retiree Archives - Page 4 of 8

May 10 Evening Edition

NPR ILLINOIS & PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Pro-Choice Advocates Want Written Pledge From Gubernatorial Candidates – DAISY CONTRERAS (DIERSEN: Illinois Republicans want a written pledge from Rauner that he will defend and advance all the planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/pro-choice-advocates-want-written-pledge-gubernatorial-candidates#stream/0
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/pro-choice-pac-seeks-pledges-rauner-pritzker-endorse-new-abortion-law#stream/0

ABC7
— Supporters line Elkhart streets ahead of Trump, Pence appearance at rally – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/supporters-line-elkhart-streets-ahead-of-trump-pence-appearance-at-rally/3456513/

NBC5
— President Trump Set to Hold Indiana Rally
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/WEB-president-trump-preparing-to-speak-in-elkhart-482323501.html
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/trump-pence-rally-indiana-elkhart-482288631.html

WGN TV
— CPD: More than 100 ‘high-powered assault rifles’ removed from Chicago streets – MARCELLA RAYMOND
http://wgntv.com/2018/05/10/cpd-more-than-100-high-powered-assault-rifles-removed-from-chicago-streets/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The president just made America safer – John Bolton (DIERSEN: I remember speaking with Bolton at the Illinois Republican Party’s February 5, 2011 fundraiser at the Hilton in Chicago. I remember hearing him speak at several CPACs.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-safer-trump-iran-deal-bolton-0511-20180510-story.html
— Split over plan to expand food stamp work requirements: ‘A good thing’ or ‘a recipe for disaster’ – Greg Trotter and Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-welfare-work-requirements-20180417-story.html
— Illinois lawmakers weigh ban on all formulas of synthetic pot after deaths – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-synthetic-marijuana-20180510-story.html
— On his 200th birthday, wouldn’t Karl Marx be surprised? – Editorial (DIERSEN: What would Marx think of you? What would Marx think of me? Would he agree with my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who hint/imply/argue/shout a) that I owe everything that I have (education, financial assets, pension, real estate, automobiles, etc.) to my parents’, my grandparents’, my great grandparents’, and the rest of my ancestors’ discrimination against minorities and against women and b) that because of the aforesaid, I should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-marx-statue-germany-china-20180507-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If write something against tradition, those who are anti-tradition will publish it.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-scouts-boy-mormons-church-0511-20180510-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Asian Americans turn angst for Trump into political activism – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/asian-americans-turn-angst-for-trump-into-political-activism/
— Blame the sexual revolution for abuse committed by men today – Mona Charen
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/blame-sexual-revolution-abuse-eric-schneiderman-mona-charen/
— The ‘Dreamers’ Trump would deport are greatest asset of the restaurant industry – Cisely Simpson (DIERSEN: Did you work in the restaurant industry? I did. I washed dishes for the minimum wage in the basement of the S.S. Kresges in Chicago Heights while I was a junior and senior at Crete-Monee High School 1964-1966. In all likelihood, if there had been as many illegal immigrants back then as there are now, an illegal immigrant would have had that job instead of me. I used the money that I earned from that job to buy a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint that I used to commute to/from classes at UIC from parents’ home in Crete.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/dreamers-daca-restaurant-industry/

DAILY HERALD
— Retirement of DuPage’s chief investigator leads to shake-up in state’s attorney’s office – Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180510/retirement-of-dupages-chief-investigator-leads-to-shake-up-in-states-attorneys-office
— Asian Americans turn angst for Trump into political activism – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180510/news/305109868/

WTTW
— Chicago Police Seize 100th Assault Weapon This Year – Matt Masterson
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/05/10/chicago-police-seize-100th-assault-weapon-year

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— The Democratic Machine’s New Monarch How J.B. Pritzker’s bottomless pockets could spell business as usual in state politics – EDWARD MCCLELLAND
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2018/JB-Pritzker-Democratic-Machine/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— What Illinois could learn from its neighbor to the north about pensions – JUSTIN FOX
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180509/OPINION/180509828/what-illinois-could-learn-from-its-neighbor-to-the-north-about

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Lincoln library foundation says it may have to sell artifacts to pay debt – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180510/lincoln-library-foundation-says-it-may-have-to-sell-artifacts-to-pay-debt

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Term limits? Dead. Fair maps? Dead. Higher taxes? Thriving. – Editorial
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/editorials/article210769304.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner, Harold refuse to be drawn into ERA debate
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/10/rauner-harold-refuse-to-be-drawn-into-era-debate/
— Sheriff won’t enforce any new laws “that infringe on Second Amendment rights”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/10/sheriff-wont-enforce-any-new-laws-that-infringe-on-second-amendment-rights/

BREITBART
— 2.2 Million Fewer People on Food Stamps Under Donald Trump – KATHERINE RODRIGUEZ
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/10/2-2-million-fewer-people-food-stamps-trump/

AMERICAN SPECTATOR
— As Trump Delivers Jobs, Biden & Sanders Talk Inequality – HUNT LAWRENCE AND DANIEL J. FLYNN
https://spectator.org/as-trump-delivers-jobs-biden-sanders-talk-inequality/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Mark Meadows to seek GAO audit of Mueller investigation – Susan Ferrechio
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/mark-meadows-to-seek-gao-audit-of-mueller-investigation

HUFFINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: According to an anti-White, if politicians want the anti-White vote, they will have to work for it.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-escalante-latino-vote-spanish-ads_us_5af1bc57e4b041fd2d2b6dc9

NBC NEWS
— Lawmakers inquire about ‘troubling’ removal of SBA’s LGBTQ resources More than a year after content was removed, there are still no resources on the Small Business Administration’s “LGBT Outreach” page. – Brooke Sopelsa (DIERSEN: What about heterosexual resources?)
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lawmakers-inquire-about-troubling-removal-sba-s-lgbtq-resources-n873096

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump’s aides defend pay freeze and retirement cuts, but raise questions – Joe Davidson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/05/10/trumps-aides-defend-pay-freeze-and-retirement-cuts-but-raise-questions/

SACRAMENT BEE
— Republican John Cox regrets not voting for Donald Trump – ANGELA HART
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article210783159.html

FED WEEK
— Court Rules on Forced Retirement Standards (DIERSEN: Outrageously, I was denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v GAO.)
https://www.fedweek.com/retirement-financial-planning/court-rules-on-forced-retirement-standards/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A recent federal appeals court decision could make it easier for federal retirees to succeed in a claim that they were forced into retirement, by holding that the evidence they cite in support of their argument should be viewed as a whole. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit noted that federal retirements (and resignations) are presumed to be voluntary, but that presumption can be overcome if the employee proves that he or she “had no realistic alternative but to resign or retire, and the employee’s resignation or retirement was the result of improper acts by the agency.” That should be determined by examining “the surrounding circumstances to test the ability of the employee to exercise free choice.” The court sent back to the MSPB a case in which a retiree argued that his retirement was involuntary, saying that the MSPB improperly viewed his evidence as a series of separate developments, none of which it found was sufficient to support that claim. The court cited the employee’s evidence that he was afraid to meet personally with certain supervisors after “multiple instances of hostility” from them, his request to be transferred away from them, and the worsening of a health problem. The court said that they should have been considered “as a series of escalating incidents” and viewing them “collectively, rather than dismissing them one by one, as the Board did, we find that a person in like circumstances could reasonably feel unable to exercise free choice and compelled to retire.”)
— Guidance Sent on Recording Resignations ahead of Possible Discipline (DIERSEN: Outrageously, I was denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v GAO.)
https://www.fedweek.com/federal-managers-daily-report/guidance-sent-on-recording-resignations-ahead-of-possible-discipline/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: OPM has told agencies to record in the official personnel file of an employee who resigns during an investigation that could lead to disciplinary the results of that investigation if the agency concludes that action would have been warranted. The guidance carries out a 2016 change in law resulting from concerns that by resigning, those employees could later return to the government without consequences because their personnel records would not reflect it. That same law also required agencies to review those records when considering hiring a former federal employee. OPM’s memo says that before putting that information in an individual’s official personnel file, an agency must provide notice of the adverse finding and an opportunity to respond and receive a final agency decision. That could be appealed to the MSPB. “While the statute prescribes the process for making the required permanent notation, an agency may use its own discretion for determining the format for making the notation. Agencies may wish to consult with their legal counsel,” OPM said. The guidance includes a sample for documenting the notation, and further recommends that agencies place the document and any supporting materials on the permanent side of the employee’s OPF, subject to removal if the employee prevails in an appeal at the MSPB.)

May 9 Evening Edition

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IL GOP CONSERVATIVES EXPECT TO PICK NEW PARTY LEADER SATURDAY, MAY 19TH
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/il-gop-leadership-expected-to-pick-shaw-over-schneider-saturday.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Thus far, Stan Bond (14), John McGlasson (16), Char Foss-Eggman (9) and assumedly Mark Shaw (10) will support Shaw. Bob Grogan (6) supported Jeanne Ives in the gubernatorial primary and is likely to support Ives. Shaun Murphy (1), Judy Diekelman (2), Sean Morrison (3), Jay Reyes (4) and Ryan Higgins (8) are expected to back Rauner – as is Chapin Rose (15) and Jan Weber (17) – who the Rauner campaign backed during county elections. Saturday’s meeting will be held at 11:00 am at 522 S. Fifth Street.)
— SKILLICORN STEPS UP TO DEFEND TRUMP FAN BLOCKED OUT OF HOUSE RACE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/skillicorn-steps-up-to-defend-trump-fan-blocked-out-of-house-race-.html

ABC7
— Kendall County Democrats led by all-female board for first time – Jesse Kirsch
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/kendall-county-dems-led-by-all-female-board-for-first-time/3446533/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Yingling Joins McSweeney, Demands Apology From Bruce Rauner (DIERSEN: Who calls who an extremist? Beyond overwhelmingly, members of Group A call members of Group B extremists. 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 for a long time and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. If your group does not promote the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green party platforms, sooner or later, if not already, the SPLC will call your group a hate group.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/community/chi-ugc-article-yingling-joins-mcsweeney-demands-apology-fro-2018-05-09-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – In response to a Northwest Herald report that Bruce Rauner met with Diane Evertsen, the former president of Minutemen Midwest, a group the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled a nativist extremist group, state Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) issued the following statement: “Instead of negotiating in good faith to pass a state budget or working to reduce local property taxes, Bruce Rauner spent last weekend meeting with the former leader of Minutemen Midwest, a group the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled a “nativist extremist” group. There’s no place in for the fear-mongering tactics and conspiracy theories these extremist groups espouse in our state, and I applaud Representative Dave McSweeney, a Republican from McHenry County, for demanding an apology from Bruce Rauner, the head of the Illinois GOP. I join my colleague across the aisle in demanding an apology from this failed governor and hope other local elected officials and candidates will as well.”)
— Experts dismiss central Illinois cop’s claim that legalizing pot would lead to euthanizing drug-sniffing dogs – Elyssa Cherney
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-legal-marijuana-police-dogs-20180509-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Needless-to-say, those who encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and/or to bring others to America should be prosecuted.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-immigrants-crime-ms-13-sessions-trump-0510-20180509-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump suggests revoking reporters’ credentials – AP (DIERSEN: I should write a book about times since 2000 when Democrat plant, Libertarian plant, and RINO activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. a) threatened to take away my GOPUSA ILLINOIS press credentials and b) took them away.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/working/trump-suggests-revoking-reporters-credentials/

DAILY HERALD
— Kane County Clerk’s Office announces ballot position lottery for November General Election – Kane County Clerk John A. Cunningham
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20180509/kane-county-clerks-office-announces-ballot-position-lottery-for-november-general-election

