DAILY HERALD
— Pritzker should set goal of making tollway more patronage-proof – Editorial (DIERSEN: All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes promote patronage and reject the decision in Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois (SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_v._Republican_Party_of_Illinois and http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html). My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors treated me like I was part of a plot to stop them from hiring, retaining, and promoting young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. They knew that my wife had helped elect Jim Thompson. They were fully aware of the arguments that Thompson and Jim Edgar made in Rutan that government employers should be allowed to engage in political affiliation discrimination.) https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181220/editorial-pritzker-should-set-goal-of-making-tollway-more-patronage-proof (FROM THE EDITORIAL: Today, we share our ideas for true tollway reform: Reduce political hiring. Patronage hiring is permitted in too many jobs, which are called “Rutan-exempt” in Illinois legal shorthand. That allowed the tollway to flood the agency with highly-paid top Republican insiders. More of these jobs needs to be designated as patronage free so they go to the most qualified, not the most connected.)
CAPITOL FAX
— Reader comments closed until January 7th (DIERSEN: We are in a 12-hour news cycle. Ever-increasingly, people are busy, and they do not have time to read news and commentary articles that are more than 12 hours old. Overwhelmingly, since 2015, news and commentary articles linked in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have been less than 12 hours old. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning and each and every evening since 2015. They went out every morning 2005-2015. Those emails have included links to more than 320,600 news and commentary articles.) https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/20/reader-comments-closed-until-january-7th/
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Richard Porter was the fourth person Gov. Bruce Rauner approached to run for governor. The Chicago attorney who also serves as an Illinois RNC National Committeeman told POLITICO it wasn’t so gauche as to be an outright ask. “I would have described it as more of an aside in a strategy conversation focused more on how he could win (rather) than an offer,” Porter said of their telephone call. Rauner also approached state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, Cubs owner Todd Ricketts and then-GOP attorney general candidate Erika Harold. Rauner “was in to win,” Porter said. “He was never a quitter. To the contrary. He was always focused on finding the best path to winning. And if that meant he should fall on his sword, then he was willing to do that — and give millions of his money away to boot. I think Rauner’s comments on this have been misunderstood.” Porter’s referring to political watchers who say Rauner’s courting of others was a desperate act by a candidate who thought he’d lose. But Porter says Rauner just wanted to be assured of a win. – Shia Kapos https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/20/rauners-4th-pick-polls-show-its-mendoza-v-preckwinkle-cubs-shout-out-at-44th-ward-forum-367406
— PROGRAMMING NOTE: Illinois Playbook will not publish from Dec. 24 to Jan 1. It will be back in your inbox Jan. 2. (DIERSEN: We are in a 12-hour news cycle. Ever-increasingly, people are busy, and they do not have time to read news and commentary articles that are more than 12 hours old. Overwhelmingly, since 2015, news and commentary articles linked in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have been less than 12 hours old. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning and each and every evening since 2015. They went out every morning 2005-2015. Those emails have included links to more than 320,600 news and commentary articles.) https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/20/rauners-4th-pick-polls-show-its-mendoza-v-preckwinkle-cubs-shout-out-at-44th-ward-forum-367406
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— AG: Catholic Church withheld names of more than 500 Illinois priests accused of abuse – Brenden Moore https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181219/ag-catholic-church-withheld-names-of-more-than-500-illinois-priests-accused-of-abuse
— Short-term senator gets committee leadership pay – Bernard Schoenburg https://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20181219/bernard-schoenburg-short-term-senator-gets-committee-leadership-pay (FROM THE ARTICLE: A Republican state senator appointed to the legislature to fill a 45-day gap is getting not only his base pay, but $1,270 extra to be minority spokesperson on a committee that hasn’t met since months before he took office and has no meetings planned. Sen. YADAV “NICK” NATHWANI of Glen Ellyn was sworn in Nov. 26 after being appointed to the vacancy left with the resignation of former Sen. CHRIS NYBO, R-Elmhurst, who lost the Nov. 6 election to Democrat SUZY GLOWIAK of Western Springs in the 24th Senate District. In addition to filling out Nybo’s term, Nathwani is listed as minority spokesman of the Senate’s financial institutions committee. That