March 4, 2025

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NBC5
— Pritzker SLAMS Trump, drops hints for 2028 run as Democrats look for leadership (COMMENT: Pritzker is far to the left of Harris.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRRuZ2qaXtA
— Census Bureau under Trump seeks permission to delete questions about gender identity. Trump has targeted transgender and nonbinary people with a series of executive orders since he returned to office.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/census-bureau-under-trump-seeks-permission-delete-questions-gender-identity/3687917/
— Stocks tank as Trump says tariffs will start Tuesday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/daily-open-stocks-tank-as-trump-says-tariffs-will-start-tuesday/3687825/
— Trump dashes hopes for last-minute Canada and Mexico deal ahead of 25% tariffs
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/trump-dashes-hope-for-last-minute-canada-and-mexico-deal-ahead-of-25-tariffs/3687449/
— Trump promises ‘big’ impacts ahead of joint address to Congress. The president took to Truth Social to offer a preview of the speech, which will take place Tuesday.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/trump-joint-address-to-congress-president-offers-preview/3687572/

WGN9
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote concerns about tariffs
https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-investigates/chicago-small-business-owners-concerned-over-trumps-tariffs-on-mexican-imports/

WTTW
— Chicago’s Sanctuary City Protections Face Crucible Moment as Mayor Brandon Johnson Set to Testify Before Congress
https://news.wttw.com/2025/03/04/chicago-s-sanctuary-city-protections-face-crucible-moment-mayor-brandon-johnson-set

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Here are some goods in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/03/tariff-goods-mexico-canada-china-2/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Under the Democrats and under the RINOs, ever-increasingly, more and more and more people will be on Medicaid. Beyond overwhelmingly, those on Medicaid vote for Democrats.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials/2025/03/03/medicaid-cuts-republicans-health-care-doom-millions-illinois-pritzker

DAILY HERALD
— Des Plaines council cutting city clerk’s oversight of staff
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250303/local-politics/des-plaines-council-cutting-city-clerks-oversight-of-staff/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— As Trump tariffs move from threat to reality, these Chicago industries brace for the impact
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/trump-tariffs-hit-chicago-manufacturing-pharma-tech

SOUTHERN
— Trump will face dozens of fired bureaucrats at joint address Tuesday (COMMENT:  My Democrat GAO superiors fired me in 1997, that is, they forced me to retire. What if my U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde and my U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald had invited me to Congressional addresses? My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that Hyde, Fitzgerald, and Hastert sided with GAO against me.)
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/03/04/trump-will-face-dozens-of-fired-bureaucrats-at-joint-address-tuesday/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Democrats bringing fired federal workers to Trump speech
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/hill-politics/democrats-bringing-fired-federal-workers-to-trump-speech/

WGLT
— Musk moves to cancel leases for federal offices across Illinois (COMMENT: Outstandingly, the last 8 years that I worked for GAO 1990-1997 were in new space in the new 200 West Adams building in the Loop.)
https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2025-03-03/elon-musks-doge-moves-to-cancel-leases-for-federal-offices-across-illinois

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/03/04/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-466/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WIREPOINTS
— The cost of illegal migrant healthcare… it’s billions instead of millions. But that’s typical of Illinois budgeting.
https://wirepoints.org/the-cost-of-illegal-migrant-healthcare-its-billions-instead-of-millions-but-thats-typical-of-illinois-budgeting-wirepoints-joins-tom-miller-of-wjpf-carbondale/
— Mayor Emanuel suddenly cares about Chicago’s “streets, schools and finances?” Here’s his record.
https://wirepoints.org/mayor-emanuel-suddenly-cares-about-chicagos-streets-schools-and-finances-heres-his-record-wirepoints/

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Trump got elected by promising to defend and advance the Republican Party platform if elected. What does that platform say about Ukraine, about tariffs, about spending cuts, about firing federal employees, about Canada, about Greenland, about etc.? – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— If I had sought to be on Musk’s DOGE team, I would have stressed that a) I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 Levels, currently $117,807-$153,151/year, b) I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $99,069-$112,280/year, c) I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance, d) I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting, and e) I became a licensed CPA when I was 32 years old. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, many of my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrat veterans, and at times, most, if not virtually all of them were. My Democrat superiors stressed to them that I avoided the Vietnam War draft. They stressed to them if I had not avoided the Vietnam War draft, I would not have been able to a) buy new cars when I was 19, 20, 23, 25, and 29. b) buy real estate when I was 24, 25, 27, 29, and 35, c) earn a bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and master’s degrees when I was 27 and 31, d) pass on my first attempt the CPA examination when I was 30 and the Certified Internal Auditor examination when I was 32, e) become a licensed CPA when I was 32, or f) get married when I was 29. My Democrat superiors succeeded in getting my Democrat superiors and supervisors to who were veterans to take many big adverse actions against me. I should write about that. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Why did America lose the Vietnam War?  SEE: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22lost+the+Vietnam+war%22  According to my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government, America lost the Vietnam War because far too many Republicans like me who not only did not enlist, but who avoided the draft. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— My Democrat GAO superiors fired me in 1997, that is, they forced me to retire. What if my U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde and my U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald had invited me to Congressional addresses? My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that Hyde, Fitzgerald, and Hastert sided with GAO against me. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— If you work for the federal government, your superiors and supervisors know everything about you, including your and your spouse’s income, assets, liabilities, dependents, etc. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates always painted themselves as be grossly underpaid and suffering tremendous financial hardships. Most commonly, they stressed the tremendous cost of raising their children. They were filled with envy and they were furious that my wife had a good job and that we gave up trying to have children, that we did not adopt, and that we did not become foster parents. I should write about that. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Overwhelmingly, Republicans view federal employees negatively. Why is that? Virtually all federal employees are Democrats, and many of them are minority, female, and/or veteran. I am Republican, White, male, and non-veteran, but nevertheless, I survived as a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 27 years. To demonize me, denigrate me, and condemn me, my Republican critics/opponents stress that I was a federal employee 1966-1969 and 1971-1997 and that I have been a federal retiree since 1997. They especially stress that I was an IRS employee 1971-1980. I should write about why Republicans view federal employees negatively. I would stress how my Democrat superiors treated me. I would stress the many big adverse actions that my Democrat superiors took against me that they never would never had taken against me if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, and or veteran. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— According to my critics/opponents who are not past, present, or future government employees, government is the employer of last resort, that is, government employees are those who are so bad that they cannot get a job in the private sector. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on those who could not get a government job if they tried to because they lack qualifications, because they cannot pass a background investigation, or because of even worse things. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Refocusing U.S. military: Why identity politics has no place in national defense. Defending our nation is not meant to be a social club.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/3/refocusing-us-military-identity-politics-place-national-defense/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Why Illinois and the U.S. are broke
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/03/why_illinois_and_the_u_s_are_broke.html

BREITBART
— Trump Warns U.S. Against Becoming ‘Like Europe’ With Mass Migration (COMMENT: Democrat and RINO leaders are ever-increasingly replacing those in America who vote for Republicans with those who vote for Democrats.)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/03/03/trump-warns-u-s-against-becoming-like-europe-with-mass-migration/

FEDERALIST
— Trump’s Success Proves Democrats And Weak Republicans Were Holding Border Security Hostage
https://thefederalist.com/2025/03/03/trumps-success-proves-democrats-and-weak-republicans-were-holding-border-security-hostage/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

AOL
— Many federal employees are veterans. They’re terrified. (COMMENT: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, many of my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrat veterans, and at times, most, if not virtually all of them were. My Democrat superiors stressed to them that I avoided the Vietnam War draft. They stressed to them if I had not avoided the Vietnam War draft, I would not have been able to a) buy new cars when I was 19, 20, 23, 25, and 29. b) buy real estate when I was 24, 25, 27, 29, and 35, c) earn a bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and master’s degrees when I was 27 and 31, d) pass on my first attempt the CPA examination when I was 30 and the Certified Internal Auditor examination when I was 32, e) become a licensed CPA when I was 32, or f) get married when I was 29. My Democrat superiors succeeded in getting my Democrat superiors and supervisors to who were veterans to take many big adverse actions against me. I should write about that.)
https://www.aol.com/trumps-sweeping-doge-driven-cuts-093002133.html
— Musk Claims To Know The Net Worths Of Federal Employees – But How? (COMMENT: If you work for the federal government, your superiors and supervisors know everything about you, including your and your spouse’s income, assets, liabilities, dependents, etc. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates always painted themselves as be grossly underpaid and suffering tremendous financial hardships. Most commonly, they stressed the tremendous cost of raising their children. They were filled with envy and they were furious that my wife had a good job and that we gave up trying to have children, that we did not adopt, and that we did not become foster parents.)
https://www.aol.com/musk-claims-know-net-worths-223621481.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “We do find it sort of rather odd that, you know, there are quite a few people in the bureaucracy who have, ostensibly, a salary of a few hundred thousand dollars but somehow managed to accrue tens of millions of dollars in net worth,” he said. In reality, only 3% of the 2.4 million federal employees make more than $200,000 a year, while half make between $50,000 and $110,000 a year, according to government figures. Further, workers who have made six figures for a number of years could easily be worth seven figures, particularly those in their 50s or 60s who have been saving for retirement for decades and have considerable equity in their homes. But Musk’s assertion raises the more fundamental question about how he would know the financial situations of federal employees.)

