retirement Archives - Page 23 of 40

May 8 Morning Edition

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives, McSweeney endorse Shaw for GOP chairman – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: Questions for your Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) member:

– What are the times, locations, and agendas of the May 19 IRP SCC and Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association meetings in Springfield?
– Do the agendas include public comment periods, and if so, how long and how many minutes will each speaker be limited to?
– What is the status of potential Winchester litigation against the IRP?
– If the 15th Congressional District (CD) IRP SCC position is still in dispute on May 19, will the vote for IRP chairman be postponed or will the vote be taken without the 12.1% 15th CD weighted vote?
– Do you agree with those who believe that if Rose casts the 15th CD weighted vote, Schneider will be reelected and if the vote is taken without the 15th CD weighted vote, or if Winchester casts it, Shaw will be elected?
– In the past, especially in 2005 and 2013, many have sought the IRP chairman position. Why are only two seeking the position now?
– Will the IRP allow Ives to speak in favor of Shaw at the May 19 IRP SCC meeting?
– Who does Schneider want the IRP Executive Director to be? Who does Shaw want the IRP Executive Director to be?
– Would it be correct to say that you will only vote for an IRP chairman candidate who can and will defend and advance all the planks in the Republican Party platform and the IRP platform, including their traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks?
– What is your weighted vote and which IRP chairman candidate are you going to vote for and why?
– How many chairs will the IRP set up for observers at the IRP SCC meeting: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500+?
– Who has asked you to nominate them to serve as your deputy?
– Who has asked you to appoint them to the 2020 IRP State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee?)

https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511408731-ives-mcsweeney-endorse-shaw-for-gop-chairman

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— REPUBLICAN DISUNITY WATCH – Natasha Korecki
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/05/08/lightfoot-mayoral-intrigue-rahms-big-fundraising-ives-rauner-disunity-watch-governors-opioid-win-268448
(FROM THE ARTICLE: During an interview with CLTV’s Paul Lisnek on Monday, state Rep. Jeanne Ives went on a tear against Gov. Bruce Rauner and Tim Schneider, the Illinois Republican Party chairman the governor is backing. Ives, who narrowly lost to Rauner in the March primary, is supporting Schneider’s opponent Mark Shaw in a heated fight over the GOP throne. Among the reasons Ives is backing Shaw: she blames Schneider for the Nazi candidate running as a Republican in Illinois’ 3rd congressional district. “So he’s alienating the base by propping up Schneider again, and Schneider has failed. Look we have 37 state reps, Democrats, unopposed in this coming up election. It is the party chairman’s responsibility to find opponents. We have an avowed Nazi sitting as a Republican in a congressional race, and that’s wrong too. And then on top of it, the entire emphasis from Tim Schneider and Rauner et al over the last campaign cycle is simply to get Rauner elected, and so much of what they did in terms of data collection and everything else did not support our state reps. We need a whole new vision for our party, and a whole new way to attract voters.” And then there’s this exchange. Ouch: Lisnek: “If polls look close come November and it looks like Pritzker could pull it out, would that be enough of a scare for you to look at your supporters and say it’s ok, vote Rauner?” Ives: “I can’t predict what the future’s going to look like, umm, in a few months, so we’ll just see what’s going on.”)

WTTW
— Illinois Cleared for New Mental Health, Addiction Pilot Programs – Amanda Vinicky
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/05/07/illinois-cleared-new-mental-health-addiction-pilot-programs
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As is the question over who will be the party’s next leader. Rauner’s hand-selected chairman, Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider, faces a challenge from Lake County GOP Chairman Mark Shaw, who has won the endorsement of state Rep. Jeanne Ives, who narrowly lost the gubernatorial nomination to Rauner. Ives in a statement said Schneider’s “tenure has been an unmitigated disgrace” and lauds Shaw’s credentials as a “common sense conservative.” Rauner on Monday said Schneider is a “great chairman” and that he supports his re-election by the Republican State Central Committee on May 19. But the governor said, “I also don’t spend any time really thinking about that.” Rauner pushed back against the suggestion that the intra-party divide is a reflection of his own leadership. “Going back as far as I know, and I’ve lived in Illinois my whole life … there have been fights and disagreement and challenges many times over the years. It’s … part of the process,” Rauner said.)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Spoiler Alert! Equal Rights Amendment fight following script from earlier ERA – Mark Brown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/spoiler-alert-equal-rights-amendment-fight-following-script-from-earlier-era/
— Does Lori Lightfoot have a path to victory in crowded race for mayor? – Fran Spielman (DIERSEN: What victory do you seek? Do you have a path to that victory? The victory that my critics/opponents have sought since 2000 has been to stop me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out. They have not had a path to victory. They do not have a path to victory. They will never have a path to victory.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/does-lori-lightfoot-have-a-path-to-victory-in-crowded-race-for-mayor/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Debate over decades-old Equal Rights Amendment will continue in Illinois this month – Bill Lukitsch
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-equal-rights-amendment-20180508-story.html
— Trump hotel in Chicago sued for alleged ADA violations – Robert Channick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-trump-hotel-chicago-ada-lawsuit-20180507-story.html

ABC7
— How to spot fake products online – Jason Knowles and Ann Pistone (DIERSEN: What about fake news? According to my critics/opponents, all news is fake except for the news that they put out or bless.)
http://abc7chicago.com/shopping/how-to-spot-fake-products-online/3441116/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Illinois counties declare ‘sanctuary’ status for gun owners – AP
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180507/illinois-counties-declare-sanctuary-status-for-gun-owners

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Illinois is running in place – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-05-08/editorial-illinois-running-place.html
— Separating politics, policy in progressive-tax plan – Jim Dey
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/2018-05-08/jim-dey-separating-politics-policy-progressive-tax-plan.html

LOUIS POST DISPATCH
— Some candidates aren’t bought and sold by big money – John Keck, Troy (DIERSEN: If you are/were a candidate in Illinois running as a Republican who needs/needed money, did/would you take money from individuals, from organizations, and/or from companies that wanted you to dump the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, or other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform? Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform.)
http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/some-candidates-aren-t-bought-and-sold-by-big-money/article_3860105a-efec-5314-af47-81a7f8aa01b4.html

SOUTHERN
— As SIU Carbondale lost its party school rap, did enrollment suffer? – K. JANIS ESCH
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/siu/as-siu-carbondale-lost-its-party-school-rap-did-enrollment/article_24dc00de-6e9a-56ca-aadc-8559f40270b5.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

NPR ILLINOIS
— Likely 2020 Democratic Candidates Want To Guarantee A Job To Every American – DANIELLE KURTZLEBEN (DIERSEN: Will the guaranteed job be a “good” job, that is, one that has a salary, benefits, promotional opportunities, etc. appropriate for one’s a) work experience, b) education, c) professional certifications, d) professional license, e) etc.?)
http://nprillinois.org/post/likely-2020-democratic-candidates-want-guarantee-job-every-american#stream/0
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “What’s different about the job guarantee is that it is universal and it’s permanent. So it’s an option that would exist not only in times of massive unemployment but it also would exist in times where the unemployment rate is lower,” Darity said. “But we still have large numbers of bad jobs. It’s not just an emergency.” . . . “The idea is that we would then drive bad jobs out of existence,” said Darity, “because no one would be obligated to take those jobs since they would have a superior option.”)

WIRE POINTS
— Beyond Harvey: Many Illinois municipalities running out of options – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
http://www.wirepoints.com/beyond-harvey-many-illinois-municipalities-running-out-of-options-wirepoints-special-report/

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Northwest Indiana officials campaign for Illinoisans to move across the border – Scot Bertram
https://www.ilnews.org/news/economy/northwest-indiana-officials-campaign-for-illinoisans-to-move-across-the/article_32f67290-4fa9-11e8-aa72-0f5ab6cdf549.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives: “You don’t blame-shift when you had 13 deaths”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/08/ives-you-don%E2%80%99t-blame-shift-when-you-had-13-deaths/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Illinois Republicans learn from Illinois Democrats that “Four leaders to meet with Gov. Rauner today.”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/08/four-leaders-to-meet-with-gov-rauner-today/
— Editorial board slammed for calling Mendoza a “lapdog” (DIERSEN: For who/what would your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes say that you are a lapdog for? They would say that I am a lapdog for the Republican Party platform, the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform, and the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) resolution against video gambling. All my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the IRP platform and/or b) reject the MTRCC resolution against video gambling. Rather than try to change/dump the aforesaid, they focus on destroying me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/07/editorial-board-slammed-for-calling-mendoza-a-lapdog/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump to demand Congress cut $15B in spending ‘rescission’ package – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/7/rescission-package-donald-trump-demand-congress-cu/
— White House bashes report that first lady and president sleep apart – Dave Boyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/7/white-house-bashes-report-first-lady-and-president/

CNN
— John McCain has the right to despise Donald Trump – Scott Jennings (DIERSEN: Who despises you and why? I should write a book about those who despise me and why they despise me.)
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/07/opinions/john-mccain-donald-trump-jennings/index.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.S. Markets Regulator Considers Buyouts, Extension of Hiring Freeze Stuck with a flat budget, CFTC also asks other government agencies for help with its work – Gabriel T. Rubin (DIERSEN: What pressures were your employers under? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the agency was almost always under hiring and/or promotion freezes. It suffered very large budget cuts during the mid-1990s. Further, it was always under tremendous pressure from Democrat politicians to hire, to retain, and to promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-markets-regulator-considers-buyouts-extension-of-hiring-freeze-1525771800

BLOOMBERG
— Every Illinoisan Owes $11,000 for Pensions With No Fix in Sight – Elizabeth Campbell
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-08/every-illinoisan-owes-11-000-for-pensions-with-no-fix-in-sight

FEDERAL TIMES
— OPM is out to cut retirement benefits – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: Starting in 1966, when I was 18 years old, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been furious that I was earning credits toward a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. Since 1993, when I was 45 years, old, they have been furious that I had the option to take early retirement. Since 1997, when I was 49 years old, they have been especially furious that I started getting a CSRS pension. Few of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) are earning credits toward a pension or b) are getting a pension; they are filled with envy and hatred.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/pay-benefits/2018/05/07/opm-is-out-to-cut-retirement-benefits/

May 7 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner backs his hand-picked Republican Party chairman for re-election as leadership battle brews – Kim Geiger (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have opposed my using GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails to draw attention to Illinois Republican Party (IRP) issues and Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association (IRCCA) issues. They especially oppose my drawing attention to IRP State Central Committee (SCC) and IRCCA elections, meetings, votes, etc. They want the IRP SCC and the IRCCA to operate under the radar and in smoke-filled back rooms. They do not want Illinois Republicans to know the time, location, or agenda of the May 19 SCC and IRCCA meetings in Springfield. They do not want Illinois Republicans to know about a) potential litigation against the IRP, b) who all the IRP chairman candidates are (what about dark horse candidates?), c) if Ives will be allowed to speak in favor of Shaw at the May 19 IRP SCC meeting, d) how many chairs will be set up for observers at the IRP SCC meeting (100, 200, 300, 400, 500+?), e) who IRP SCC members have nominated to serve as their deputies, f) etc.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-illinois-republicans-20180507-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On Monday, Rauner tried to make light of the party leadership issue, saying: “I really don’t spend much time thinking about it.” When pressed on whom he would support as chairman, the governor reiterated his backing of Schneider, saying he has been effectively running the Illinois GOP since 2014. “I support Tim Schneider, I put him in place,” Rauner said. . .Rauner said Monday that he’s not paying attention to the infighting within the party, pointing out that “there have been fights and disagreements and challenges many times over the years. It’s part of the process.”)
— Morrison talks tax deductions, redistricting at town hall – Steve Sadin (DIERSEN: Roskam should increase the $10,000 SALT cap to $20,000 for married filing jointly.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/deerfield/news/ct-dfr-morrison-town-hall-tl-0510-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: When the Internal Revenue Code was amended Dec. 22 limiting state and local tax deductions to $10,000, it meant Illinois residents who pay more than $10,000 in state income tax and local property tax could no longer deduct the entire amount, according to Morrison. “We have so many people in my district who rely on the state and local tax deduction,” said Morrison, who is the chief senate sponsor of the bill. Less than three weeks after the federal tax overhaul became law, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) introduced his SALT Deduction Act Jan. 11. He said the law would create an Illinois Education Excellence Fund. When people pay their state and local taxes, Carroll said the money will go into the fund. They will then get a tax credit they can use as a charitable donation restoring the full deduction they have had in the past. Similar action is under consideration in other states. “The new (federal) law was a punch in the gut to a lot of folks,” Carroll said in a separate interview. “This will keep them from being double taxed.” Morrison said using the charitable deduction as part of taxpayers’ planning is completely voluntary. It is her hope it will be passed by the Senate and sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk before the current legislative session is set to end May 31.)
— Rauner’s only shot? Fight the graduated income tax argument – Kristen McQueary
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-mcqueary-rauner-pritzker-taxes-0508-20180507-story.html
— Evanston may consider city service cuts, eliminations as FY19 deficit could top $9M – Genevieve Bookwalter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-budget-cuts-survey-tl-0510-story.html
— Limiting golden parachutes in Illinois – Editorial (DIERSEN: What do you say to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who paint my Civil Service Retirement System pension as being a golden parachute? They hint/imply/argue/shout that because I am a privileged non-veteran White male and because I 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, a) IRS should have fired me in 1973 when I did not make GS-13, b) IRS should have fired me in 1978 when I did not make GS-14, c) GAO should have fired me in 1983 when I did not make GS-15, and d) GAO should have fired me in 1988 when I did not make Senior Executive Service.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-severance-legislation-golden-parachutes-20180503-story.html
— For blacks and Latinos, record low unemployment – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-jobs-trump-unemployment-illinois-20180507-story.html