committee hasn’t met since May 23. Nathwani will be out of office when Glowiak is sworn in on Jan. 9. Base pay for legislators is $67,836 annually, and committee chairs and minority spokespeople get an extra $10,327 annually. For his 45 days, Nathwani will thus get about $8,360 in base pay and about $1,270 in pay for his committee position. I asked JASON GERWIG, spokesman for Senate GOP Leader BILL BRADY, R-Bloomington, if it was right for Brady to name Nathwani to the leadership post for such a short stint in the Senate and when the committee is apparently not meeting. “Unfortunately, we don’t control the scheduling process of when committees meet,” Gerwig responded. “Maybe if we get a fair map that’ll change someday.” Gerwig noted that Nathwani served the last three days of the veto session and will be there for session on Jan. 7 and 8, before the swearing in on Jan. 9 of the new General Assembly. A message left for at Nathwani’s Senate office went unanswered. He is chief financial officer of Professional Paving & Concrete Co. in Glen Ellyn, a Milton Township trustee and vice-chair of the Milton Township GOP. Nathwani came on my radar due to a something published on the Chicago Tribune website headlined: “From the community: New Senator seeks input from residents.” The author of the piece, which quotes Nathwani encouraging constituents to “reach out to me during this time to discuss the state and local issues important to them,” was listed only as “Community Contributor tbryers.” That would be TIM BRYERS of Elmhurst, who is on the Senate GOP communications staff. He said he is a community contributor to the Tribune, and said in this case, he posted a news release. He said other communications people, as well as representatives of local community groups, use that and similar sites to get out community information. The Trib website says that community contributors are registered users of TribLocal.com and Chicagotribune.com who have photos, articles, announcements and local events to share. The site is not for advertisers. Bryers also said that with many newspapers having fewer reporters than in the past, such openings for outside digital content allows information to get to the public. The Tribune used to have two reporters based in Springfield and there was one in recent years, but since MONIQUE GARCIA left in August to join a public affairs firm, nobody from the Trib is based in the capital city. MARISA KOLLIAS, spokeswoman for the Tribune, had no comment on the status of the Springfield opening, but did say the Tribune “is committed to state government coverage.” As to having a news release from a state staffer published on the Trib website as community news, Kollias had no comment.)
JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
— How to Properly Use Internships to Find Employees – Daniel B. Kline (DIERSEN: GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 Step 1 (currently $32,978/year) Intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.) https://jg-tc.com/business/investment/personal-finance/how-to-properly-use-internships-to-find-employees/article_bfd5f85b-d90a-5388-9b5a-59eff7f7c2a1.html
CAPITOL FAX
— The 2018 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best elected statewide official goes to Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/18/question-of-the-day-golden-horseshoe-awards-78/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: Although her office doesn’t have any specific duties outside of being 2nd in line and doing what the governor wants, Sanguinetti and her staff have done a lot on the issue of local government consolidation, reducing LLC fees (she took the lead on that before Rauner), rural education and healthcare, and aggressively working to fight against and recommend the best policies that help those suffering from opioids. She may not get most attention due to the position or administration, but the Lt. Gov has done good work she can be proud of during her 4 years of service. Sanguinetti only received one nomination, but it was so strong that it convinced me.)
— Richard Porter was fourth person Rauner asked to run in his place https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/20/richard-porter-was-fourth-person-rauner-asked-to-run-in-his-place/
— AG Madigan finds 500 additional allegations of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and clergy https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/20/ag-madigan-finds-500-additional-allegations-of-child-sexual-abuse-by-catholic-priests-and-clergy/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As a matter of fact, immigration is making our country poorer—save for those who profit from cheap labor—for one simple reason: we are absorbing masses of poor people who remain concentrated in lower-skilled, low-paying jobs. Many of those poor, whether they arrive illegally or by chain migration, happen to be minorities, and in particular Latinos. Latinos experience the third-highest rate of poverty behind blacks and Native Americans—but as the second-largest ethnic group in the United States, they constitute a greater number of poor than blacks and Native Americans combined (10.8 million, 9 million, 700,000, respectively), according to the Center for American Progress. So, yes, immigration is bringing in disproportionate numbers of poor people and making America poorer.)