WLS AM
— Civic Federations grades Rauner’s budget: “Incomplete” – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/05/09/civic-federations-grades-rauners-budget-incomplete/

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— Adams County to consider becoming gun sanctuary – Matt Dutton
http://www.whig.com/20180509/adams-county-to-consider-becoming-gun-sanctuary

TIMES
— Streator sets limits on city officials spending City declines to give locals leeway in bidding – Brent Bader
http://www.mywebtimes.com/2018/05/08/streator-sets-limits-on-city-officials-spending/a3tpb9g/

HERALD & REVIEW
— Rauner, Democrats say they don’t want another budget war but face deficit despite tax hike – MONIQUE GARCIA
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/rauner-democrats-say-they-don-t-want-another-budget-war/article_3d4c97b9-9e6f-5c96-8bbf-3e5fdcde919d.html

CITY OF WHEATON
— New Route for Memorial Day Parade (DIERSEN: Please consider watching the parade a) in Ives’ precinct along Main Street between Roosevelt Road and Elm Street and along Elm Street between Main Street and Wheaton Avenue or b) in my precinct along Elm Street between Wheaton Avenue and Warrenville Road and along Warrenville Road between Elm Street and the Wheaton Cemetery at 1209 South Warrenville Road. Please consider watching the ceremony. It starts at 11:00 AM at the Wheaton Cemetery in my precinct.)
https://www.wheaton.il.us/civicalerts.aspx?AID=98

(FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT: The 2018 Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 28, 2018, beginning at 10 a.m. Due to construction taking place on part of the usual parade route, the parade is scheduled to step off from Memorial Park and proceed:

– South on Hale Street to Wesley Street.
– West on Wesley Street to Wheaton Avenue.
– South on Wheaton Avenue to Liberty Drive.
– East on Liberty Drive to Main Street.
– South on Main Street to Elm Street.
– West on Elm Street to Warrenville Road.
– South on Warrenville Road to the Wheaton Cemetery.

During the parade, the Wheaton Police Department, with the cooperation and assistance of the Milton Township Highway Department, will temporarily modify the traffic pattern on Warrenville Road from Wheaton Cemetery / Merrill and Warrenville Road to Orchard Road from two-way to only one way southbound. This condition will exist for approximately two and a half hours (9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.). During the event, these streets will be adequately staffed with uniformed Police Officers to assist and direct traffic. Residents, citizens, and motorists are being asked for their cooperation in not moving the barricades to ensure the safety of the parade participants. Motorists may experience temporary traffic delays and choose to alter their travel route to avoid these areas. American Legion Post 76 invites veterans, youth groups, bands and schools to participate. A ceremony honoring those who have given their life in service will begin at 11 a.m. at Wheaton Cemetery, located at 1209 S Warrenville Road.)

WQAD
— Rock Island and Moline among 20 Illinois cities a watchdog group says should declare bankruptcy
http://wqad.com/2018/05/09/rock-island-and-moline-among-20-illinois-cities-a-watchdog-group-says-should-declare-bankruptcy/

WQLZ
— Lang Calls on Rauner to Push ERA Over the Finish Line
http://www.wqlz.com/2018/05/09/lang-calls-on-rauner-to-push-era-over-the-finish-line/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— McHenry County’s 2018 Real Estate Tax Bill Music Video
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/05/09/mchenry-countys-2018-real-estate-tax-bill/
— BGA Supports McSweeney Abolish McHenry County Townships by Referendum Bill
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/05/09/bga-supports-mcsweeney-abolish-townships-referendum-bill/
— Support for Referendum to Put McHenry Township Road District Under Township Board
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/05/09/support-putting-mchenry-township-road-district-township-board/
— Tax Information for McHenry County Schools
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/05/09/tax-information-mchenry-county-schools/
— Former Algonquin Township Assessor Bob Kunz Replies to Illinois Leaks’ Article
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/05/08/former-algonquin-township-assessor-bob-kunz-replies-illinois-leaks-article/
— Illinois Leaks Calls for Resignation of Algonquin Township Clerk Karen Lukasik
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/05/08/illinois-leaks-calls-resignation-algonquin-township-clerk-karen-lukasik/
— Secret Gift Cards Put Karen Lukasik & Bob Miller in Sights of Illinois Leaks Again
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/05/08/secret-gift-cards-put-karen-lukasik-bob-miller-sights-illinois-leaks/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— CIVIC FEDERATION “THUMBS DOWN” ON GOVERNOR’S FY 2019 BUDGET PROPOSAL
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/civic-federation-thumbs-down-on-governors-fy-2019-budget-proposal.html
— SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN STATE’S HEADLINE NEWS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/sexual-orientation-in-states-headline-news.html
— AKIN: LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE TIME TO PASS LAWSUIT REFORM
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/akin-lawmakers-still-have-time-to-pass-lawsuit-reform.html
— ERA PROPONENTS RALLY FOR HOUSE VOTE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/era-activists-push-for-illinois-.html

CAPITOL FAX
— McSweeney slams Rauner for meeting with party chair who’s also “a known extremist” (DIERSEN: Who calls who an extremist? Beyond overwhelmingly, members of Group A call members of Group B extremists. 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 for a long time and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. If your group does not promote the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green party platforms, sooner or later, if not already, the SPLC will call your group a hate group.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/09/mcsweeney-slams-rauner-for-meeting-with-party-chair-whos-also-a-known-extremist/
— Hippies are gonna make us kill all our dogs!!!
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/09/hippies-are-gonna-make-us-kill-all-our-dogs/

ONE NEWS NOW
— ‘Downward spiral’ of Scouts self-inflicted, says LaBarbera – Charlie Butts
https://www.onenewsnow.com/culture/2018/05/09/downward-spiral-of-scouts-self-inflicted-says-labarbera

BLAZE
— Here’s who will really pay for all that ‘free’ stuff progressives keep promising – Glenn Beck
https://www.theblaze.com/video/surprise-heres-who-will-really-pay-for-all-that-free-stuff-progressives-keep-promising

GOPUSA
— California wants money for illegal alien health care
http://www.gopusa.com/california-wants-money-for-illegal-alien-health-care/
— Why is Los Angeles a hotbed of STDs? Racism, of course.
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=45389

NEWSMAX
— Drudge Hits Trump Over Reporter Ban, Fears Licensing of Reporters – Mark Swanson (DIERSEN: I should write a book about times since 2000 when Democrat plant, Libertarian plant, and RINO activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. a) threatened to take away my GOPUSA ILLINOIS press credentials and b) took them away.)
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/matt-drudge-media-credentials-wh-reporters-fake-news/2018/05/09/id/859335/
— Trump Threatens to Take Away Press Credentials Over Fake News – Jeffrey Rodack (DIERSEN: I should write a book about times since 2000 when Democrat plant, Libertarian plant, and RINO activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. a) threatened to take away my GOPUSA ILLINOIS press credentials and b) took them away.)
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/press-credentials-fake-news-donald-trump/2018/05/09/id/859260/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump, citing negative news coverage about him, questioned whether the “corrupt” and “fake” news media should be stripped of credentials. The president’s comments came in an early morning tweet on Wednesday. He pointed out 91 percent of the “network news about me is negative (fake).” Trump appeared to be referencing a report by the Media Research Center. The MRC had looked at broadcast evening news reports of Trump from Jan. 1 through April 30 and “found 90 percent of the evaluative comments about the president were negative.” The report examined 1,065 network evening news stories about Trump and key members of his administration. And it noted the “hostile coverage” from ABC, CBS and NBC. According to the study, The Russia “collusion” story was given the most time on the broadcasts of all stories regarding the administration. The MRC reported it took up 321 minutes or nearly one-fifth of all Trump administration coverage. The study was a topic of conversation on TV’s “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday. The president is a longtime viewer of the show.)

THE HILL
— GOP leaders seek to stamp out Republican revolt on immigration – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/386977-house-gop-leaders-blast-move-to-force-a-vote-on-immigration

FISCAL TIMES
— Trump Administration Proposes $143.5 Billion in Federal Employee Retirement Cuts – Yuval Rosenberg (DIERSEN: Because I am a federal retiree, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are overjoyed about this.)
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2018/05/09/Trump-Administration-Proposes-1435-Billion-Federal-Employee-Retirement-Cuts

FEDERAL TIMES
— Congressman slams OPM for targeting federal employee benefits – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: From what I see, I am one of only an extremely few, if not the only, Republican federal retiree in the 6th Congressional District. If you know of any Republican federal employees or retirees who live or work in the 6th Congressional District, please ask them to contact me ASAP.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/federal-oversight/congress/2018/05/09/congressman-calls-out-opm-targeting-of-feds-retirement-benefits/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, wrote to Office of Personnel Management Director Jeff Pon May 9, 2018, to express “strong opposition” to a recent letter in which the director proposed sweeping cuts and increased contributions to federal employee retirement. “Federal employees are the cornerstone of an effective and efficient federal government. Our country relies on these talented men and women to perform critical duties across all sectors of government, from national security and healthcare to economic expansion and infrastructure development,” Turner wrote. Turner’s opposition as a Republican is notable, as Democrats have traditionally held a strong line against cutting federal employee benefits in order to balance the budget. Pon’s legislative proposals would likely require fairly unified Republican support to pass into actual legislation. According to a news release on the letter of opposition, Turner’s district contains 30,000 federal employees that would likely be impacted by the proposed changes. Turner took particular issue with aspects of OPM’s proposals that would impact current employees and retirees, such as increases in retirement contributions for current employees and the elimination of cost-of-living adjustments for all current and future retirees under the Federal Employee Retirement System. “This breaks a promise to current federal employees and retirees. We should not arbitrarily make changes to policies that families have planned their lives around, particularly when it affects current retirees with limited ability to make up for unanticipated reductions in estimated income,” wrote Turner. Pon justified the proposed changes as bringing the government more in line with private sector practices, though some have argued that prospective employees are attracted to the government over the private sector due to more generous retirement packages. “In order to ‘recruit, retain and honor a world-class workforce to serve the American people’ as OPM seeks, the federal government must maintain a competitive benefits package befitting such a workforce. With the United States’ growing economy and a tightening labor market, we cannot afford to make the federal government a less attractive place to work by diminishing the very benefits that help the government keep pace with jobs in the (often higher-paying) private sector,” Turner wrote.)