WILLIAM J KELLY
— Ives’ endorsed Mark Shaw worse than Rauner on illegal immigration
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-illinois-gop-chair-candidate-mark-shaw-worse-than-rauner-on-illegal-immig

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner calls federal approval of mental health money a historic health victory – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/health/rauner-heralds-new-federal-money-for-mental-health-as-historic-public-health-win/
— Illinois to use $2B in Medicaid funds for pilot programs – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/illinois-medicaid-money-pilot-projects-rauner/
— Trump’s ‘new deal for blacks’ was dealt from the bottom of the deck – Jesse Jackson (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a Black in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a Black in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted Blacks in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a Black in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a Black in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job and my preferred corner office. I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who make it clear that they believe a) that all government employees are lazy, stupid, and even worse things, b) that minorities and females are inferior and therefore need preferential treatment, c) that government is the “employer of last resort,” and therefore, d) that all government employees should be minorities and/or females.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trumps-new-deal-for-blacks-was-dealt-from-the-bottom-of-the-deck/ (FROM THE ARTICLE: The big problem, however, is that most of the jobs are simply lousy. Virtually all of the new jobs aren’t secure — they are part-time, short-term contract jobs, with variable hours, few benefits and low wages. Not surprisingly, African Americans are more likely to be caught in these kinds of jobs than whites are.)

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Roskam rival attacks on taxes – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: Roskam should increase the $10,000 SALT cap to $20,000 for married filing jointly.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180507/BLOGS02/180509881/roskam-rival-attacks-on-taxes
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Among other specifics, Casten is calling for full restoration of the federal deduction for state and local taxes, commonly known as SALT, which the new tax law caps at a maximum of $10,000 per year. The Downers Grove businessman also wants to restore the previous top rate for millionaires, reverse the cut in rates on pass-through income and eliminate the cap on taxes for Social Security to better preserve that program.)
— Rauner wins Medicaid flexibility under Trump – KRISTEN SCHORSCH
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180507/NEWS03/180509877/rauner-wins-medicaid-flexibility-under-trump

ABC7
— Feds approve Illinois’ plan to help opioid crisis – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/health/feds-approve-illinois-plan-to-help-opioid-crisis/3440259/
— Oliver North set to become the next NRA president – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/oliver-north-set-to-become-the-next-nra-president/3439623/
— Poodle attacked by dog who jumped out of truck in Addison – Leah Hope
http://abc7chicago.com/pets-animals/poodle-attacked-by-dog-who-jumped-out-of-truck-in-addison/3440503/
— Gov. Rauner visits ATF agent shot in face in Back of the Yards – John Garcia
http://abc7chicago.com/gov-rauner-visits-atf-agent-shot-in-face-in-back-of-the-yards/3440815/

CBS2
— DHS To Prosecute All Illegal Border Crossings, Potentially Separating Families
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/05/07/illegal-border-crossings-homeland-security/

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— GOP lawmakers question tax implications of creating urban agriculture zones – Angela Underwood
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511404859-gop-lawmakers-question-tax-implications-of-creating-urban-agriculture-zones

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— FAIR MAPS AMENDMENT DEADLINE PASSES FOR 2018
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/fair-maps-amendment-deadline-passes-for-2018.html
— SCHLAFLY’S DAUGHTER TO LOBBY AGAINST ERA WEDNESDAY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/schlaflys-daughter-to-lobby-against-era-wednesday-.html
— BLACK CONSERVATIVES CALL FOR END TO JIM CROW ERA REGULATIONS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/05/black-conservatives-call-for-policy-changes.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Should the state establish a minimum wage for public school teachers? (DIERSEN: Should there be a minimum wage for those who have a) a job-related bachelor’s degree, b) 1, 2, 3 job-related master’s degrees, c) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 job-related professional certifications, d) a job-related professional license, and/or e) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30+ years of job-related work experience?)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/07/question-of-the-day-2668/
— Awkward moments
https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/07/awkward-moments/

FOX NEWS RADIO
— GOP Candidate For CA Governor John Cox Blasts Dems on Immigration
https://radio.foxnews.com/2018/05/07/gop-candidate-for-ca-governor-blasts-dems-on-immigration/

GOPUSA
— Get married in sanctuary court to avoid deportation
http://www.gopusa.com/get-married-in-sanctuary-court-to-avoid-deportation/
— Bitter McCain: I want Obama at my funeral, but not Trump
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=45348

BREITBART
— California School Mural Depicts Aztec Warrior Holding Trump’s Severed Head, Heart – JOEL B. POLLAK (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps want Mexico and its citizens, many millions of whom are in America legally or illegally, to officially declare war on America.)
http://www.breitbart.com/california/2018/05/07/student-mural-california-school-shows-aztec-impaling-trumps-severed-head/

WASHINGTON POST
— ‘Heinous and violent’: MS-13’s appeal to girls grows as gang becomes ‘Americanized’ – Michael E. Miller and Justin
Jouvenal
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/heinous-and-violent-ms-13s-appeal-to-girls-grows-as-gang-becomes-americanized/2018/05/04/a4132e94-40bf-11e8-bba2-0976a82b05a2_story.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Administration to Step Up Prosecution of Border-Crossing Parents Policy would separate adults from their children to deter crossings – Laura Meckler (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats and future Democrats use children as cannon fodder.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-to-step-up-prosecution-of-border-crossing-parents-1525708761

FED SMITH
— OPM Proposes Changes to Bring Federal Benefits Closer to Private Sector – Ralph R. Smith (DIERSEN: Starting in 1966, when I was 18 years old, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been furious that I was earning credits toward a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. Since 1993, when I was 45 years old, they have been furious that I had the option to take early retirement. Since 1997, when I was 49 years old, they have been especially furious that I started getting a CSRS pension. Few of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) are earning credits toward a pension or b) are getting a pension; they are filled with envy and hatred.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2018/05/07/opm-proposes-changes-bring-federal-benefits-closer-private-sector/

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— OPM Proposes Legislation to Cut Retirement Benefits for Current and Former Feds – Erich Wagner (DIERSEN: Starting in 1966, when I was 18 years old, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been furious that I was earning credits toward a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. Since 1993, when I was 45 years, old, they have been furious that I had the option to take early retirement. Since 1997, when I was 49 years old, they have been especially furious that I started getting a CSRS pension. Few of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) are earning credits toward a pension or b) are getting a pension; they are filled with envy and hatred.)
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2018/05/opm-proposes-legislation-cut-benefits-current-and-former-feds/148022/

CANDIDATE CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot big time.
http://candidchronicle.com/alcohol-pain-medication-sleep-aids-used-less-in-legal-cannabis-states/

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

April 21 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats crow about their success in using students as their operatives and as their dupes.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–school-shooting-student-protests-20180420-story.html
— Chicago sues 2 south suburban towns (Dolton and Robbins), claiming they diverted millions designated to pay past due water bills – Zak Koeske
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-unpaid-water-bills-lawsuit-st-0415-story.html
— 10 charged in fight at Kane County jail involving members of rival gangs – Hannah Leone
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-kane-jail-fight-charges-st-0423-story.html
— Pot politics: Schumer joins politicians rethinking marijuana – AP (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–marijuana-schumer-20180420-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who promote LGBT crow about their success in promoting LGBT.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–lgbt-rights-20180417-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Kane back up among the healthiest counties – James fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180420/kane-back-up-among-the-healthiest-counties

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Government consolidation efforts gain traction in General Assembly – Brenden Moore
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180421/government-consolidation-efforts-gain-traction-in-general-assembly

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Sports betting could be the key to a Rockford casino – Editorial (DIERSEN: If you promote gambling, you promote destruction.)
http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20180421/our-view-sports-betting-could-be-key-to-rockford-casino

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— An unwritten rule in Springfield: Never give ground to a political opponent, even when you agree. – David Giuliani
http://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/columnists/local/david-giuliani-an-unwritten-rule-in-springfield/article_bef55e4e-41a0-11e8-8c67-2bd250a795cb.html

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— State and Local Tax Fight – Cole Lauterbach (DIERSEN: Government should encourage marriage and homeownership. Democrats could hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans imposed the $10,000 SALT cap a) to discourage marriage and to punish married people and b) to discourage homeownership and to punish homeowners. Roskam should increase the $10,000 SALT cap to $20,000 for married filing jointly. I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who are a) furious that I paid less federal income tax 1972-1977 because I deducted the real estate tax that I paid and b) furious that my wife and I paid less federal income tax 1978-2017 because we deducted the real estate taxes that we paid. I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who are overjoyed that my wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since 1978.)
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=263853#.Wtt-1Xly-M8

WSIL
— Accepting rights award, Kaepernick decries ‘lawful lynching’ – AP
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/38010199/accepting-rights-award-kaepernick-decries-lawful-lynching

WILLIAM J KELLY
— Kelly: I stepped aside for Ives but I’m not stepping aside for Rauner
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-i-stepped-aside-aside-for-ives-but-im-not-stepping-aside-for-rauner

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— How GOP Committeemen Voted in the County Convention
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/21/gop-committeemen-voted-county-convention/
— NorWest Republican Organization Picks Mike McCleary as Leader
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/21/norwest-republican-organization-picks-mike-mccleary-leader/
— Nunda Township Selects Joe Gottemoller as GOP Leader Again
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/21/nunda-township-selects-joe-gottemoller-gop-leader/
— John Jung to Lead Dorr Township GOP
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/20/john-jung-lead-dorr-township-gop/
— Bob Grogan and Stan Bond to Represent McHenry County on GOP State Central Committee
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/19/bob-grogan-stan-bond-represent-mchenry-county-gop-state-central-committee/
— The Cap the Democrats Didn’t Like
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/04/20/terry-kappel-comments-obervers-not-allowed-democratic-party-convention/

HEARTLAND INSTITUTE
— VIDEO: American Pravda: My Fight for Truth in the Era of Fake News – James O’Keefe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU3qpwVWKe4

BRETBART
— 7th Circuit Sides with Sanctuary Cities, Keeps Federal Money Flowing Nationwide – IAN MASON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/04/21/7th-circuit-sides-with-sanctuary-cities-keeps-federal-money-flowing-nationwide/