BREITBART
— Gutless President in Wall-Less Country – Ann Coulter https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/19/coulter-gutless-president-in-wall-less-country/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Paul Ryan promotes open borders, that is, Paul Ryan promotes the end of America. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/19/paul-ryan-immigration-rules-should-offer-jobs-to-anyone/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: Retiring Paul Ryan today lamented his failure to deliver a global supply of migrant labor to businesses and investors — regardless of ordinary Americans’ desire for decent wages. Ryan’s failure was ensured by Donald Trump’s 2016 election — and so Trump’s “Hire American” policy is now allowing Americans’ wages to rise amid a shortage of blue-collar workers and protests by business leaders. Ryan’s lament came as his final efforts to outsource more Americans jobs to foreign workers were discarded in the confused negotiations over Congress’s failure to pass a 2019 budget for the Department of Homeland Security. That defeat for Ryan was missed by media coverage over funding for the border wall.)
POLITICO
— Ryan’s legacy can’t escape Trump The retiring House speaker touted a series of accomplishments in his farewell address, but Trump will loom over his tenure. – RACHAEL BADE and JOHN BRESNAHAN https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/19/paul-ryan-legacy-trump-congress-1070782 (FROM THE ARTICLE: Indeed, when Trump won the presidential election, the hard-line Freedom Caucus stood at the ready to push Ryan out of office for jabbing Trump on the campaign trail. The only reason Trump kept him around was because Vice President Mike Pence and other pro-Ryan Republicans argued in favor of having a true legislative tactician and wonk shepherding his priorities through a convoluted Congress. Had Ryan forcefully criticized Trump during his presidency, the leader of the party might have come after him, Ryan’s allies say. “That’s the toughest job in American politics,” said former Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), an Illinois Republican who lost in the midterm election.)
WASHINGTON POST
— How to save the jobs of GM workers Opponents of General Motors’ immoral moves need a strategy that reflects the company’s history – Jason Weixelbaum (DIERSEN: In 1970, I lost my part-time job working for Chrysler in Belvidere when Chrysler suspended production there.) https://www.washingtonpost.com/pb/outlook/2018/12/19/how-save-jobs-gm-workers/
USA JOBS
— GAO Intern announcement: Chicago (DIERSEN: GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 (currently $32,978/year) Intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.) https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/518365800
DAILY HERALD
— How tech workers are fueling a new employee activism movement – Jena McGregor (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors hinted/implied/argued/shouted that their employees who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran wanted them to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.) https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20181215/how-tech-workers-are-fueling-a-new-employee-activism-movement
DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Morrison, Ives urge rebuilding GOP after Rauner confesses election apathy – Robert Hadley https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511682716-morrison-ives-urge-rebuilding-gop-after-rauner-confesses-election-apathy (FROM THE ARTICLE: The next step for the Illinois GOP should be to call for a leadership overhaul at the top, both Morrison and Ives suggested. “Sean Morrison holds a very important position as state central committeeman, so it’s within his power to put in new leadership at the head of IL GOP, and that’s what needs to be done,” Ives said in a telephone interview with the Prairie State Wire. On his web page, Morrison said the governor’s “betrayal and deception” were grounds for a shakeup, and he pledged to call a meeting of the GOP’s central committee to begin “rebuilding the party.”)
CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— Did Paul Ryan Propose Raising The Retirement Age To 70? – Brad Sylvester https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/12/did-paul-ryan-propose-raising-the-retirement-age-to-70/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: Ryan announced earlier this year that he will be retiring from Congress once his term is complete. He will receive an annual pension of about $85,000, according to Business Insider. Republican Bryan Steil was elected in November to fill Ryan’s seat in Wisconsin’s first congressional district for the 116th Congress. Ryan told CBS’s John Dickerson on “Face The Nation” that he plans to use his retirement to “hunt, fish, mountain climb and ski” with his family and hinted that he may remain active in political advocacy.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, under the Democrats, society demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Whites, and especially Whites who are not successful. Are/were you successful? In the federal government, if you are White, you are NOT SUCCESSFUL unless you make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. Extremely few White federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines. https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/421509-the-myth-of-white-supremacy
WASHINGTON POST
— New report on Russian disinformation, prepared for the Senate, shows the operation’s scale and sweep The report, a draft of which was obtained by The Washington Post, is the first to study the millions of posts provided by major technology firms to the Senate Intelligence Committee – Craig Timberg and Tony Romm (DIERSEN: If true, the Russian efforts failed miserably in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, and in my precinct.) https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/12/16/new-report-russian-disinformation-prepared-senate-shows-operations-scale-sweep/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— White House prepares for government shutdown as GOP lawmakers struggle for alternative – Erica Werner, Damian Paletta, Lisa Rein https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-government-shutdown-spending-white-house-border-wall-20181215-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump has led a lot of organizations. Nearly all of them are now under investigation.” https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-oganization-investigations-20181215-story.html
— Sears gets Bankruptcy Court approval for up to $25.3 million in bonuses to top employees – Lauren Zumbach (DIERSEN: Working for GAO during the 1980s and 1990s was very similar to working for Sears today. Starting in 1989, to retain its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or young, GAO used the extreme subjectivity in its pay-for-performance system to give bonuses to its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or young.) https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sears-bonuses-bankruptcy-court-1215-story.html (FROM THE ARTICLE: Hoffman Estates-based Sears Holdings Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection in October, said it needs to able to offer the extra cash to encourage key employees to stick with the company as it attempts to restructure, according to court filings. . .“Under these circumstances, it would be understandable if many key employees are asking themselves whether they should be seeking other opportunities,” Sears said in a court filing last month. However, the retailer “cannot afford this uncertainty — however understandable it may be,” according to the filing. The company has already “suffered significant employee attrition” in the past month, including the departure of the chief operating officer of its Sears Home Services business and five other employees who would have been eligible for bonuses, Sears said in a separate court filing this week.)