NEW YORK TIMES
— China Retaliates Against Trump Tariffs With Levies on U.S. Food
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03/04/us/tariffs-us-canada-mexico-china
— The People Carrying Out Musk’s Plans at DOGE (COMMENT: If I had sought to be on Musk’s DOGE team, I would have stressed that a) I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 Levels, currently $117,807-$153,151/year, b) I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $99,069-$112,280/year, c) I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance, d) I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting, and e) I became a licensed CPA when I was 32 years old.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/27/us/politics/doge-staff-list.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The New York Times identified more than 50 people within the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a group formed by Elon Musk that in a short few weeks has radically upended federal agencies. Few members have formal Washington experience. Many are software engineers. All seem to have a clear mandate: Shrink and disrupt the federal government. Mr. Musk’s team has taken aim at more than 20 agencies while gaining access to sensitive government data systems. But the full extent of its reach or ambitions is unclear. Much of the team’s operations are opaque, and most of its personnel have not been disclosed by the Trump administration, and it is unclear exactly how large the operation is. Through executive order, President Trump moved the team from the Office of Management and Budget, where it had been housed as the United States Digital Service since its founding, into the White House — a transition that effectively shielded its work from open records laws that could give the public insight into its operations. The list below includes some of Mr. Musk’s allies; engineers — many of whom are young men — with backgrounds in artificial intelligence; former employees; and others who have helped the operation. Several have recently deleted their social media accounts after their names appeared in news reports.)
— Departures Are Draining Agencies of Expertise. Trump’s effort to remake the government is a direct challenge to a decades-long effort to build a civil service stocked with experts. Critics say it will backfire. (COMMENT: My coworkers who my Democrat GAO superiors did not force to retire were Democrats who a) had less work experience than I had, b) had less education than I had, c) had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had and/or were a) minority, female, younger, and/or veteran.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/us/politics/federal-workers-scientists-firings-trump.html
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly discourage assimilation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/politics/trump-english-official-language.html
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ in the military.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/transgender-military-ban-trump-hegseth.html
— Struggling With Errors, DOGE Deletes Billions More From List of Savings. For the second time in a week, Elon Musk’s government overhaul effort updated its “wall of receipts” to remove mistakes that inflated its success.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/politics/doge-musk-contracts-wall.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump’s speech to Congress has the ingredients for an explosive event. The president addresses restless lawmakers Tuesday after six weeks of working aggressively to slash their power.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/04/trump-speech-second-term-congress/
— No one knows what will finally stop Trump. So Black leaders are trying everything. Resistance to the president should include lawsuits, boycotts, marches — and not forgetting history.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/03/trump-opposition-black-leaders/

USA TODAY
— How DOGE’s email to federal employees was ripped from private sector playbook
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/24/musk-doge-federal-layoffs-private-sector-inspiration/79075752007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump’s Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Take Effect, With Added Duties on China. Beijing hits back with retaliatory tariffs and other measures after U.S. imposes additional 10% duties on China.
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-stock-market-today-03-04-2025
— Trump Takes the Dumbest Tariff Plunge. He says the 25% levies on Mexico and Canada will begin Tuesday. Stocks fall.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-takes-the-dumbest-tariff-plunge-5da57946
— Just When We Need Them, the Media’s Credibility Hits Bottom. Journalists harrumph at Trump’s actions, but no one cares anymore. I say that with no satisfaction.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/just-when-we-need-them-the-medias-credibility-hits-bottom-79b11b8f

BARRON’S
— Trump’s Tariffs Will Send Inflation Higher, Hurt Exporters
https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-030425/card/trump-s-tariffs-will-send-inflation-higher-hurt-exporters-e4sxiO7RcFzoVmD88EBN

TIME
— These Are the Guests Democrats and Republicans Are Bringing to Trump’s Speech Tonight (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors fired me in 1997, that is, they forced me to retire. What if my U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde and my U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald had invited me to Congressional addresses? My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that Hyde, Fitzgerald, and Hastert sided with GAO against me.)
https://time.com/7264128/trump-joint-session-congress-2025-guests-democrats-republicans-schumer-johnson/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Fired federal workers. Medicaid recipients who could lose their healthcare under proposed budget cuts. A small business owner who may be affected by new tariffs. These are some of the people who will attend President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night, brought as guests by Democratic lawmakers seeking to highlight the human cost of the administration’s sweeping policy changes. For decades, lawmakers have used invited guests to put a human face on policy debates, underscoring the real-world consequences of decisions made in Washington. This year, as Trump touts what he calls a “historic transformation” of the federal government, Democrats are countering with stories of disruption and hardship—stories they hope will resonate beyond the chamber’s walls.)

NATION
— Your Government Owes You a Job. The federal government can easily afford a job guarantee program, becoming our employer of last resort. (COMMENT: According to my critics/opponents who are not past, present, or future government employees, government is the employer of last resort, that is, government employees are those who are so bad that they cannot get a job in the private sector. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on those who could not get a government job if they tried to because they lack qualifications, because they cannot pass a background investigation, or because of even worse things.)
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/your-government-owes-you-job/

HUFFINGTON POST
— Ever-increasingly, since 1965, Democrats and RINOs have ever-increasingly used Affirmative Action and DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.aol.com/trump-revokes-workplace-discrimination-rules-203613130.html

AXIOS
— Some Dems plot to disrupt Trump’s speech to Congress
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/04/trump-congress-address-democrats-disrupt-plan

GOOGLE AI
— Why did America lose the Vietnam War? According to my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government, America lost the Vietnam War because far too many Republicans like me who not only did not enlist, but who avoided the draft.
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22lost+the+Vietnam+war%22

INDEPENDENT
— U.S. forecast to enter recession after Trump crashes markets with tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-news-tariffs-canada-mexico-zelensky-musk-updates-b2708278.html

February 25, 2025 Evening Edition

WHITE HOUSE
— Sick Politicians Want Killers, Rapists Roaming Our Streets
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/sick-politicians-want-killers-rapists-roaming-our-streets/
— Statement on Trump White House Victory Against the Associated Press
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/02/statement-on-trump-white-house-victory-against-the-associated-press/
— New Poll Shows Massive Support for President Trump and His Agenda
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/new-poll-shows-massive-support-for-president-trump-and-his-agenda/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk’s direction
https://abc7chicago.com/post/president-donald-trump-backs-musk-he-roils-federal-workforce-demands-threats/15953583/
— Is Mayor Brandon Johnson is ready to defend Chicago’s sanctuary city law to Congress?
https://abc7chicago.com/post/ex-congressman-luis-guttierez-questions-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-is-ready-defend-sanctuary-city-law-congress/15954965/
— Rudy Giuliani satisfies Fulton County election workers’ $148 million defamation case
https://abc7chicago.com/post/rudy-giuliani-satisfies-fulton-county-election-workers-148-million-defamation-case/15952884/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Search for next US attorney in Chicago underway, again, in dramatically changed landscape  (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always stressed that my Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald appointed U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who sided with my Democrat GAO superiors in Diersen v. GAO. Previously, Peter Fitzgerald also appointed Amy St. Eve to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois who also sided with my Democrat GAO superiors. To side with my Democrat GAO superiors is to promote Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, to promote race and gender based preference giving, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/search-for-next-us-attorney-in-chicago-underway-again-in-dramatically-changed-landscape/
— Democrat leaders always hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans are responsible for racist graffiti
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/officials-promise-immediate-consequences-after-racist-graffiti-found-at-oak-park-and-river-forest-high-school/
— Social Security says higher payments are on the way for millions of former public workers
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/social-security-payments/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: More than 3.2 million Social Security recipients who received pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public service jobs will soon see a boost in their benefits. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, and new monthly payments will begin in April, the agency says. The Social Security Administration announced it would immediately begin processing retroactive payments and will send increased monthly payments to people affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which were rescinded in the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act that former President Joe Biden signed into law last year. The Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset limited Social Security benefits for recipients if they got retirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government. Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it also puts a strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.)
— Apple shareholders reject proposal to scrap company’s diversity programs
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/apple-diversity-programs-2/
— Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk’s direction
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/federal-employees-elon-musk/
— Elon Musk renews threat to fire federal workers despite pushback from various agencies
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/elon-musk-federal-workers/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rep. LaHood calls Trump policies a ‘priority’ as he opens search for new top federal prosecutor. The Peoria Republican also noted that the Northern District of Illinois has gone more than 22 months without a confirmed U.S. attorney.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/02/25/lahood-opens-u-s-attorney-search-by-calling-trump-policies
— Anticipate/expect that hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters will ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that rump is a Nazi. To hint/imply/argue/shout that someone is a Nazi in America today is like hinting/implying/arguing/shouting that someone is a Jew in Germany in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2025/02/25/pritzker-trump-comparison-nazi-hitler-academic-commentary
— With intensifying assaults on the press, is it time for a ‘NATO for news’?  To protect the free press in America, we need to agree that “an attack on one is an attack on all.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/02/24/president-donald-trump-assault-press-news-media-associated-press-ap-nato-news-jim-friedlich