DAILY SIGNAL
— The Changes That Made California Become a Liberal Fiasco – Jarrett Stepman
https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/04/17/the-changes-that-made-california-become-a-liberal-fiasco/

FEDERALIST
— The Comey Memos Read Like The Diary Entries Of A Young Teenager ‘He said Mattis said great things about me, as did Sessions. He explained he had asked a lot of people about me and heard great things.’ – Rachel Stoltzfoos
http://thefederalist.com/2018/04/20/the-comey-memos-read-like-the-diary-entries-of-a-young-teenager/

ONE NEWS NOW
— Christian group protects kids from LGBT propaganda – Charlie Butts
https://onenewsnow.com/culture/2018/04/21/christian-group-protects-kids-from-lgbt-propaganda

GOPUSA
— Latest Wave of Student Gun Control Walkouts Garners Little Participation
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=44238

REUTERS
— Illinois general obligation bonds, hovering above ‘junk’ credit, among prominent deals next week – Laila Kearney, Karen Pierog
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-usa-municipals-deals/illinois-go-hovering-above-junk-credit-among-prominent-deals-next-week-idUKKBN1HR2TZ

NEW YORK TIMES
— Where Countries Are Tinderboxes and Facebook Is a Match False rumors set Buddhist against Muslim in Sri Lanka, the most recent in a global spate of violence fanned by social media. – AMANDA TAUB and MAX FISHER (DIERSEN: What do you say to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who since 2000 have hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I spread false rumors with my GOPUSA Illinois emails? According to them, everything is false except for what they put out or bless.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/21/world/asia/facebook-sri-lanka-riots.html

BOSTON GLOBE
— Syracuse frat says racist oath was satire — of a Republican – Avi Selk (DIERSEN: Democrats are disciples of Saul Alinsky; Alinsky’s fifth rule promotes ridicule.)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2018/04/20/syracuse-frat-says-racist-oath-was-satire-republican/hREWwNG8obtUVsbK7OscNP/story.html

FORBES
— It’s Official: Millennials Are Going Into Debt Over Their Social Lives – Christine Aebischer
https://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2018/04/17/its-official-millennials-are-going-into-debt-over-their-social-lives/

SIDNEY MORNING HERALD
— The more you have, the more you think you need – Matt Wade (DIERSEN: How much money does your standard of living require? My Civil Service Retirement System pension of $51,864 is only 41% of what my 1997 salary was in today’s dollars – $125,325.)
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-more-you-have-the-more-you-think-you-need-20180420-p4zatb.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In fact, the opposite is true – those on higher incomes felt they needed much more to alleviate their cost pressures than those on low incomes. Respondents who earned less than $35,000 a year (a little less than Australia’s full-time minimum wage) said they needed an extra $183 a week to alleviate cost of living pressures. But for those in the $75,000-100,000 income bracket that figure rose to $220 a week. And people taking home $100,000 or more a year required even more. That well-paid cohort said they needed $239 extra each week to ease the pressure, more than any other income group. But the responses to NAB’s “how much extra money do you need” question shows that for those on higher incomes the problem is a desire for a certain standard of living rather than a cost of living crisis.)

April 8 Evening Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Russian ‘hack’ of 2016 voter rolls leaves Galesburg, Illinois, reeling
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/russian-hack-of-2016-voter-rolls-leaves-galesburg-illinois-reeling

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Blue wave hurricane picks up national momentum.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/democrat-blue-wave-builds-traction-judge-rebecca-dallet-laura-washington/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Alec Baldwin returns to ‘SNL’ for presidential news conference – Cynthia Littleton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-snl-chadwick-boseman-alec-baldwin-20180408-story.html
— Kimmel apologizes for Melania Trump joke amid feud with Sean Hannity – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-sean-hannity-jimmy-kimmel-20180407-story.html
— Why good people won’t run for public office – Dilara Sayeed (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who discourage “good people” from running for public office. They especially discourage people a) who they cannot manipulate/dominate, b) who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, and other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform, and c) who support the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-election-0408-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— A personal financial catastrophe can have grave health consequences – Carolyn Y. Johnson (DIERSEN: In 1997, when I was 49 years old, in today’s dollars, my income dropped 59%. In today’s dollars, my GAO salary was $125,325/year, but after my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer,” my Civil Service Retirement System pension is only $51,864/year, only 41% of that $125,325/year salary.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180408/a-personal-financial-catastrophe-can-have-grave-health-consequences

WBBM
— Senator Brady Backs Rauner’s Teacher Pension Plan – CRAIG DELLIMORE
https://wbbmnews.radio.com/articles/news/sen-brady-backs-rauners-teacher-pension-plan

WGN RADIO
— Politics with Rick Pearson Full Show 4/8/18
http://wgnradio.com/2018/04/08/the-sunday-spin-politics-with-rick-pearson-full-show-4-8-18/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Then, WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky shares her reaction to the Rauner administration’s silence towards Chinese trade. Later in the segment, Amanda gives her thoughts on the budget in Illinois during the upcoming election year. For our last guest, Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs joins Rick Pearson to discuss the status of the Illinois State Republican Caucus. Additionally, Jim shares the current strategy of the Illinois Republican Party.)
— WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky is not surprised at Rauner’s silence – BEN ANDERSON
http://wgnradio.com/2018/04/08/wttws-amanda-vinicky-is-not-surprised-at-rauners-silence/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Channel 11 Political Correspondent, Amanda Vinicky, chats with Rick Pearson in-studio about Rauner Administration and Chinese trade. Amanda elaborates on whether Illinois will have a budget during the upcoming election year.)

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Lawmakers’ focus should be on budget as they return – Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180407/our-view-lawmakers-focus-should-be-on-budget-as-they-return

SAUK VALLEY
— Guns, constitutional amendments and more: Illinois lawmakers back to work this week – DOUG FINKE
http://www.saukvalley.com/2018/04/08/guns-constitutional-amendments-and-more-illinois-lawmakers-back-to-work-this-week/aqu9dfb/

DANVILLE COMMERCIAL NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Heartland solid for Trump, his policies.”
http://www.commercial-news.com/news/local_news/heartland-solid-for-trump-his-policies/article_200d1e46-51a5-5d7a-80ee-123125f50526.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— When Ideology Collides with Good School Governance – R.B.A. DiMuccio
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/tag/national-school-walkout/

DAILY CALLER
— Twitter CEO Shares And Raves About Article Calling For Dem Victory In Second ‘Civil War’ – Joe Simonson (DIERSEN: If there is going to be a Second Civil War, it will be individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries in Group A officially declaring war against those in Group B. Those in Group A are anti-Trump supporters, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time and those in Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. I will fight for Group B and Group B will win.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/07/twitter-jack-dorsey-second-civil-war-trump/

HOT AIR
— Farmers’ Anger At Trump Tariffs Puts Republican Candidates In A Bind
https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2018/04/farmers-anger-trump-tariffs-puts-republican-candidates-bind/

WESTERN JOURNAL
— ‘Economically Stable’ Portion of Democrat-Run Illinois Beginning to Bleed Citizens – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.westernjournal.com/report-economically-stable-portion-of-democrat-run-illinois-beginning-to-bleed-citizens/

POLITICO
— How Trump thrives in ‘news deserts’ Relentless use of social media and partisan outlets helped him swamp Clinton and exceed Romney’s performance in places lacking trusted local news outlets. – SHAWN MUSGRAVE and MATTHEW NUSSBAUM (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that GOPUSA Illinois is NOT a trusted news outlet. According to my critics/opponents, the only news that is not fake is the news that they put out or bless.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/08/news-subscriptions-decline-donald-trump-voters-505605

NBC NEWS
— Asian-Americans rejected by Harvard need to resist the anti-affirmative action narrative Our community is being fed a story by a white man trying to preserve spaces at colleges for mediocre white students, not stellar Asian-American ones. – Marie Myung-Ok Lee
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/asian-americans-rejected-harvard-need-resist-anti-affirmative-action-narrative-ncna863496

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump attacks ‘garbage’ Washington Post; calls Kelly story ‘hit job’ – Joseph Weber
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/08/trump-attacks-garbage-washington-post-calls-kelly-story-hit-job.html
— College credits where credit’s due: Schools slowly come around to accepting transfer students’ work – Jon Marcus (DIERSEN: Did you transfer? I did not graduate from NIU until August of 1970. If I had stayed at UIC and not transferred, I might have graduated from UIC in June of 1970.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/giving-credit-where-credits-due-transfer-students-earlier-work-being-accepted/2018/04/08/c7825c4c-3877-11e8-8fd2-49fe3c675a89_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Farmers who propelled Trump to presidency fear becoming pawns in trade war.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/farmers-who-propelled-trump-to-presidency-fear-becoming-pawns-in-trade-war/2018/04/08/2d110a50-398f-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Cudgel of ‘White Privilege’ – Zachary Wood (DIERSEN: Are you White? What do you say to my White critics/opponents, their White operatives, and their White dupes who have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I unjustly and unfairly benefitted immensely from White privilege and that I would not have anything today were it not for White privilege? They stress that I was born a White male, that I am 100% German American, and that my ancestors have been in America since 1844. They hint/imply/argue/shout a) that all German Americans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things, b) that German Americans, their parents, their grandparents, their great grandparents, and the rest of their ancestors viciously discriminated against, if not abused, if not enslaved minorities and females, c) that German Americans should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion, and d) that German Americans should be gotten rid of.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cudgel-of-white-privilege-1523209416
(FROM THE ARTICLE: White privilege has become the target of many initiatives in higher education. The goal, advocates say, is to fight racism and promote justice. Yet the practice often doesn’t seem constructive. In my college career, I’ve spoken to many peers and professors who insist adamantly that any conversation about race in America should begin and end with the accusation of white privilege. The aim seems to be to establish guilt, not build understanding. As I see it, the main goal of discussing white privilege should be to promote a more complex and nuanced view of the world so that, for example, it would be difficult for one of my white peers to drive through the Washington neighborhood where I grew up and say: “What’s wrong with those people?” People of all races should aim to understand the range of attitudes and perspectives on race that make the issue a difficult one. Often that’s not how activists approach it. “I’m not interested in talking to white people who aren’t woke,” one student told me. When I asked him to clarify, he said: “Ain’t no white person earning my trust unless they admit to being racist and apologize on behalf of their ancestors.” Although I strongly disagree with this view, I have some sympathy for it. For many African-Americans, focusing on white privilege allows them to assuage a damaged self-image that is the legacy of centuries of racial subjugation. That feeling should be taken seriously, not dismissed. But the way to bring people of different races and viewpoints to the table is not by belaboring the unconscionable demand that white people confess their guilt for social problems that no individual could have created. To build understanding around issues of race, we instead should try to engage others in good faith, especially when doing so can be difficult.)

SALON
— Growing up with racists: How should I remember them now? From my football coach and the boy next door to my own father, racist comments were a staple in my white town – MARK PHILLIPS (DIERSEN: What do you say to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who hint/imply/argue/shout that when my German Lutheran parents raised me in Crete during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, Crete was full of German Lutherans who were White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things?)
https://www.salon.com/2018/04/08/growing-up-with-racists-how-should-i-remember-them-now/

WRITING COOPERATIVE
— How to Stop Plagiarism – Leslie Loftis (DIERSEN: GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have always emphasized the SOURCE and AUTHOR of articles. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have never and will never attempt to make other’s original work look like it is GOPUSA ILLINOIS’ original work. Far too many websites attempt to make other’s original work look like their original work. Further, GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are sent out free of charge and they do not contain advertising, paragraph breaks, or pictures, and they are not sent out to “make money.”)
https://writingcooperative.com/how-to-stop-plagiarism-10f8a5528e29
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Alas, as the public has learned many times over in the internet age, the internet did not turn out as expected. Plagiarism has thrived. Only three months ago a well-known writer at a popular site got caught stealing half of someone else’s work on a popular story. She only got caught because of the rare news consumer who reads both the Daily Beast and The Weekly Standard.)