— ‘Saturday Night Live’: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and Alec Baldwin return for ‘It’s A Wonderful Trump’ – Danielle Turchiano https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-snl-it-s-a-wonderful-trump-20181216-story.html
BELLVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— In a year Republicans did well in Southern Illinois, why does the St. Clair County GOP struggle? – JOSEPH BUSTOS https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article222944235.html (FROM THE ARTICLE: Brennan said, however, she got “zero” help from the St. Clair County Republican Central Committee in her unsuccessful run for the county board. . .However, some Republicans point to issues within the local party itself as to why the GOP couldn’t gain ground in the county. Sources with ties to the party said most of the local efforts went toward pushing for the re-election efforts of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost and Gov. Bruce Rauner, which left little to no resources to help with the local races. Ed Cockrell is among the local Republican County Board candidates to say the local party didn’t help local candidates, such as with raising money or sending out mailers. . .Duane Henson, a Republican who ran for county clerk, and has served as a precinct committeeman, said some worked harder than him, and he worked harder than other candidates, but candidates who ran countywide all did about the same. “At the end of the day, we were all a couple thousand votes of each other,” said Henson, who chose to self fund his campaign. Henson wouldn’t comment on the leadership of the party. He did say he also has heard the suggestion of putting efforts into smaller races to develop candidates. “You focus on the smaller races and if you could get into some of the school boards and so forth and make some effective changes there, then you could get your message out and work your way up, (but) that takes several election cycles,” Henson said. Henson said there was brainstorming sessions among the candidates during the campaign and the party organized participation in parades leading up to the election. “Could we be better organized? Sure. I think there’s always room for improvement.” Party leaders however, are looking to see what can be done better the next go-around. “I know they’re doing a lot of analysis, some people who are a little higher up in party that me, have been discussing … what’s our path moving forward, what can we do different, what have we done wrong? You do that after anything,” Henson said.)
ATLANTIC
— America Needs to Restore Dignity of Work – Marco Rubio (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes look down on wage earners. I was a lowly wage earner 1964-1997. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.) https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/12/help-working-class-voters-us-must-value-work/578032/
MOTLEY FOOL
— 2 in 5 Americans Spend More Money in Retirement Than Expected In doing so, they risk running out of savings down the line. – Maurie Backman https://www.fool.com/retirement/2018/12/15/2-in-5-americans-spend-more-money-in-retirement-th.aspx (FROM THE ARTICLE: We’re often told to expect our expenses to go down in retirement, and generally speaking, retirees do spend less than their nonretired counterparts. While the average working American over 40 spends $2,993 a month on discretionary expenses, the average retiree spends just $2,008, according to data from Global Atlantic Financial Group. That said, nearly two out of five retirees are spending more money during their golden years than expected, so they risk prematurely depleting their nest eggs and struggling to keep up with expenses in the future. If you’d rather not land in a similar boat once it’s your turn to retire, the solution is simple: Understand what sort of lifestyle your savings will buy you in the future, and save more before retiring if it isn’t enough.)
