In Chief – Lindy West (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/opinion/donald-trump-sexual-harassment.html
— Marijuana and Vaping Are More Popular Than Cigarettes Among Teenagers – Jan Hoffman (DIERSEN: If you promote cigarettes, vamping, booze, gambling, pot, and/or other vices, you promote destruction.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/health/teen-drug-smoking.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Republicans say “Alabama Loss Exposes Republican Fissures Amid a Democratic Surge.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/us/alabama-senate-republican-divisions-democrats.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Alabama Defeat Stokes Divisions Among Republicans Finger-pointing between GOP establishment and Steve Bannon reflects rising concern about party’s prospects in midterms – Janet Hook, Kristina Peterson and Michael C. Bender (DIERSEN: Those who want Republicans to lose use Moore to drive the following out of the Republican Party: those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/alabama-defeat-stokes-divisions-among-republicans-1513211264
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Bannons demonize, denigrate, and condemn Bannon.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/alabama-sends-a-message-1513139661
— Moore’s Law: Kooky Candidates Lose If Republicans want policy victories, they should stop throwing away Senate seats. – Karl Rove (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who say that those who they cannot manipulate/dominate are kook and even worse things.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/moores-law-kooky-candidates-lose-1513210820
— How Language in Job Listings Could Widen Silicon Valley’s Gender Divide – Yoree Koh (DIERSEN: To get more Democrats, younger people, minorities, and females to apply, employers could put in their job listings that they give preference to Democrats, to younger people, to minorities, and to females, that is, that they discriminate against Republicans, older people, Whites, and males.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-language-in-job-listings-could-widen-silicon-valleys-gender-divide-1513189821

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURES OF OLD WHITE MEN: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who are anti-old White men crow over their successes.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/13/usa-today-suffolk-poll-americans-rare-agreement-say-sexual-misconduct-must-stop/945483001/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: GOP tax cut gets sweeter for rich – Herj Jackson, Deirdre Shesgreen, and Eliza Collins
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/13/republicans-say-they-have-tax-cut-deal-but-democrats-want-stall-until-jones-arrives/947761001/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Whites say “In Alabama, black voters rescued white voters from their worst impulses.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/13/alabama-back-voters-rescued-white-voters-their-worst-impulses-jones-moore-ellis-cose-column/947935001/

 

VANITY FAIR
— THE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN IS A RECESSION WAITING TO HAPPEN Presidents have routinely preached the value of homeownership. Not Trump. With caps on the deductions for mortgage interest and on the deductibility of state and local taxes, the cost of owning a home will rise and the value of a home will fall. – WILLIAM D. COHAN
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/12/the-republican-tax-plan-is-a-recession-waiting-to-happen

 

SALON
— Alabama: Don’t forget the women who brought down Roy Moore, and changed history Roy Moore’s accusers represent a much larger political and cultural shift. They remind us that change is possible – Heather Digby Parton (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.salon.com/2017/12/14/alabama-dont-forget-the-women-who-brought-down-roy-moore-and-changed-history/

 

December 13 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— The Milton Township Republican Central Committee held an outstanding Christmas party Wednesday evening, December 13, 2017, at the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall. The many outstanding speakers included Jeanne Ives. Attendees included Almiron, Berlin, Bibbiano, Carlson, Caruso, Cherry, Cleveland, Connelly, Cooper, Crane, Dangelo, Falbo, Fitzpatrick, Grant, Hinds, Hinkle, Holan, A. & R. Jorgensen, Keller, Krzyzewski, C. & A. LeVan, Lofgren, Lollino, McGowen, Minor, Molitor, Muehlfelt, A. & B. Murphy, Nathwani, Prater, Rash, Romano, Russo, Shaw, Tatro, Wehling, Whelan, Wilson, C. & J. Zaruba, and Zay. – Dave Diersen
https://gopillinois.com

 

ABC7
— Alabama election reaction pours in; Illinois comptroller Mendoza: ‘Loser perv lost anyway’ – Craig Wall (DIERSEN: With their success in defeating Moore, anti-Trumps will increasingly allege that all Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things. Are you a Republican? How soon, if not already, will Mendoza say that you are a White supremacist, Nazi, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things?)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/alabama-election-reaction-pours-in;-mendoza-loser-perv-lost-anyway/2777327/

 

NBC5
— Governor Rauner Under Fire for Deaths at Quincy Veteran’s Home – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/governor-bruce-rauner-under-fire-for-legionnaires-deaths-in-quincy-464005493.html
— Democratic Candidates for Illinois’ 6th District Speak at Forum – Mary Ann Ahern (DIERSEN: If I was still the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, the organization would be hosting candidate forums for a) Rauner v. Ives, b) Sanguinetti v. Morthland, c) Harold v. Grasso, d) Diganvker v. Jhingan, e) Stella v. Vlakancic, f) Minor v. Grant v. Byrne v. Augustynowicz, g) Kinzler v. Orozco, h) Zito v. Khouri, i) Mendrick v. Bibbiano, j) Tornatore v. DeMichele v. Fichtner v.  Gavanes, k) Hart v. Abbott v. Tully v. Broline, l) McGowen v. Almiron v. Eckhoff v. Zaruba v. Tatro v. Chinchilla, m) Wiley v. Zay v. McQuade, n) Russo v. MacKay, o) Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee candidates, p) etc.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/democratic-candidates-6th-district-illinois-roskam–463936223.html