DAILY HERALD
— Wheaton College in political, religious crosshairs over congratulating Trump appointee
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250225/news/wheaton-college-in-political-religious-crosshairs-over-congratulating-trump-appointee/
— Some GOP lawmakers start to call out DOGE — carefully
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250225/nation-and-world-politics/some-gop-lawmakers-start-to-call-out-doge-carefully/
— College of DuPage to host College Poll Worker Recruitment Summit April 11
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250224/submitted-content/college-of-dupage-to-host-college-poll-worker-recruitment-summit-april-11/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Who will be Chicago’s next U.S. attorney? Rep. LaHood is taking applications.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/darin-lahood-kicks-search-chicagos-us-attorney

SHAW LOCAL
— White House says it ‘will decide’ which news outlets cover Trump, rotating some traditional ones
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2025/02/25/white-house-says-it-will-decide-which-news-outlets-cover-trump-rotating-some-traditional-ones/

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Apple shareholders reject proposal to scrap company’s diversity programs
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/politics/article/alert-apple-shareholders-reject-proposal-to-20186932.php

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor. Here’s what to know about Casey.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-as-desantis-talks-up-his-wife-as-next-florida-governor-heres-what-to-know-about-casey/

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Rollback of diversity efforts leaves teachers wondering about effects on Black History Month
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/2025-02-25/rollback-of-diversity-efforts-leaves-teachers-wondering-about-effects-on-black-history-month

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Pritzker positions himself at forefront of Trump opposition by invoking Nazis’ rise to power
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-positions-himself-at-forefront-of-trump-opposition-by-invoking-nazis-rise-to-power/
— Lawsuit threatens Illinois minority teachers scholarship. Conservative group seeks to overturn race-based financial aid. (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/lawsuit-threatens-illinois-minority-teachers-scholarship/

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Edgar disses Trump
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/02/25/edgar-battles-cancer-disses-trump-00205911

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/25/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-255/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Milena McConchie, Wife of Recently Resigned State Senator Dan McConchie Succumbs to Cancer from Chernobyl Radiation, R.I.P.
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/milena-mcconchie-wife-of-recently-resigned-state-senator-dan-mcconchie-succumbs-to-cancer-from-chernobyl-radiation-r-i-p/
— Carbondale Retreats To Keep Sidewalk Counseling Case Out of U.S. Supreme Court
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/carbondale-retreats-to-keep-sidewalk-counseling-case-out-of-u-s-supreme-court/
— Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy “My Way or the Highway” Funk Mails Out Newsletter Right Before Election Day
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-my-way-or-the-highway-funk-mails-out-newsletter-right-before-election-day/
— Schakowsky Continues Picketing Agencies Musk Targets
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/schakowsky-continues-picketing-agencies-musk-targets/
— Federal Gun Dealer Takedown
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/federal-gun-dealer-takedown/
— State Reps Reick and Keicher Set Tele-Town Hall Meeting February 26th
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/state-reps-reick-and-keicher-set-tele-town-hall-meeting-february-26th/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— DHS warns illegal immigrants to self-deport
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/25/dhs-warns-illegal-immigrants-self-deport/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Chicago keeps electing Democrats to disastrous results
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3329826/chicago-keeps-electing-democrats-disastrous-results/
— Hospitals conducting transgender procedures on children supported by billions in taxpayer dollars
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3329731/hospitals-transgender-procedures-children-billions-taxpayer-dollars/

NEW YORK POST
— Trump administration ends use of controversial app to allow migrants to fly without ID
https://nypost.com/2025/02/25/us-news/trump-administration-ends-use-of-app-to-allow-migrants-to-board-flights-without-id/

CITY JOURNAL
— How Universities Get Away With Hiring Radicals. Fellow-to-faculty programs have seeded academia with activists.
https://www.city-journal.org/article/universities-fellow-to-faculty-programs-activists

DAILY WIRE
— Nearly 100 Illegals Captured In Colony Ridge Deportation Raids. Border Czar Tom Homan said “several child sexual predators” were arrested in the Texas development.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/nearly-100-illegals-captured-in-colony-ridge-deportation-raids

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Homan Wants to Double ICE Footprint in Sanctuary Cities. Musk Is Helping Him Get There.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/tom-homan-wants-to-double-ice-footprint-in-sanctuary-cities-elon-musk-is-helping-him-get-there/

NEWS BUSTERS
— The View Celebrates Black History Month By Promoting Discredited 1619 Project
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2025/02/25/view-celebrates-black-history-month-promoting-discredited

ONE AMERICA NEWS
— DHS Secretary Noem Says She Discovered Some Officials ‘Tipping Off’ Illegals About Deportation Plans: ‘They Will Be Fired’
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/dhs-secretary-noem-says-she-discovered-some-officials-tipping-off-illegals-about-deportation-plans-they-will-be-fired/

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Poetic Justice: Obama Library Delayed – Discrimination Lawsuits, Environmental Injunctions, Enrichment Allegations
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/poetic-justice-obama-library-delayed-discrimination-lawsuits-environmental-injunctions-enrichment-allegations/ar-AA1zCG31

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— Federal workers urge congressional lawmakers to reverse job cuts
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-workers-urge-congressional-lawmakers-to-reverse-job-cuts/
— Case surge from fired federal workers jams federal board
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/case-surge-from-fired-federal-workers-jams-merit-systems-protection-board/

NTD
— House Hearing on ‘The Government Accountability Office’s 2025 High-Risk List’
https://www.ntd.com/live-1-pm-et-house-hearing-on-the-government-accountability-offices-2025-high-risk-list_1049779.html

WASHINGTON POST
— What has Trump done today?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/trump-administration-actions/

USA TODAY
— Trump pitches $5 million gold card path to citizenship for foreign investors
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2025/02/25/trump-pitches-gold-card-path-to-citizenship-for-foreign-investors/80355877007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Proposes Fines, Prison Time for Migrants Who Don’t Join Registry. Administration plans to establish registration website as soon as this week.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-immigration-migrant-registry-jail-time-95c405a7

POLITICO
— White House says it will determine which reporters have access to the president
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/25/trump-white-house-press-pool-access-00206001

PBS
— Elon Musk may direct more demands on federal employees to justify their work
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/elon-musk-may-direct-more-demands-on-federal-employees-to-justify-their-work

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Is Trump Acting Like a Dictator? 74% of Democrats Say So
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/is_trump_acting_like_a_dictator_74_of_democrats_say_so

February 24, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The few Republicans who still oppose Trump, including former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, gather in search of a path to oppose him.  (COMMENT: To what extent do Republican leaders in your area oppose Trump? What are they doing to oppose Trump? Why do they oppose Trump?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/24/republicans-oppose-trump/

ABC7
—  Pfleger church flying American flag upside-down: ‘America is under distress’ (COMMENT: Democrat leaders crow about their success in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.)
https://abc7chicago.com/post/father-michael-pfleger-flies-american-flag-upside-down-outside-saint-sabina-church-gresham-chicago/15952293/

FOX32
—  Pfleger protests Trump administration with upside-down American flag (COMMENT: Democrat leaders crow about their success in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.)
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-pastor-protests-trump-administration-upside-down-american-flag
— To get more votes from Blacks, Democrat leaders push for reparations. Anticipate/expect that to get more votes from voters who are the following, Democrat leaders will push for reparations for them: other minorities, females, young people, LGBTQers, those who have less money than others, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, and those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1598130

WBEZ
— Trump’s cozying up to Russia comes as ‘slap in the face’ to Ukrainian Americans in Chicago
https://www.wbez.org/nation-world/2025/02/24/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-war-third-anniversary-chicago-ukrainians

WGN RADIO
— DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump’s pick
https://wgnradio.com/news/political-news/ap-desantis-promotes-his-wife-as-next-florida-governor-and-takes-a-shot-at-trumps-pick/