DAILY HERALD
— Residents leaving Illinois will not be charged a fee – Bob Oswald (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats make it clear that they want individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time TO LEAVE ILLINOIS.) https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181215/facts-matter-residents-leaving-illinois-will-not-be-charged-a-fee-
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump floats fictions about the border.” https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181215/news/312159960/
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— OUTSTANDING: Medical officials oppose effort to legalize recreational use of marijuana – Dean Olsen https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181215/medical-officials-oppose-effort-to-legalize-recreational-use-of-marijuana
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: While he was governor, Rauner took anti-religious, anti-conservative, and anti-Republican actions, but those in Illinois who are anti-religious, anti-conservative, and/or anti-Republican voted for Pritzker anyway. https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181215/local-business-notes-imas-baise-offers-views-on-states-business-climate-politics (FROM THE ARTICLE: “The Republican Party needs to reflect the values of center-right voters, who I believe are a majority of voters in this state, utilizing issues of fiscal conservatism, trying to solve our pension problem, working on issues like improving education and our property tax issues,” Baise said. ” … If we’re going to continue to have arguments over whether or not you’re pro-life or pro-choice, whether or not you’re pro-gay marriage or anti-gay marriage, the majority of voters are going to turn their back on you.” Baise characterized his approach as pragmatic, focused on totally on winning. While not getting into specifics, Baise said the party should run candidates who have the ability to win over the majority of voters in the state and allow for differences of opinion on certain issues, like abortion. “Unless you can be elected, you can’t govern,” Baise said. “You can stand up and stay I’m right about this issue, you can scream from your lungs. But if you’re a backbencher, if you’re in the minority, if you’re out of power, you can’t anything done. So it should be in the mold of someone who can get 50.1 percent of the vote.”)
ABC7
— Illinois Republicans stunned after Gov. Rauner admits to recruiting 4 others to run in November gubernatorial race – Craig Wall https://abc7chicago.com/politics/illinois-gop-stunned-after-rauner-admits-to-recruiting-4-others-to-run-for-governor/4900233/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, a leading state Republican, is now calling for an emergency meeting of the State Central Committee to address what the Rauner revelation, which he and others are calling a deeply troubling matter. In a statement, he said: “I personally asked the Governor on two separate occasions before the Primary if he was committed to his re-election. Both times, to my face, he made clear that he was all in – not only for himself but for all statewide candidates…this private surrender by Bruce Rauner shows a lack of loyalty, integrity, and character.” Rauner is being accused of betraying the party. “Stunned and even more disappointed, I didn’t think I could be more disappointed or betrayed because I think that the Governor really betrayed everybody in the party and by extension everyone in the state,” said Chris Robling, a Republican strategist. Sources said that Rauner approached his attorney general candidate Erika Harold the day after the state fair in August, less than three months before the election, and asked her to take his place on the ballot. “It appears in this case he wasn’t really into it and he got more and more out of it the longer the campaign went on,” Robling said. Rauner had also asked then-state Sen. Karen McConnaughay to do the same in April. McConnaughay said first lady Diana Rauner approached her with a similar request the year before. The fallout has Republicans frustrated and angry. “What happened at the top of the ticket brought us down across the whole state, we lost a whole lot of state legislative seats because of what he did and that’s what really hurts, because now Madigan has a super majority and we can’t stop him,” said Chris Cleveland, chairman of the Chicago Republican Party. The chairman of the state Republican Party Tim Schneider said in a statement that “Neither myself nor the staff at the Illinois Republican Party had any knowledge of the discussions Governor Rauner had regarding his candidacy.” Other Republicans are not only shocked by what the governor did, but that he publicly admitted it.)