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— BEYOND DISGUSTING, BEYOND TRAGIC: Cook County voters to be asked next year about legalizing marijuana – Hal Dardick (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-cook-county-recreational-marijuana-20171212-story.html
— Republicans reach compromise plan on taxes, expanding tax cuts for the wealthy – Damian Paletta and Erica Werner (DIERSEN: From what I see, the more that you have benefited from itemizing your deductions, the more federal income tax that you will pay.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-gop-tax-package-20171213-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Overall, the tax rewrite would impact virtually every American household and business because of how the plan lowers tax rates while putting new curbs on tax deductions that have been in place for decades. . .Several analyses have found that most Americans would see their taxes fall, at least in the short term, but millions would see an increase because they would loser certain deductions.)
— Illinois video gambling parlors must split profits with terminal operators, judge rules – Ally Marotti
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-gambling-parlor-lawsuit-20171213-story.html
— ‘He is a bully’: Sen. Gillibrand hits back at Trump over tweet on ‘Today’ – Amy B. Wang
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-trump-gillibrand-20171213-story.html
— With net neutrality decision imminent, Thursday could be the day the internet died – Robert Reed
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-net-neutrality-debacle-robert-reed-1214-story.html
— Steve Bannon gets a pro-abortion Democrat elected in Alabama – Marc A. Thiessen (DIERSEN: How fast would the Washington Post fire Thiessen if he was charged with sexual harassment? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all the losses that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000. Should I write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-steve-bannon-roy-moore-20171213-story.html
— Trump unintentionally advances sexual equality – Steve Chapman (DIERSEN: What do you say to men who demonize, denigrate, and condemn men to curry favor with women?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-sexual-harssment-women-1214-story.html
— Tom Cullerton: “Governor Rauner has failed our veterans once again”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glen-ellyn/community/chi-ugc-article-tom-cullerton-governor-rauner-has-failed-ou-2017-12-13-story.html
— Roskam praises Republican tax compromise as Democrats push back hard – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-peter-roskam-tammy-duckworth-taxes-20171213-story.html
— ‘We should hold our public officials to the highest ethical standards’ – Ted Slowik
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-will-county-clerk-st-1214-20171213-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Megyn Kelly finds audience by delving into sexual misconduct – AP (DIERSEN: From what I see, Kelly’s goal in life is not only to use “sexual misconduct” to bring down Trump, but to use “sexual misconduct” to bring down all heterosexual men. Those who promote LGBTQ activity are overjoyed with Kelly.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171213/entlife/312139920/
— Governor candidate Ives: ‘Every school district should be a unit district’ – Marni Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171213/governor-candidate-ives-every-school-district-should-be-a-unit-district

 

WLS AM
— Gov candidate Biss: Let’s not have a “coronation” for Pritzker.
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/13/gov-candidate-biss-lets-not-have-a-coronation-for-pritzker/
— Pritzker blaming Rauner for Legionnaires’ deaths at Quincy – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/13/pritzker-blaming-rauner-for-legionnaires-deaths-at-quincy/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Families blame state in veterans home Legionnaires’ outbreak
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171213/families-blame-state-in-veterans-home-legionnaires-outbreak
— Pritzker foundation gave $50 million in 3 years – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171213/schoenburg-pritzker-foundation-gave-50-million-in-3-years

 

TIMES
— Now is the time to commit to being an informed voter – Editorial (DIERSEN: If I was still the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, the organization would be hosting candidate forums for a) Rauner v. Ives, b) Sanguinetti v. Morthland, c) Harold v. Grasso, d) Diganvker v. Jhingan, e) Stella v. Vlakancic, f) Minor v. Grant v. Byrne v. Augustynowicz, g) Kinzler v. Orozco, h) Zito v. Khouri, i) Mendrick v. Bibbiano, j) Tornatore v. DeMichele v. Fichtner v. and Gavanes, k) Hart v. Abbott v. Tully v. Broline, l) McGowen v. Almiron v. Eckhoff v. Zaruba v. Tatro v. Chinchilla, m) Wiley v. Zay v. McQuade, n) Russo v. MacKay, o) Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee candidates, p) etc.)
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/editorial/now-is-the-time-to-commit-to-being-an-informed/article_bdf46aa7-65c6-580c-9057-3d50ce492ea2.html

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Rep David McSweeney calls for abolishment of Algonquin Township
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/08/rep-david-mcsweeney-calls-for-abolishment-of-algonquin-township/avu6pst/

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Illinois lawmakers keep leash on their sexual harassment watchdog – Editorial
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/editorials/article189532219.html

 

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Springfield, communications key to home rule discussion – Shane Nicholson
http://rockrivertimes.com/2017/12/13/rockford-home-rule-springfield/

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— McSweeney sides with Ives in call for an investigation into Rauner firing of top attorney – Glenn Minnis
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511296200-mcsweeney-sides-with-ives-in-call-for-an-investigation-into-rauner-firing-of-top-attorney

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Common Core: School Test Scores Are Nosediving – Jane Robbins and Emmett McGroarty
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/common-core-school-test-scores-nosediving/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IVES RESPONDS TO WALL STREET JOURNAL’S EDITORIAL ON ILLINOIS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/ives-responds-to-wall-street-journals-editorial-on-illinois-.html
— WALL STREET JOURNAL SCORCHES ILLINOIS’ DISMAL FINANCES
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/wall-street-journal-scorches-illinois-dismal-finances.html
— 13 ILLINOIS VETERANS DIE OF LEGIONNAIRES IN STATE-RUN FACILITY; 11 FAMILIES SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/13-illinois-veterans-die-of-legionnaires-in-state-run-facility-11-families-sue-for-negligence.html
— RAUNER RESPONDS TO QUINCY VETERANS’ HOME STORY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/rauner-responds-to-quincy-veterans-home-story.html
— 61% SAY FOOD STAMP AND WELFARE RECIPIENTS SHOULD BE DRUG TESTED
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/61-say-food-stamp-and-welfare-recipients-should-be-drug-tested.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Leader Durkin’s campaign now out-Profting Dan Proft
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/13/leader-durkins-campaign-now-out-profting-dan-proft/
— Rauner refuses to answer questions about Murashko’s departure
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/13/rauner-refuses-to-answer-questions-about-murashkos-departure/
— Kennedy, Ives, Rauner respond *** Political blowback begins over Quincy Veterans Home debacle
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/13/political-blowback-begins-over-quincy-veterans-home-debacle/
— Rauner does bill-signing event at center which was whacked hard by impasse
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/13/rauner-does-bill-signing-event-at-center-which-was-whacked-hard-by-impasse/
— Ives responds *** We’re number one! (and not in a good way)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/13/were-number-one-and-not-in-a-good-way/

 