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— OPM Chief Defends Pay Freeze as a Chance to ‘Right-Size’ Compensation Across Occupations – Erich Wagner
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2018/05/opm-omb-leaders-take-tough-questions-compensation-proposals/148085/

April 26 Morning Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— All votes taken by the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) must be taken by weighted vote. According to information provided by the Illinois State Board of Elections, IRP SCC members for the following 18 congressional districts will have the following weighted votes:

12.1% – Congressional District 15 – Chapin Rose, Mahomet
11.1% – Congressional District 18 – Mike Bigger, Wyoming
9.3% — Congressional District 16 – John McGlasson, Pontiac
8.9% — Congressional District 6 -– Bob Grogan, Downers Grove
8.1% — Congressional District 14 – Stan Bond, Montgomery
7.0% — Congressional District 13 – Fred Floreth, Springfield
6.4% — Congressional District 17 – Jan Weber, Geneseo
5.3% — Congressional District 12 – Barb Viviano, O’Fallon
4.6% — Congressional District 11 – Roger Claar, Bolingbrook
4.5% — Congressional District 10 – Mark Shaw, Lake Forest
4.4% — Congressional District 8 – Ryan Higgins, Schaumburg
4.3% — Congressional District 9 – Char Foss-Eggman, Park Ridge
3.9% — Congressional District 3 – Sean Morrison, Palos Park
3.1% — Congressional District 5 – Jack Dorgan, Rosemont
2.7% — Congressional District 1 – Shaun Murphy, Evergreen Park
2.1% — Congressional District 2 – Judy Diekelman, Thornton
1.1% — Congressional District 7 – Mark Hosty, River Forest
1.0% — Congressional District 4 – Jay Reyes, Riverside

https://gopillinois.com

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Does black Chicago feel jilted by Rahm’s Mayor Zorro act? – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-ethnic-politics-chicago-kass-20180425-story.html#new_tab
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: As students ever-increasingly talk and act like they are mindless operatives and mindless dupes for the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green parties, Margaret Sents of Glenview argues that “College professors don’t define students’ political views.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-conservative-students-liberal-professors-loyola-20180425-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— “Bruised and ashamed” after Islamophobic display, Aurora Public Library board vows to “do better” – Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180425/bruised-and-ashamed-after-islamophobic-display-aurora-public-library-board-vows-to-do-better
— ‘It is kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.’ Mundelein trustee objects to new signs for village – Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180425/it-is-kind-of-like-putting-lipstick-on-a-pig-mundelein-trustee-objects-to-new-signs-for-village

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— TRAGIC: Illinois pays price for budget uncertainty in $500 million bond offering – Bloomberg
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180425/NEWS02/180429910/illinois-pays-price-for-budget-uncertainty-in-500-million-bond
— TRAGIC: Ford quitting every car in North America but two – Bloomberg
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180426/NEWS05/180429901/ford-quitting-every-car-in-north-america-but-two
— How to fix the state’s budget: Tie spending to economic growth – ADAM SCHUSTER
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180426/OPINION/180429929/illinois-should-link-budget-spending-to-economic-growth#new_tab

WGN RADIO
— Gov. Bruce Rauner: “Number one priority for Illinois: Grow our economy faster.” – MARY SANDBERG BOYLE
http://wgnradio.com/2018/04/26/gov-bruce-rauner-number-one-priority-for-illinois-grow-our-economy-faster/

WTTW
— Gun-Rights Advocates Beat Back Effort to Regulate Illinois Gun Dealers – Amanda Vinicky (DIERSEN: In my opinion, if Rauner had not vetoed the gun dealer bill, he would have lost to Ives.)
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/04/25/gun-rights-advocates-beat-back-effort-regulate-illinois-gun-dealers

WBEZ
— Bill Could Award Legionnaires’ Victims’ Families $2M From State – Dave McKinney, Tony Arnold
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/bill-could-award-legionnaires-victims-families-2m-from-state/0a6060a8-e0f9-412d-b381-49c0fae920eb

ILLINOIS CHANNEL
— Rep Juliana Stratton Sponsors Bill to Establish Voting Booths in the Cook County Jail (DIERSEN: What percent of people in jail vote for Democrats?)
http://www.illinoischannel.org/2018/04/25/rep-juliana-stratton-sponsors-bill-to-establish-voting-booths-in-the-cook-county-jail/

JOURNAL TOPICS
— FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County Republicans have a long history of being led by suburbanites. Currently, Palos Township Republican Committeeman and county chair Sean Morrison is Cook County commissioner representing the 17th District, which includes part of Des Plaines. The former county GOP chair was Palatine Township Republican Committeeman Aaron Del Mar. Tim Schneider, state Republican Party chairman, is a Cook County commissioner who also represents the Northwest suburbs. The former Republican Party chairman was Jack Dorgan of Rosemont. – Tom Robb
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/murphy-joins-preckwinkle-on-cook-county-democratic-executive-board/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Legislators should adopt revenue estimate resolution – Editorial (DIERSEN: What is your revenue estimate for 2018. Mine is $51,864 from the Civil Service Retirement System, $2,064 from Social Security, and $876 from an inherited IRA. My critics/opponents who have MORE income than that paint me as being a financial loser. My critics/opponents who have LESS income than that paint me as being undeservedly filth rich.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180425/our-view-legislators-should-adopt-revenue-estimate-resolution
— Illinois State Fairgrounds on endangered sites list – Maximilian Kwiatkowski
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180425/illinois-state-fairgrounds-on-endangered-sites-list
— Illinois’ 4 pillars of bad budgeting – Adam Schuster
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180424/guest-view-illinois-4-pillars-of-bad-budgeting

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— We need a vote on fair maps – Evelyn Sanguinetti
http://www.pjstar.com/opinion/20180425/sanguinetti-we-need-vote-on-fair-maps

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER & PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Pro-gun advocates crowd downtown Springfield for annual rally – Maximilian Kwiatkowski
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180425/pro-gun-advocates-crowd-downtown-springfield-for-annual-rally
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20180425/pro-gun-advocates-crowd-downtown-springfield-for-annual-rally

SOUTHERN
— Marion City Council passes $48 million budget with $152,000 surplus – JUSTIN DUNCAN
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/marion/marion-city-council-passes-million-budget-with-surplus/article_d4830bca-2758-5264-8bbd-0ff8398aa982.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Glen Ellyn trustee Pete Ladesic abstains on resolution to call for more gun control.
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2018/04/24/glen-ellyn-trustees-encourage-state-lawmakers-to-pass-gun-legislation/ac4y527/

NPR ILLINOIS
— Gun Owners Rally In Springfield While Gun Dealer Lincensing Veto Remains – DAISY CONTRERAS
http://nprillinois.org/post/gun-owners-rally-springfield-while-gun-dealer-lincensing-veto-remains#stream/0
— Illinois State Fairgrounds Named On Endangered Historic Places List – MARY CULLEN
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-state-fairgrounds-named-endangered-historic-places-list#stream/0
— HUD Unveils Plan To Increase Rent On Millions Receiving Federal Housing Assistance – BRAKKTON BOOKER
http://nprillinois.org/post/hud-unveils-plan-increase-rent-millions-receiving-federal-housing-assistance#stream/0

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Algonquin Township Supervisor and Highway Commissioner Feed Election Judges on Taxpayer’s Back
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/25/algonquin-township-supervisor-highway-commissioner-feed-election-judges-taxpayers-back/
— Reick Criticizes “Short Debate” on McSweeney’s Township Abolition by Referendum Bill
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/25/reick-criticizes-short-debate-mcsweeneys-township-abolition-referendum-bill/
— How Were Algonquin Township Road District America Express “Rewards” Redeemed?
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/25/algonquin-township-road-district-america-express-rewards-redeemed/
— If a Township Should Be Abolished, Bill Doesn’t Send MFT to County
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/24/township-abolished-bill-doesnt-send-mft-county/

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Records show taxpayers paid $100K for CPS student trips to Costa Rica, South Africa, Ireland, Italy – W.J. Kennedy
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511399166-records-show-taxpayers-paid-100k-for-cps-student-trips-to-costa-rica-south-africa-ireland-italy

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Dodge views Pritzker, Rauner campaign spending as a sign of the times – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511396966-dodge-views-pritzker-rauner-campaign-spending-as-a-sign-of-the-times

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats promote Democrats.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/04/26/dems-pull-back-on-gun-store-bill-dccc-bumps-up-casten-chance-kanyes-trump-tweet-storm-soldier-fields-security-flap-266078
(FROM THE ARTICLE: IL-06 — National Democrats are showing signs of confidence about their pickup opportunities in Illinois’ 6th district, where U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., is in their sights. Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is moving Democrat Sean Casten into its Red to Blue program, saying he had earned a spot “by surpassing aggressive goals for grassroots engagement, local support, campaign organization and fundraising.” Along with the designation comes resources and training, courtesy of the DCCC. Candidates in Illinois 12 (Brendan Kelly) 13 (Betsy Dirksen Londrigan) and 14 (Lauren Underwood) are already in the program. . .National Journal is the latest to declare Gov. Bruce Rauner vulnerable in November. The governor moved from 5th to first most vulnerable: Zach C. Cohen and Kyle Trygstad write: “Illinois—Bruce Rauner (R) (Previous ranking: 5) Rauner is the most vulnerable governor, and his seat is the Democrats’ best pickup opportunity. Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker won 200,000 more votes in his decisive March primary than Rauner, who won renomination by just 2 points. The latest polling puts Pritzker, heir to the Hyatt fortune, up 18 points in a state that Hillary Clinton won by a similar margin, and his odds further improved when Rauner’s alienation of the Right led to a third-party challenge from GOP state Sen. Sam McCann. But both wealthy nominees, who have already spent a combined $131 million, have the time and resources to shift the race.)

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— App. Ct. Hearing: Cooke v. IL. State Board of Elections re: Mautino – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/04/audio-app-ct-hearing-cook-v-il-state-board-of-elections-re-mautino/

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner calls legislators “rascals” ahead of budget talks
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/26/rauner-calls-legislators-rascals-ahead-of-budget-talks/
— PPP: Rodney Davis up by only 3, Hultgren ahead by just 4
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/26/ppp-rodney-davis-up-by-only-3-hultgren-ahead-by-just-4/

GOPUSA
— Judge rules bars can discriminate against Trump supporters (DIERSEN: Which organizations, companies, governments, etc. in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois discriminate against Trump supporters?)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=44622
— Macron challenges ‘America First’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=44608
— Sex Ed Sit Out draws parents alarmed by pro-choice, pro-gay teachings
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=44453
— California cities are rebelling against state sanctuary law, but how far can they go?
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=44377

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— JOE BIDEN, DEMS AND THE RACE CARD: THEY DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT – Larry Elder
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/joe-biden-dems-and-the-race-card-they-dont-leave-home-without-it/

BREITBART
— Donald Trump Jr. Applauds Chance The Rapper: ‘Takes Guts’ to Say ‘Black People Don’t Have to Be Democrats’ – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2018/04/25/donald-trump-jr-applauds-chance-the-rapper-takes-guts-to-say-black-people-dont-have-to-be-democrats/

DAILY SIGNAL
— How Federal Consumer Agency Puts Your Financial Data at Risk – Fred Lucas (DIERSEN: Government is nasty. Politics is nasty. Democrats are nasty. Democrats use whatever information that they can get about you against you. While I worked for IRS 1971-1980 and for GAO 1980-1997, my Democrat supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates talked and acted like my Democrat superiors had given them copies of a) my individual tax returns for 1971-1977 and b) my and my wife’s joint tax returns for 1978-1996. They also talked and acted like my Democrat superiors had given them copies of the annual financial disclosure forms that I filed 1971-1997.)
https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/04/25/how-federal-consumer-agency-puts-your-financial-data-at-risk/

TOWNHALL
— If You Want To Stop Liberal Bullying, Start By Telling Them To Buzz Off – Kurt Schlichter
https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2018/04/26/if-you-want-to-stop-liberal-bullying-start-by-telling-them-to-buzz-off-n2474441

WORLD NET DAILY
— THE DECLINE OF U.S. WHITES — AND NOT JUST IN NUMBER – Ilana Mercer (DIERSEN: What do you say to Whites who demonize, denigrate, and condemn Whites as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things TO CURRY FAVOR WITH ANTI-WHITES. I should write a book about the leading White anti-Whites in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois. Most, if not virtually all of them also demonize, denigrate, and condemn those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time TO CURRY FAVOR WITH THOSE WHO ARE anti-Trump supporters, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, 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.wnd.com/2018/04/the-decline-of-u-s-whites-and-not-just-in-number/

LUTHERAN CHARITES
— Look For the Best in Others – (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes look for what they believe is the worse in others. They stress that I am Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older (69), non-poor, gun owner, 100% German American, my ancestors have been in America since 1844, I have live in Wheaton only since 1978, former union member, federal retiree, childless, pet-less, American nameplate car owner, etc.)
http://devotions.lccharities.org/2018/04/26/look-for-the-best-in-others/

THE HILL
— The great exodus out of America’s blue cities – KRISTIN TATE
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/384536-the-great-exodus-out-of-americas-blue-cities

CNN
— Ronny Jackson withdraws as VA secretary nominee (DIERSEN: If you sought a government office or a political office, what allegations would your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes level against you? Mine would stress that I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc. They would stress those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and Illinois who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout who could/should have come to my defense, but did not.)
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/26/politics/ronny-jackson-va-nominee/index.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: His nomination was hampered by a flurry of allegations about Jackson’s professional conduct. In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Jackson slammed allegations of improper behavior leveled against him as “completely false and fabricated.” “If they had any merit, I would not have been selected, promoted and entrusted to serve in such a sensitive and important role as physician to three presidents over the past 12 years,” Jackson said. “Going into this process, I expected tough questions about how to best care for our veterans, but I did not expect to have to dignify baseless and anonymous attacks on my character and integrity.” Jackson said he was motivated to withdraw from consideration because the allegations against him “have become a distraction” for Trump and his agenda.)

