Tag: retiree

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

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives releases new ad: “Lead the Charge”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/ives-releases-new-ad-lead-the-charge/
— Ives slams Rauner over Trump comments
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/ives-slams-rauner-over-trump-comments/
— Durbin vouches for Pritzker in new Downstate ad
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/durbin-vouches-for-pritzker-in-new-downstate-ad/
— Rauner on relationship with Uihlein: “Can’t say there is one”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/rauner-on-relationship-with-uihlein-can%E2%80%99t-say-there-is-one/
— “I feel the state of Illinois is forcing me toward opioid use when a better alternative exists”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/i-feel-the-state-of-illinois-is-forcing-me-toward-opioid-use-when-a-better-alternative-exists/
— Can you negotiate with cancer?
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/can-you-negotiate-with-cancer/
— Hastings, Tom Cullerton, DGA, Ives, Pritzker, McSweeney, Kennedy respond – Director said caught off guard in 2015 – Rep. Kifowit responds *** Rauner says state did “exceptionally well” and “we would not do anything different” to prevent Quincy veterans’ home deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/rauner-says-state-did-exceptionally-well-and-we-would-not-do-anything-different-after-quincy-veterans-home-deaths/
— IDPH slammed for not spending $10 million in appropriated HIV funding
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/09/idph-slammed-for-not-spending-10-million-in-appropriated-hiv-funding/

 

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/

 

  1. 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.)

December 17 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump labor adviser’s plan for cutting federal compensation, potentially even paid holidays – Joe Davidson (DIERSEN: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/18/trump-labor-advisers-plan-for-cutting-federal-compensation-potentially-even-paid-holidays/

November 30 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kill the tax bill – Robert Samuelson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-republican-tax-reform-20171129-story.html
— Why Bruce Rauner is ‘applaudin’ Congress’ – Monique Garcia (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, under Republican “tax plan,” the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-congress-taxes-20171130-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Professional services need competitive bidding – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171129/professional-services-need-competitive-bidding

 

WGN RADIO
— “Can we at least write President Trump up for violating our country’s social media policy?” – PETER ZIMMERMAN
http://wgnradio.com/2017/11/29/the-carry-out-11-29-17-can-we-at-least-write-president-trump-up-for-violating-our-countrys-social-media-policy/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Pritzker doesn’t seek cash as he backs labor – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171129/bernard-schoenburg-pritzker-doesnt-seek-cash-as-he-backs-labor

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— In St. Charles speech, Trump says tax plan will bring back jobs, help Main Street – JOSEPH BUSTOS (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, under Republican “tax plan,” the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay. My and my wife’s 2016 federal income tax return shows that we had $30,890 in itemized deductions. We paid $21,433 in medical and dental expenses and we were able to deduct $13,859 of that, we paid $12,835 in real estate taxes, we paid $1,468 in state income taxes, and we made $2,728 in 501(c)(3) contributions. From what I see, outrageously, the proposed “tax reform” is designed to a) punish those who have high medical and dental expenses, b) discourage homeownership, and c) discourage taking job-related graduate courses. Government should encourage homeownership. The deductibility of mortgage interest and real estate taxes a) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972 when I was 24 years old, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976 and b) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984. Further, government should encourage getting job-related education. The deductibility of job-related education encouraged me to take job-related graduate courses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997.)
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article187151903.html

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Third day of primary filing period sees three new candidates – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-11-30/third-day-primary-filing-period-sees-three-new-candidates.html

 

STATELINE
— America’s judiciary is whiter under Trump 8% of nominees are not white; similar to Reagan – JOAN BISKUPIC
http://www.mystateline.com/news/politics/americas-judiciary-is-whiter-under-trump/870453887

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Don’t give government last word on consolidation – Editorial
http://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-don-t-give-government-last-word-on-consolidation/article_00613109-605e-5b91-bcae-303905885dff.html

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Campaign 2018: Rauner Vs. Madigan – CHARLES N. WHEELER III
http://nprillinois.org/post/campaign-2018-rauner-vs-madigan#stream/0

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump claims the GOP tax plan will ‘cost me a fortune’ ‘Believe me, believe me, this is not good for me’ – DAN MERICA AND JEANNE SAHADI (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, under Republican “tax plan,” the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/factcheck-trump-claims-the-gop-tax-plan-will-cost-me-a-fortune/869302450

 

WSIU
— Boosting the Illinois Economy With Workforce Education – BRAD PALMER (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://news.wsiu.org/post/boosting-illinois-economy-workforce-education#stream/0

 

WIRE POINTS
— $750 million in new borrowing: Who will watch how it’s spent? – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/750-million-in-new-borrowing-who-will-watch-how-its-spent-quicktake/

 

CHEROKEE TRIBUNE LEDGER NEWS
— Bipartisan concern in Springfield for rising pension costs – Cole Lauterbach
http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/bipartisan-concern-in-springfield-for-rising-pension-costs/article_d52ae07f-6037-5d3b-bbfe-4044d18c87eb.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Illinois Association of School Boards’ Disturbing Document – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/illinois_association_schools_disturbing_document/
https://illinoisfamily.org/podcast/podcast-illinois-association-school-boards-disturbing-document/