FOX NEWS
— Results suggest allegations weighed heavily on Moore candidacy – Benjamin Brown (DIERSEN: With their success in defeating Moore, anti-Trumps will increasingly allege that all Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/13/sexual-misconduct-allegations-weighed-heavily-on-moore-candidacy-results-suggest.html

 

DAILY CALLER
— The Truth About Racial Profiling Is That Everyone Does It, Especially Leftists – Lloyd Marcus
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/13/the-truth-about-racial-profiling-is-that-everyone-does-it-especially-leftists/
— Alabamians Rejected A Creepy Kook, Not Trump – Scott Greer
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/13/alabamians-rejected-a-creepy-kook-not-trump/

 

THE HILL
— Kinzinger rips ‘RINO’ Bannon for ‘morally inept strategies’ – AVERY ANAPOL
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/364655-gop-lawmaker-rips-rino-bannon-for-morally-inept-strategies

 

POLITICO
— Alabama shocker threatens GOP agenda Republicans will struggle next year as their fragile majority narrows. – SEUNG MIN KIM
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/13/what-does-doug-jones-victory-mean-for-senate-294244

 

AOL NEWS
— Republicans blame Steve Bannon for Roy Moore’s shocking loss in Alabama – MAXWELL TANI (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all the losses that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000. Should I write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes?)
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/12/13/republicans-blame-steve-bannon-for-roy-moores-shocking-loss-in-alabama/23305953/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Republican Tax Bill Overhauls Rules Many Were Counting On – Deborah B. Solomon
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/business/republican-tax-bill-overhauls.html

 

FOX RENO
— Republicans say Alabama loss was rejection of Roy Moore, not the GOP – Stephen Loiaconi
http://foxreno.com/news/connect-to-congress/republicans-say-alabama-loss-was-rejection-of-roy-moore-not-the-gop

 

NEWSWEEK
— BILL CLINTON, ACCUSED RAPIST, CELEBRATES ROY MOORE LOSS IN ALABAMA IN CAMPAIGN ABOUT WOMEN’S RIGHTS – NICOLE RODRIGUEZ
http://www.newsweek.com/bill-clinton-accused-rapist-celebrates-roy-moore-loss-alabama-campaign-about-746422

 

FORBES
— Working In Retirement: Wishful Thinking? – Richard Eisenberg (DIERSEN: Who does not want you to work in retirement? My critics/opponents do not want me to get a job that would be appropriate for someone with my education, work experience, professional certifications, and professional license. My getting a good job would raise questions about why they wasted my career and forced me to retire. My Democrat GAO superiors stress that they 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 stress that they 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 stress that they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2017/12/13/working-in-retirement-wishful-thinking/#1b3dfefa3f28

 

BLOOMBERG
— Alabama Win Gives Democrats More Leverage on Budget, Immigration – Laura Litvan
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-13/alabama-win-gives-democrats-more-leverage-on-budget-immigration

 

BBC
— Roy Moore defeat: Republicans ponder ‘humbling’ result (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps want Republicans to lose elections. Anti-Trumps will use Moore’s defeat to hint/imply/ague/shout that Republicans should stop running candidates 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://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42342377

December 12 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Attack ads from Bruce Rauner, Joe Berrios heat up – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/attack-ads-from-rauner-berrios-heat-up/2774248/

 

NBC5
— Emanuel Declares Chicago a ‘Trump-Free Zone’ on Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ – Shelby Bremer (DIERSEN: Who sides with Emanuel? ANSWER: Those individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/emanuel-colbert-463676883.html

 

CBS2
— Gov. Rauner Accuses Pritzker Of Working The Tax System
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/12/gov-rauner-accuses-pritzker-of-working-the-tax-system/
— Tammy Duckworth Slams Trump Over Tweet, Calls Him ‘Cadet Bone Spurs’ (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you are not a combat veteran like Duckworth, and especially if you are an old White male Republican, and even more especially if you avoided the draft like I did, you are viciously demonized, viciously denigrated, and viciously denigrated as being a patriotic hypocrite, a coward, and even worse things. In 2006, Duckworth had one of her thugs throw me out of an event in Wheaton that was open to the news media.)
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/12/tammy-duckworth-donald-trump-tweet/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner declines to explain quick reversal on top lawyer’s departure – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-dennis-murashko-20171212-story.html
— On probation, Hastert faces new restrictions on porn, contact with minors – Jason Meisner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-dennis-hastert-restrictions-tightened-20171212-story.html
— Southland homeowners feel impact of Cook’s flawed assessment system – Ted Slowik
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-cook-county-assessments-st-1213-20171212-story.html
— Trump attacks Gillibrand in tweet Democrats say is sexist, crude Trump says senator ‘would do anything’ for cash – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-donald-trump-sexual-misconduct-allegations-20171212-story.html
— Poll shows that large majorities of Americans oppose plan to repeal net neutrality rules – Brian Fung
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-americans-net-neutrality-rules-20171212-story.html
— Carol Stream police to be first in Illinois to try new drug test for high drivers – Robert McCoppin (DIERSEN: If pot is legalized for recreational use in Illinois, more and more and more will drive while they are high. There will be more and more and more traffic accidents.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-police-drug-driving-test-20171205-story.html
— Don’t penalize workers for retiring later – Ferdinando Giugliano (DIERSEN: If my Democrat GAO superiors had not forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, I might be paying $8,609 a year into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) instead of the CSRS paying me $50,856 a year.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-retire-age-pensions-benefits-penalty-1213-20171212-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The last decade has seen most countries in the rich world raise the retirement age in order to improve the sustainability of their pension systems at a time when people are living longer, healthier lives.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rahm to Rauner: Look in the mirror before demanding Berrios resign – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/rahm-to-rauner-look-in-the-mirror-before-demanding-berrios-resign/
— Judge to Dennis Hastert: Stay away from porn, sex phone numbers – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/judge-to-dennis-hastert-stay-away-from-porn-sex-phone-numbers/

 