OUR QUAD CITIES
— Pritzker’s proposal to fund resources for the homeless in Illinois (COMMENT: Under Illinois Democrats and under Illinois RINOs, homelessness will ever-increasingly increase in Illinois.)
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/gov-pritzkers-proposal-to-fund-resources-for-the-homeless-in-illinois/

WSIU
— Democrat leaders have protesters call on LaHood to oppose Trump’s cuts to health care, food assistance
https://www.wsiu.org/state-of-illinois/2025-02-24/protesters-call-on-lahood-to-oppose-trump-cuts-to-healthcare-food-assistance

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump administration backs off requiring response to “What did you do last week?” email
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-24/trump-administration-backs-off-requiring-response-to-what-did-you-do-last-week-email
— Federal agencies still can’t agree on ‘What did you do last week?’ email
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-24/federal-agencies-still-cant-agree-on-what-did-you-do-last-week-email

WAND TV
— Judge rejects immediately restoring AP’s access to White House but urges government to reconsider. A federal judge on had refused to immediately order the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to presidential events, saying the news organization had not shown it had suffered irreparable harm in the matter. (COMMENT: AP treats Trump unfairly. But I have never treated Republican candidates, elected officials, or party leaders unfairly.)
https://www.wandtv.com/news/national/judge-rejects-immediately-restoring-aps-access-to-white-house-but-urges-government-to-reconsider/article_a64e49e8-c5db-55f0-8948-b150240eb30b.html

ILLINOIS PATCH
— Pritzker Refuses To ‘Bend The Knee’ As Trump Says ‘Long Live The King’  The Illinois governor also drew parallels between Nazi Germany and the modern political climate. (COMMENT: To be America’s next president, Pritzker ever-increasingly promotes more hatred against Trump, that is, to be America’s next president, Pritzker ever-increasingly promotes more hatred against those who voted for Trump including the 2.4 million in Illinois.)
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/pritzker-compares-trump-king-says-he-wont-bend-knee

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/24/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-254/
— Poll: Mayor Johnson’s re-elect in crowded field is 8 percent; Just 7 percent view him favorably, 80 percent unfavorably
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/24/poll-mayor-johnsons-re-elect-in-crowded-field-is-8-percent-just-7-percent-view-him-favorably-80-percent-unfavorably/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Immigration group received over $63 million in Illinois taxpayer funds in 7 months
https://www.aol.com/news/immigration-group-received-over-63-150000603.html

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Echoing My Continuing Concern that Data Centers Will Endanger Electric Supply to Homeowners and Businesses
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/echoing-my-continuing-concern-that-data-centers-will-endanger-electric-supply-to-homeowners-and-businesses/
— Time to Build Another Nuclear Power Plant in Illinois
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/time-to-build-another-nuclear-power-plant-in-illinois/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 8
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/the-censures-of-algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-funk-part-8/
— Marengo Set To Impose Grocery Sales Tax
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/marengo-set-to-impose-grocery-sales-tax/
— Fox River Grove Moving Ahead with Downtown Development
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/fox-river-grove-moving-ahead-with-downtown-development/
— Third Mailer from Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Danijela Sandberg
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/third-mailer-from-algonquin-township-highway-commissioner-danijela-sandberg/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel to Clear Out Illegal Aliens
https://amgreatness.com/2025/02/24/new-york-citys-roosevelt-hotel-to-clear-out-illegal-aliens/

BREITBART
— Poll: Support for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Totally Collapses
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/02/24/poll-support-for-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-totally-collapses/
— Houston 15-Year-Old Shoots Mom, Sister After Eating ‘Bunch’ of Marijuana Edibles
https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2025/02/23/police-houston-15-year-old-shoots-mom-sister-marijuana-edibles/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— Federal agencies can ignore “What did you do last week?” email, Trump administration says
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-doge-email-federal-employees-opm-directive-accomplishments/

CNN
— Musk’s new message: Elon Musk said tonight that federal workers who do not respond to a weekend email asking them to justify their jobs will be given another opportunity “subject to the discretion of the President” and warned that they would still be fired if they didn’t reply a second time. Hours earlier, the Office of Personnel Management notified government agencies that responding to Musk’s email, which President Donald Trump praised as “pretty ingenious,” was voluntary.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-24-25/index.html
— Setback for AP: A federal judge declined today to temporarily restore the Associated Press’ access to some of Trump’s events, the Oval Office and Air Force One.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-24-25/index.html

WASHJINGTON POST
— What has Trump done today?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/trump-administration-actions/
— Trump administration tells agencies they can ignore Musk order on email reply. The Office of Personnel Management told HR officials that employees wouldn’t be let go for not replying to an email asking what they did last week.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/24/musk-email-government-confusion/

DENVER POST
— SBA administrator orders regional offices to exit “sanctuary cities” like Denver
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/02/24/sba-administrator-regional-headquarters-exit-denver/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Backs Musk’s Email Asking Federal Workers to List Accomplishments. Agencies issue conflicting guidance on whether to comply with the request.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-says-workers-who-dont-respond-to-musks-email-risk-being-fired-27c2e9e4

BARRON’S
— Illegals who were invited in by Democrat and RINO leaders return home.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/their-dreams-dashed-by-trump-migrants-make-return-journey-home-8c6ff17b

PBS
— Federal workers sue over Elon Musk’s threat to fire them if they don’t explain their accomplishments (COMMENT: I sued my Democrat GAO superiors over their threats if I did not take their early retirement “offer” when I was 49 years old in 1997. SEE: https://gopillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DiersenGAOFifthAmendedComplaint.pdf  They made it clear to me that if I did not take their “offer,” they would make my next 6 years until I would be eligible for regular retirement a living hell for me. The least of which they would do would be to demote me and to give me adverse transfers. Previously, they had always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for them, and forced to take a $23,472/year (21%) pay cut to transfer from IRS. GAO was not unionized; it did not unionize until 2007.)
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-workers-sue-over-elon-musks-threat-to-fire-them-if-they-dont-explain-their-accomplishments

February 17, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Durbin, others in Chicago push back on proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid. Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation promise to stand up to Trump administration.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/sen-dick-durbin-joins-citizen-action-aids-foundation-chicago-push-back-proposed-federal-budget-cuts-medicaid/15921887/
— Mexico threatens to sue Google over Gulf of Mexico name change
https://abc7chicago.com/post/mexico-threatens-sue-google-company-continues-label-us-maps-gulf-america-entire-body-water/15921876/

WGN9
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote their protests against Trump
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luDPZki4H5Q

FOX32
— Democratic Illinois members of Congress blast Trump budget cuts
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1594551

WTTW
— Illinois Legislative, Labor Leaders Speak Out Against Trump Budget Cuts
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/17/illinois-legislative-labor-leaders-speak-out-against-trump-budget-cuts
— Durbin, University Leaders Push Back on Trump’s Efforts to Cut Medical Research Funding
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/17/sen-dick-durbin-university-leaders-push-back-trump-s-efforts-cut-medical-research

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— ‘No kings on Presidents Day’ rings out from protests against Trump and Musk
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/17/trump-musk-protests/
— Illinois secession bill passes out of Indiana committee, but even supporters aren’t totally on board
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/17/illinois-secession-bill-passes-out-of-indiana-committee-but-even-supporters-arent-totally-on-board/
— Mexico awaits new response from Google on dispute over Gulf of Mexico name before filing lawsuit
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/17/mexico-google-gulf-of-mexico/

DAILY HERALD
— Musk’s DOGE seeks access to personal taxpayer data, raising alarm at IRS
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250217/nation-and-world-politics/musks-doge-seeks-access-to-personal-taxpayer-data-raising-alarm-at-irs/
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise illegals and b) demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250217/letters-to-the-editor/save-immigrants-who-are-kind-hard-working/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER & OUR QUAD CITIES & DAILY EGYPTIAN
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote their protests against Trump
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2025/02/17/illinois-protestors-rally-at-state-capitol-against-president-trump/78992981007/
https://www.sj-r.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/02/17/protestors-rally-against-president-trump-for-second-time-in-illinois/78997988007/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/illinois-protestors-rally-state-capitol-230718017.html
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/illinois-advocates-speak-out-against-federal-cuts/
https://dailyegyptian.com/120456/news/carbondale-endures-cold-to-protest-trump-musk-on-presidents-day/

SOUTHERN
— Trump is the only person who can force Putin to the table
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/02/17/gop-sen-mullin-trump-is-the-only-person-who-can-force-putin-to-the-table/

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Don’t believe ‘incredible’ claims about Illinois schools
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/mark-glennon-dont-believe-incredible-claims-about-illinois-schools/article_ea37a3f4-ea14-11ef-9b08-173768ebbab5.html

STATELINE
— Indiana bill to ‘adopt’ Illinois counties advances in House
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/indiana-bill-to-adopt-illinois-counties-advances-in-house/