April 7 Evening Edition

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— WILL THE GOV SUCCEED IN PULLING THE ILGOP FURTHER LEFT? STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS NEXT TEST
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/04/will-the-gov-succeed-in-pulling-the-ilgop-further-left-state-central-committee-elections-next-test.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Illinois Republican voters split 51 to 49 percent between a liberal Republican incumbent governor and a conservative state representative in the March 20th primary. The vote revealed a dramatic contrast between the party’s wings. In the wake of a party-dividing primary that is still a sore spot among those voters committed to the conservative party platform, another test of the party’s future will be April 18th. That’s when county precinct committeemen gather to pick who will represent them on the State Central Committee, party activists and officials are saying. Demetra Demonte, Illinois’ Republican National Committeewoman and co-chair of the Trump Illinois campaign, told Illinois Review Saturday that the vote will be very important. She did not personally endorse in the 2018 IL GOP gubernatorial primary. “These last few months have been a time of bitter primary battles. The primary is over and we have selected our candidates. This should be a time for reconciliation – bringing together all sides so we can be victorious in November,” Demonte said. “Sadly, it is my understanding there is an effort to thwart conservatives who are running for re-election on the State Central Committee. This effort is counterproductive and will most assuredly backfire in November. If we are to be victorious in November we will need our army of conservative activists…and most of all our conservative voters. How else can we defeat the juggernaut of the Democrat machine?” But the wounds are deep – and for many, irreparable. Governor Rauner won by running ad after ad focused on what amounted to lies about his challenger, Jeanne Ives. Rauner misled uninformed voters to believe Ives was a Madigan co-hort, when Ives has been one of the House’s most vocal opponents to the Speaker. That type of win should never be rewarded, Republicans are saying. Many are discouraged, insulted and wounded. They’re planning to stay at home in November – something that could be devastating for down-ticket Republicans. Illinois Tea Party leader Denise Cattoni told Illinois Review that she’s concerned about the state and its future if conservatives disengage from voting in the fall. But, as a vocal supporter of Jeanne Ives in the gubernatorial primary, she understands the discouragement many conservatives are expressing. She publicly shared her concerns on her Facebook page Friday in a post addressing precinct committeemen. “The ILGOP is trying to purge all conservatives from the State Central Committee. When you attend the April 18th meeting, all of the conservative SCC Chairmen will have a RHINO opponent (after the primary). Stand for your principles! Stand for the ILGOP Platform, Cattoni wrote. “Gov. Rauner has now made it perfectly clear that Conservatives are NOT invited into the IL Republican party, guaranteeing that he will lose to Pritzker.” Cattoni said that of the 90 Tea Party groups around the state going back to 2008, over half of the leadership has moved out of state, having read the political handwriting on the wall. As a movement leader focused on fiscal issues, she supported Bruce Rauner in his 2014 bid. Since then, she’s gotten more involved in Republican Party circles, which has led her to be especially concerned about the two congressional districts where conservative state central committeemen are currently serving, but who backed Jeanne Ives in this year’s gubernatorial primary. State Central Committeeman John McGlasson in the 16th CD and Bob Winchester in the 15th CD are both being challenged by elected state lawmakers – likely put up by Rauner’s people, she says. “Why would State Rep Tom Demmer and Senator Chapin Rose be given MORE power by the ILGOP??” Cattoni wrote. “Rauner’s PAYBACK to conservatives. You are not welcome in the party.” Illinois Review asked McGlasson his thoughts about the challenge he’s facing. He not only backed Jeanne Ives in the gubernatorial primary, he backed challenger James Marter over incumbent Congressman Adam Kinzinger in the 16th CD. The Rauner camp is reaching out to precinct committeemen, urging them to support State Rep. Tom Demmer over McGlasson. State Representative David Weller is circulating a letter among other members, opposing McGlasson. Four that McGlasson knows of did not sign Welter’s letter. McGlasson says he’s committed to the Illinois Republican Party platform as his principle base. He recalls vividly the battle waged at the 2016 IL GOP State Convention over the platform changes Rauner people – including former Party Chairman Pat Brady and SCC member Ryan Higgins – tried to make on family issues. “I worked very hard, along with many others, to bring the platform to the floor at the last convention,” McGlasson told Illinois Review. “And I will continue to fight for conservative values in future platforms. One of the most important duties of state central committee members is the appointment of committee members for the convention. I am very proud of those I appointed last time and the battles they waged.” Stan Bond, SCC member from the 14th CD, although conservative as well, is running unopposed in the SCC race. “You may recall I was one of the committed group who worked through the night to ensure the party platform wasn’t revised per Pat Brady and the chosen platform committee,” Bond told IR. “It was an historic effort that dramatized for all the importance our base places on family values. “I would like to strengthen and clarify our platform on some issues but remain proud of it as written. I strongly believe party support should be focused on candidates who support the platform. That’s why we have a platform,” he said. The platform is key to the conservative majority in the Illinois Republican Party. The vote at that convention on maintaining traditional family values in the party platform was supported in a stand seven-to-one vote – a fact Rauner and his staff either purposely overlook or can’t believe is that important to Republican voters. Demonte, who represents the state to the RNC, stands with the party’s conservatives. While the nation pulls to the right with President Donald Trump at the helm, the Illinois Republican Party is being dragged to the left at the insistence of Governor Rauner and his well-paid campaign staff. “As your Illinois’ Republican National Committeewoman, and as a loyal Republican, I plan to vote for our entire Republican slate in November,” Demonte said. “But I want to assure the party faithful that I remain committed to the conservative principles lined out in the Illinois Republican Party platform, as well as continue to actively engage and push policy at the national level on the Republican National Committee that represents the values of our grassroots.”)

CAPITOL FAX
— No, Rauner never said he spoke to Ives (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Rauner talks and acts like his advisors tell him that for every Republican that he dumps, two, three, four, or more Democrats will vote for him.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/07/no-rauner-never-said-he-spoke-to-ives/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Hi Rich, As usual, Governor Rauner is not telling the truth. What he is saying happened did not happen. But that’s fine. Rauner’s surrogates have made and continue to make it clear that they want Ives and other conservatives out of the party so there’s no need for perfunctory and disingenuous outreach. He and his surrogates are who Republicans chose to lead them. He is the nominee. And Ives wishes him good luck in the general.)

CBS
— President Trump’s Weekly Address; Democrats’ Weekly Address
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/04/07/president-trumps-weekly-address-democrats-weekly-address-10/

WGN RADIO
— Illinois Attorney General candidates Erika Harold and Kwame Raoul – CRAIG COLLINS
http://wgnradio.com/2018/04/07/illinois-attorney-general-candidates-erika-harold-and-kwame-raoul-former-national-census-bureau-director-kenneth-prewitt-on-the-trump-census-lawyersmack-and-much-more/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Responding to Trump’s call, Mattis authorizes 4,000 National Guard troops for U.S.-Mexico border – David S. Cloud and Joseph Tanfani
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-mattis-authorizes-national-guard-mexico-border-20180407-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an editorial unethically made to look like a news article, Democrats argue against America’s immigration laws.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-american-teen-parents-deported-mexico-20180406-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Community organizers want Confederate monument removed from Oak Woods Cemetery – Rachel Hinton (DIERSEN: While all my ancestors immigrated to America during the 1840s and 1850s, they always lived in northeast Illinois.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/community-organizers-want-confederate-monument-removed-from-oak-woods-cemetery/
— Any senator offended by Muslim-bashing will vote down Pompeo for secretary of state – Tasmiha Khan (DIERSEN: What about those who bash those who are 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://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/any-senator-offended-by-muslim-bashing-will-vote-down-pompeo-for-secretary-of-state/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Illinois lawmakers return for last half of spring session – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180407/illinois-lawmakers-return-for-last-half-of-spring-session

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Illinois needs to fix state pensions, tax retirees to avoid the abyss – Editorial (DIERSEN: Of course, ever since I started collecting a Civil Service Retirement System pension in 1997 and Social Security in 2010, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have wanted Illinois to tax retirement income.)
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/editorials/article207928839.html

HERALD & REVIEW
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Illinois’ population loss may take out 2 congressional seats – RYAN VOYLES (DIERSEN: Democrats drive out of Illinois individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-population-loss-may-take-out-congressional-seats/article_6fa7dadb-8a77-5ff7-8788-92ab000c5b2d.html

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— SIUE’s sustained dialogue creates safe places (DIERSEN: To create safe places for Democrats, liberals, women, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Republicans, conservatives, men, Whites, etc.)
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/SIUE-8217-s-sustained-dialogue-creates-safe-12814492.php

WJBD RADIO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats promote Democrats.
http://www.wjbdradio.com/politics/2018/04/07/march-for-our-lives-organizers-plan-weekend-town-halls-with-lawmakers

BREITBART
— Rep. Steve King: GOP Leadership Blocked My E-Verify Improvement Proposal – ROBERT KRAYCHIK
http://www.breitbart.com/radio/2018/04/07/exclusive-king-gop-leadership-blocked-e-verify-improvement-proposal/

BLAZE
— Department of Homeland Security to establish monitoring system that tracks journalists in live time – Teri Webster
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/04/07/department-of-homeland-security-to-establish-monitoring-system-that-tracks-journalists-in-live-time
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Department of Homeland Security plans to create a “Media Monitoring” system to track the reports and “sentiments” of journalists, bloggers and social media stars. A computer dashboard for the database will allow the DHS to monitor journalists in “live time” by name, topics covered and their location, according to specifications for the project. A “request for information” on FedBizOpps.gov states that the intelligence agency wants to hire a contractor to identify any and all media coverage related to the Department of Homeland Security — or any particular event. Companies interested in the project are being asked to submit their qualifications and other information. The revelation comes amid a heated national debate about gun laws, concerns about “fake news,” and questions about how foreign interests used social media to manipulate U.S. elections and policy. Who will be monitored? Media to be monitored and tracked includes print, online, broadcast, cable, radio, local sources, national/international outlets, traditional news sources, trade and industry publications, and social media “influencers,” according to the project specifications. The scope of sources to be tracked spans 290,000 global news sources in more than 100 languages. Information gathered will include contact details and “any other information that could be relevant, including publications this influencer writes for, and an overview of the previous coverage published by the influencer.” Specifications indicate the contractor must have the ability to analyze media coverage in terms of “content, volume, sentiment, geographical spread, top publications, media channels, reach, top posters, momentum and circulation.” Further, the database will be searchable by location, beat and media type, as well as keywords and concepts. What have free press advocates said? Forbes contributor Michelle Fabio called the move “today’s installment of ‘I’m Not Terrified, You Are.’” The agency’s request for information is “enough to cause nightmares of constitutional proportions, particularly as the freedom of the press is under attack worldwide,” she wrote. The column was tweeted by the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent, non-profit group concerned with protecting freedom of the press worldwide. The DHS was quick to quash what it called conspiracy theories about the database. DHS’s press secretary wrote on Twitter that concerns about the database are coming from “tin foil hat wearing, black helicopter conspiracy theorists.” “This is nothing more than the standard practice of monitoring current events in the media,” Tyler Q. Houlton wrote. . .The Media Monitoring program falls under the DHS’s National Protection and Programs Directorate. Included in the division is the Office of Biometric Identity Management, Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis, Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, Office of Infrastructure Protection, and The Federal Protective Service, which protects federal facilities. DHS has set an April 13, 2018 deadline for companies to submit their information.)