NEW YORK TIMES
— White House Withdraws Jackson Nomination for V.A. Chief Amid Criticism – Nicholas Fandos and Peter Baker (DIERSEN: If you sought a government office or a political office, what allegations would your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes level against you? Mine would stress that I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc. They would stress those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and Illinois who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout who could/should have come to my defense, but did not.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/26/us/politics/ronny-jackson-nomination-withdrawn.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats say looser marijuana laws attract young voters, and some Republicans are catching on – Sean Sullivan and Seung Min Kim (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/democrats-favor-looser-restrictions-on-marijuana–and-some-in-gop-join-them/2018/04/21/235cdd50-44b5-11e8-ad8f-27a8c409298b_story.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE: NBC’s Failing Bet on Megyn Kelly The former Fox News star was supposed to bring a bigger audience for ‘Today,’ but ratings declines and high costs have dragged down a critical franchise – Joe Flint
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nbc-bet-69-million-on-megyn-kellythen-viewers-vanished-1524667220

BARRONS
— Millennial Wall Streeters Turn to Pot (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.barrons.com/articles/millennial-wall-streeters-turn-to-pot-1524517641

FORBES
— The Millennial Voice Could End Federal Marijuana Prohibition – Mike Adams (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeadams/2018/04/19/the-millennial-voice-could-end-federal-marijuana-prohibition/#546b47893e18

THINK ADVISOR
— Wall Street Millennials Are Losing Their Mojo—Is Pot to Blame? Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert tells ThinkAdvisor that many young financial pros aren’t coping well with stress and market volatility. – Jane Wollman Rusoff (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2018/04/23/millennial-advisors-are-losing-their-mojo-and-pot/

OBSERVER
— NYC’s First Lady Opens up About Past Pot Use and Why She’s Now Pro-Legalization – Madina Toure (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://observer.com/2018/04/nyc-first-lady-chirlane-mccray-marijuana-legalization/
— Burgeoning Salary Calculators Are Killing Pay Secrecy—and May Help You Get a Raise! – Sissi Cao (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.)
http://observer.com/2018/04/salary-calculators-killing-pay-secrecy/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The main goal of LinkedIn Salary is to help people uncover important patterns in the job market so they can better plan their career advancement. For instance, obtaining an MBA leads to larger pay increases for marketing directors than any other position; and sales positions in healthcare consistently pay better than the same role in other industries. “At the heart of it is the ability to understand why certain people make more than others and what you can do to set yourself up for greater earning potential. Every professional in the world wants to know what they can do to earn $10,000 more,” Daniel Shapero, LinkedIn’s former director of career product, told Forbes at the time of product launch. “People would invest more in their careers if they knew what the return would be,” he added.)

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Pruitt putting ‘a drag’ on EPA, House Democrats tell agency employees – Jory Heckman (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, it became ever-increasingly clear that GAO wanted to get rid of its employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who GAO had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/management/2018/04/pruitt-putting-a-drag-on-epa-house-democrats-tell-agency-employees/

MOTHER JONES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, since the Civil War, Democrats blame Whites for the problems that Blacks have had, are having, and will have.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/new-data-america-schools-suspend-punish-arrest-black-students/

SOCIALIST WORKER
— Portland fast-food workers win a union (DIERSEN: What did you do with your free time when you were a sophomore and junior in high school? Were you a fast food worker? I washed dishes for the minimum wage part-time 1964-1966 and full-time during the summer of 1965 in the basement of the S.S. Kresges in Chicago Heights.)
https://socialistworker.org/2018/04/26/portland-fast-food-workers-win-a-union

DIGITAL JOURNAL
— Critical Dog Training News Posts Article On How To Stop A Dog From Barking (DIERSEN: What do you say to dog owners who use their constantly barking dogs to harass their neighbors?)
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3743977

VICE
— Your hippie parents are the ones driving up weed use, study finds – Alex Lubben (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/evqw7z/your-hippie-parents-are-the-ones-driving-up-weed-use-study-finds

February 9 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Should Illinois legalize recreational marijuana? – Editorial (DIERSEN: NO!)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-marijuana-illinois-governor-colorado-20180126-story.html
— As midterms near, more women plunging into campaigns – Kate Thayer (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats shout at women and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-congress-more-women-running-20180205-story.html
— Trump administration NOW HIRING: No integrity necessary – Rex Huppke (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.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/huppke/ct-met-rob-porter-trump-kelly-huppke-20180208-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Porter debacle confirms Trump’s incompetence.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-porter-kelly-ex-wife-20180211-story.html
— Top Democrats wriggling about on the issue of pensions – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-biss-pritzker-pensions-20180211-story.html
— Woodward and Bernstein blast Trump, get in a dig at Chicago Tribune – Kim Janssen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-woodward-bernstein-0210-chicago-inc-20180209-story.html
— Emotional support animals — from dogs to peacocks, real or fake — present challenges for businesses – Samantha Bomkamp
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-emotional-support-animals-20180211-story.html
— Let’s have a parade! On second thought … – Editorial (DIERSEN: What does the Chicago Tribune say to those who a) discourage Republican participation in Wheaton Independence Day parades, b) discourage Republican sponsorship of the parades, and c) discourage people from watching the parades?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-trump-parade-washington-20180208-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner’s dismal poll numbers are not a good sign for the governor – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/rauners-dismal-poll-numbers-are-not-a-good-sign-for-the-governor/
— A reminder of how fixing problems in Illinois is supposed to work – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-a-reminder-of-how-fixing-problems-in-illinois-is-supposed-to-work/
— Civic Federation warns ‘significant problems remain’ in budget recommendations – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/civic-federation-warns-significant-problems-remain-in-budget-recommendations/
— Trump says alleged wife-beating aide has ‘a great career ahead of him’ – AP (DIERSEN: When my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, they did not want me to have a great post-GAO career, they did not wish me well. Instead, they did everything that they could to stop me from getting a job that was appropriate for someone with my work experience, education, professional certifications, and professional license. They wanted everyone to see that they could/would/will waste the careers of and get rid of Republicans just like Jim Thompson wasted the careers of and got rid of Democrats like Rutan. They knew that my wife had helped elect Thompson in 1976. SEE: http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/donald-trump-rob-porter-great-career-ahead-of-him-wife-beating-domestic-violence/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump said Friday he hopes an aide who resigned this week in the wake of domestic abuse allegations has “a great career ahead of him.” Trump told reporters at a surprise appearance Friday that former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter did “a very good job while he was in the White House” and adds: “We wish him well.”)

DAILY HERALD
— Kane County considers how to spend extra $4.5 million – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180209/kane-county-considers-how-to-spend-extra-45-million
— East Dundee places cap on debt, property tax hikes – Lauren Rohr
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180209/east-dundee-places-cap-on-debt-property-tax-hikes

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Under siege, Pritzker rips Rauner but is vague on Madigan – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180209/BLOGS02/180209861/under-siege-pritzker-rips-rauner-but-is-vague-on-madigan

NBC5
— Pritzker Looking to Rebound After Challenging Week – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/pritzker-looking-to-bounce-back-after-rough-week-473646513.html

HERALD & REVIEW
— Gov. Rauner meets with the Herald & Review editorial board – RYAN VOYLES
http://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/watch-live-gov-rauner-meets-with-the-herald-review-editorial/article_be1be136-8643-5cfb-ad3d-0ab5851d64e3.html

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Pro-choice, pro-life, or pro-reduction – Jim Nowlan
http://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/columnists/local/jim-nowlan-pro-choice-pro-life-or-pro-reduction/article_f4fa7466-ee87-54f8-aeb9-3599320ca76e.html

CHICAGO READER
— Pritzker the sneak disser might as well have said the N-word – Adeshina Emmanuel
https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2018/02/09/pritzker-the-sneak-disser-might-as-well-have-said-the-n-word

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Release New TV Ad: Lead the Charge
https://mailchi.mp/52e8ed609870/ives-release-new-tv-ad-lead-the-charge
— “All of Us Worked Hard” in 2016, Governor?
https://mailchi.mp/d8d420fc80a5/all-of-us-worked-hard-in-2016-governor

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Erika Harold should decline to attend Coles County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner and demand its racist GOP Chairman resign – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/02/erika-harold-should-decline-to-attend-coles-county-republican-lincoln-day-dinner-and-demand-its-racist-gop-chairman-resign/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— MORE CHICAGO-AREA HOMEOWNERS DROWNING IN MORTGAGE DEBT THAN IN ANY OTHER MAJOR CITY A new study shows 13 percent of Chicago-area homeowners with mortgages owed at least 25 percent more than their homes were worth. – Amy Korte (DIERSEN: Paying off our mortgage was a top priority for my wife and I. My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when we paid off our mortgage in the 1990s.)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/more-chicago-area-homeowners-drowning-in-mortgage-debt-than-in-any-other-major-city/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— NEW VIDEO BLASTS GOP STATE REP HAMMOND FOR FAILING WOMEN EXPLOITED BY STATE LAWMAKERS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/new-video-blasts-gop-state-rep-hammond-for-failing-women-exploited-by-state-lawmakers.html
— WHO’S SPENDING WHAT IN ILLINOIS’ GOVERNOR PRIMARY RACES?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/whos-spending-what-in-illinois-governor-primary-races.html
— CHICAGO MEDIA TEAM PEEKS INTO ILLINOIS TRANSPARENCY THINK TANK’S INNER WORKINGS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/chicago-media-team-peeks-into-illinois-transparency-think-tanks-inner-workings.html
— ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS WRONGLY BLAMED FOR STATE PENSION CRISIS, REPORT SAYS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/illinois-taxpayers-wrongly-blamed-for-state-pension-crisis-report-says.html

BREITBART
— Offsetting DACA Amnesty with Reduction to Legal Immigration Remains Key to Gaining White House Support – JOHN BINDER (DIERSEN: What about those who argue that the fewer immigrants that are let in legally, the more that come in illegally?)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/09/offsetting-daca-amnesty-with-reduction-to-legal-immigration-remains-key-to-gaining-white-house-support/

GOPUSA
— Establishment’s Tillis negotiating ridiculous border wall deal
http://www.gopusa.com/establishments-tillis-negotiating-ridiculous-border-wall-deal/
— IRS overpaid Obamacare tax credits by nearly $3.5 billion in 2017
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38958