 

THE HILL
— Lipinski v. Newman: Dems set for abortion showdown in Illinois – LISA HAGEN
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/362459-dems-set-for-abortion-showdown-in-illinois

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FORUM (DIERSEN: TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois would still be hosting such candidate forums if my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes had not succeeded in killing TAPROOT in 2012.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/11/30/rush-only-il-rep-who-hasnt-filed-reelection-petitions-gutierrez-testing-2020-228126
— Programming note: We will not publish Illinois Playbook on Friday but will be back Monday. (DIERSEN: GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning since 2004 and each and every evening too since 2015. Those emails included links to more than 288,000 articles and information on many upcoming events.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/11/30/rush-only-il-rep-who-hasnt-filed-reelection-petitions-gutierrez-testing-2020-228126

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Remembering Henry Hyde: Hero of the Pro-Life Movement Reflecting on the legacy of the Illinois congressman ten years after his death – Chuck Donovan
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/454169/henry-hyde-pro-life-hero-died-ten-years-ago

 

THE HILL
— Congress should represent Americans — not illegal aliens – IRA MEHLMAN (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps put illegal aliens over citizens of America.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/362375-congress-should-represent-americans-not-illegal-aliens

 

REUTERS
— Nearly half of Americans oppose Republican tax bill: Reuters/Ipsos poll – Amanda Becker, Chris Kahn
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax-poll/nearly-half-of-americans-oppose-republican-tax-bill-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKBN1DT3BX

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Buried in the Tax Bills, Multiple Unintended Consequences Republicans’ determination to pass overhaul magnifies risks in an already complicated system – Greg Ip (DIERSEN: Obviously, the tax bills a) discourage owning a home and taking job-related graduate courses and b) punish those who have high medical expenses.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/buried-in-the-tax-bills-multiple-unintended-consequences-1511975166
— Taxes: What Would Jesus Do? – Daniel Henninger (DIERSEN: According to anti-Trumps, Jesus is 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. According to anti-Trumps, Jesus promotes dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/taxes-what-would-jesus-do-1511997571
— The Internet Is Dying. Repealing Net Neutrality Hastens That Death. – Farhad Manjoo (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout want to manipulate/dominate the internet. My critics/opponents have done, are doing, and will increasingly do everything that they can to a) stop me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS together and sending them out, b) stop everyone from reading those emails, and c) stop everyone from visiting www.gopillinois.com. My critics/opponents do not want me to a) know about their events and other activities, b) promote their events and other activities, c) attend their events and other activities, and d) report on their events and other activities.)

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: It Started as a Tax Cut. Now It Could Change American Life. More inequality likely. – Peter S. Goodman and Patricia Cohen (DIERSEN: The tax plan a) discourages owning a home and taking job-related graduate courses and b) punishes those who have high medical and dental expenses.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/business/republican-tax-cut.html
— The Senate Is Rushing to Pass Its Tax Bill Because It Stinks – Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/opinion/senate-tax-bill-problems-rush.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/technology/internet-dying-repeal-net-neutrality.html


— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Trump Shares Inflammatory Anti-Muslim Videos, and Britain’s Leader Condemns Them – Peter Baker and Eileen Sullivan (DIERSEN: Since 2000, ever-increasingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have focused on a) stopping me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out and b) stopping everyone from reading those emails. Failing that, they ever-increasingly punish me for including links in the emails to articles that they do not like. Ever-increasingly, they make it clear that they do not want me to a) know about their events and other activities, b) promote their events and other activities, c) attend their events and other activities, and d) report on their events and other activities. My critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. They are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means. They are “rule or ruin” types who focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/us/politics/trump-anti-muslim-videos-jayda-fransen.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Trump touched off another racially charged furor on Wednesday by sharing videos from a fringe British ultranationalist group purportedly showing Muslims committing acts of violence, a move that was swiftly condemned by Britain’s prime minister as well as politicians across the spectrum.)

 

MARKET WATCH
— The real reason why Americans can’t save any money (DIERSEN: What has helped you save money? For me, since 1964, it has been taking and keeping jobs that others do not want, being a homeowner rather than a renter, using public transportation, and spending little or nothing on restaurant meals, entertainment, vacations, clothing, booze, gambling, and other vices and immediate pleasures.)
https://www.marketwatch.com/video/the-real-reason-why-americans-cant-save-any-money/B0DDBECE-E0DB-4FD1-80F4-FE70F4C85BA7.html?mod=trending_now_video_1

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— Here’s How to Make Sure You Have a Worry-Free Retirement – Walter Updegrave (DIERSEN: I have had and I will have for the rest of my life far less money because my Democrat superiors in the federal government wasted my career and forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
http://time.com/money/5038703/retiree-fear-retirement-income/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. Figure out how much income you’ll need each year. . .2. Understand how long you may live. . .3. Spend your money in a way that increases the odds that it will last.)