STATELINE & ADVANTAGE NEWS & WQRF
— 2.4 million voted for Trump in Illinois
https://www.mystateline.com/news/pritzker-majority-of-illinois-residents-dont-support-trump/
https://www.advantagenews.com/news/local/pritzker-says-trump-may-be-popular-nationwide-but-not-in-illinois/article_8724d48c-eb11-11ef-a176-efe4e140ec9e.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/jb-pritzker-says-donald-trump-201600367.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— GAO official says fraud does exist, but it’s not widespread
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-16/government-accountability-official-says-fraud-does-exist-but-its-not-widespread

WAND TV
— Durbin, Kelly join Citizen Action Illinois in fight against Trump budget cuts to Medicaid, SNAP
https://www.wandtv.com/news/statehouse/durbin-kelly-join-citizen-action-illinois-in-fight-against-trump-budget-cuts-to-medicaid-snap/article_fa0cd2ec-ed78-11ef-b7d9-477fd3841f09.html

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Second ‘50501’ protest held outside Illinois Capitol. Protestors take aim at Trump, call for “No Kings on President’s Day.”
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/second-50501-protest-held-outside-illinois-capitol/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WIREPOINTS
— With the border closed, will Illinois finally cut spending on illegal immigrants?
https://wirepoints.org/with-the-border-finally-closed-when-will-illinois-stop-spending-on-illegal-immigrants-wirepoints-quickpoint/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Integrity Team Seeks to Defeat Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk’s Slate
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/17/integrity-team-seeks-to-defeat-algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-funks-slate/
— Former Co-Chair of Republican National Committee Headlining Joe Tirio Fundraiser on February 21st
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/17/former-co-chair-of-republican-national-committee-headlining-joe-tirio-fundraiser-on-february-21st/
— Resident Criticizes McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett’s Stewardship
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/17/resident-criticizes-mchenry-mayor-wayne-jetts-stewardship/
— Is McHenry County Administrator’s Pending 5.3% Raise a Signal That All Non-Union Employees Will Receive the Same?
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/16/is-mchenry-county-administrators-pending-5-3-raise-a-signal-that-all-non-union-employees-will-receive-the-same/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/bill-introduced-to-again-try-for-progressive-income-tax-in-illinois/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats protest as Trump’s DOGE squad exposes federal waste. Discoveries of misspent millions reveal a pattern of unauthorized funding to partisan causes.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/democrats-protest-trump-doge-squad-exposes-federal/
— DOGE seeks access to IRS system with taxpayers’ financial data
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/doge-seeks-access-irs-system-taxpayers-financial-d/
— White House hits back on Democrats’ criticism of DOGE actions
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/white-house-hits-back-democrats-criticism-doge-act/
— FAA’s new air traffic control towers go ‘green’ instead of the latest safe tech
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/faa-new-air-traffic-control-towers-go-green-instea/
— Vance calls for U.S. and its allies to reject Germany’s ‘Orwellian’ speech laws (COMMENT: My critics/opponents hate the First Amendment. They want to stop me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters. Failing that, they want to stop everyone from reading them. Failing that, they have their operatives and their dupes take big adverse actions against me. I should write about my critics/opponents.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/j-d-vance-calls-u-allies-reject-germany-orwellian-/
— Trump’s immigration crackdown protects Hispanic communities
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/trump-immigration-crackdown-protects-hispanic-comm/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Everything you need to know about this year’s CPAC
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3319947/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cpac-this-year/
— Losing the race: Crass identity politics isn’t what it used to be for Democrats
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3311358/losing-race-crass-identity-politics-not-what-it-used-to-be-democrats/

NEW YORK POST
— Homan vows to ‘eradicate’ every criminal migrant from US — as he touts staggering drop in daily encounters
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/us-news/border-czar-tom-homan-vows-to-eradicate-every-criminal-migrant-from-us/
— Wall Street banks scrub DEI language from websites in latest retreat from corporate wokeness
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/business/wall-street-banks-scrub-dei-language-in-retreat-from-wokeness/
— DOGE discovers $4.7 trillion in Treasury payments were missing critical code: ‘Traceability almost impossible’
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/us-news/doge-discovers-4-7-trillion-in-treasury-payments-were-missing-critical-code/
— Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Biden’s IRS targeted him for an audit (DIERSEN: I should write about my Democrat IRS superiors who disallowed my education deductions in 1978.)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/us-news/defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-says-bidens-irs-targeted-him-for-an-audit/
— Riots and hijackings — why ICE cuffs and shackles some deportees
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/opinion/riots-and-hijackings-why-ice-cuffs-and-shackles-some-deportees/
— Dems far outnumber conservatives in government — here’s what department is the worst (COMMENT: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government for almost 30 years, virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats. I should write about Democrat superiors and supervisors who hated Republicans the most.)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/opinion/dems-far-outnumber-conservatives-in-government-heres-what-department-is-the-worst/

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Pete Hegseth Says Biden’s IRS Targeted Him With ‘Sham’ Audit on Their Way Out the Door (DIERSEN: I should write about my Democrat IRS superiors who disallowed my education deductions in 1978.)
https://amgreatness.com/2025/02/17/pete-hegseth-says-bidens-irs-targeted-him-with-sham-audit-on-their-way-out-the-door/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Memo suggests the City of San Diego’s government is loaded with illegals
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/02/memo_suggests_the_city_of_san_diego_s_government_is_loaded_with_illegals.html

BREITBART
— Homan Says Illegal Daily Encounters Down to 229 from 11,000
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/02/17/nolte-border-czar-tom-homan-says-illegal-daily-encounters-down-to-229-from-11000/

CHRISTIAN POST
— Lesbian pastor blasphemes Jesus as drag queen at council meeting
https://www.christianpost.com/news/lesbian-pastor-blasphemes-jesus-as-drag-queen-at-council-meeting.html

FOX NEWS
— Obama library, begun with lofty DEI goals, now plagued by $40M racially charged suit, ballooning costs. The Black-owned firm claims it was accused of underperforming in the project because of race.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/obama-center-subcontractor-hired-under-dei-initiative-now-suing-40m-racial-discrimination-lawsuit

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Education Department Ends $600 Million in Grants for DEI, Critical Race Theory Trainings
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/education-department-ends-600-million-in-grants-for-dei-critical-race-theory-trainings/

NEWSMAX
— Big Banks Cutting DEI to Avoid Federal Scrutiny
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/dei-division-inequity/2025/02/17/id/1199374/
— GOP Rep Introduces Proposal to End Asylum for Criminals
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/illegal-alien-criminals/2025/02/17/id/1199423/

TOWNHALL
— Illinois state Rep. John Cabello (R) Wants to Create a DOGE for His State
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/madelineleesman/2025/02/17/a-republican-lawmaker-in-illinois-wants-to-create-a-state-doge-agency-n2652334

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— DOGE sets up IRS, SEC accounts on X
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5149582-doeg-irs-sec-x-accounts/
— Musk divides GOP
https://thehill.com/newsletters/technology/5149945-musk-divides-gop/
— Musk is coming for your Social Security
https://thehill.com/opinion/5148448-elon-musk-targeting-social-security/

MSN
— NAACP spending guide urges Black Americans to avoid companies that dumped DEI
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/naacp-spending-guide-urges-black-americans-to-avoid-companies-that-dumped-dei/ar-AA1zdVIs

CBS NEWS
— Trump’s firings of independent agency heads put 90-year-old Supreme Court precedent in crosshairs
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-firings-agencies-boards-supreme-court-precedent/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Education Dept. Gives Schools Two Weeks to Eliminate Race-Based Programs. The department’s Office for Civil Rights warned that it would penalize schools that consider race in scholarships, hiring and an array of other activities.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/us/politics/education-dept-race-based-programs.html

February 14, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction could give Illinois GOP a path to relevancy, but it’s still strewn with obstacles
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/14/michael-madigan-conviction-illinois-gop/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/chicago-sanctuary-laws-immigrants-immigration
— Democrats ever-increasingly use Trump’s tariffs to raise alarms
https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2025/02/14/trump-tariffs-becoming-concern-illinois-farm-agriculture-industry

DAILY HERALD
— What to know about the federal workforce under Trump (COMMENT: While I was a federal employee for almost 30 years, virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats, and many if not most were minority, female, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German America, and/or had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time. Virtually all of my coworkers had less work experience than I had, had less education than I had, had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250214/nation-and-world-politics/what-to-know-about-the-federal-workforce-under-trump/

NBC5
— To promote DEI is to give preference to those who are minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, disabled, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc. )
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/as-target-and-other-retailers-drop-dei-programs-black-founders-could-face-tougher-battle-to-get-and-stay-on-shelves/3674503/

WGN9
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://wgntv.com/migrants-in-chicago/dont-want-to-go-back-asylum-seekers-face-deportation-anxiety-in-chicago/