HUFFINGTON POST
— Congress Is About To Show Whether It Really Wants To Protect Dreamers The strategy of pairing Dreamer protections to government funding didn’t work. So what’s next? – Elise Foley (DIERSEN: Who protects those who share your demographics? Anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout the members of the following groups not only do not need any kind of protection, they are the problem: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/congress-dreamers_us_5a7df7fce4b044b3821d41a3

WASHINGTON POST
— Massive infusion of spending ends era of restraint for federal agencies, Pentagon – Heather Long
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/massive-infusion-of-spending-ends-era-of-restraint-for-federal-agencies-pentagon/2018/02/09/cefb1e72-0d17-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— OPM details strategy for workforce reshaping, basic tenets of Trump’s management agenda – Nicole Ogrysko (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. If they have to get rid of employees, they get rid of those who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/workforce/2018/02/opm-details-strategy-for-workforce-reshaping-basic-tenets-of-trumps-management-agenda/

January 9 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ousted Rauner staffer Diana Rickert sues gov’s office over first lady’s emails on abortion – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ousted-rauner-staffer-sues-govs-office-over-first-ladys-emails-on-abortion/
— Don’t just close veterans home — close the whole state of Illinois – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/kadner-dont-just-close-veterans-home-close-the-whole-state-of-illinois/
— Scott Drury loses first step in AG ballot challenge over disclosure form – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/scott-drury-loses-first-step-in-ag-ballot-challenge-over-disclosure-form/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ex-Rauner aide Diana Rickert sues for first lady’s emails on abortion bill – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-diana-rickert-diana-rauner-lawsuit-20180109-story.html
— Rauner officials defend handling of Legionnaires’ outbreak at Quincy veterans home – Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-quincy-veterans-home-20180109-story.html
— A lower black jobless rate. Somebody tell Illinois. – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-black-unemployment-20180109-story.html
— Kaegi overcomes challenge to his bid to run against Berrios – Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-berrios-kaegi-petition-challenge-20180109-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Energy Secretary Perry tells Fermilab employees he is their advocate – Susan Sarkauskas (DIERSEN: Who tells those who share your demographics that they are your advocate? Anti-Trumps call anyone who says that they are an advocate for members of the following groups a White supremacist, a Nazi, a KKK member, a hater, a racist, a sexist, a bigot, and even worse things: Trump supporters, Protestants, conservatives, patriotic people, Republicans, Americans, Whites, males, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180109/energy-secretary-perry-tells-fermilab-employees-he-is-their-advocate
— St. Charles marks one year of video gambling with mixed results – James Fuller (DIERSEN: If you promote video gambling, you promote destruction.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180109/st-charles-marks-one-year-of-video-gambling-with-mixed-results
— Sheriff says too few officers supervising too many inmates – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180109/sheriff-says-too-few-officers-supervising-too-many-inmates
— Wheaton residents flood city with complaints about drug treatment center plan – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180109/wheaton-residents-flood-city-with-complaints-about-drug-treatment-center-plan

ABC7
— Ill. lawmakers probe Legionnaires’ outbreak at Quincy veterans home – Jessica D’Onofrio
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/il-lawmakers-probe-legionnaires-outbreak-at-quincy-veterans-home/2917455/
— Joe Arpaio, controversial sheriff pardoned by Trump, enters Arizona Senate race – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/joe-arpaio-controversial-sheriff-pardoned-by-trump-running-for-senate/2918384/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Steve Bannon steps down from Breitbart after fallout with President Donald Trump – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/steve-bannon-steps-down-from-breitbart-after-remarks-about-president-donald-trump

SPRINGFIELD STATE REGISTER MAIL
— Cash-strapped schools continue to wait for state funding – Jason Nevel
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180109/cash-strapped-schools-continue-to-wait-for-state-funding

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— Legislators grill officials on Legionnaires’ outbreak – Matt Hopf
http://www.whig.com/20180109/legislators-grill-officials-on-legionnaires-outbreak#//

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Davis lauds Trump’s appearance at Farm Bureau convention – MARY COOLEY
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article193705234.html

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, federal pay and benefits are demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being “generous” by those who would never take a federal job 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.)
http://www.daily-journal.com/news/illinois/report-shows-federal-bloat-in-illinois/article_67b43460-0e56-50cc-a7a6-4fc2b403d16d.html

CARL SEGVICH
— 11th Ward Republican Party Endorses Jeanne Ives
https://segvich.com/

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Conservative Host Mike Gallagher Endorses Ives On National Program “[Electing] Jeanne Ives is absolutely necessary in the State of Illinois.”
http://mailchi.mp/3763aa35fcf0/updated-conservative-host-mike-gallagher-endorses-ives-on-national-program?e=985ad8c00b

CAPITOL FAX
— Uihlein still hasn’t weighed in for Ives
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/09/uihlein-still-hasnt-weighed-in-for-ives/
— Fingers point after Rauner veto
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/09/fingers-point-after-rauner-veto/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump calls GOP Dreamer fix a ‘bill of love,’ seeks deal with Dems on immigration – S.A. Miller (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps shout at Dreamers and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things. Anti-Trumps want to use Dreamers to get rid of Republicans once and for all.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/9/donald-trump-calls-gop-dreamer-fix-bill-love-seeks/

BREITBART
— Democrats Adopt Stealth ‘Amnesty-or-Shutdown’ Blackmail Strategy – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/09/democrats-hide-amnesty-or-shutdown-blackmail-strategy-from-public/

DAILY CALLER
— Google ‘Endorses Political Violence’ According To Damore Lawsuit – Liam Clancy
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/09/google-endorses-political-violence-according-to-damore-lawsuit/

GOPUSA
— University of Chicago faculty tell Obama to move his ‘socially regressive’ Presidential library
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36767
— Colorado city attracts desperate marijuana ‘migrants’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36489

THE HILL
— Trump, lawmakers agree to parameters of potential immigration deal – ALEXANDER BOLTON AND JORDAIN CARNEY (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps shout at Dreamers and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things. Anti-Trumps want to use Dreamers to get rid of Republicans once and for all. Needless-to-say, if Deamers are given citizenship, they will vote to tear any border wall down.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/368139-trump-lawmakers-agree-to-parameters-of-potential-immigration-deal

POLITICO
— Bannon steps down from Breitbart News – Julie Hirschfeld Davis
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/09/bannon-steps-down-from-breitbart-news-329603

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Appears to Endorse Path to Citizenship for Millions of Immigrants – Julie Hirschfeld Davis (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, if Deamers are given citizenship, they will vote to tear any border wall down.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/us/politics/trump-daca-immigration.html
— Joe Arpaio Announces Bid for Senate in Arizona – Simon Romero
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/us/joe-arpaio-senate-arizona.html
— Steve Bannon to Step Down From Breitbart Post – Jeremy W. Peters
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/us/politics/steve-bannon-breitbart-trump.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— BEYOND DISGUSTING, BEYOND TRAGIC: California’s Affirmative Action for ‘Marijuana Entrepreneurs’ Los Angeles, Oakland and other cities create ‘equity programs’ to help minority ex-cons get into legal pot – Jason L. Riley
https://www.wsj.com/articles/californias-affirmative-action-for-marijuana-entrepreneurs-1515543760

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— Former Rauner Staffer Diana Rickert Sues Office Over Abortion Bill Emails – AP
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2018-01-09/former-rauner-staffer-sues-office-over-abortion-bill-emails

DALLAS NEWS
— Trump pushes key lawmakers for border wall in exchange for ‘dreamer’ protection – Katie Leslie and Todd J. Gillman (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, if Deamers are given citizenship, they will vote to tear any border wall down.)
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2018/01/09/trump-pushes-key-lawmakers-border-wall-exchange-dreamer-protection

FED SMITH
— How Does the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Affect Your Retirement Income? – John Grobe (DIERSEN: Because I get a Civil Service Retirement System pension, currently $51,864/year, the WEP dramatically reduces my Social Security, currently $2,064/year. I paid into Social Security 1964-1974 while I washed dishes, cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, pumped gasoline, delivered mail, worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard, sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances, etc.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2018/01/09/wep-affect-retirement-income/

NEW BEGINNINGS REALTY
— FOR SALE: 518 West Roosevelt Road, Wheaton (vacant lot)
https://www.newbeginningsrealtycullman.com/Illinois/WHEATON/85-09804691-518-West-Roosevelt-Road-60187

January 5 Morning Edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 3 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Trump unloads on ex-strategist Steve Bannon: ‘He lost his mind’ – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-unloads-on-ex-strategist-steve-bannon-he-lost-his-mind/2856363/

NBC5
— Hastert Accuser Seeks to Reinstate Case – Phil Rogers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/dennis-hastert-accuser-seeks-to-reinstate-case-467744683.html
— Doug Jones Becomes Only Democratic Senator With a Black Chief of Staff Dana Gresham served for eight years as assistant secretary for governmental affairs at the Department of Transportation during the Obama administration – Liz Lane
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Doug-Jones-Chief-of-Staff-Dana-Gresham-Senate-Democrats-467880803.html

WGN TV
— Chris Kennedy accuses Emanuel of plan to force out black Chicagoans – TAHMAN BRADLEY
http://wgntv.com/2018/01/03/chris-kennedy-accuses-emanuel-of-plan-to-force-out-black-chicagoans/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kennedy accuses Emanuel of ‘strategic gentrification plan’ to force blacks out of Chicago – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: One could argue that Emanuel wants to force more than just Blacks out of Chicago. Emanuel talks and acts like he wants to force out of Chicago individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chris-kennedy-rahm-emanuel-black-voters-20180103-story.html
— Trump slams Bannon: ‘When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind’ – Alex Wayne, Jennifer Jacobs
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-steve-bannon-book-treasonous-20180103-story.html
— Bonus or no, don’t get your hopes up for a raise – Rebecca Greenfield (DIERSEN: What raises have you gotten? My salary increased every year that I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997 because of COLAs, step increases, and/or promotions except 1980 when I took a $19,203 (26%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO. In my defense, 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.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-employee-raises-20180103-story.html
— Will County plans to demolish old courthouse – Susan DeMar Lafferty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-will-demo-courthouse-st-0103-20180102-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot promoters promote pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-pot-legalization-illinois-robert-reed-1418-story.html
— 2017 was bad, but 2018 could be much worse – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-war-recession-20180103-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump doesn’t have some master plan. He’s just angry and impulsive.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-tweets-angry-impulsive-20180103-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Kennedy contends Rahm behind plan to push blacks out of city – Mark Brown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chris-kennedy-accuses-rahm-emanuel-pushing-people-color-out-chicago/
— Army vet’s fight to avoid deportation lands in federal appeals court – Ashlee Rezin
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/army-vets-fight-to-avoid-deportation-lands-in-federal-appeals-court/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Her son served two tours in Afghanistan, but now faces deportation for a drug conviction. . .He had spent seven years behind bars for delivering cocaine. His family and supporters blame the error in judgement on head injuries and PTSD resulting from his time in the military that went untreated until Perez Jr. finally received medical attention behind bars.)
— Trump sinks to a new low in 2018, and the world shudders – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/trump-north-korea-nuclear-button-sinks-to-a-new-low-in-2018-and-the-world-shudders/
— Garry McCarthy inches closer to challenging Rahm Emanuel – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/garry-mccarthy-inches-closer-to-challenging-rahm-emanuel/
— Sessions sends Illinois four more federal prosecutors to focus on violent crime – Matthew Hendrickson
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sessions-sends-illinois-four-more-federal-prosecutors-to-focus-on-violent-crime/