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage voters to decide if election commission should be dissolved – Robert Sanchez (DIERSEN: How much have you dealt with the DuPage County Election Commission (DCEC)? I have dealt with the DCEC a lot as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, as the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2000-2004 and 2008-2010, as committeeman of a precinct that lost its nearby polling place, and as a committeeman of a precinct that was gerrymandered in 2015. I should write a book about that.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171212/dupage-voters-to-decide-if-election-commission-should-be-dissolved

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— GOP tax overhaul will hit these Chicago-area home values hardest – DENNIS RODKIN (DIERSEN: Are you a homeowner? How much will the “GOP tax overhaul” drive down the value of your home?)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20171212/CRED0701/171219977/gop-tax-overhaul-will-hit-these-chicago-area-home-values-hardest
— 7,000 reasons for Illinois taxpayers to rise up – ANDY SHAW
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/ISSUE07/171209881/7000-reasons-for-illinois-taxpayers-to-rise-up

 

WLS AM
— Emanuel critical of Rauner’s criticism of Berrios – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/12/emanuel-critical-of-rauners-criticism-of-berrios/

 

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE
— ‘IT COULD TURN INTO A NIGHTMARE’ Your internet freedom could be at risk if FCC ends net neutrality – Ali Braboy
http://www.newstrib.com/free/your-internet-freedom-could-be-at-risk-if-fcc-ends/article_c217c722-df50-11e7-856e-6f2d98a83b98.html

 

CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE
— Cedar Rapids Iowa governor Reynolds disagrees with congressman King’s diversity comments But she plans to keep him as a 2018 campaign co-chair (DIERSEN: Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to get rid of Republicans, and especially Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-governor-reynolds-disagrees-with-congressman-kings-diversity-comments-20171212

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: LaHood says “Tax Reform Plays in Peoria.” What about those who itemize their deductions?
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rep-lahood-tax-reform-plays-peoria#stream/0

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Tax overhaul could mean major changes to your paycheck APA issues warning – JEANNE SAHADI (DIERSEN: I have not had a paycheck since I was 49 years old in 1997. Back then, in today’s dollars, GAO was paying me $122,991/year.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/tax-overhaul-could-mean-major-changes-to-your-paycheck/879560347

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives wants answers from Rauner on firing of general counsel – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511296059-ives-wants-answers-from-rauner-on-firing-of-general-counsel

 

NORTH COOK NEWS
— Ives calls for Berrios to step down as Cook County assessor – Glenn Minnis
https://northcooknews.com/stories/511296429-ives-calls-for-berrios-to-step-down-as-cook-county-assessor

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Straub: “Sanctuary state” bill should be repealed – Glenn Minnis
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511289544-straub-sanctuary-state-bill-should-be-repealed
— Will County Board member Steve Balich criticizes ‘sanctuary state’ legislation – Angela Underwood
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511287108-will-county-board-member-criticizes-sanctuary-state-legislation

 

CAPITOL FAX
— ILGOP talks about Berrios, DGA talks about Trump
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/12/ilgop-talks-about-berrios-dga-talks-about-trump/
— Ives, Pritzker slam Rauner on a wide range of topics
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/12/ives-pritzker-slam-rauner-on-a-wide-range-of-topics/
— Kennedy on Pritzker: “If that’s not tax cheating, I don’t know what is”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/12/kennedy-on-pritzker-if-that%E2%80%99s-not-tax-cheating-i-don%E2%80%99t-know-what-is/

 

GOPUSA
— NY officials tell public that terrorist attacks are reality and the new normal
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35009
— Fordham U. coffee shop boots College Republicans for violating ‘safe space’
http://www.gopusa.com/fordham-u-coffee-shop-boots-college-republicans-for-violating-safe-space/

 

BREITBART
— CNN’s Acosta: ‘Journalists Make Honest Mistakes’ – They Don’t ‘Intentionally Mislead’ – IAN HANCHETT (DIERSEN: From what I see, far too many journalists deny it, but they do everything that they can to promote the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green party platforms.)
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/12/12/cnns-acosta-journalists-make-honest-mistakes-they-dont-intentionally-mislead/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Elizabeth Warren Says Trump Is Guilty Of ‘Slut’ Shaming – Robert Donachie
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/12/elizabeth-warren-says-trump-is-guilty-of-slut-shaming/

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Why Do We Continue To Let These Vipers Into America? – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/27006

 

INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— Franken and Others Are Entitled to Due Process and Shouldn’t Resign – WILL RICCIARDELLA
http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/12/1033296-nyt-op-ed-franken-others-entitled-due-process-shouldnt-resign/

 

WASHINGTON POST
— GAO finds regression for black managers in financial services industry – Joe Davidson (DIERSEN: Will GAO tell the financial services industry to treat its old White male non-veteran employees like GAO treated me? In 1997, even though I had earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997, even though I had become a Forensic Accountant in 1997 and a Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and even though I had worked on audits of federal financial industry regulators since 1990, my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old. Previously, they had 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.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/12/federal-report-finds-regression-for-black-managers-in-financial-services-industry/

 

FORBES
— The Reason Why Millennials Don’t Want The Typical Office Job – Rocco Baldassarre (DIERSEN: I had typical office jobs 1971-1997; IRS 1971-1980 and GAO 1980-1997.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/12/12/the-reason-why-millennials-dont-want-the-typical-office-job/#73fb6b117c84
(FROM THE ARTICLE: According to a 2014 report by the Intelligence Group, 72% of millennials want to be their own boss one day. Being your own boss defines freedom. It determines a certain lifestyle, making choices for yourself and shows a meaning of independence. With the technology we have today, anyone can do anything with the right set of tools and aspirations.)