WTTW
— Democrats demonize, denigrate, and condemn Trump’s Secretary of Education. They blast a job that she had in the past. My critics/opponents blast my having been a federal employee for almost 30 years. They especially blast my having been an IRS Revenue Office for almost 9 years.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/13/ctu-sounds-alarm-chicago-students-donald-trump-s-education-secretary-pick-set-be

WBEZ
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2025/02/14/what-immigrants-should-know-about-law-enforcement-amid-increased-immigration-raids

WEDNESDAY JOURNAL
— In tense national moment, Oak Park leaders stand up for DEI, progressive values. In show of solidarity, range of leaders gather at Unity Temple. (COMMENT: Democrat and RINO leaders use DEI to discriminate against Republicans.)
https://www.oakpark.com/2025/02/11/oak-park-leaders-stand-up-dei-progressive-values/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump’s pick for education chief sketches a roadmap for dismantling the department
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-trumps-pick-for-education-chief-seeks-approval-to-lead-an-agency-she-would-be-asked-to-tear-down/
— DOGE gets mixed reviews from conservatives who have long wanted major budget cuts
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-doge-gets-mixed-reviews-from-conservatives-who-have-long-wanted-major-budget-cuts/

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2025-02-14/pres-trumps-mass-deportation-plan-spur-strong-reactions-from-dekalb-march-organizers

WMBD
— IRS prepares to lay off thousands of workers (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors and supervisors were furious that they could not use probationary employee procedures to get rid of me because I had already survived my probationary period when I worked for IRS.)
https://wmbdradio.com/2025/02/14/us-irs-prepares-to-lay-off-thousands-of-workers-source-says/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is preparing to fire thousands of workers next week, a move that could squeeze resources at the tax-collecting agency during the critical tax-filing season, a person familiar with the matter said. Officials from the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees federal hiring, ordered all agencies on Thursday to dismiss their probationary employees, who are newer to their positions and do not enjoy full civil service job protections.)

WCIA
— US deports 119 migrants from a variety of nations to Panama
https://www.wcia.com/news/international/ap-us-deports-119-migrants-from-a-variety-of-nations-to-panama/

DAILY ILLINI
— Lawsuit targets Illinois teacher scholarship amid wider DEI rollbacks (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://dailyillini.com/news-stories/world-news/state-news/2025/02/14/lawsuit-illinois-teacher-scholarship-dei-rollbacks/

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Pritzker must address multi-billion-dollar deficit amid federal funding uncertainty. Annual budget address will be among toughest in governor’s two terms.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-must-address-multi-billion-dollar-deficit-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty/

CHICAGO READER
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://chicagoreader.com/columns-opinion/opinion/migrant-crime-wave/

AXIOS CHICAGO
— Illinois is one of only 13 U.S. states that sends more money to federal government coffers than it receives (COMMENT: Does your county, township, municipality, school district, and precinct send more money to Illinois and to the federal government than they receive?)
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/14/illinois-federal-money-budget-spending

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/14/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-249/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Anticipate/expect that Democrat and RINO leaders will ever-increasingly paint negatively everything that Trump says and does.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_26d55070-eb0c-11ef-a8f8-ef0141b9447f.html

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Crystal Lake Grade School District Tells Employees New Contract Led to Notifying Thirty Employees of Staff Reductions, Comparison of Tax to Salary Hikes
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/crystal-lake-grade-school-district-tells-employees-new-contract-led-to-notifying-thirty-employees-of-staff-reductions/
— The Velvet Hammer Hammered Cartoon
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/the-velvet-hammer-hammered/
— Thanks, Pat Quinn, for Making Mike Madigan More Powerful
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/thanks-pat-quinn-for-making-mike-madigan-more-powerful/
— Reick Announces Committee Assignments
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/reick-announces-committee-assignments/

— Darby Hills Selected to Succeed Dan McConchie in the State Senate

— Reader Questions House GOP Leader Tony McCombie’s Priorities

— McHenry County GOP Sends Invitation to Lincoln Day Dinner


ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level. (COMMENT: How much money does your school district spend per student? What percent of its students read at grade level?)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/spend-93k-per-student-and-what-happens-none-can-read-at-grade-level/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump cans thousands of ‘probationary’ federal employees (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors and supervisors were furious that they could not use probationary employee procedures to get rid of me because I had already survived my probationary period when I worked for IRS.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/14/donald-trump-cans-thousands-probationary-federal-w/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— On illegal immigration, it’s Trump filing the lawsuits
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/3321217/on-illegal-immigration-trump-filing-lawsuits/

FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— Vice President Vance Warns European Leaders that Mass Migration is the Most “Pressing Challenge”
https://www.fairus.org/blog/2025/02/14/vice-president-vance-warns-european-leaders-mass-migration-most-pressing-challenge

NEW YORK POST
— Yes: Obama, Biden endangered flights by rejecting whites for air-traffic controller jobs
https://nypost.com/2025/02/14/opinion/obama-biden-endangered-flights-by-nixing-whites-as-air-traffic-controllers/
— Pull the plug on EV subsidies — a government racket that dooms the auto industry
https://nypost.com/2025/02/13/opinion/pull-the-plug-on-ev-subsidies-a-costly-government-racket/

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Homan on Criminal Migrants: “I’ve Made It Clear, I Want Everybody,” “I Don’t Care If It’s For Shoplifting”
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/14/tom_homan_on_criminal_migrants_ive_made_it_clear_i_want_everybody_i_dont_care_if_its_for_shoplifting.html

TOWNHALL
— Ilhan Omar Isn’t the Only ‘Squad’ Member Helping Illegals Avoid Deportation
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/madelineleesman/2025/02/14/aoc-advises-constituents-on-how-to-avoid-being-deported-n2652194

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Sanctuary No More: NYC Mayor Ushers in Homan to Root Out Seriously Criminal Illegals
https://www.westernjournal.com/sanctuary-no-nyc-mayor-ushers-homan-root-seriously-criminal-illegals/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— U.S. Army bars transgender people from enlisting, ends gender-affirming care services
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-army-bars-transgender-people-enlisting-trump-executive-action/

NEWSWEEK
— Border Czar Says NYC Mayor ‘Can’t Back Away’ on Immigration Enforcement
https://www.newsweek.com/tom-homan-eric-adams-immigration-enforcement-sanctuary-city-2031402

REUTERS
— Putin welcomes Russians freed in prisoner swap as heroes loyal to the Motherland (COMMENT: Will deported illegals be welcomed in their motherlands?)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-greets-russians-returning-moscow-after-prisoner-swap-news-agencies-say-2024-08-01/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://www.wsj.com/economy/ice-raids-send-chill-through-migrant-workforces-cddf7537

BLOOMBERG
— Russia Has Sent Around 10,000 Immigrants to Ukraine Front (COMMENT: Democrats have declared a Second Civil War on Republicans. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrat Army.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-27/russia-has-sent-around-10-000-immigrants-to-front-in-ukraine

DAILY TROJAN
— An identity crisis for children of immigrants (COMMENT: All my ancestors immigrated from what is now Germany during the 1840s and 1950s. While they never returned to German to visit or for any other reason, they were slow to stop speaking German. My grandparents spoke German ad that held them back. Neither of my parents attended college. My father was only the first of my ancestors to earn a high school diploma. My mother never attended high school.)
https://dailytrojan.com/2023/01/26/an-identity-crisis-for-children-of-immigrants/

JD SUPRA
— Anticipate/expect that Democrat and RINO employers will continue to use DEI a) to not hire Republicans and b) to get rid of their Republican employees.
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/what-employers-should-know-about-3894669/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Trump’s Leadership Scores Higher in Second Term
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/trump_s_leadership_scores_higher_in_second_term

AUTO WEEK
— Could All EV Sales Be Hit With $1,000 Tax?  GOP senators back bills to dramatically redraw EV credit landscape, shifting those incentives in the opposite direction. (COMMENT: I have ordered a 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T EV.)
https://www.autoweek.com/news/a63798825/ev-credit-repeal-gop-senate-bill/

INDIA WEST JOURNAL
— US Sends Out Two More Planes With Illegals To India
https://indiawest.com/us-sends-out-two-more-planes-with-illegals-to-india/

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION
— These immigrants are leaving Australia because of the high cost of living
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-08/why-these-immigrants-are-deciding-to-return-to-their-motherland/103912586

February 13, 2025

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Sanctuary cities pose an unacceptable risk to public safety
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/13/opinion-sanctuary-cities-public-safety/
— Democrats try to move on after ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction as GOP calls for greater state ethics reforms
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/12/democrats-try-to-move-on-after-ex-speaker-michael-madigans-conviction-as-gop-calls-for-greater-state-ethics-reforms/