DAILY HERALD
— Trump: Bannon ‘lost his mind’ after leaving White House – Bloombrerg
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180103/trump-bannon-lost-his-mind-after-leaving-white-house
— College of DuPage helps students navigate toward success – Ann Rondeau
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20180103/college-of-dupage-helps-students-navigate-toward-success

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Taxpayers give $36M to scholarships on 1st day of new credit – AP (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180103/taxpayers-give-36m-to-scholarships-on-1st-day-of-new-credit

GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— Right wing targets Medicare, Social Security – Bill Knight (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are furious that I have gotten Medicare since 2013 and Social Security since 2010. Medicare costs me $1,308 a year. My $2,064/year Social Security is dramatically reduced because I get a Civil Service Retirement System pension.)
http://www.galesburg.com/opinion/20180103/bill-knight-right-wing-targets-medicare-social-security

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Police seek suspects in string of gambling machine burglaries; company offers reward – DANA RIECK
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article192782539.html

WGLT
— Davis Defends Trump’s ‘Strong Stance’ in North Korea Nuclear Button Tweet – RYAN DENHAM
http://wglt.org/post/davis-defends-trumps-strong-stance-north-korea-nuclear-button-tweet#stream/0

WNNS
— Rauner Vows to Roll Back “Madigan Tax Hike”
http://www.wnns.com/2018/01/03/rauner-vows-to-roll-back-madigan-tax-hike/

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Responds To California Becoming A Sanctuary State
http://mailchi.mp/f246a4c57a0b/ives-responds-to-california-becoming-a-sanctuary-state?e=985ad8c00b

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Balich sees high taxes as fueling exodus from ‘broke state’ – Angela Underwood
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511306950-balich-sees-high-taxes-as-fueling-exodus-from-broke-state

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives pledges to repeal “extreme and dangerous” Trust Act
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/ives-pledges-to-repeal-extreme-and-dangerous-trust-act/
— Mayor Emanuel, CPD Supt. Johnson respond *** Kennedy claims a “strategic gentrification plan” is deliberately forcing people of color to leave Chicago
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/kennedy-claims-a-strategic-gentrification-plan-is-deliberately-forcing-people-of-color-to-leave-chicago/
— Rauner makes some budget promises
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/rauner-makes-some-budget-promises/
— Rauner foundation donates $100K to Cairo Port project, but lots more needed
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/rauner-foundation-donates-100k-to-cairo-port-project-but-lots-more-needed/
— Pressed on anti-violence specifics, Kennedy says banning legislators from property tax appeals work is his top issue
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/pressed-on-anti-violence-specifics-kennedy-says-banning-legislators-from-property-tax-appeals-work-is-his-top-issue/

BLAZE
— Pennsylvania State Police urge gun owners to give up firearms to get medical marijuana – Sarah Taylor (DIERSEN: Further, to buy pot, you should be required to give up your driver’s license.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/03/pennsylvania-state-police-urge-gun-owners-to-give-up-firearms-to-get-medical-marijuana

HOT AIR
— “Morale Has Never Been Lower”: Federal Gov’t Employment Declines In First Trump Year – ED MORRISSEY (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, a) virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats and b) whenever Republican politicians did something harmful to federal employees, they took their anger out on me.)
https://hotair.com/archives/2018/01/02/morale-never-lower-federal-govt-employment-declines-first-trump-year/

FOX NEWS INSIDER
— ‘Essentially Un-American’: Varney Calls Out Bloated Salaries of Federal Gov’t Employees – Stuart Varney (DIERSEN: Varney should acknowledge that 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. I doubt that Varney or anyone who agrees with him would ever stoop to take a job with the federal government.)
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/01/03/stuart-varney-report-federal-employee-pay-reveals-essentially-un-american-bureaucracy

GOPUSA
— Felons welcome! Fake road signs mock California’s new status as ‘sanctuary state’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36358
— Hillary donors paid $700K in hunt for Trump accusers
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36301
— Trump to announce awards for worst ‘fake news’ journalism (DIERSEN: It would be great if my critics/opponents would a) get together, b) review each of the almost 290,400 articles that I have included links to in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2004, c) identify all those articles that they disapprove of and explain in detail why they disapprove of each of them, d) identify all my comments in those emails that they disapprove of and explain in detail why they disapprove of each of them, and e) provide me with the aforesaid information in writing so that I could respond to it. In addition, it would be great if my critics/opponents would provide me with a written list of all those who are on their blacklists so that I could respond to that.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36361
— Renters Win in Tax Law; Dems Lie About It (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36307
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Renters came out winners under the new tax law. For over a century, the federal tax code catered to homeowners and treated renters like second-class citizens. Homeowners have been able to deduct interest on their mortgages and home equity loans, as well as property taxes. Meanwhile, everyone, including renters, footed the bill for these deductions by paying higher rates. The new tax law at last begins leveling the playing field between renters and homeowners. Millions of New Yorkers and Californians reap the benefits, because these states have among the lowest rates of homeownership in the nation, and renting is common. So ignore the hyperventilating from Democratic politicians that tax reform is a gift to the rich. New York Senator Chuck Schumer condemns the new tax law as “a gut shot to the middle class” while “rewarding the wealthiest among us.” Just the opposite is true. Tax reform benefits renters living in urban areas — a key Democratic constituency. Democrats are usually eager to slap taxes on millionaires. But today, they’re defending deductions that benefit only the wealthiest homeowners in the country’s most expensive East and West Coast enclaves. Places like Westchester County, New York, and Marin County, California. Under the new tax law, everyone — renters and homeowners alike — will have their tax rates cut and their standard deduction almost doubled. Most will end up paying less tax. To cover the cost of these cuts, the law caps the mortgage deduction for buyers of the priciest real estate. Few homebuyers will even notice it, because they’re not borrowing $750,000 or more. Last year, only 4 percent of homebuyers borrowed that much, and only about 100,000 buyers will take out such huge mortgages in 2018. It’s true that the cap will likely hit the wallets of the bicoastal elite. Some 64 percent of buyers in Manhattan’s rarefied real estate market took out a mortgage that big, and 58 percent of San Francisco buyers did. But the tax change certainly won’t hurt middle class first-time homebuyers. On average, they buy homes with a median price of $182,500. In the past, the tax code encouraged wealthy homeowners to buy even bigger homes and borrow more. Great for the wealthy and the banks. No much help for the average Joe. Homeownership isn’t any higher than in the late 1960s — with only 64 percent of households owning their own home. For minorities, the goal is even farther out of reach, with only 46 percent of black families and Hispanic families owning their home. So disregard the partisan claim that lowering the cap on the mortgage interest deduction is going to hurt the middle class. The other major deduction for homeowners has been property taxes. The new law puts a $10,000 lid on deducting all state and local taxes combined, whether income, sales, or property taxes. Homeowners in most of the nation don’t have much to worry about. Hardest hit are a few tony counties with multimillion dollar homes like Westchester County, New York, where the average property tax tab is a whopping $15,000. For that, the streets should be paved with gold. But only one-fifth of New York property owners pay over $10,000 and about 30 percent of New Jersey homeowners do. Schumer rants against the new tax law, claiming it hurts “middle-class and working families.” Baloney. Tax reform makes the tax code more progressive, not less. It imposes added costs on the wealthiest homeowners to fund across-the-board tax breaks for all filers. Including renters. Homeowners still have the option of taking deductions for most mortgage interest and property taxes, but almost all will crunch the numbers and find it pays to take the nearly doubled standard deduction instead. Only 5 percent of filers are expected to itemize. California’s Jerry Brown calls the tax law “evil in the extreme.” That’s demagoguery. Most taxpayers will end up with more money in their wallets. Betsy McCaughey is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research and a former lieutenant governor of New York State.)

DAILY SIGNAL
— The ‘Dreamers’ Have No Right to Demand Anything – Peter Parisi
http://dailysignal.com/2018/01/03/why-dreamers-have-no-right-to-demand-anything/

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Not-So-Beautiful Dreamers: The Reality Behind the Media Airbrushing – Hans A. von Spakovsky
http://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/not-so-beautiful-dreamers-the-reality-behind-the-media-airbrushing

THE HILL
— Labor Department eyes drug test rule for unemployment pay – LYDIA WHEELER
http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/367154-labor-department-eyes-drug-test-rule-for-unemployment-pay
— In the long run, low-wage workers lose out in ‘Fight for $15’ – JACK SALMON
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/367111-in-the-long-run-low-wage-workers-lose-out-in-fight-for-15

POLITICO
— Trump disbands voter fraud commission
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/03/trump-disbands-voter-fraud-commission-322621

WASHINGTON POST
— Cuomo says New York will sue over GOP tax law – Jeff Stein (DIERSEN: Will all those across America who prepaid their real estate taxes have the opportunity to be parties in class action lawsuits?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/01/03/cuomo-says-new-york-will-sue-over-gop-tax-law/?utm_term=.83aff040f025
(FROM THE ARTICLES: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that New York state will sue the federal government over the new Republican tax law, but legal experts are skeptical the lawsuit will hold up in court. Cuomo said New York will challenge a provision of the law that limits how much Americans can deduct from their federal taxes for payments made to state and local governments. Many of the people most affected by that provision live in states run by Democrats, which tend to have higher state and local tax rates. Cuomo, widely seen as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, said the provision is “violative of states’ rights and the principle of equal protection.”)
— Trump portrayed as uninformed, unprepared and lacking focus in unflattering new book – John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-portrayed-as-uninformed-unprepared-and-lacking-focus-in-unflattering-new-book/2018/01/03/f63895f8-f0bd-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html
— Trump abolishes controversial commission studying voter fraud – John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-abolishes-controversial-commission-studying-voter-fraud/2018/01/03/665b1878-f0e2-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Why Steve Bannon’s revolt may only wind up strengthening establishment Republicans – NOAH ROTHMAN
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/bannon-revolt-wind-strengthening-establishment-article-1.3735860

FED WEEK
— Mileage Rates Increase Slightly (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes remain furious that the Post Office paid me millage when I a) used my 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint to deliver mail during 1966 and 1967, b) used my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 to deliver mail in 1968, and used my 1969 Dodge Charger SE to deliver mail in 1969. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes remain furious that IRS paid me mileage when I used my 1962 Chevy BelAir to collect delinquent taxes 1971-1978.)
http://www.fedweek.com/federal-managers-daily-report/mileage-rates-increase-slightly/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: GSA has announced the calendar year 2018 mileage reimbursement rates for federal employees using personal vehicles while on official business and as authorized by the agency. The new rates are: for the use of a privately owned automobile, 54.5 cents per mile if no government-owned vehicle is available and 18 cents per mile if one is available; for a motorcycle, 51.5 cents per mile; for a privately owned airplane, $1.21 per mile. The so-called “POV” rate, the most closely watched, mirrors a recent increase by the IRS in a comparable rate used for certain tax deduction purposes. The GSA typically mirrors the IRS regarding that rate in setting the federal employee rate, although it is not required to.)