 

FED SMITH
— Maximized Pension vs Survivor Protection: A Fresh Take on an Age Old Debate – Tom Walker (DIERSEN: My Civil Service Retirement System pension would be much less with full survivor protection. Instead, with minimum survivor protection, I have carried more life insurance.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/12/maximized-pension-vs-survivor-protection-fresh-take-age-old-debate/

December 10 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— The Ives campaign hosted an outstanding kickoff party at the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall Sunday afternoon, December 10, 2017. Tom Morrison and Chris Cleveland spoke very highly of her. The 250+ attendees included Denise Cattoni, Lori Carlson, Sal Falbo, Richard Furstenau, Amy Grant, Heidi Holan, Babette Holder, Bob Krzyzewski, Chris Lauzen, Chris LeVan, Paula McGowen, Gary Muehlfelt, Thommen Poozhikunnel, Jan Shaw, and Herb Wehling. – Dave Diersen
https://gopillinois.com

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Haley: Trump’s accusers of sex misconduct should be heard – AP (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, that more that people accept accusations against you as being true: 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.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/haley-trumps-accusers-of-sex-misconduct-should-be-heard/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Roy Moore calls sexual-assault allegations ‘ritual defamation’ – David Weigel (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, that more that people accept accusations against you as being true: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-roy-moore-sex-assault-allegations-20171210-story.html
— Despite recent wins, Democrats remain divided about what they stand for – Ed O’Keefe and David Weigel (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-democrats-divided-20171210-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Naperville walk values diversity, community, acceptance (DIERSEN: As more and more and more people in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, and in my precinct are the following, I feel less and less and less accepted: 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.dailyherald.com/news/20171210/naperville-walk-values-diversity-community-acceptance

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Illinois’ legislative conflicts law could be better, official says – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171210/illinois-legislative-conflicts-law-could-be-better-official-says

 

GATEWAY PUNDIT
— New Poll Finds 92% of Democrats Uninformed, Ignorant and Easily Played – Jim Hoft (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents want everyone to be “uninformed, ignorant, and easily played.”)
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/12/new-poll-finds-92-democrats-uninformed-ignorant-easily-played/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Media Rattled After Trump Calls Out Washington Post Reporter On Twitter – Peter Hasson
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/09/media-rattled-after-trump-calls-out-washington-post-reporter-on-twitter/

 

BREITBART
— Durbin: Franken Leaving Should ‘Establish a National Standard’ For Roy Moore – PAM KEY
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/12/10/dem-sen-durbin-franken-leaving-establish-national-standard-roy-moore/

 

THE HILL
— GAO factoids purporting retirement crisis are highly misleading – ANDREW G. BIGGS
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/363998-gao-factoids-purporting-retirement-crisis-highly-misleading

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— An Abomination. A Monster. That’s Me? – Frank Bruni (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the more that anti-Trumps demonize you, denigrate you, and condemn you: 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.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/09/opinion/sunday/villifying-white-men.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It used to be that when someone called me an abomination, I was in the presence of a homophobe. But a recent opinion column in Texas State University’s main newspaper damned me for a different reason. I’m abominable because I’m white. The column wasn’t aimed at me personally but at my kind, and the Hispanic student who wrote it began by saying that “of all the white people” he had ever encountered, there were a dozen or so who rose to the level of “decent.” The allowance that 12 of us passed muster was perhaps the most generous passage in a screed that had an unambiguous message for white people, be they “good-hearted liberals” or “right-wing extremists.” “I hate you,” he wrote, “because you shouldn’t exist. You are both the dominant apparatus on the planet and the void in which all other cultures, upon meeting you, die.” The headline: “Your DNA Is an Abomination.”)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— As tax plan gained steam, GOP lost focus on the middle class – Damian Paletta
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-tax-plan-gained-steam-gop-lost-focus-on-the-middle-class/2017/12/09/27ed2d76-db69-11e7-b1a8-62589434a581_story.html

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Haunted by Hastert’s ghost: A fallen speaker’s lessons for the GOP – Editorial (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.)
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/haunted-hastert-ghost-fallen-speaker-lessons-article-1.3686659

 

WINDY CITY TIMES
— Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate LGBT issues – Matt Simonette
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Democratic-gubernatorial-candidates-debate-LGBT-issues/61321.html

December 9 Evening Edition

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— ‘I’m not in charge’: Illinois governor’s words may haunt bid – Sara Burnett
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/im-charge-illinois-governors-words-haunt-bid-51688655
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–illinois-governor-2018-rauner-20171209-story.html
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/im-not-in-charge-rauners-words-may-haunt-bid
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171209/not-in-charge-rauners-foes-pounce-on-his-remark
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171209/rauners-im-not-in-charge-may-haunt-bid
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2017/12/09/challengers-may-seek-to-use-gov-rauners-words-against-him/
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article188944374.html
http://www.startribune.com/i-m-not-in-charge-illinois-governor-s-words-may-haunt-bid/463016213/
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/business/article188944374.html
http://www.wral.com/-i-m-not-in-charge-illinois-governor-s-words-may-haunt-bid/17172612/
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/im-not-in-charge-illinois-governors-words-may-haunt-bid/
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article188944374.html
http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/politics/article/I-m-not-in-charge-Illinois-governor-s-words-12418368.php
http://945theanswer.com/news/politics/im-not-in-charge-illinois-governors-words-may-haunt-bid

 

NBC5
— Democratic Candidates for Illinois Governor Take Part in Women’s Forum – Carol Marin and Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-women-take-action-governor-candidates-forum-463027213.html

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Democratic governor candidate Pritzker wins major teacher union endorsement – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-teacher-union-endorsement-20171209-story.html
— Trump visits Mississippi civil rights museum as protesters rally outside – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-mississippi-20171209-story.html
— Student Civics Club to host 6th Congressional District candidate forum – Peg Mannion
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/downers-grove/community/chi-ugc-article-student-civics-club-to-host-6th-congressional-2017-12-09-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Blue high-tax states fund red low-tax states – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171209/business/312099960/

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Rauner not a take charge kind of guy – Doug Finke
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171209/statehouse-insider-rauner-not-take-charge-kind-of-guy

 

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Video gaming tax not a bell-ringer – Lee Provost
http://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/video-gaming-tax-not-a-bell-ringer/article_e90e339c-1e82-53e0-864d-5ddc35704188.html

 

COOK COUNTY RECORDER
— Cook Co. judge ends bid by Dotty’s, other ‘gaming cafes’ to challenge rules over video gambling take – Scott Holland
https://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/511289200-cook-co-judge-ends-bid-by-dotty-s-other-gaming-cafes-to-challenge-rules-over-video-gambling-take