DAILY HERALD
— McConnaughay told Rauner he couldn’t pick his own replacement on ballot – Jake Griffin (DIERSEN: What if Rauner had withdrawn and Ives had been selected to fill the vacancy? The Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) fills vacancies by weighted vote when candidates withdraw in statewide races. In the 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate race, I attended all the IRP SCC meetings that were open to the press that resulted in the IRP SCC selecting Alan Keyes to replace Jack Ryan who had withdrawn. I unsuccessfully urged the IRP SCC to select Jim Oberweis because Oberweis had received the second most votes in the primary. Steve Rauschenberger had received the third most votes and Andy McKenna the fourth most. SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_United_States_Senate_election_in_Illinois At that time, I was the GOPUSA Illinois Editor, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Vice-Chairman, a Republican Precinct Committeeman, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member.) https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/mcconnaughay-told-rauner-he-couldnt-pick-his-own-replacement-on-ballot
— New DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek drops lawsuit to get records from election commission – Robert Sanchez https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/new-dupage-county-clerk-drops-lawsuit-to-get-records-from-election-commission
— District 304 board approves five-year contract with teacher raises totaling 19.6 percent – Justin Kmitch (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1986-1997 as a GS-13 Analyst, in today’s dollars, because of step increases, my salary increased from $96,403 to $125,325, or by 30%. During that time, became a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, a Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and a Forensic Accountant in 1997. In 1997, after taking graduate courses since 1992, I earned a masters’ degree in financial markets and trading from IIT. I worked on audits of a) IRS 1986-1988, b) Department of Defense and Railroad Retirement Board in 1989, and c) federal financial industry regulators 1990-1997.) https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/district-304-board-approves-five-year-contract-with-teacher-raises-totaling-196-percent
– Wheaton middle schooler charged with false threat to the school – Justin Kmitch https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181213/wheaton-middle-schooler-charged-with-false-threat-to-the-school
— Chicago man held on $500,000 bail in Wheaton carjacking – Justin Kmitch https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/chicago-man-held-on-500000-bail-in-wheaton-carjacking
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Sensing defeat, Rauner admits seeking other candidates to replace him on ballot – Alexandra Arriaga https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sensing-defeat-rauner-admits-seeking-other-candidates-to-replace-him-on-ballot/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: Indeed, officials said if Rauner had relinquished the nomination, the GOP state central committee would have had eight days to name a replacement, according to State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich. “Obviously, he could have recommended a preferred replacement, but the decision would have had to be made by the Republican state central committee,” Dietrich said. McConnaughey said Rauner’s tactic was similar to his style of governing. “He tried to end his career as governor the same way he got into it — always this idea he would strong-arm it,” she said. “He never respected the fact that there’s a process to governing. Never accepted responsibility for mistakes he made, always [House Speaker Michael] Madigan or someone else’s fault.” She added: “The Republicans could have and should have had a better candidate. He didn’t bring the kind of energy to the race that was necessary.” During the interview, Rauner also blamed President Trump as a “contributing factor” in his 16-point loss to Pritzker. He believes his chances to stay in office would have been better if Democrat Hillary Clinton had won.)
WGLT
— Barickman: Rauner Bailout Attempt Tried To Cheat Voters – CHARLIE SCHLENKER http://www.wglt.org/post/barickman-rauner-bailout-attempt-tried-cheat-voters#stream/0 (FROM THE ARTICLE: Barickman said the report just makes you scratch your head and shake it negatively. “First of all, it’s not the way the process works. Incumbent governors don’t get to select their replacement,” said Barickman. Rauner reportedly asked four different people to take the job of running for governor as late as August. “It’s disingenuous at best. Most importantly it cheats Republican voters from their opportunity to have a say in this. And that’s their voice that gets shut out,” said Barickman. Barickman said this shows Rauner’s failure to understand the political and legislative processes.)
SUBURBAN CHICAGOLAND
— Sean Morrison slams Governor Rauner for abandoning GOP https://suburbanchicagoland.com/2018/12/14/sean-morrison-slams-governor-rauner-for-abandoning-gop/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County Commissioner and County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison issued the following statement: To learn yesterday that Bruce Rauner secretly tried to abdicate his candidacy – on several occasions – is an affront to everyone in the Illinois Republican Party and the entire State of Illinois. It is an egregious betrayal of trust that countless members of the Republican Party placed in him, and that 1.7 Million residents of Illinois had when they cast their vote for him in November. I personally asked the Governor on two separate occasions before the Primary if he was committed to his re-election. Both times, to my face, he made clear that he was all in – not only for himself but for all Statewide candidates. We now know, by his own admission, that he deceived me and others. Evidently, the deception didn’t end there. After the primary, Bruce explicitly promised a statewide absentee ballot and early voting program to boost Republican turnout. Was the program ever implemented? No. And his answer to questions about this program’s failure was nothing more than continued excuses. . .As a Republican elected official and a member of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, this kind of betrayal and deception is totally unacceptable and has no place within our party. For this reason, I will call for an emergency meeting of the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee to address this deeply troubling matter and to immediately forge a plan forward to rebuild our party as one that will fight for the working families of Illinois and will challenge Illinois Democratic Party policies that have forced our state into economic peril.)
ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Rauner ‘tried to get out of being the governor,’ sought replacements post-primary – Greg Bishop & Cole Lauterbach https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/opponents-slam-rauner-following-revelation-he-sought-others-to-take/article_4e5136ca-ffca-11e8-a62a-37ef9654d541.html (FROM THE ARTICLE: While such a move would have been unusual, the Illinois State Board of Elections said it’s possible to replace a candidate on the ballot if they want to step down, as Rauner indicated earlier this week he wanted to do. “If Rauner had relinquished the nomination, the GOP state central committee would have had eight days following his withdrawal to name a replacement,” ISBE spokesman Matt Dietrich said. “And this would need to happen at least 15 days before the general election for Rauner’s name to be removed and replaced with the new candidate’s name.” State Rep. Jeanne Ives, who lost to Rauner in the March primary by 2.8 percent, said there was talk about a switch in some GOP circles. She said radio host Dan Proft, a former Republican candidate for governor, had mentioned it. She also said she’d be surprised if party officials didn’t know Rauner had considered leaving the race. “They knew that Rauner was not in for the fight,” said Ives, R-Wheaton. “There’s no doubt in my mind that they knew he asked others to run. [Schneider] can say what he wants to all day long, I do not believe him.” McConnaughay said she didn’t know if GOP officials were aware Rauner wanted someone else to take over in the race against Pritzker. “I only know what I know and I’m not interested in engaging in conspiracy theories, I’ll leave that to Representative Ives,” McConnaughay said. Ives called for Schneider to step down as the party’s leader. She said the GOP leadership “has failed to provide a necessary contrast to the horrible policies of the Democrats and their corrupt dealings.”)
CAPITOL FAX
— Morrison wants emergency meeting of ILGOP – McConnaughay explains – Schneider responds *** Rauner says he tried to drop out of race after primary https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/14/rauner-says-he-tried-to-drop-out-of-race-after-primary/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider: Neither myself nor the staff at the Illinois Republican Party had any knowledge of the discussions Governor Rauner had regarding his candidacy.)
NEW YORK TIMES
— As Labor Market Tightens, Women Are Moving Into Male-Dominated Jobs Widening opportunities do not automatically translate into better pay or a decline in gender discrimination. – Jed Kolko and Claire Cain Miller (DIERSEN: As all of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes will attest to, all the jobs that I had were BAD jobs, jobs that were so BAD that qualified Democrats, qualified minorities, qualified women, qualified younger people, and qualified veterans did not want them. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997. GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/upshot/as-labor-market-tightens-women-are-moving-into-male-dominated-jobs.html
FORBES
— The Federal Employee Pay Penalty: 31% Less Than State and Local Government Workers. Really? – Andrew Biggs (DIERSEN: Are/were you accused of being overpaid? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always accused me of being overpaid. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 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.forbes.com/sites/andrewbiggs/2018/12/14/the-federal-employee-pay-penalty-31-less-than-state-and-local-government-workers-really/#449726c562e5
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Sensing re-election loss, Gov. Bruce Rauner looked to replace himself on Nov. 6 ballot – Mike Riopell and Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: According to Greg Bishop, Ives “said there’s no doubt in her mind GOP leadership in Illinois knew about this and ‘let this go on.’ She demanded top leadership step down.” One could ask Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Chairman Tim Schneider and each of the IRP State Central Committee members when did they first learn of this?) https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-pritzker-trump-governors-meeting-20181213-story.html (FROM THE ARTICLE: Former Republican state Sen. Karen McConnaughay of St. Charles acknowledged to the Tribune that she was recruited by Rauner in mid-April, about a month after he defeated GOP primary challenger state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton by just 3 percentage points. Sources said Rauner’s recruitment effort also included Todd Ricketts, a member of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs who is now finance chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Erika Harold, an Urbana attorney who at the time was the GOP nominee for attorney general. She ultimately lost to Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul. A source close to Harold said Rauner contacted her about replacing him on the ticket in August, mere months before the general election.)
— 3 DuPage County Board members want to end prayer at start of meetings – Suzanne Baker https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-dupage-county-board-prayer-st-1214-story.html
— Former Kane County sheriff left office with $309K deficit and stopped reporting finances in August, new sheriff says – Gloria Casas https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-kane-sheriff-budget-deficit-st-1214-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former Republican state Sen. Karen McConnaughay of St. Charles acknowledged to the Tribune that she was recruited by Rauner in mid-April, about a month after he defeated GOP primary challenger state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton by just 3 percentage points. Sources said Rauner’s recruitment effort also included Todd Ricketts, a member of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs who is now finance chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Erika Harold, an Urbana attorney who at the time was the GOP nominee for attorney general. She ultimately lost to Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul. A source close to Harold said Rauner contacted her about replacing him on the ticket in August, mere months before the general election.)