December 31 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Massive, maligned Medicaid managed care expansion to start – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/medicaid-illinois-managed-care-expansion/
— Without an independent judiciary, we are all at risk – Robert P. Cummins, former chairman, Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, it acted like it was run by Democrats. If GAO had been “independent,” it would not have a) forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, b) always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, c) not promote me beyond GS-13, d) gotten rid of my mentor in 1987, e) kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and e) forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/letters-without-an-independent-judiciary-we-are-all-at-risk/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “As 2017 ends, Republicans struggle to counter a Democratic wave.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-republicans-democratic-wave-20171231-story.html
— 2 protesters in Iran killed as social media apps blocked – AP (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted to block my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. They blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-iran-protests-deaths-20171230-story.html
— Supreme Court to take up Ohio’s purges of inactive voters – AP (DIERSEN: How much deadwood is there on the voter rolls in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and in America?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-ohio-inactive-voters-supreme-court-20171231-story.html
— New year means fare hikes, new and ongoing roadwork – Mary Wisniewski
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-new-year-transportation-getting-around-20171231-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Supreme Court to take up Ohio’s purges of inactive voters – AP (DIERSEN: How much deadwood is there on the voter rolls in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and in America?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171231/news/312319962/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Make a resolution to be an engaged citizen in 2018 – Editorial (DIERSEN: Those who want to become a more engaged citizen should read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171230/our-view-make-resolution-to-be-engaged-citizen-in-2018
— Tools to becoming a more engaged citizen (DIERSEN: Those who want to become a more engaged citizen should read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171230/tools-to-becoming-more-engaged-citizen

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
–DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Anticipation high as California rolls out retail pot sales – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/anticipation-high-as-california-rolls-out-retail-pot-sales/893318829
— Iran restricts social media and issues stern warning to protesters Protests continue as gas and food prices rise – MARILIA BROCCHETTO AND DAKIN ANDONE (DIERSEN: Who wants to restrict you and what you do? I should write a book about those who want to restrict me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/world-news/report-two-killed-during-protests-in-iran/893131609

CHRISTIAN POST
— Powerful: Race and Gender Analysis of the 100 Largest Churches in America Insights about America’s megachurches. – Jonathan Merritt
https://www.christianpost.com/voice/powerful-race-and-gender-analysis-of-the-100-largest-churches-in-america.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: None of America’s 100 largest churches are LGBTQ-affirming. . . 93 percent of America’s 100 largest churches are led by a white pastor. . .Only 1 of America’s 100 largest churches has a female pastor)

DAILY CALLER
— Trump: Dem Elections In 2018 Would ‘Totally Kill’ Wealth Created In 2017 – Saagar Enjeti
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/31/trump-dem-elections-in-2018-would-totally-kill-wealth-created-in-2017/
— California Prosecutes Man For Posting Anti-Muslim Messages On Facebook – Anders Hagstrom
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/30/california-prosecutes-man-for-posting-anti-muslim-messages-on-facebook/
— People Freak Out After Oregon Strikes Law Banning Self-Service Gas Stations – Chris White (DIERSEN: I pumped gasoline in 1966 and 1970-1972.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/31/people-freak-out-after-oregon-strikes-law-banning-self-service-gas-stations/

NEWSMAX
— Trump: Voting Dem in ’18 ‘Will Totally Kill the Great Wealth Created’
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-tweets-electing-dems/2017/12/31/id/834451/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: If the federal government is the “most generous employers ever,” why do so few apply to be federal employees? ANSWER: 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.)
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/report-federal-worker-minimum-wage-is-100000-85-weeks-off/article/2644553

THE HILL
— Tax bill is the rising tide that will lift all Americans’ boats – JAMES P. PINKERTON
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/366880-tax-bill-is-the-rising-tide-that-will-lift-all-americans-boats
— Election integrity commission has been ‘bogged down in litigation’ – BRETT SAMUELS (DIERSEN: How much deadwood is there on the voter rolls in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and in America?)
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/366934-kobach-election-integrity-commission-has-been-bogged-down-in-litigation

WASHINGTON POST
— The Dow nears 25,000, the ‘death tax’ lives and other 2017 surprises – Allan Sloan
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-dow-nears-25000-the-death-tax-still-lives-and-other-2017-surprises/2017/12/31/1caa2766-ea69-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html
— Working out the new tax law’s implications could be painful – Robert Engelman, Takoma Park
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/working-out-the-new-tax-laws-implications-could-be-painful/2017/12/31/d864746a-ecb3-11e7-956e-baea358f9725_story.html

FORBES
— TRAGIC: Half Of U.S. Kids 3 And Under Await Congress On Children’s Health Funding 49% or 7.7 million children ages 3 and younger relied on CHIP or Medicaid insurance for poor Americans in 2015 – Bruce Japsen
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2017/12/31/half-of-u-s-kids-3-and-under-await-congress-on-childrens-health-funding/#2ea2e75274b0

December 27 Evening Edition

FOX BUSINESS
— IRS cautions U.S. taxpayers on prepaying property taxes – AP
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/12/27/irs-cautions-u-s-taxpayers-on-prepaying-property-taxes.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In a notice on its website, the IRS said that, in general, a full deduction for the prepayment of state or local property taxes depends on whether the taxpayer makes the payment this year and whether the property taxes are assessed prior to 2018. “A prepayment of anticipated real property taxes that have not been assessed prior to 2018 are not deductible in 2017,” the IRS notice said. “State or local law determines whether and when a property tax is assessed, which is generally when the taxpayer becomes liable for the property tax imposed,” it said.)

WASHINGTON POST
— IRS says taxpayers trying to use deduction that will be scaled back can prepay 2018 property taxes only under limited circumstances
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/12/27/irs-says-taxpayers-trying-to-use-deduction-that-will-be-scaled-back-can-prepay-2018-property-taxes-only-under-limited-circumstances/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Many Americans have rushed to prepay their 2018 property taxes and save on their federal taxes, hoping to take advantage of a tax deduction that will be scaled back in the new tax law passed by Republicans last week. The Internal Revenue Service confirmed Wednesday that taxpayers will be able to take advantage of the maneuver — but only under limited circumstances. The IRS said that taxpayers can claim an additional property tax deduction when paying their 2017 taxes if they pay the tax this year and if the local tax authority has notified homeowners prior to 2018 of how much they owe in property taxes, known as a tax assessment. State and local laws vary as to when this occurs. For individuals who rushed to prepay their property taxes based on estimates about how much they’d owe, the decision could prove a frustration as it may be difficult to cancel those payments. Local tax officials in affected localities will now be forced to interpret the decision for their residents. This is a developing story. It will be updated.)
— As California legalizes pot, laws collide at US checkpoints – AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/as-california-legalizes-pot-laws-collide-at-us-checkpoints/2017/12/27/3704f4f4-eb24-11e7-956e-baea358f9725_story.html

MERCURY NEWS
— The Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday that taxpayers could prepay their 2018 property taxes only if they have already received a tax assessment from their local government and they make payment by the end of the year. – Jeff Stein
https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/irs-setting-limits-for-prepaying-property-taxes/

TIME
— A last-minute announcement by the IRS could hurt many taxpayers rushing to prepay their 2018 property taxes before the end of the year. Late Wednesday, the IRS announced that filers could claim their 2018 property tax payments on their 2017 federal taxes only if the taxes had been assessed in 2017. – JOHN PATRICK PULLEN
http://time.com/5080756/irs-prepay-property-tax-deduction-2017-2018-limit/

LOUIS TODAY
— IRS cautions taxpayers on prepaying property taxes
http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/irs-cautions-taxpayers-on-prepaying-property-taxes/article_69604762-174c-5f7d-9a1d-37693d9d1ce8.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In a notice on its website, the IRS said that, in general, a full deduction for the prepayment of state or local property taxes depends on whether the taxpayer makes the payment this year and whether the property taxes are assessed prior to 2018. “A prepayment of anticipated real property taxes that have not been assessed prior to 2018 are not deductible in 2017,” the IRS notice said. “State or local law determines whether and when a property tax is assessed, which is generally when the taxpayer becomes liable for the property tax imposed,” it said.)

NAPERVILLE PATCH
— Here’s How To Prepay Your Taxes & Potentially Save Big Before the GOP law takes effect Monday, people are paying their property taxes early. – Caitlin Ketel
https://patch.com/illinois/naperville/heres-how-prepay-your-taxes-potentially-save-big

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ILLINOISANS STAND IN LINE TO PAY 2018 PROPERTY TAXES EARLY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/illinoisans-stand-in-line-to-pay-2018-property-taxes-early.html
— RAUNER CHALLENGER SAYS SHE’S NOT HEARTLESS. SHE’S GOT A HEART FOR THE STATE’S TAXPAYERS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/rauner-challenger-says-shes-not-heartless-shes-got-a-heart-for-the-states-taxpayers.html
— EMERGENCY INJUNCTION SOUGHT TO STOP ILLINOIS TAXPAYER ABORTION FUNDING FROM STARTING JAN 1
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/emergency-injunction-sought-to-stop-illinois-taxpayer-abortion-funding-from-starting-jan-1.html
— FEDERAL INCARCERATION REPORT SHOWS 20 PERCENT OF FEDERAL INMATES AS ILLEGAL ALIENS – AP
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/federal-incarceration-report-20-percent-of-federal-inmates-are-illegal-aliens.html

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Property taxpayers in Chicago area scramble to pay 2018 bills before rules change – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-property-taxes-pay-ahead-20171227-story.html
— Residents jam Kane County treasurer’s office to pay taxes in 2017, avoid GOP law’s deduction cap – David Sharos
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-early-taxes-st-1228-20171227-story.html
— 2018 to be another rough year for Chicago taxpayers – Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-2018-tax-increases-20171214-story.html
— As a fan of big government, I fear Trump disappointing his base – Ron Grossman (DIERSEN: How has “big government” impacted your career? In 1971 when I was 22 years old, “big government” got Oldsmobile to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. Because of that, Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-grossman-big-government-20171220-story.html
— Cook County sues pharmaceutical companies over opioid epidemic – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-cook-county-opioid-lawsuit-20171227-story.html
— The case for pessimism in the age of Trump – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-pessimism-optimism-despair-1228-20171227-story.html
— Paul Ryan’s ‘pro-white’ primary foe denounced by Breitbart after his anti-Semitic tweets – David Weigel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-paul-nehlen-wisconsin-gop-primary-20171227-story.html

CBS2
— Thousands In Cook County Pay Property Taxes Early To Beat Trump Tax Bill – Bernie Tafoya
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/27/thousands-cook-county-pay-property-taxes-early/

ABC7
— Activist William Calloway says he has enough signatures to get on the ballot in the election for the representative for Illinois’ 25th District, and says those objecting to him don’t have the legal standing to do so.
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/activist-running-for-state-office-says-objectors-have-no-legal-standing/2827392/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Cook County’s lawsuit part of statewide effort to address opioid epidemic – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/cook-county-lawsuit-part-of-statewide-effort-to-address-opioid-epidemic/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps badmouth Trump.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-stands-against-everything-america-stands-for-robert-reich/
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-always-someone-else-fault-jacob-sullum/
— Response to opioid epidemic proves drug addiction isn’t color blind – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/mitchell-whitewash-of-opioid-epidemic-deadly-for-urban-communities/

DAILY HERALD
— Naperville working to lower city portion of property tax bill – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171227/naperville-working-to-lower-city-portion-of-property-tax-bill

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Handicappers keeping close eye on Roskam’s re-election bid – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171227/BLOGS02/171229937/handicappers-keeping-close-eye-on-roskams-re-election-bid
— World’s wealthiest became $1 trillion richer in 2017 – Bloomberg
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171227/NEWS01/171229940/worlds-wealthiest-became-1-trillion-richer-in-2017

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— University of Illinois stands alone with enrollment rise – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-27/kacich-ui-stands-alone-with-enrollment-rise.html

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE
— Congressional hopefuls have objections spelled out Will some candidates be knocked off ballot? – Brett Herrmann
http://www.newstrib.com/free/congressional-hopefuls-have-objections-spelled-out/article_c958e69a-eb14-11e7-be78-9f44370ed34f.html