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— MADIGAN FIRM THE BIGGEST PLAYER IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX APPEALS – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/investigation-madigan-firm-the-biggest-player-in-commercial-property-tax-appeals/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— A Return to Virtue in the Wake of Scandal? – Eric Metaxas
https://illinoisfamily.org/marriage/return-virtue-wake-scandal/

 

GATEWAY PUNDIT
— Facebook Picks Sides in Alabama Senate Race=> Shuts Down Gateway Pundit and Breitbart Reports on Discredited Allred Accuser – Jim Hoft
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/12/facebook-picks-sides-alabama-senate-race-shuts-gateway-pundit-breitbart-reports-discredited-allred-accuser/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Reporter: Democrats ‘Were Peddling’ Salacious Trump Dossier Allegation To Journalists – Chuck Ross
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/09/reporter-democrats-were-peddling-salacious-trump-dossier-allegation-to-journalists/

 

FOX NEWS
— Trump, Mattis turn military loose on ISIS, leaving terror caliphate in tatters – Hollie McKay
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/12/08/trump-mattis-turn-military-loose-on-isis-leaving-terror-caliphate-in-tatters.html

 

NEWSMAX
— Trump Visits Civil Rights Museum Amid Protests (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps promote hatred of Whites.)
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/us-trump-civil-rights-the-latest/2017/12/09/id/830825/

 

GOPUSA
— How Trump turned tide of illegal immigration in first year: Border crossing hits 45-year low
http://www.gopusa.com/how-trump-turned-tide-of-illegal-immigration-in-first-year-border-crossing-hits-45-year-low/
— Lesbian’s campaign based on anatomy
http://www.gopusa.com/lesbians-campaign-based-on-anatomy/
— Survey: Snowflakes too fragile to be labeled
http://www.gopusa.com/survey-snowflakes-too-fragile-to-be-labeled/

 

CNS NEWS
— Pelosi Says ‘God is With Us’ in Wanting Amnesty (DIERSEN: What do you say to politicians who hint/imply/argue/shout that Jesus is a liberal Democrat/Libertarian/Green who promotes dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things?)
https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/cnsnewscom-staff/pelosi-says-god-us-democrats-wanting-amnesty

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Tax Plans May Give Your Co-Worker a Better Deal Than You – Patricia Cohen
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/09/business/economy/tax-plans-may-give-your-co-worker-a-better-deal-than-you.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Nearly 9 in 10 black Americans think Trump respects people of color less than whites.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/12/09/nearly-9-in-10-black-americans-think-trump-respects-people-of-color-less-than-whites/

 

DES MOINES REGISTER
— Dems call on Reynolds to remove King from staff after ‘Diversity is not our strength’ tweet – Luke Nozicka
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/08/dems-ask-reynolds-remove-king-staff-diversity-not-our-strength/936999001/

 

HARRISON DAILY
— Giving veterans preference in hiring – Editorial (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a veteran in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a veteran could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a veteran in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted veterans in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a veteran in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a veteran in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a veteran could have my job and my preferred corner office. They stress that I sought and obtained a) student draft deferments 1966-1970 and b) a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971.)
http://harrisondaily.com/opinion/editorial-giving-veterans-preference-in-hiring/article_2f3830ba-dc47-11e7-87a1-37ff376b43b1.html
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: Finding work as a police officer or firefighter isn’t always easy. Openings in local departments can be scarce. Still, it’s an area where it helps to have served in the military, as many government hiring managers give preference when filling those jobs to veterans. Many do, but not all. The advantage is fading these days as more mayors and town managers look to bypass old rules for government hiring, including ones that demand preferential treatment for vets. It’s not a positive development. Not only are veterans often uniquely qualified for public safety jobs, our national government has put up hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of taxpayer dollars for their training and education. It’s a shame, and simply wasteful, not to leverage that resource. In Massachusetts, the process of filling jobs with the state and local governments have extended similar preferential treatment to those who’ve served, through the civil service system. Currently 145 of 351 cities and towns in the state subscribe to that system. The problem emerging is a trend away from civil service. Local governments are seeking and getting the state’s blessing to bypass the rules, which local officials claim constrain their hiring decisions. Diversity is among the top reasons cited by mayors and town managers seeking flexibility. Civil service rules hamstring urban departments, for instance, in efforts to land minority candidates, in part because veterans who march to the top of hiring lists aren’t always minorities. A report earlier this year by the Pew Research Center suggests the military is nearly as diverse as the rest of the country. Racial and ethnic minorities represent 40 percent of the 1.3 million members of the active-duty military — and about 44 percent of the broader population ages 18 to 44. African Americans are more represented in the military — about 17 percent of the active-duty service — than in the population as a whole. That’s not to say the applicant pool for local police and fire jobs is always diverse, but it does suggest that members of the military can give city and town halls options to diversity. What cannot be overlooked in that effort is a qualified labor pool ready to sign up for some of the most taxing, stressful jobs in government. Nor can we forget our obligation to those who have dutifully served this country.)

 

SPECTRUM NEWS
— CUOMO BLASTING SALT DEDUCTION REMOVAL – Nick Reisman
http://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/politics/2017/12/09/cuomo-blasting-salt-deduction-removal

 

BLOOMBERG
— What Happens When the Government Uses Facebook as a Weapon?
It’s social media in the age of “patriotic trolling” in the Philippines, where the government is waging a campaign to destroy a critic—with a little help from Facebook itself. – Lauren Etter (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, beyond tragically, activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. a) talk and act like they believe that Facebook is the Internet and b) abandon websites and abandon emails. Those who run Facebook do not want Republican candidates to win elections.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-12-07/how-rodrigo-duterte-turned-facebook-into-a-weapon-with-a-little-help-from-facebook

 

YAHOO FINANCE
— The Average 55-Plus Worker Doesn’t Have Enough Retirement Savings to Live On — Do You? – Wendy Connick
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/average-55-plus-worker-doesn-121900603.html

 

CHEAT SHEET
— Trump Tax Plan: 8 New Changes That Almost Everyone Hates – Barri Segal
https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/trump-tax-plan-new-changes-that-almost-everyone-hates.html/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 2. Mortgage interest rate deduction — reduced . . . 3. Itemized deductions — gone The new tax plan limits itemized deductions, which might increase your federal taxes, according to Business Insider. Because approximately 70% of U.S. filers claim the deduction, this could affect a lot of people. You might think those who itemize typically make a lot of money, but 86.8% of taxpayers who itemize have adjusted gross incomes below $200,000.)