ABC NEWS
— Pruitt’s survival strategy: Emphasize his rollback of environmental rules – STEPHANIE EBBS and MATTHEW MOSK (DIERSEN: If you asked my Democrat superiors in the federal government what their survival strategy was, they would say getting rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fire-pruitt-fights-survival-epa-stressing-rollback-environmental/story

NEW YORK TIMES
— College for the Disadvantaged – CATHY BERNARD (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) paint themselves as having been disadvantaged and b) paint me as having been advantaged.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/opinion/college-disadvantaged.html

SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
— Incoming Speaker Jose Oliva Takes on National Leadership Role for GOP (DIERSEN: What are your demographics? Ever-increasingly, the future looks bleaker for individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/incoming-speaker-jose-oliva-takes-national-leadership-role-gop
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The next leader of the Florida House is taking a step up in national politics as incoming Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami, is taking a leadership role with the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC). Oliva was one of 22 officials from 18 states who will serve on the RSLC’s executive committee for its Future Majority Project initiative which is being chaired by Governors Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Brian Sandoval of Nevada and Lieutenant Governors Jenean Hampton of Kentucky and Evelyn Sanguinetti of Illinois. “We started the Future Majority Project in 2011 to support Republican candidates who better reflect the growing diversity of the American electorate. Since its founding we have helped elect over 100 diverse Republican state legislators and are continuing to expand this initiative into 2018,” RSLC President Matt Walter said on Thursday. “The RSLC’s Future Majority Project is critically important because our government functions best when its representatives reflect the growing diversity of the electorate. I am the daughter of teenage immigrant parents and I am proof that the American Dream is possible,” said Sanguinetti. “As our country’s first Latina lieutenant governor, I have a unique governing philosophy and policy perspective that benefits the residents I serve. I am proud to co-chair this effort to recruit diverse Republican candidates to our party.” “I’m personally aware of the unique challenges conservative minority candidates may encounter when running for office. Yet, I enjoy sharing GOP core principles of life, liberty and personal responsibility with anyone who’ll listen,”Hampton said. She is the first black person elected to statewide office in Kentucky’s history. “The Future Majority Project’s efforts to encourage, recruit, and support diverse Republican candidates for state offices are vital to the growth and success of the Republican Party.” The RSLC has spent almost $20 million with the Right Women, Right Now initiative and the Future Majority Project to “elect and support dynamic female and diverse candidates for state level offices.” Oliva is the only Florida Republican serving on the Future Majority Project’s executive committee. He will take the gavel from current House Speaker Richard Corcoran after the November elections.)

TIMES OF SAN DIEGO
— Fox News Suggests Rancho Santa Fe’s John Cox Could be Elected Governor
https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2018/04/07/fox-news-suggests-randco-santa-fes-john-cox-could-be-elected-governor/

ZILLOW
— FOR SALE: 500 Arbor Avenue, Wheaton – $599,900
https://www.zillow.com/wheaton-il/1_fs/X1-SS1apc9gppw622z_3o1g1_sse/4447899_zpid/

April 5 Evening Edition

WGN TV
— OUTSTANDING: Iowa advances immigration bill banning ‘sanctuary cities’ – AP
http://wgntv.com/2018/04/04/iowa-advances-immigration-bill-banning-sanctuary-cities/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— How is Gov. Rauner in trouble? Let me count the days – Eric Zorn (DIERSEN: What if Rauner promised to take no action that would be against the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform? What if Rauner promised that he would defend and advance the IRP platform?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-rauner-ives-disunity-0406-20180405-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Democratic Governors Association sent another mass email Thursday morning, updating the length of the era of post-primary strife among Illinois Republicans. “Day 16,” began the subject header. That email marked 16 days in which there had been no unity breakfast or other meeting of the minds between the winner of the gubernatorial primary, incumbent Bruce Rauner, and his barely vanquished firebrand conservative opponent, state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton. Sixteen days in which the two have reportedly not spoken. Sixteen days in which Rauner has not given in to Ives’ demand that he take out an ad admitting that he lied about her during the campaign. Sixteen days in which Ives has declined to retract or soften her blistering attacks on Rauner from the campaign, attacks that included: “Nobody can trust Bruce Rauner, he’s lied to everybody about everything.” He “has failed the integrity test in many ways.” “He basically got nothing done.” And “What the hell is wrong with this governor?” The daily count-up emails from the Democrats are likely to end soon — they’re already starting to feel a little spammy — but DGA spokesman Sal Salustro directed me to a running tally of the days at Medium.com that will continue. “We’re going to keep a focus on it,” he said. “There is no path to victory for Rauner without Ives and her supporters.” Rauner seemed to acknowledge as much during his televised victory speech March 20 after the primary election. “For those of you around Illinois who wanted to send me a message, let me be clear,” he said. “I have heard you.” In fact, however, “I have heard you” was anything but clear under the circumstances. Literally, yes, obviously, Rauner had heard the outraged howls of social conservatives who’d voted for Ives in large part to express their displeasure at his signing a bill expanding abortion rights and his several other deviations from right-wing orthodoxy. “I’ve come to expect politicians to shade the truth, but what’s clear today is that Rauner’s promises were just flat-out lies,” said House GOP floor leader Peter Breen of Lombard after the governor signed the abortion bill. “In the face of overwhelming evidence of Rauner’s inability to competently administer the Illinois government, inability to stand up to Mike Madigan effectively and inability to keep his word and his commitments, I can no longer support him.” Those howls translated into votes — enough that the wealthy incumbent was able to squeak by a scrappy state legislator by fewer than 3 percentage points. But hearing is not heeding, as anyone who has ever deftly deployed the expression “I have heard you” in an argument knows well. What did Rauner mean? That he planned to adopt some of the views of those who had opposed him? Or that these views had registered with him, but he planned to ignore them? Both meanings are politically perilous. If Rauner lurches to the right to placate social conservatives, he risks alienating the moderate voters who provided his narrow margin of victory in 2014, when, as a first-time candidate, he proudly ran with “no social agenda.” And if he fails to apologize or correct course, a significant number of dispirited GOP base voters may well stay home on Election Day in November. So I put the question to Rauner spokesman Justin Giorgio: “What is the message that he heard? What is the message that he believes 48 percent of primary voters are trying to give him? And how will he act upon that message?” Giorgio’s reply: “The governor understands that we all have to work harder to find common ground on the issues we disagree on. He understands the need to engage all Illinoisans to continue making progress on the issues that unite us: cutting taxes, creating jobs and rooting out corruption.” Translation: Pound sand, wing nuts. When it comes down to a choice between me and Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker, you’ll discover your inner Peter Breen. Rep. Breen, who had been all in for Ives, announced after the primary that “Gov. Rauner stated in the media that he’s heard the message, and I believe he has. (He) is our party’s nominee, and I support him 100 percent.” I wanted to know what message Breen believes Rauner heard, but he did not respond to requests for comment. Sure, primaries are bruising, the rhetoric is heated and pragmatism generally ends up superseding principle when it comes time to vote. Even Ives has said she’ll vote for Rauner (though she’s said her husband will not). Unity breakfasts, like the gathering the Democratic gubernatorial rivals had the Saturday morning after the March 20 primary, are polite agreements to ignore the preceding ugliness and pretend the ideological differences are minor. But that rhetorical salve is important. Parties with open, infected wounds have a hard time getting healthy by the time voters go to the polls. Every day that goes by with Rauner refusing to apologize and Ives refusing to offer a single nice word about him is a day for the Democrats to celebrate. Seventeen days on Friday. And counting.)
— Day after proposing to slash state university budgets, Gov. Rauner spent $625,000 on ‘Godfather’ memorabilia – Kim Janssen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-rauner-godfather-chicago-inc-20180405-story.html
— Roskam schedule conflict keeping him from student town hall on gun violence – Erin Hegarty (DIERSEN: Democrats blame Republicans for gun violence and they especially blame Republicans who are 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.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-roskam-town-hall-6th-st-0406-20180405-story.html
— Lawsuit challenges Deerfield’s assault weapons ban: ‘It flies in the face of state law’ – Karen Berkowitz
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/deerfield/news/ct-dfr-assault-weapon-ban-lawsuit-tl-0412-story.html
— Trump wants 2,000-4,000 troops for Mexico border security – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-trump-troops-mexico-border-20180405-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Two former Trump primary rivals (Bush & Walker) helping Gov. Rauner – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/two-former-trump-primary-rivals-helping-gov-rauner/
— Trump National Guard deployment: Duckworth ‘alarmed,’ only 4 governors called – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-national-guard-deployment-duckworth-alarmed-only-4-governors-called/
— Gov. Bruce Rauner gets carried away with the black marker of secrecy – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/bruce-rauner-black-marker-secrecy-legoinnaires-veterans-home-quincy-illinois-department-public-health/
— Trump wants to send up to 4,000 troops to border – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/trump-wants-to-send-up-to-4000-troops-to-border/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot promoters promote pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/medical-marijuana-patients-pain-appalling-delays-illinois-department-public-health/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats treasonously want America to officially surrender to Mexico and to surrender to the rest of the foreign countries that are invading America.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trumps-call-for-troops-on-the-border-makes-little-sense/

DAILY HERALD
— Longtime DuPage board member Paul Fichtner stepping down – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180405/longtime-dupage-board-member-stepping-down
(FROM THE ARTICLE: County board Chairman Dan Cronin will have 60 days to nominate Fichtner’s replacement. The full county board must approve the appointment. Whoever is appointed will serve until Nov. 30. In the fall, voters will determine who will get the seat for the next four years. During last month’s primary, Republican voters picked incumbent Sam Tornatore of Roselle and Dino Gavanes of Itasca to be the GOP nominees for two District 1 seats. They will face Elmhurst Democrats Ashley J. Selmon and Zahra Suratwala. District 1 includes all or portions of Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Elmhurst, Glendale Heights, Itasca, Lombard, Roselle, Villa Park and Wood Dale.)
— Deerfield bans assault weapons. The NRA says they’ll fight it. – Derek Hawkins
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180405/deerfield-bans-assault-weapons-the-nra-says-theyll-fight-it
— Trump: 2,000-4,000 troops needed for Mexico border security – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180405/news/304059882/
— Surgeon general urges Americans to carry opioid overdose antidote – AP (DIERSEN: Those who make money selling naloxone and opioid are overjoyed.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180405/news/304059934/
— Pomp, circumstance in Naperville Walmart aisles for first Training Academy – Bev Horne and Bob Smith (DIERSEN: My first 6 months that I worked for IRS in 1971 was a combination of classroom and on-the-job training in downtown Chicago. IRS paid me $45,703/year in today’s dollars.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180405/pomp-circumstance-in-naperville-walmart-aisles-for-first-training-academy
— Montini celebrates Cultural Awareness Week – Barbara Dawson (DIERSEN: What is your national origin? During the 1840s and 1850s, all my ancestors immigrated to northeast Illinois from what is now Germany. Of course, needless-to-say, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always used that against me. In my defense, I stress that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans during WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans during WWII, and that my father would have fought the Germans during WWII if he had not been 4-F. Further, according to http://dna.ancestry.com , my ancestry is 33% Europe West, 28% Scandinavia, 24% Great Britain, 11% Ireland, 2% Europe East, 1% Finland/Northwest Russia, and 1% Italy/Greece.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20180405/montini-celebrates-cultural-awareness-week

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Look who’s riding to Bruce Rauner’s rescue: Scott Walker – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180405/BLOGS02/180409938/look-whos-riding-to-bruce-rauners-rescue-scott-walker
— On a mission to make Chicago LGBTQ-friendly(er) – LAURA BIANCHI (DIERSEN: From what I see, if you live and/or work in Chicago and you do not promote LGBTQ activity, sooner or later, those who promote LGBTQ activity in Chicago will get rid of you, no matter what your demographics are.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180405/ISSUE01/180409969/on-a-mission-to-make-chicago-lgbtq-friendly-er
— A new tack to fight gerrymandering – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180405/BLOGS02/180409935/a-new-tack-to-fight-gerrymandering

WTTW
— Is Roskam Worried About a ‘Blue Wave’ in Illinois’ 6th District? – Evan Garcia (DIERSEN: To get reelected, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes urge Roskam to dump those voters in the 6th Congressional District like me who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Will Roskam listen to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes?)
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/04/05/roskam-worried-about-blue-wave-illinois-6th-district

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Jo McGuire pushes back on recreational marijuana – Derek Beigh
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/government-and-politics/speaker-pushes-back-on-recreational-marijuana/article_72890ef2-70f9-5023-98b8-e2bbc3c8bd39.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Sen. Duckworth weighs in on Trump’s “trade war” with China
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/sen-duckworth-weighs-in-on-trumps-trade-war-with-china

WJBC
— Barickman not optimistic lawmakers will pass budget on time – Eric Stock
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/04/05/barickman-not-optimistic-lawmakers-will-pass-budget-on-time/

US 92.7
— Rauner’s Office Defends Edits in Documents Pertaining to Illinois Veterans Home
http://www.us927.com/2018/04/05/rauners-office-defends-edits-in-documents-pertaining-to-illinois-veterans-home/

ILLINOIS STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION
— ISRA Thursday Bulletin – April 5, 2018 – Richard Pearson
http://www.isra.org/News/TabId/1068/ArtMID/4612/ArticleID/28714/ISRA-Thursday-Bulletin-April-5-2018.aspx
(FROM THE BULLETIN: In a few days we will be back in Springfield and the battle to protect our gun rights will be white hot! The first thing we must do is not let the Illinois House and Senate override the Governor’s veto of HB1657. Please contact you legislators immediately. This is a gun ban movement, pure and simple. All of the following bills deserve a NO vote: HB1467 Bans bump stocks and rolls back municipal pre-emption on banning long guns HB1469 Bans all magazines over 10 rounds and makes it a felony for sale, purchase or possession of high capacity magazines and body armor HB1465 Increases age to 21 to possess or purchase a rifle HB1664 Establishes an anonymous snitch line to declare gun owners a “clear and present danger” without any real cause.)