CHICAGO NOW
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS, ON COOK COUNTY, AND ON CHICAGO TIGHTENS: Why The Outlook Is So Poor For The Chicago Area Real Estate Market – Gary Lucido (DIERSEN: How soon will the Democrats and RINOs in Lake County, in McHenry County, in Kane County, in DuPage County, and in Will County have enough votes to “consolidate” the aforesaid counties into Cook County? How soon will the Democrats and RINOs in Cook County have enough votes to “consolidate” Cook County municipalities into Chicago?) http://www.chicagonow.com/getting-real/2018/12/why-the-outlook-is-so-poor-for-the-chicago-real-estate-market/
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— The governor-elect — who referred to Trump as “racist and a xenophobe and a misogynist and a homophobe” during the campaign — took the high road in the White House. – Shia Kapos (DIERSEN: Of course, sooner or later, if not already, because Pritzker has called Trump a “racist and a xenophobe and a misogynist and a homophobe,” if you are a Trump supporter, those in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois will call you a “racist and a xenophobe and a misogynist and a homophobe.” How should Trump supporters react to that?) https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/14/new-pac-targets-lipinski-land-pritzkers-trumpy-day-another-fed-raid-on-burke-363555
GOPUSA
— Pelosi tells leftist media not to cover the president’s criminal probes ‘morning, noon and night’ (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents want to dictate the content of GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, but failing that, they want the Illinois Republican Party, the DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Milton Township Republican Central Committee to dictate the content of GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. According to my critics/opponents, all news and commentary is fake except for the news and commentary that they put out or bless.) http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61060
— New president of Mexico offers Trump ambitious plan to address migration issue (DIERSEN: Countries commit acts of war when they a) illegally send many millions of their citizens into another country illegally, b) illegally keep many millions of their citizens in another country illegally, and c) send many mountains of illegal drugs illegally into another country illegally. Not only constructively, but actually, Mexico has declared war on America.) http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61057
THE HILL
— Some reporters after White House cancels press holiday party: We wouldn’t have gone anyway – ARIS FOLLEY (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, anti-conservative governments, political organizations, and politicians have never invited me to parties that they have thrown for the press. They pander to and curry favor with the anti-conservative new media by a) failing/refusing to keep diersen@aol.com on their press advisory lists, b) barring me from their press conferences, c) telling me to not speak with anyone at their press conferences, d) telling me to not ask any questions at their press conferences, e) telling me to not report anything about their press conferences, f) throwing me out of their press conferences, and g) having their operatives and their dupes leave threatening messages on my phone answering machine.) https://thehill.com/homenews/media/421345-reporters-after-white-house-cancels-press-holiday-party-we-wouldnt-have-gone
ORLANDO SENTINEL
— Marco Rubio seeks protected status for Venezuelan immigrants – Steven Lemongello (DIERSEN: My Republican U.S. Senators and my Republican U.S. Representatives should have sought protected status for federal employees like me who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran and a) who complained about political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and/or retaliation and b) who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. But that would have meant siding with Rutan in Rutan v. Illinois Republican Party (http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html). https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-ne-rubio-venezuelans-protected-status-20181213-story.html
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— The Milton Township Republican Central Committee held an outstanding Christmas Party Wednesday evening, December 12, 2018, at the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall. Candidates on November 6, 2018 ballots at the meeting included Eckhoff and Zay. Other attendees included Almiron, Carlson, Caruso, Cherry, Cooper, Crane, Dangelo, Elliott, Falbo, Fawell, Formento, Galvin, Grogan, Heidorn, Holan, Ives, Jorgensen, Keller, Krzyzewski, C. LeVan, Lollino, McGowen, McNeily, Molitor, Monino, Muehlfelt, Nathwani, Rash, Ryan, Shaw, Tatro, and Whelan. – Dave Diersen http://www.gopillinois.com
GOPUSA
— Biden/Romney 2020: RINOs would be all in http://www.gopusa.com/?p=60909
— Gallup says 158 million people now want to migrate to the U.S. (DIERSEN: What percent of these 158 million are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?) http://www.gopusa.com/?p=60844
— NPR Shamelessly Exploits Cheap Labor http://www.gopusa.com/?p=60898