December 8 Evening Edition

NBC5
— ‘I Will be in Charge,’ Pritzker Says as Durbin, Duckworth Endorse Him
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/i-will-be-in-charge-pritzker-says-as-durbin-duckworth-endorse-him-462831723.html
— Dennis Hastert Could Soon Face Questions About Payoffs – Phil Rogers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/dennis-hastert-could-face-questions-about-payoffs-462835873.html

 

ABC7
— JB Pritzker wins endorsements as infighting continues among candidates – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/jb-pritzker-wins-endorsements-as-infighting-continues-among-candidates/2758269/
— Forrest Claypool resigns as CPS CEO effective Dec. 31
http://abc7chicago.com/education/forrest-claypool-resigns-as-cps-ceo/2757751/

 

CBS2
— Erika Harold Wants Harassment Allegations To Be Taken Seriously – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/08/at-issue-erika-harold/
— Council Moving To Mandate Sexual Harassment Training For All City Workers (DIERSEN: Federal employees are required to take lots of “training” that makes them 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://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/08/city-employee-sexual-harassment-training/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— To understand GOP infighting in Illinois, follow Durkin race – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/miller-to-understand-gop-infighting-in-illinois-follow-durkin-race/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Seven Democrats line up for a chance to run against Roskam – Katherine Skiba (DIERSEN: Government is nasty. Politics is nasty. Based on my experience with this since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have already and/or will hint/imply/argue/shout at Roskam that my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails encouraged these seven Democrats to run against him. My critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and financial clout in the 6th Congressional District and they blame everything that is bad in the 6th Congressional District on me.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-peter-roskam-primary-race-20171206-story.html
— Durbin, Duckworth endorse Pritzker, try to show Dem unity amid divisions – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-durbin-duckworth-20171208-story.html
— Politicians use religion to further their goals – Scott Reeder (DIERSEN: What do you say to politicians who hint/imply/argue/shout that Jesus is a liberal Democrat/Libertarian/Green who promotes dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-reeder-column-st-1210-20171208-story.html
— There’s too much money in politics — just look at Illinois – Jared Bernstein (DIERSEN: How much money do you give activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc.? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress that I give them virtually none. In my defense, I send them a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email each and every morning and each and every evening free of charge and without any advertising. GOPUSA ILLINOIS email subscriptions are worth at least $1,000/year.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-illinois-governors-race-money-20171208-story.html
— What next for #MeToo, America? Noncelebrities need sexual harassment protection too. – Page’s Page
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-metoo-tarana-burke-sexual-harassment-1210-20171208-story.html
— Illinois taxpayers to pay blended rate of 4.35 percent for 2017 income – AP (DIERSEN: Do you pay state income tax? Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been furious a) that since 1997 that my Civil Service Retirement System pension has not been subject to state income tax and b) that since 2010, my Social Security has not been subject to state income tax.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-illinois-blended-income-tax-20171207-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Tax proposal could carry high costs for many homeowners – Ken Harney
http://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20171208/tax-proposal-could-carry-high-costs-for-many-homeowners
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Whether you already own a home or are thinking of purchasing, the new tax legislation pending before Congress poses serious questions: Am I going to get smacked with punitive new taxes? Will the value of my home decrease because previous real estate tax benefits have been stripped away? Or am I one of the lucky ones, well insulated against big losses? . . . Though no independent or academic studies have been published estimating the effects of the new tax legislation on home values and prices, most studies to date have concluded that federal tax benefits are a component of property values. Strip these away and buyers will not obtain the full traditional financial benefits of ownership, and will pay less for homes. Economists at the National Association of Realtors estimate that the tax changes could whack 10 percent off average prices around the country, with declines steeper in states with higher home costs and tax burdens, lower in areas with more moderate prices and taxes. The flip side of all this, of course, is that if prices do decline, that will make purchasing a home more affordable — potentially good news for renters and move-up buyers priced out of the current marketplace. Tax-free capital gains exclusion. Under the legislation, owners will still be able to “exclude” up to $500,000 ($250,000 for single filers) of gain on their home sales. But to qualify they will need to have lived in their house for five of the preceding eight years; for decades the standard has been two out of the preceding five years. For many buyers who own homes for extended periods, this change won’t matter. But for many others it could pose problems, especially for people who transfer jobs in less than five years, and owners forced to sell because of divorce, health or other issues. Mortgage interest, second home deductions. As of this writing, House and Senate conferees had not agreed on whether to cut the home mortgage interest deduction maximum to $500,000 or to eliminate interest write-offs on second homes. Both are only in the House version and would primarily affect upper-income owners. So where does all this leave you? It depends on what you own, where you live, what you earn and what you may want to buy. Overall, the Republicans’ tax changes look like a net plus for corporations and stockholders, but a net negative for people who’ve benefited the most from the tax code’s longtime preferences for homeownership over renting.)