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— The ‘friendly’ tax hike taking shape in Springfield – Austin Berg (DIERSEN: Who wants you to pay more taxes? Those who want me to pay more taxes are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.ilnews.org/opinion/op-ed-the-friendly-tax-hike-taking-shape-in-springfield/article_4fe55db4-38e1-11e8-be73-974ee592b06c.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In election season, some Illinois politicians are looking for ways to promise more revenue without inciting the rage of voters, who just saw the largest permanent income tax hike in state history last summer. Enter the progressive income tax. Instead of addressing the things that make state and local governments cost so much, Illinois can solve all its problems by “making the rich pay their fair share,” supporters of a progressive tax argue. This idea has become a key pillar of J.B. Pritzker’s gubernatorial campaign after swirling around the Statehouse air for the past decade or so.)

COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW
— A ‘formidable conservative force’ challenges politics coverage in Illinois – Jeremy Borden
https://www.cjr.org/united_states_project/lgis-proft-news-illinois.php

CAPITOL FAX
— Circular firing squad battle moves to state central committee races
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/05/circular-firing-squad-battle-moves-to-state-central-committee-races/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Every four years, Republican Party conventions of precinct committeemen are held in every Illinois county for the purpose of electing state central committee members in each of the state’s congressional districts. The filing deadline was March 26th. Dave Diersen posted a list of contested races. I’ve added incumbent (i) designations… . . . That’s a lot of challenges. I asked Dan Proft if he was behind any of these candidates in an attempt to take over the party. Chris Cleveland was a big Jeanne Ives supporter, for example, as was David Smith, Patrick Harlan and others on that list. Proft’s texted response… Think you’ve got it reversed. It reads to me as if Rauner and his big government apparatchiks are working to continue their purge of conservatives from the party per their backing candidates against McGlasson, Floreth and Winchester. Message to Ives and her supporters: leave the party. I checked in with the ILGOP, former statewide candidate Bob Grogan and the Ives campaign, but haven’t yet heard back. . .KOL: What is going on in the 6th? All three are Rauner allies, so I thought)
— Ballyhooed Democrat ekes out a win over “stealth” candidate
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/05/ballyhooed-dem-ekes-out-a-win-over-stealth-candidate/
— Pritzker hit for tax comments (DIERSEN: High taxes are reasons to leave Illinois, but other reasons include tremendous efforts to drive out of Illinois 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.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/05/pritzker-hit-for-tax-comments/
— Morning Consult poll: Trump disapproval is 60 percent here (DIERSEN: Who focuses on driving down Trump’s approval rating and driving up Trump’s disapproval rating in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/05/morning-consult-poll-trump-disapproval-is-60-percent-here/
— Proft and Timpone defend and deflect
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/05/proft-and-timpone-defend-and-deflect/

GOPUSA
— OUTSTANDING: Iowa advances immigration bill banning ‘sanctuary cities’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=43076
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: More than a million illegal aliens have received California driver’s licenses
http://www.gopusa.com/more-than-a-million-illegal-aliens-have-received-california-drivers-licenses/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sooner or later, if you do not call for the abolition of the Second Amendment, Office Depot, TripAdvisor, Wayfair, Hulu, Nutrish pet food company, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, Atlantis Paradise Island, Stitch Fix, Liberty Mutual, and Entertainment Studios will dump you.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=42826
— Nasim Aghdam’s YouTube scrub and Donald Trump Jr.’s good question
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=43074

BREITBART
— Mexican Senate Threatens to Stop Helping U.S. Against Drug Cartels If Trump Deploys Troops to Border – Ildefonso Ortiz and Brandon Darby (DIERSEN: How soon will Mexico officially declare war on America? Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America a) by its illegally sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally, b) by its illegally keeping many millions of its citizens in America illegally, and c) by its illegally sending mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally.)
http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2018/04/05/mexican-senate-threatens-stop-helping-u-s-drug-cartels-trump-deploys-troops-border/
— Zuckerberg: ‘Three-Year Project’ to ‘Fix’ Elections, Fake News, Misinformation – Just in Time for 2020 – ALLUM BOKHARI
http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/04/05/zuckerberg-three-year-project-to-fix-elections-fake-news-misinformation-just-in-time-for-2020/

TOWNHALL
— Pelosi: If We Win, We’re Going to Turn Back the Clock By Repealing the New Law and Massively Increasing Taxes – Guy Benson
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2018/04/05/pelosi-you-bet-democrats-are-going-inflict-massive-middle-class-tax-increases-if-we-win-n2467855

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Nancy Pelosi slams Trump for ‘wasting resources on pointlessly sending troops’ to border – Mandy Mayfield (DIERSEN: Democrats treasonously want America to officially surrender to Mexico and to surrender to the rest of the foreign countries that are invading America.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/nancy-pelosi-slams-trump-for-wasting-resources-on-pointlessly-sending-troops-to-border

WASHINGTON POST
— The tax cuts were supposed to help workers. Unions say they’re not. – Danielle Paquette
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/04/05/the-tax-cuts-were-supposed-to-help-workers-unions-say-theyre-not/
— The woman who got fired for flipping off President Trump just sued her former employer – Petula Dvorak
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-woman-who-got-fired-for-flipping-off-president-trump-just-sued-her-former-employer/2018/04/04/64c7376c-3840-11e8-acd5-35eac230e514_story.html

USA TODAY
— Donald Trump tweets policy, forcing aides to fill in details (or walk them back) – David Jackson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/05/trump-tweets-policy-aides-have-fill-details-walk/485433002/

CNBC
— Growing debt among older Americans threatens their retirement – Annie Nova
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/04/growing-debt-among-older-americans-threatens-retirement.html

DAILY BEAST
— Sinclair’s Trump Toady Swears: ‘I’m Not Doing Anybody’s Bidding’ – LLOYD GROVE (DIERSEN: Who would my critics/opponents say that I am a toady for and why?)
https://www.thedailybeast.com/sinclairs-trump-toady-swears-im-not-doing-anybodys-bidding

ZILLOW
— FOR SALE: 225 West Park Avenue, Wheaton – $430,000
https://www.zillow.com/wheaton-il/1_fs/X1-SS1apc9gppw622z_3o1g1_sse/4448245_zpid/

April 3 Evening Edition

TAYLORVILLE DAILY NEWS
— Sanguinetti Key to Peace With Ives? (DIERSEN: Who a) has lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout, b) knows both Sanguinetti and Ives extremely well, and c) could arrange a productive meeting between the two that would result in a productive meeting between Ives and Rauner?)
http://taylorvilledailynews.com/local-news/355509
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Governor Bruce Rauner has a key issue to deal with as the march toward the general election battle with Democrat J.B. Pritzker moves forward. Rauner needs to mend fences with his primary opponent, State Representative Jeannie Ives, or at least her supporters. Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti could be of help in opening a dialogue. The Lt. Governor says she’s no stranger to the West Point grad. (AUDIO CLIP) Sanguinetti has also shared that she opposed legislation Governor Rauner signed that paved the way for state funded abortions. That was one of the key issues that many believe led to Ives’ surge in popularity.)

CBS2
— Pritzker Favors Higher Tax On Rich To Pay For State Pensions
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/04/03/illinois-state-pensions-taxes/

NBC5
— Illinois Lawmakers Discuss Legalizing Sports Betting – Mary Ann Ahern (DIERSEN: Gambling is a vice. If you promote gambling, you promote destruction.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-lawmakers-discuss-legalizing-sports-betting-478665023.html
— States, Cities Sue US Over Census Citizenship Question Adding the citizenship demand to the 2020 census questionnaire was an arbitrary decision that will “fatally undermine the accuracy of the population count,” according to the lawsuit – Larry Neumeister (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats a) side with foreign countries against America and b) side with citizens of foreign countries against citizens of America.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Census-Citizenship-Question-Lawsuit-478661023.html

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— White House criticized over lack of diversity in intern program (DIERSEN: Democrats shout at young minorities, at young females, and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/white-house-criticized-over-lack-of-diversity-in-intern-program

WLS AM
— Rauner: “We should be reducing the tax burden, not increasing it.” – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/04/03/rauner-we-should-be-reducing-the-tax-burden-not-increasing-it/
— Pritzker vows to ‘get rid’ of tuition tax credits for private and parochial schools – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/04/03/pritzker-vows-to-get-rid-of-tuition-tax-credits-for-private-and-parochial-schools/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Pritzker: Raise state tax rate, boost exemptions while working on a graduated income tax – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-taxes-20180403-story.html
— Chicago’s pension precipice: It’s worse than you thought. – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-chicago-pensions-rahm-emanuel-20180403-story.html
— Illinois lawmakers weigh sports gambling, as NBA and MLB officials back the idea – Bill Lukitsch (DIERSEN: Gambling is a vice. If you promote gambling, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-sports-gambling-20180403-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Catholic Charities to lead community outreach for Chicago’s CityKey ID – Fran Spielman (DIERSEN: To give money to Catholic Charities is to encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/catholic-charities-to-lead-community-outreach-for-chicagos-citykey-id/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Last month, now-failed Republican gubernatorial challenger Jeanne Ives joined forces with the City Council’s lone Republican to oppose using the ID to register to vote. Ives argued then that accepting the municipal ID for voter registration “is literally suborning voter fraud. And the political class in the sanctuary city of Chicago is brazen about this fact.” Emanuel was dismissive: “She should just take her Trump rhetoric out of the city. It doesn’t reflect our values.” Days later, a rival bidder made the politically-explosive claim that printing technology used to create the new ID compromises personal information the city promised to keep confidential to shield illegal immigrants from the threat of deportation. Valencia and Chief Procurement Officer Jamie Rhee flatly denied the charge.)
— Pritzker blasts Rauner’s private school scholarship plan as ‘really bad idea’ – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pritzker-blasts-rauners-private-school-scholarship-plan-as-really-bad-idea/
— Black city workers reported harassed with ‘Judas’ slurs, urine in coffee cup – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/former-council-watchdog-faisal-khan-sheds-more-light-on-water-department-scandal/
— DePaul law professor cries foul when class canceled after use of N-word – Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/depaul-law-professor-cries-foul-when-class-canceled-after-use-of-n-word/
— Reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, then pick a cause – Editorial (DIERSEN: Democrats have picked a cause: Getting rid of Republicans, and especially Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/reflect-dr-martin-luther-kings-legacy-then-pick-a-cause-memphis-eric-holder/
— Dr. King’s battle against an epidemic of hatred – Phil Kadner (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote hatred of Republicans, and especially against Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/dr-kings-battle-against-an-epidemic-of-hatred/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Madigan poised for new term as Illinois Democratic Party chairman – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: Do you live in one of the congressional district which has a contested race for Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committeeman (SCC) – districts 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, and 17? If so, what weighted vote does your congressional district have, that is, what percent of all the Republican ballots cast in the March 20, 2018 Republican primary were cast in your congressional district? Have the IRP SCC candidates contacted those who will elect them at Republican County Party Conventions on April 18, 2018? What have those IRP SCC candidates promised to do if elected?)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180403/BLOGS02/180409974/madigan-poised-for-new-term-as-state-dem-chair
— Amazon’s HQ2 search is about politics, too – JONI BALTER (DIERSEN: What percent of Amazon employees are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180403/OPINION/180409972/amazons-hq2-search-is-about-politics-too