DAILY HERALD
— Hayes endorses Tinaglia to succeed him as Arlington Heights mayor (COMMENT: Since 2004, my critics/opponents have stressed that Jim Rasins did not endorse me for Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) Treasurer when he did not run again in 2004. They stressed that I had known Rasins since the 1980s and that I had worked hard to help elect him DuPage County Auditor in 2000 and to help reelect him in 2004. They knew that I had recruited Rasins to speak at an Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Chicago Chapter event in the 1990s. They ignored, dismissed, belittled, and badmouthed my qualifications. I had served as the AGA Chicago Chapter Treasurer 1983-1986. I had served as the Illinois Center Right Coalition Treasurer since 2003. I had worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 Levels, currently $117-807-$153,151/year: I had worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $99,069-$112,280/year. I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. I had earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. I had passed the Certified Internal Auditor Examination on my first attempt and became a licensed CPA in 1981. I had become a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and Forensic Accountant in 1997. Since 2004, my MTRO critics/opponents have stressed that I got only 13 votes in that MTRO Treasurer election while my opponent got 69 votes. They I should write about my MTRO critics/opponents. I would focus on those who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250212/news/hayes-endorses-tinaglia-to-succeed-him-as-arlington-heights-mayor/

ABC7
— Some new-arrival Venezuelan migrants in Chicago face threat of deportation. President Trump moves up timeline to April to revoke temporary protected status.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-immigration-news-new-arrival-venezuelan-migrants-face-threat-deportation-no-temporary-protected-status/15899205/

NBC5
— Trump administration considering using defense funding to ramp up deportations. The administration has been unhappy with the current pace of immigrant arrests and deportations, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement budget has been a factor.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/trump-administration-considering-using-defense-funding-to-ramp-up-deportations/3672999/?os=io..ref%3Dapp&ref=app

WGN9
— Durkin talks Madigan verdict
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elsCv9KLiF4

WTTW
— Trump Says He Wants the Department of Education Closed ‘Immediately.’ What That Could Mean for Illinois
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/12/trump-says-he-wants-department-education-closed-immediately-what-could-mean-illinois

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— What to know about the federal workforce under Trump. Since President Donald Trump began his second term last month, he has focused on dramatically reducing the federal workforce at a breakneck pace.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/ap-what-to-know-about-the-federal-workforce-under-trump/
— Democrats and RINOs use Affirmative Action and DEI to discriminate against Christians, and especially against Christians who are Protestant.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-given-christianitys-dominance-in-us-trump-raises-eyebrows-with-anti-christian-bias-initiative/

WAND TV
— Migrants with work permits could become firefighters under new plan in Illinois
https://www.wandtv.com/community/migrants-with-work-permits-could-become-firefighters-under-new-plan-in-illinois/article_bd88074c-e97c-11ef-b76b-d77fe5a5d046.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/13/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-455/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— At the University of Michigan, DEI Now Hides in Office of ‘Community Culture’
https://freebeacon.com/campus/exclusive-at-the-university-of-michigan-dei-now-hides-in-office-of-community-culture/

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— Trump Should Cancel the Diversity Visa Program. Ending the green card lottery needs to be a top immigration priority for the president.
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/trump-should-cancel-the-diversity-visa-program/

BLAZE
— Trump tears down the woke iron curtain.
https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/trump-tears-down-the-woke-iron-curtain

BREITBART
— Former GAO Head David Walker: DOGE Should Look at COVID Payments, Wouldn’t Surprise Me if There Was a Trillion in Fraud, Abuse
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/02/12/fmr-gao-head-doge-should-look-at-covid-payments-wouldnt-surprise-me-if-there-was-a-trillion-in-fraud-abuse/
— New York isn’t alone when it comes to granting driver’s licenses to immigrants without legal status (COMMENT: The list includes Illinois.)
https://www.breitbart.com/news/new-york-isnt-alone-when-it-comes-to-granting-drivers-licenses-to-immigrants-without-legal-status/

EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Says Putin Agreed to Start Negotiations to End Ukraine War. Trump also discussed the plans with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy is due to meet with Vice President Vance on Feb. 14.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/trump-announces-productive-call-with-putin-on-russia-ukraine-peace-talks-5808724

MEGYN KELLY
— Massachusetts City Flouts Trump Executive Orders, Votes to Become a ‘Sanctuary City’ for Trans People
https://www.megynkelly.com/2025/02/12/worcester-massachusetts-votes-to-become-sanctuary-city-for-trans-people/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Democrats and RINOs use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5141877-trump-musk-advocacy-campaign/

REUTERS
— US judge clears the way for tens of thousands of federal workers to take Trump buyout
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-allows-trump-proceed-with-government-employee-buyout-2025-02-12/

MSNBC
— Trump and Musk were wrong about government employees – they actually want to work (COMMENT: I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980 because GAO’s mission is to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in the federal government. The importance of that mission a) enabled me to withstand for almost 18 years tremendous efforts by my Democrat GAO superiors to waste my career and to get rid of me and b) motivated me to complete the requirements for master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, pass the Certified Internal Auditor examination in my first attempt in 1981, become a licensed CPA in 1981, become a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and Forensic Accountant in 1997 and to earn a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-and-musk-were-wrong-about-government-employees-they-actually-want-to-work/vi-AA1yWCyV

NEW YORK TIMES
— The federal employees Trump has purged, so far (COMMENT: The Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997 gave purge lists to all of their new managers of their Chicago office. Of course, I was at the top of all of those lists because I am conservative, Republican, White, male, older, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and my ancestors had been in America since 1844.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/11/us/politics/trump-musk-doge-federal-workers.html
— Democrat teachers promote DEI
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/nyregion/trump-dei-executive-orders-schools.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump closes down federal worker buyout offer after judge lifts hold (COMMENT: What is your position on buyouts and early retirement offers? In 1993, the Democrats who ran GAO “offered” $25,000 buyouts and early retirement to get rid of their employees who were Republican, older, White, male, non-veteran, GS-13, and/or had 25 years or more of federal service. I was “eligible,” that is, I was “targeted” because I was all of the aforesaid. They succeeded in forcing me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old just before their “offer” expired. If I had not succumbed, I would not have been eligible for regular retirement until 2003. Their forcing me to retire wasted what I had learned a) working for GAO for 18 years and for IRS for 9 years, b) earning three job-related master’s degrees (finance-1997, accounting-1980, and business-1976), c) six job-related professional certifications (forensic accounting-1997, financial services auditing-1996, government financial management-1994, fraud examination-1990, internal auditing-1981, and accounting-1979) and d) earning a job-related professional license (CPA-1981).)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/12/trump-federal-worker-buyout-court-hearing/
— Trump wants to substantially cut the federal workforce. Here’s what it looks like. While federal hiring has increased in recent years, federal workers, as a share of all Americans workers, remains at a historic low.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/12/federal-workers-trump-doge-cuts/

FORBES
— Democrats and RINOs use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnarae/2025/02/13/the-state-of-dei-practitioners-navigate-a-shifting-landscape/

NPR
— Trump ignites political firestorm in South Africa over Afrikaner asylum status offer (COMMENT: Because Democrats and RINOs use Affirmative Action and DEI to discriminate against Whites in America big time, it makes no sense for Whites to immigrate to America.)
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5294345/trump-ignites-political-firestorm-in-south-africa-over-afrikaner-asylum-status-offer

HUFFINGTON POST
— Trump Ordered A Federal Hiring Freeze. Previous Ones Backfired. GAO found that earlier hiring freezes actually made government services less efficient. (COMMENT: While I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO for almost 18 years, the agency was almost always under Republican-imposed hiring freezes and/or promotion freezes.)
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-federal-hiring-freeze_n_678fe14de4b02903dff7d61f

GAO
— U.S. Comptroller General (COMMENT: Who does Trump want the next U.S. Comptroller General to be and why?)
https://www.gao.gov/about/comptroller-general
(FROM THE POSTING: Gene L. Dodaro became the eighth Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on December 22, 2010, when he was confirmed by the United States Senate. He was nominated by President Obama in September of 2010 from a list of candidates selected by a bipartisan, bicameral congressional commission. He had been serving as Acting Comptroller General since March of 2008. . . The Comptroller General of the United States heads the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an agency within the legislative branch of the federal government. The Comptroller General is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. When a vacancy occurs in the office of the Comptroller General, the Congress establishes a bipartisan, bicameral commission to recommend individuals to the President. The Comptroller General’s term of office is set statutorily at 15 years and they are not eligible for reappointment.)