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Mix Obama, Hitler, Trump. Watch internet go wild. – ANN DWYER (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the more that anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a Nazi, White supremacist, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/NEWS02/171209886/mix-obama-hitler-trump-watch-internet-go-wild
— Claypool out as CPS chief – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/BLOGS02/171209877/claypool-out-as-cps-chief
— Another potential ripple effect of the GOP tax overhaul – STEVE DANIELS
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/ISSUE01/171209879/another-potential-ripple-effect-of-the-gop-tax-overhaul

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Governor Rauner not in charge? Tell me something I don’t know – John Cullerton
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171208/john-cullerton-governor-rauner-not-in-charge-tell-me-something-i-dont-know

 

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— Rauner continues verbal assault on Madigan during Quincy stop – Matt Hopf
http://www.whig.com/20171209/rauner-continues-verbal-assault-on-madigan-during-quincy-stop#//

 

TIMES
— Illinois’ biggest question: Who’s the boss? – Editorial
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/editorial/our-view-illinois-biggest-question-who-s-the-boss/article_8e66347a-e266-5051-8616-fa4713a394a3.html

 

JOURNAL TOPICS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mount Prospect restaurant owners promote video gambling. To promote video gambling is to promote destruction.
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/mount-new-push-for-video-gaming/

 

BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN
— A primary where voters will have an actual voice On the county, regional and statewide levels, Bureau County residents will have some real choices when the primary election takes place in March. It’s not too early for voters to resolve to play an important role in the outcome. – Editorial
http://www.bcrnews.com/2017/12/07/a-primary-where-voters-will-have-an-actual-voice/auj79tp/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Tax bill could make ‘dark money’ political contributions tax deductible Provision could make its way into final bill – JON SARLIN (DIERSEN: Of course, politicians like “dark money” when that money is used to help elect them.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/tax-bill-could-make-dark-money-political-contributions-tax-deductible/877607062
— Hispanic unemployment at all-time low under Trump Community makes up 17 percent of labor market – JULIA HOROWITZ
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/hispanic-unemployment-at-alltime-low-under-trump/877888621

 

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Shimkus Will Help Finalize Tax Overhaul – MARK SCHULTZ (DIERSEN: Hopefully, Shimkus will work hard to keep all the itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-congressman-will-help-finalize-tax-overhaul

 

WAND TV
— “Madigan has the governor on the ropes.” – Doug Wolfe
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37028237/rose-madigan-has-the-governor-on-the-ropes

 

BGA
— IS IL READY TO ATTACK BUREAUCRATIC BLOAT AND SAVE MONEY? – Andy Shaw
https://www.bettergov.org/news/shaw-is-il-ready-to-attack-bureaucratic-bloat-and-save-money

 

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Paul Ryan: 90% Of Taxpayers Will File On A Postcard (DIERSEN: The following expenses are not “loopholes:” mortgage interest, real estate taxes, state income taxes, medical and dental, 501(c)(3) contributions, and job-related education. Government should encourage home ownership and job-related education.)
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/paul-ryan-90-of-taxpayers-will-file-on-a-postcard
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “When you clean out the tax system and get rid of a bunch of loopholes then K street and the loophole industry in Washington shrinks.” The philosophical change in the GOP tax plan is to get rid of loopholes and let people decide what they want to do with their own money. Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan joins Dan and Amy to discuss why tax reform will pass and how it will benefit all Americans.)

 

NORTH COOK NEWS
— Katie Miller blames one-party control for tax burden affecting House District 53, rest of state – Angela Underwood
https://northcooknews.com/stories/511272466-miller-blames-one-party-control-for-tax-burden-affecting-house-district-53-rest-of-state

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Gov. Rauner won’t commit to debate with GOP challenger Ives – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/gov-rauner-won-t-commit-to-debate-with-gop-challenger/article_8b1bce7e-dc46-11e7-8b40-3f4740baeada.html

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— STILL NO RESPONSE: HOW DOES THE IL GOP DECIDE HOW TO SPEND RAUNER’S MILLIONS IN DONATIONS?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/still-no-response-how-does-the-il-gop-decide-how-to-spend-rauners-millions-in-donations-.html
— KATHLEEN MYALLS TAKES ON NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP GOP COMMITTEEMAN POST
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/kathleen-myalls-takes-on-new-trier-township-gop-committeeman-post.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner dodges Ives debate question three times
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/08/rauner-dodges-ives-debate-question-three-times/

 

GOPUSA
— Black Democrats refuse to show up for Trump’s visit to honor Civil Rights Museum
http://www.gopusa.com/black-democrats-refuse-to-show-up-for-trumps-visit-to-honor-civil-rights-museum/

 

NEWSMAX
— Obama Invokes Hitler, Sparks Outcry From Trump Supporters – Zoe Papadakis (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the more that anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a Nazi, White supremacist, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things: 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.)
https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/obama-invoke-hitler-trump/2017/12/08/id/830689/

 

CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
— Republicans scheme to give illegal immigrants citizenship – Chris Pandolfo
https://www.conservativereview.com/articles/republicans-scheme-to-give-illegal-immigrants-citizenship

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-White says “Stop pointing at Asian Americans to downplay racism at universities.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/363974-stop-pointing-at-asian-americans-to-downplay-racism-at-universities
— Financial regulator’s conflicts of interest are a serious concern – BENJAMIN EDWARDS AND ANDREW STOLTMANN (DIERSEN: I worked for GAO on audits of federal financial industry regulators for almost 9 years at the GS-13 Step 4-10 levels 1989-1997, currently $104,070-$122,991. I have been an arbitrator for FINRA since 1998.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/363941-financial-regulators-conflicts-of-interest-are-a-serious-concern

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Rauner recommended appointment of monitor he now criticizes
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/rauner-recommended-appointment-of-monitor-he-now-criticizes/

 

BEST SCHOOLS
— Is Marijuana Legalization Boosting College Enrollment? – David A. Tomar (DIERSEN: What percent of high school students want to go to college so that they can smoke pot? Did you want to go to college so that you could smoke pot? I did not. I lived with my parents and brother in our home in Crete a) while I was a full-time student at UIC 1966-1968, b) weekends during my first semester at NIU in 1969, and c) the summer of 1969.)
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/marijuana-legalization-college-enrollment/

 

NASDAQ
— Millions would lose mortgage, gift write-offs under U.S. tax bill – Reuters (DIERSEN: Do you itemize your deductions? I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized our deductions since got married in 1978. Of course, operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents have always been beyond furious about that. Almost all of them have financial problems. Most of them rent rather own, pay little or no state income tax, have never paid for job-related education, give little or no money to 501(c)(3) organizations, and/or have not had major medical or dental expenses. They will be overjoyed if the aforesaid deductions are taken away.)
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/millions-would-lose-mortgage-gift-writeoffs-under-us-tax-bill-20171208-00497