DAILY HERALD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats promote Democrats.
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20180403/meet-candidates-sean-casten-nancy-zettler-at-dundee-township-democrats-meeting-april-9

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Frank Vala stepping down from Woodside Township board amid legal question – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180403/frank-vala-stepping-down-from-woodside-township-board-amid-legal-question

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Encouraged by primary success, Northwest Side GOP Club looks to November – W.J. Kennedy
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511381689-encouraged-by-primary-success-northwest-side-gop-club-looks-to-november

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Mazzochi touts accountability in 47th House District run – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511381558-mazzochi-touts-accountability-in-47th-house-district-run

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner campaign claims Pritzker has “benefitted from corruption” (DIERSEN: What do your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that you have benefitted from, but should not have benefited from? For me, the list includes being White, being male, attending Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete 1953-1961, attending Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest 1961-1962, avoiding the draft, being overpaid by the federal government, earning a bachelor’s degree and three master’s degrees, deducting graduate business, accounting, and finance courses, earning six professional certifications, earning a professional license, deducting mortgage interest and real state taxes, getting married, giving up trying to have children, not adopting, not becoming a foster parent, getting a Civil Service Retirement System pension, getting federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies, and deducting medical and dental expenses.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/03/rauner-campaign-claims-pritzker-has-benefitted-from-corruption/
— Intrigue surrounds Rauner appointment, firings, park
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/03/intrigue-surrounds-rauner-appointment-firings-park/
— Your suggested topics for Gov. Rauner’s new government newsletter? (DIERSEN: I should write a book about all the government and political newsletters that have come and gone since I started sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails in 2000.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/03/question-of-the-day-2645/
— Study: Over a third of college students don’t get enough to eat (DIERSEN: Did you have enough to eat while you were a full-time college student? I had enough money not only to eat, but to a) buy a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967, b) buy a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968, c) live in the University Plaza in DeKalb for three semesters 1969-1970, d) live in Lincolnshire West Apartments in DeKalb for the summer session in 1970, and e) graduate from NIU in August of 1970 debt-free and owning that 1969 Dodge Charger SE. I had enough money to do the aforesaid a) because my outstanding parents provided me with room and board while I attended UIC 1966-1968, weekends during my first semester at NIU in 1969, and the summer of 1969 and b) because I earned and saved money doing yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washing dishes 1964-1966; cleaning golf shoes, chipping slag, and pumping gasoline in 1966; delivering mail 1966-1969; and working on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that I was able to do the aforesaid solely because I avoided the draft.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/03/study-over-a-third-of-college-students-dont-get-enough-to-eat/

GOPUSA
— U.S. bound caravan from Central America pauses in Mexico as leftists defend it (DIERSEN: Treasonous Democrats, treasonous Libertarians, treasonous Greens, and treasonous RINOs have a) always sided with foreign countries against America and b) always sided with citizens of foreign countries against citizens of America.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=42892

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Time To Send Troops To The Southern Border – Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Eileen Sullivan (DIERSEN: The top priority for all countries is to stop invasions.)
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/27697

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— The American Left, Like ISIS, Uses Children As Shields
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/04/the-american-left-like-isis-uses-children-as-shields/

BLAZE
— Parkland students return to school with mandated clear backpacks — and they are not happy about it – Chris Enloe
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/04/03/parkland-students-return-to-school-with-mandated-clear-backpacks-and-they-are-not-happy-about-it

BREITBART
— George Washington University Hosts Post-Easter Workshop to Combat ‘Christian Privilege’ – THOMAS D. WILLIAMS (DIERSEN: In your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, Who are the leading anti-Christians, anti-Protestants, and leading anti-Missouri Synod Lutherans?)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/04/03/university-hosts-post-easter-workshop-combat-christian-privilege/

CANADA FREE PRESS
— Coyote Caravan Coming to Help Progressive Left Take Trump Down – Judi McLeod (DIERSEN: The top priority for all countries is to stop invasions.)
https://canadafreepress.com/article/coyote-caravan-coming-to-help-progressive-left-take-trump-down

THE HILL
— Trump says he will put U.S. military on southern border – JORDAN FABIAN (DIERSEN: The top priority for all countries is to stop invasions.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/381435-trump-says-he-will-put-us-military-on-southern-border
— Trump: ‘Fake news networks’ afraid of competition from Sinclair – JOHN BOWDEN
http://thehill.com/homenews/media/381371-trump-fake-news-networks-afraid-of-competition-from-sinclair

CNN
— Trump says he’ll send the military to the border. Bush and Obama did, too – Catherine Shoichet
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/03/politics/border-troops-deployed-obama-bush/index.html

NBC NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: NBC News a) sides with foreign countries against America and b) sides with citizens of foreign countries against citizens of America.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-says-caravans-immigrants-are-headed-u-s-what-s-n862136

REUTERS
— Trump: deploy military at U.S.-Mexico border until wall built – Steve Holland (DIERSEN: The top priority for all countries is to stop invasions.)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-trump/trump-deploy-military-at-u-s-mexico-border-until-wall-built-idUSKCN1HA1KP

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Says He Plans to Order Military to Guard Border – Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Eileen Sullivan (DIERSEN: The top priority for all countries is to stop invasions.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/03/us/politics/trump-border-immigration-caravan.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump says he’ll send military to guard U.S.-Mexico border – Seung Min Kim (DIERSEN: The top priority for all countries is to stop invasions.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-threatens-foreign-aid-to-honduras-as-he-continues-focus-on-caravan-of-migrants/2018/04/03/bdd9ac92-3735-11e8-b57c-9445cc4dfa5e_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Washington Post a) sides with foreign countries against America and b) sides with citizens of foreign countries against citizens of America.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/the-caravan-of-migrants-thats-alarmed-president-trump-has-now-stalled/2018/04/03/534b01c2-36aa-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html
— Short staffing leads to long waits for Social Security disability hearing decisions – Joe Davidson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/04/03/short-staffing-leads-to-long-waits-for-social-security-disability-hearing-decisions/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— OUTSTANDING: Trump Administration Plans to Check Your Answer on New Census Citizenship Question Census Bureau will mine state and federal records to verify accuracy of responses – Paul Overberg and Janet Adamy (DIERSEN: How many in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/wars, in your county, in Illinois, in America falsely claim to be citizens?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-plans-to-check-your-answer-on-new-census-citizenship-question-1522781033
— The Hot Debate: Can You Deduct Prepaid Property Taxes? Homeowners rushed to pay their 2018 property taxes last year, but the IRS warned only some are deductible – Laura Saunders (DIERSEN: If the SALT cap was $20,000 for married filing jointly, this would be far less of an issue.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-hot-debate-can-you-deduct-prepaid-property-taxes-1522747980

FED SMITH
— President’s Management Agenda Reiterates Pay Freeze, Benefits Cuts – Ian Smith
https://www.fedsmith.com/2018/04/03/presidents-management-agenda-reiterates-pay-freeze-benefits-cuts/

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Life at the top: what’s in it for you – Mike Causey
https://federalnewsradio.com/federal-report/2018/04/life-at-the-top-whats-in-it-for-you/

SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: SPLC a) sides with foreign countries against America and b) sides with citizens of foreign countries against citizens of America.
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/04/02/trump-and-his-troll-army-declare-war-caravan-migrants-fleeing-persecution

GUARDIAN
— Trump is not first president to deploy troops to US-Mexico border
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/03/trump-mexico-wall-military-guards-obama-bush-not-first-president

March 26 Morning Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— ‘Fake news’ in Malaysia could land peddlers in prison for a decade (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all news is fake except for the news that they put out or bless.)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/dont-miss/fake-news-in-malaysia-could-land-peddlers-in-prison-for-a-decade

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— McCarthy says he’s running for mayor ‘to save black lives’ – John Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-garry-mccarthy-rahm-emanuel-20180326-story.html
— Judge seeks smooth transition following vote to eliminate Aurora Election Commission – Steve Lord
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-commission-st-0325-20180323-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Bad politicians gerrymander political districts a) to reward those who glorify and praise them, who pander to them, who serve as their operatives or dupes, and/or who give them money and b) to punish those who do not do the aforesaid.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–supreme-court-redistricting-20180326-story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–redistricting-lawsuits-20180326-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats blame Republicans for gun violence. Democrats crow about their success in getting students to act as their operatives and as their dupes.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-us–student-gun-protests-20180325-story.html
— In four letters, why people leave Cook County: J-O-B-S – Editorial (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Democrats who run Cook County make it clear that they want individuals, organizations, and companies that are members of the following groups to leave Cook County: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-jobs-illinois-texas-chicago-20180323-story.html
— Rick Santorum: Students should learn CPR, not seek ‘phony gun laws’ – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-santorum-students-gun-laws-20180325-story.html
— Study blames ‘ACLU effect’ for spike in Chicago’s violence in 2016, but experts differ – Jeremy Gorner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-violence-2016-aclu-effect-20180315-story.html
— Instead of campaigning, here’s what Rauner, Pritzker should do with those millions – Allen R. Sanderson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-millions-rauner-pritzker-governor-0326-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Why property taxes are staying flat in Naperville – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180326/why-property-taxes-are-staying-flat-in-naperville
— Wheeling may lift cap on video gambling cafes – Chacour Koop
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180326/wheeling-may-lift-cap-on-video-gambling-cafes
— Soldier’s passion influences GIs’ buying decision – Matt Avery
http://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20180326/soldiers-passion-influences-gis-buying-decision

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— You won the primary. Now it’s time to get serious on pension reform. – Editorial
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180323/ISSUE07/180329920/you-won-the-primary-now-its-time-to-get-serious-on-pension-reform
— Madigan comes out of primary season battered but far from broken – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180323/ISSUE05/180329926

NORTHWEST HERALD
— More McHenry County Democrats voted early than Republicans
http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/22/more-mchenry-county-democrats-voted-early-than-republicans/a3bvcun/

WIRE POINTS
— New Financial Statements: Illinois’ Net Worth Plummets Deeper Into The Red – Mark Glennon and John Klingner
http://www.wirepoints.com/new-financial-statements-illinois-net-worth-plummets-deeper-into-the-red-wirepoints-original/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Rep. Reick’s Message: Rauner, You Need Us – Cal Skinner (DIERSEN: What are your demographics? Which candidates talk and/or act like they want votes from those who share your demographics?)
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/03/25/rep-reicks-message-rauner-need-us/

GOPUSA
— Obama wants to ‘create a million young Barack Obamas’ – David Leonhardt
http://www.gopusa.com/obama-wants-to-create-a-million-young-barack-obamas/

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Growing College Graduation Gap – David Leonhardt (DIERSEN: What percent of your fellow high school graduates earned a college degree? What percent earned a graduate degree? What percent earned a professional certification? What percent earned a professional license?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/25/opinion/college-graduation-gap.html

(FROM THE ARTICLE: First, some good news: In recent decades, students from modest backgrounds have flooded onto college campuses. At many high schools where going to college was once exotic, it’s now normal. When I visit these high schools, I see college pennants all over the hallways, intended to send a message: College is for you, too. And thank goodness for that message. As regular readers of this column have heard before, college can bring enormous benefits, including less unemployment, higher wages, better long-term health and higher life satisfaction. Now for the bad news: The college-graduation rate for these poorer students is abysmal. It’s abysmal even though many of them are talented teenagers capable of graduating. Yet they often attend colleges with few resources or colleges that simply do a bad job of shepherding students through a course of study.)