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Quincy City Council expands video gaming – Doug Wilson
http://www.whig.com/20171227/quincy-city-council-expands-video-gaming-agrees-to-buy-firetrucks-radio-system#

JOURNAL & TOPICS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Win Cafe Open For Video Gambling In Niles – Tom Robb
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/win-cafe-open-for-video-gambling-in-niles/

ROCK ISLAND TODAY
— Rock Island GOP slams Halpin’s alleged quid pro quo
https://rockislandtoday.com/stories/511303148-rock-island-gop-slams-halpin-s-alleged-quid-pro-quo

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Wheaton-Warrenville District 200 approves extending superintendent’s contract – ERIC SCHELKOPF
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/12/22/wheaton-warrenville-district-200-approves-extending-superintendents-contract/amn9rvl/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— GOP congressman Francis Rooney explains his call for FBI ‘purge’ – ELI WATKINS (DIERSEN: What if my Illinois GOP U.S. Senators and Illinois GOP U.S. Representatives had called for a purge a) at GAO when my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) at IRS when my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) at the Post Office when my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968?)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/gop-congressman-explains-his-call-for-fbi-purge/889387650

WGLT
— On Your Mark, Get Set, Grab Tax Credits – DUSTY RHODES
http://wglt.org/post/your-mark-get-set-grab-tax-credits-0#stream/0

RUSS STEWART
— FOR MALE POLITICIANS, 2018 WILL BE THE “YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY”
http://www.russstewart.com/articles/2017/12-27-2017.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Every male politician on the 2018 ballot, either in a primary or election, should be utterly, totally paranoid — especially if they are an alpha male. Just one allegation of a past sexual indiscretion will be fatal. Democrats are clearing out their miscreants, like Al Franken. Republicans caught a break when Roy Moore lost in Alabama. 2018 will be a non-tolerance year. But the Republicans’ 51-49 U.S. Senate majority is not necessarily in jeopardy. Democrats will try to make it a referendum on President Trump. It may not work.)

ILLINOIS WATCHDOG
— ‘Worst-ever’ 2017 can still get worse in 2018 – Dan McCaleb
https://www.watchdog.org/illinois/op-ed-worst-ever-can-still-get-worse-in/article_2dcf4413-4647-52a7-8fc7-edc40c15e941.html

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Maine Township – Supervisor & Clerk violate Open Meetings Act & Township law. – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/maine-township-supervisor-clerk-violate-open-meetings-act-township-law/
— Jasper Co. School Board violates their own policy, use targeted bullying – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/jasper-co-school-board-violates-their-own-policy-use-targeted-bullying/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Emergency Injunction Against Taxpayer-Funded Abortions Sought in Lawsuit Against Illinois Officials
https://illinoisfamily.org/life/emergency-injunction-taxpayer-funded-abortions-sought-lawsuit-illinois-officials/

BREITBART
— 200 Middle East Nationals with ‘Mental Health’ Issues to Arrive in U.S. as Refugees Next Year – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/27/report-200-middle-east-nationals-with-mental-health-issues-to-arrive-in-u-s-as-refugees-next-year/

BLAZE
— ‘Problem of Whiteness’ course offered at college despite GOP lawmakers calling for it to be canceled – Sarah Taylor
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/27/problem-of-whiteness-course-offered-at-college-despite-gop-lawmakers-calling-for-it-to-be-canceled

DAILY SIGNAL
— 1 of Every 5 Federal Employees Has a 6-Figure Salary – Rachel del Guidice (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.)
http://dailysignal.com/2017/12/27/1-every-5-government-employees-6-figure-salary/

LIFE NEWS
— Pro-Life People in Illinois Seek Injunction to Not be Forced to Fund Abortions – TOM CIESIELKA
http://www.lifenews.com/2017/12/27/pro-life-people-in-illinois-seek-injunction-to-not-be-forced-to-fund-abortions/

NATIONAL LAW REVIEW
— Take a Number: States and Cities Line Up to Ban Salary History Questions (DIERSEN: What about government employees? Government salaries are public and those who despise if not hate government employees viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn government employees as being grossly overpaid. I was a demonized, denigrated, and condemned government employee for almost 30 years. In my defense, 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.natlawreview.com/article/take-number-states-and-cities-line-to-ban-salary-history-questions

NEW YORK TIMES
— Who’s Winning the Culture War? Corporate America. – DAVID A. HOPKINSDE (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, corporate America paints itself as being 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 for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/opinion/culture-war-corporate-america.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Federal agents can still seize marijuana at California checkpoints despite legalization
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-fed-pot-california-20171227-story.html

FED WEEK
— EEOC rules on affirmative action for persons with disabilities that become enforceable January 3 require agencies to have written, easily available and understood reasonable accommodation procedures and a written explanation whenever a request for a reasonable accommodation is denied. (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO in its Chicago office 1980-1997, my Democrat superiors assigned me to supervise all their employees who had disabilities.)
http://www.fedweek.com/federal-managers-daily-report/eeoc-affirmative-action-rules-address-obligations/

December 24 Morning Edition

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Ives’ candidacy a thorn in Rauner’s side – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-24/tom-kacich-ives-candidacy-thorn-rauners-side.html

ABC7
— Judge partially lifts Trump administration ban on refugees – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/judge-partially-lifts-trump-administration-ban-on-refugees/2817496/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump criticizes FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe as he plans retirement – AP (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors always wanted to replace me with a Democrat, and especially with a Democrat who was minority, female, and/or younger. 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://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-reacts-to-reports-of-fbi-deputy-directors-retirement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: McCabe plans to retire in about 90 days, when he becomes fully eligible for pension benefits, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the situation. Trump and his Republican allies have made it clear that they want McCabe out of the FBI. But McCabe is a civil service employee who cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an all-of-the-front page editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps glorify and praise a) those who come to America illegally, b) those who stay in America illegally, and c) those who bring others to America illegally.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/maria-no-documents-no-health-insurance-cancer-fight-angels-rush/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Mexico’s leftist presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador puts country first, resists Trump comparison – AP (DIERSEN: Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America. If elected, will Obrador a) stop Mexico from sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally; b) bring back to Mexico its many millions of citizens who are in America illegally, and c) stop Mexico from sending many mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mexico-leftist-presidential-front-runner-20171223-story.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Answers must be provided in Quincy Veterans Home outbreaks – Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171223/our-view-answers-must-be-provided-in-quincy-veterans-home-outbreaks

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— Thumbs-down to obstacles to letting the public decide size of their government – Editorial
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/22/our-view-thumbs-down-to-obstacles-to-letting-the-public-decide-size-of-their-government/a51me3n/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Thumbs-down: To state Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock. Reick has filed a bill in Springfield that would make it harder for residents to decide the size and scope of their local government. Reick’s proposal, House Bill 4190, would require township trustees to pay an independent contractor for a cost study before they could ask voters about whether to eliminate township road districts. Reick apparently thinks that an independent contractor needs to give the OK before residents can have a voice in shaping their government. That’s nonsense. This proposal is a transparent attempt to make it more difficult to pare down township government, likely at the behest of officials who work in township government and their political allies. Here’s the truth: Those Illinoisans who haven’t already fled this state are tired of paying high property taxes to support the most units of local government of any state in the nation. We need officials to remove the roadblocks and allow us to decide how many people govern us, and what they are paid to do it. Voters will not approve a ballot initiative that they do not believe will benefit them.)

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois drops to No. 6 among most populous states – Chris Coates
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/illinois-drops-to-no-among-most-populous-states/article_f3720c93-4e93-523e-af48-224cff74fa71.html

HERALD NEWS
— Minooka village levy to increase for funding pension plans – KRIS STADALSKY
http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/20/minooka-village-levy-to-increase-for-funding-pension-plans/a23efvv/

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois Republican congressmen differ on national concealed carry reciprocity – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/illinois-republican-congressmen-differ-on-national-concealed-carry-reciprocity/article_01f0e068-e686-11e7-b192-4bb6a92ab262.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Coalition Letter Urges Trump Administration to Resist Courts on “Transgenders” in Military – John Biver
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/coalition-letter-urges-trump-administration-resist-courts-transgenders-military/

BREITBART
— Amnesty: GOP ‘Gang of 33’ Silent on Required Tax Increases, Budget Cuts – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/23/amnesty-gop-gang-34-silent-required-tax-increases-budget-cuts/

NBC NEWS
— Liberal or Conservative? Where you shop reveals how you vote – DANTE CHINNI
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/business-of-the-holidays/liberal-or-conservative-where-you-shop-reveals-how-you-vote-n831536

NEW YORK TIMES
— Life, Death and Taxes in Inequality City – Ginia Bellafante
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/nyregion/life-death-and-taxes-in-inequality-city.html

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Protesters head to Chuck Schumer’s house to blast failure on Dream Act – DALE W. EISINGER and RICH SCHAPIRO
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/protesters-blast-chuck-schumer-failure-safeguard-dream-act-article-1.3718108

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats aim to turn tax plan into cudgel in 2018 midterms – AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dems-aim-to-turn-tax-plan-into-cudgel-in-2018-midterms/2017/12/24/2d0a7b72-e8ae-11e7-956e-baea358f9725_story.html
— Most federal employees in D.C.-Baltimore area to receive 2.3 percent raise in January – Eric Yoder
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/23/most-federal-employees-in-d-c-baltimore-area-to-receive-2-3-percent-raise-in-january/?utm_term=.e8ca8d7b0493
— Washington careerists work to undermine Trump’s agenda – Christopher Flavelle and Benjamin Bain (DIERSEN: Because I have always opposed political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination, a) my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/washington-careerists-work-to-undermine-trump-s-agenda/article_4e69fbf6-1fc2-5770-afdc-693af7b2c9a6.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In the long run, career staff can face consequences for resisting presidential policy. While it’s hard to outright fire a civil servant, congressional Republicans in January gave themselves the ability to reduce the annual pay for any individual federal employee to $1. An administration can also punish bureaucrats through punitive reassignments, designed to make them quit. Joel Clement, a senior policy manager at the Department of Interior, was moved to the accounting office in June — retaliation, he alleged, for speaking out about the risks of climate change.)

MONEY MAGAZINE
— The Insane Amount of Money Millionaires Say They Need to be Happy – KRISTEN BAHLER (DIERSEN: What is the main reason why you have less money than you have now? For me, it was my Democrat superiors who wasted my career and forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
http://time.com/money/5071182/money-happiness-million/

MOTLEY FOOL
— 3 Money Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Retirement If you make this mistake, you face almost a 60% chance of running out of cash during retirement. – Christy Bieber
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/12/24/3-money-mistakes-that-could-ruin-your-retirement.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 3. Retiring too early Because of historically low bond rates and Americans’ longer life spans, many longstanding ideas about retirement — like the assumption that you can withdraw 4% or more from your retirement accounts each year without running out of money — no longer apply. In fact, in 2013 researchers from The American College and Morningstar found that a senior following the 4% rule stood a 57% chance of running out of cash when returns were calculated based on current rates. Retiree spending falls into predictable patterns. Retirees spend more during early retirement, when they’re healthy enough to travel and indulge their hobbies. They spend less during the middle of retirement as their health declines and energy wane, and in the late stage of retirement they spend more as costly health issues arise. This means that if you exhaust your savings, you’re likely to be short on cash at a time when you’re too old to work. To avoid this predicament, it’s imperative you accurately calculate how much you’ll need for retirement and how much you can safely withdraw without putting your future at risk. If your projected withdrawals don’t provide enough money to cover your expected costs, think about working longer or lowering your costs of living.)