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats blame Republicans for gun violence. Democrats crow about their success in getting students to act as their operatives and as their dupes.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-the-march-student-activists-look-to-midterms-1522012947
— Most Stressful Job on the Road: Not Driving an Autonomous Car Safety drivers have critical job of backing up the computers that largely control the vehicles – Greg Bensinger and Tim Higgins
https://www.wsj.com/articles/most-stressful-job-on-the-road-not-driving-an-autonomous-car-1522000393
— Colleges Make It Easier for Older Students – Lisa Ward (DIERSEN: Because GAO assigned me to audits of federal financial system regulators in 1990, I started taking graduate finance courses at IIT in 1992 when I was 43 years old, and I earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/colleges-make-it-easier-for-older-students-1522029900
— Saving More for Retirement vs. Work Longer Staying on the job, even for a little while, can have a much bigger impact on your nest egg than saving more – Lisa Ward (DIERSEN: My Civil Service Retirement System pension is dramatically less because my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/saving-more-for-retirement-vs-work-longer-1522029780

COLLEGE MEDIA NETWORK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats say “In the Hot Seat: The Path to a Peter Roskam Loss. It’s time to admit political climate change is real.”
https://www.collegemedianetwork.com/in-the-hot-seat-the-path-to-a-peter-roskam-loss/

WORLD SOCIALIST WEB SITE
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON CHICAGO TIGHTENS: Over 80,000 youth and students in Chicago protest against mass violence
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/03/26/chic-m26.html

March 20 Evening Edition

DUPAGE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION
— Unofficial Results
https://www.dupageresults.com/IL/DuPage/73687/Web02.194199/#/
— PRESS RELEASE: BY ORDER OF COURT, THE FOLLOWING POLL LOCATION SHALL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 8:00 P.M. FOR VOTING: ELIZABETH IDE SCHOOL, 2000 MANNING RD, DARIEN, IL
http://www.dupageco.org/Election/Election_Commission_News/2018/57127/

CBS2
— March 2018 Primary Election Results
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/march-2018-primary-election-results/
— Voter Turnout Stands At About 25 Percent For Illinois Primary
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/03/20/illinois-primary-voter-turnout/
— Election Officials Admit Ballot Error In Assessor’s Race
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/03/20/cook-county-asssessor-election-ballot/
— Ex-Hultgren Aide Nick Provenzano Accused Of Being With Teen Boy (DIERSEN: Republicans Hultgren and Roskam endorsed me when I first ran for Republican Precinct Committeeman in 2000. What do you say my critics/opponents, their operatives, and to their dupes who hint/imply/argue/shout that if Hultgren and/or Roskam had continued to support me, I would still be 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, and American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member?)
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/03/19/ex-hultgren-aide-accused-of-being-with-teen-boy/

NBC5
— Controversial GOP Primary for Illinois Attorney General Draws to a Close
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/republican-primary-illinois-attorney-general-erika-harold-gary-grasso-477341603.html

ABC7
— Illinois Primary 2018: GOP race between Rauner and Ives closer than expected – Ravi Baichwal
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/gop-race-between-rauner-and-ives-closer-than-expected/3239443/
— Illinois Primary 2018: Young voter turnout low across Chicago area; workers locked out of Hyde Park polling place – Jessica D’Onofrio
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/polls-open-in-illinois-primary/3237505/

WGN RADIO
— Gov. Bruce Rauner: “It’s money and power for him” – MARY SANDBERG BOYLE
http://wgnradio.com/2018/03/20/gov-bruce-rauner-its-money-and-power-for-him/
— Governor Bruce Rauner: “Pritzker will give the governorship over to Madigan”
http://wgnradio.com/2018/03/19/governor-bruce-rauner-pritzker-will-give-the-governorship-over-to-madigan/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Livestream: 2018 Illinois primary election updates and analysis
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/illinois-primary-election-2018-results-analysis-live-updates/
— Hultgren Congressional aide Nick Provenzano fired 5 months after sexual encounter with teen boy
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/report-congressional-aide-fired-5-months-after-sexual-encounter-with-teen-boy/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— An unwanted season of reality television comes to an end with Tuesday’s primary – Dan Moran
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-moran-primary-campaign-television-st-0321-20180320-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Rauner and Ives hit the suburbs with hours to go before polls close – Marni Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180320/rauner-and-ives-hit-the-suburbs-with-hours-to-go-before-polls-close
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “We’re going to have an upset today,” Ives said Tuesday after voting in Wheaton. And “a victory tonight reverberates around the United State. It says you can hold your elected officials accountable.” Rauner dashed away questions about such an outcome. “We’re going to win — it’s as simple as that,” he said. “It’s a labor of love for me.”)
— Schaumburg Township GOP unity breakfast set for March 24 (DIERSEN: When and where will the unity events be held a) by the Illinois Republican Party for the statewide candidates, b) by your Republican county party organization, and c) by your Republican township/ward party organization?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180320/schaumburg-gop-unity-breakfast-set-for-march-24
— Hultgren fires aide Provenzano after sexual encounter with teen boy – Christopher Hacker
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180319/reports-hultgren-fires-aide-provenzano-after-sexual-encounter-with-teen-boy
— TRAGIC: Video gambling to remain legal in St. Charles – Lauren Rohr
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180320/video-gambling-to-remain-legal-in-st-charles

HERALD & REVIEW
— Low turnout reported at Macon County polling locations
https://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/updates-low-turnout-reported-at-macon-county-polling-locations/article_dc82c867-926b-551d-8789-ba5cb9d68c2e.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois Primary: Democrats Wage Internal Battle, With Big Signs Of Party Enthusiasm – JESSICA TAYLOR (DIERSEN: Democrat officials act against the Democrat Party platform far less than Republican officials act against the Republican Party platform.)
https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/594939318/illinois-primary-democrats-wage-internal-battle-with-big-signs-of-party-enthusia

CRYSTAL LAKE PATCH
— Hultgren Fires Aide After Alleged Sexual Encounter With Teen Boy U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren fired Nick Provenzano on Monday. The sexual encounter with the 17-year-old boy was reportedly consensual. – Amie Rowland
https://patch.com/illinois/crystallake/hultgren-fires-top-aide-after-sexual-encounter-teen-boy

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE COURIER
— Tuition to increase after a three-year freeze
https://codcourier.org/8370/news/tuition-to-increase-after-a-three-year-freeze/

WEST COOK NEWS
— Durkin’s sister-in-law last sold office furniture in 2001 before landing high-paying Tollway job – W.J. Kennedy
https://westcooknews.com/stories/511366527-durkin-s-sister-in-law-last-sold-office-furniture-in-2001-before-landing-high-paying-tollway-job

ILLINOIS HOME PAGE
— Rauner race closer than expected – Raquel Martin
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/election/ylehq_illinoishomepage/rauner-race-closer-than-expected/1063220176

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives puts up new ad in final day
https://capitolfax.com/2018/03/20/ives-puts-up-new-ad-in-final-day/
— Late afternoon, early evening precinct reports
https://capitolfax.com/2018/03/20/late-afternoon-early-evening-precinct-reports/
— Afternoon election day thread
https://capitolfax.com/2018/03/20/afternoon-election-day-thread/
— More election day shenanigans!
https://capitolfax.com/2018/03/20/more-election-day-shenanigans/
— Hultgren aide fired after scandal
https://capitolfax.com/2018/03/20/hultgren-aide-fired-after-scandal/
— Tonight’s election coverage plan
https://capitolfax.com/2018/03/20/tonights-election-coverage-plan/

BREITBART
— Jeanne Ives Proud of Hard-Fought Challenge to Establishment in Illinois – ROBERT KRAYCHIK
http://www.breitbart.com/radio/2018/03/20/jeanne-ives-proud-of-hard-fought-challenge-to-establishment-in-illinois/

DAILY SIGNAL
— These 5 Horrible Bureaucrats Beat the Clock and Kept Their Pensions – John York (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes put in with these five.)
https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/03/20/5-horrible-bureaucrats-beat-clock-kept-pensions/

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Supreme Court Sides With Illegal Aliens… Again
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/27616

ACCURACY IN MEDIA
— Media Wrong About Fired FBI Official McCabe’s ‘Lost’ Pension
https://www.aim.org/on-target-blog/media-wrong-about-fired-fbi-official-mccabes-lost-pension/

GOPUSA
— Facebook algorithm kills conservative news feeds, boosts left
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=41716
— Black groups lobby Congress in support of Louis Farrakhan
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=41783
— Public ‘education’ is creating a disaster with our children
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=41737

DAILY CALLER
— Illinois Republican Governor’s Primary Is A Tie – Thomas Phippen
http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/20/illinois-republican-governor-primary-a-tie/
— GOP Staffer Nick Provenzano Loses Job After Police Find Him Shirtless In A Car With A Teenager – Thomas Phippen
http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/20/gop-staffer-fired-shirtless-car-teenager/

THE HILL
— Illinois rep fires aide after alleged encounter with teenager – LUIS SANCHEZ
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/379227-illinois-rep-fires-aide-after-alleged-sexual-encounter-with-teenager

NEW YORK TIMES
— Ex-Playboy Model Sues to Break Silence on Trump
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/us/ex-playboy-model-sues-to-break-silence-on-trump.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump’s view of public service: Officials serve him, not the public Trump’s use of nondisclosure agreements in the White House is the latest violation of the public trust. – Ian Bassin (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors and supervisors always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I worked for them and not for the federal government.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/03/20/trumps-view-of-public-service-officials-serve-him-not-the-public/?utm_term=.54368d005380
— Republicans are in denial about a blue wave – Jennifer Rubin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/03/20/republicans-are-in-denial-about-a-blue-wave/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Centrist Incumbents Tested in Illinois Primaries Democrat Rep. Lipinski faces opponent backed by Bernie Sanders; Republican Gov. Rauner challenged by social conservative – Reid J. Epstein and Janet Hook
https://www.wsj.com/articles/centrist-incumbents-tested-in-illinois-primaries-1521583137

FEDERAL TIMES
— House reinstates rule that can target fed pay, agency funds – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, if I was still working for the federal government, my critics/opponents would be pressuring Roskam, Hultgren, Bost, Davis, Kinzenger, LaHood, and Shimkus to use the Holman Rule to cut my federal pay to zero and even worse things. My critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois, but nevertheless, they blame me for their problems, blame me for your problems, blame me for my problems, and blame for everyone’s problems.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/federal-oversight/congress/2018/03/20/house-passes-reinstatement-of-rule-that-could-cut-federal-employee-pay/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The House of Representatives in a contentious March 20, 2018, vote passed the continuation of an old procedural rule that would give Congress the ability to cut the pay of individual federal workers and to eliminate entire agency programs. The Holman Rule, first passed in 1876 and named for Indiana Rep. William Holman, was removed from the House rule book in 1983. The rule was then reinstated in the Rules of the House for the 115th Congress, but applied only to the first session or year. House Republicans extended the Holman Rule through the end of the current Congress by adding it to H.Res. 787, which provides for the consideration of two unrelated bills. “Last night, without any public debate, House Republicans snuck into legislation the Holman Rule — a cynical and dangerous attack on federal workers that allows members of Congress to reduce the salaries of federal employees. This archaic tool, also known as the Armageddon Rule, is nothing more than a backdoor way for Republicans to dismantle the federal workforce and carry out political vendettas at the expense of career civil servants,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va.)

FED SMITH
Federal Employee Retirement, Politics and Being Fired – Ralph R. Smith (DIERSEN: If I had been a Democrat, a minority, a female, and/or a veteran, I might still be working for GAO.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2018/03/20/federal-employee-retirement-politics-being-fired/
— Legislation Would Make Federal Employee Bonuses Public Information – Ian Smith (DIERSEN: What about legislation that would require the federal government to issue press releases 90/60/30 days before it takes adverse actions against its employees. Adverse action like a) when my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, gave me unfair performance expectations and appraisals, 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 $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; and b) 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) when my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968?)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2018/03/20/legislation-make-federal-employee-bonuses-public-information/