INDIA TODAY
— Indians seeking asylum in US grew 470% in 5 years
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/indians-seeking-asylum-in-us-grew-470-in-5-years-study/ar-AA1yU0hE

February 12, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Mike Madigan found guilty on 10 counts in partial verdict, not guilty on 7 counts. Republicans, Democrats denounce corruption that brought Madigan down.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/mike-madigan-news-jury-illinois-house-speaker-corruption-trial-reaches-consensus-17-charges-deadlocked-6-others/15897869/
— Senate confirms Gabbard as Trump’s director of national intelligence after Republicans fall in line
https://abc7chicago.com/post/tulsi-gabbard-senate-votes-nomination-trumps-director-national-intelligence/15897871/

FOX32
— Pat Brady reacts to Madigan’s guilty verdict
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1592230

WTTW
— Judge Clears Way for Donald Trump’s Plan to Downsize Federal Workforce With Deferred Resignation Program
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/12/judge-clears-way-donald-trump-s-plan-downsize-federal-workforce-deferred-resignation

WBEZ
— PBS shutters DEI office. The public broadcaster says it is closing its Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office to comply with a recent executive order from President Donald Trump.
https://www.wbez.org/media/2025/02/12/pbs-shutters-dei-office

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Reader: Removing late Rep. Henry Hyde’s name from DuPage courthouse is ‘terrible and petty’
https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2025/02/12/removing-henry-hyde-name-dupage-courthouse-wrong-blagojevich-donald-trump-suenos-ymca

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Michael Madigan guilty of bribery conspiracy, wire fraud
https://chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-trial-news/2025/02/12/mike-madigan-trial-jury-deliberation-write-through

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Madigan jury sends a message — to all of America
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/michael-madigan-jury-sends-message-ethics-greg-hinz

KWQC
— Illinois GOP leader McCombie said Madigan’s guilty verdict ‘sober day’ for state
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx98bYXzi4A

NPR ILLINOIS
— Pritzker emerging as one of Trump’s most vocal Democratic critics
https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2025-02-12/pritzker-emerging-as-one-of-trumps-most-vocal-democratic-critics

FOX ILLINOIS
— White House ‘not satisfied’ with number of ICE arrests
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/white-house-not-satisfied-with-number-of-ice-arrests-illegal-immigration-customs-enforcement-migrants-president-donald-trump-sanctuary-cities-white-house-border-czar-tom-homan-sex-trafficking-ring-gang-tren-de-aragua-gangs

CAPITOL FAX
— Roundup: Madigan, McClain trial verdict
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/12/roundup-madigan-mcclain-trial-verdict/
— Madigan/McClain verdict react (Updated)
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/12/madigan-verdict-react/
— Madigan/McClain trial verdict cheat sheet
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/12/madiganmcclain-trial-verdict-cheat-sheet/
— Madigan jury has come to a unanimous decision on 17 counts, deadlocked on 12 counts
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/12/madigan-jury-has-come-to-a-unanimous-decision-on-17-counts-impasse-on-12-counts/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WHEATON RECORD
— Alumni Sign Letter of Complaint After Vought Controversy. Social media posts congratulating Russell Vought on his new position with the Trump administration sparked controversy.
https://thewheatonrecord.com/2025/02/12/alumni-vought-controversy/

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illinois House GOP demands ethics reforms after Madigan guilty verdicts
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_201ead3e-e97d-11ef-a7f8-3b73f27018ea.html

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— My Wife Bought Champagne When Investigation of Madigan Began Pledging Not to Open It Until He Was Convicted, Now’s the Time
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/12/my-wife-bought-champagne-when-investigation-of-madigan-began-pledging-not-to-open-it-until-he-was-convicted/
— Press Release from U.S. Attorney on Mike Madigan Conviction
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/12/press-release-from-u-s-attorney-on-mike-madigan-conviction/
— House Republicans Point to Suzanne Ness’ Huge Contributions from Mike Madigan
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/12/house-republicans-point-to-suzanne-ness-huge-contributions-from-mike-madigan/
— Schakowsky Outlines District Impact of Social Security Expansion Law Giving Higher Retirement Benefits to Government Employees
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/12/schakowsky-outlines-impact-of-social-security-expansion-law-giving-higher-retirement-benefits-to-government-employees/
— Election Cartoon
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/12/election-cartoon/
— February 21st Is Day Lara Trump Speaking at McHenry County GOPAC Event
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/12/february-21st-is-day-lara-trump-speaking-at-mchenry-county-gopac-event/
— About the Proposed Commuter Service to Rockford through Huntley
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/12/about-the-proposed-commuter-service-to-rockford-through-huntley/
— LaHood Criticizes Blagojevich Pardon
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/11/lahood-criticizes-blagojevich-pardon/
— Wilcox Files Domestic Abuse Bill
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/11/wilcox-files-domestic-abuse-bill/
— Trump Pardon of Blagojevich Minimizes Problem with Illinois Corruption
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/11/trump-pardon-of-blagojevich-minimizes-problem-with-illinois-corruption/
— Challenges to FOID Card Requirement’s Constitutionality Continue
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/11/challenges-to-foid-card-requirements-constitutionality-continue/
— Schakowsky Demonstrates at Treasury Department
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/11/schakowsky-demonstrates-at-treasury-department/
— Former State Rep. DeLoris Doederlein Honored by Kane County Republicans
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/10/former-state-rep-deloris-doederlein-honored-by-kane-county-republicans/
— DeWitte Outlines Latest on Illegal Aliens
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/10/dewitte-outlines-latest-on-illegal-aliens/
— Schakowsky Defends Federal Employees
www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/10/schakowsky-defends-federal-employees/
— Illinois Compared to Indiana
https://https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/09/illinois-compared-to-indiana/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— The Associated Press exposes its hate for Trump … again
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/12/associated-press-exposes-hate-trump/
— U.S. government employees overwhelmingly back Democrats. In politics, nothing indicates loyalty more than where people put their money. (COMMENT: While I was a federal employee for almost 30 years, virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/11/u-government-employees-overwhelmingly-back-democra/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The federal workforce has become an integral part of the Democratic Party power structure, rivaling the liberal mainstream media, billionaire donors and the activist nonprofits they fund as its most important political ally. This is why Democrats are proclaiming a guerrilla street revolution. They want to stop President Trump and point man Elon Musk from downsizing their army and from surgically removing liberal agenda offices, agencies and leaders — a force it took Democrats years to put into place. Mr. Musk immediately targeted the U.S. Agency for International Development and its exporting of woke ideologies. Federal election records show that USAID personnel contributed $240,000 to the Kamala Harris campaign in the 2024 election cycle and just $999 to Mr. Trump. Of USAID’s top 20 funded candidates, just one was a Republican. President Biden used executive orders to open the southern border to drug cartel-smuggled migrants, to rewrite Title IX for men in women’s sports and to repay students’ delinquent loans without congressional approval. Democrats cheered. They warn Mr. Trump not to downsize the U.S. government, as our national debt reaches $36 trillion, or we’ll impeach him again. OpenSecrets.org, which tracks campaign donations, shows that government workers bankroll Democrats in large ratios. In politics, nothing indicates loyalty more than where people put their money. Employees in the government’s 15 Cabinet-level departments, such as Defense, State and Justice, contributed over $9 million to candidate Harris compared with $1.6 million to Mr. Trump. Looking at federal employees collectively would put them in the top 12 of Harris donors. “One of the reasons the left gravitates to the bureaucracies is because they know it allows them to exercise unaccountable power,” Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, told me. His group has uncovered government misconduct by aggressively pursuing Freedom of Information Act lawsuits. Mr. Fitton added, “History shows effective conservative government reformers will be targeted, isolated, harassed, smeared and destroyed. And public employee unions necessarily have an interest in bigger government, which means they are allied with and support leftist and Democratic Party politicians.” For example, when IRS whistleblowers came forward to testify about Mr. Biden’s family corruption, agency higher-ups smashed them. Special Agents Joe Ziegler and Gary Shapley testified to the House Ways and Means Committee in 2023 that the Justice Department blocked their probe of Hunter Biden into income tax fraud. In December, the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency that protects against whistleblower reprisals, concluded that the two were the victims of illegal gag orders and workplace retaliations by top IRS officials. IRS employees donated $644,000 to Democrats and $135,000 to Republicans in the 2024 election cycle.)
— ‘Reverse flow’: Illegal immigrants streaming back home after being blocked by Trump’s border
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/12/reverse-flow-illegal-immigrants-streaming-back-hom/

NEW YORK POST
— Trump says he wants ‘con job’ Education Department closed ‘immediately’
https://nypost.com/2025/02/12/us-news/trump-says-he-would-like-education-department-closed-immediately-but-needs-buy-in-from-congress-unions/
— DOJ announces lawsuit against New York, Hochul and state AG James over ‘sanctuary’ status
https://nypost.com/2025/02/12/us-news/attorney-general-pam-bondi-announces-doj-lawsuit-against-new-york-hochul-and-state-ag-james-over-sanctuary-status/
— Federal judge allows Trump to push forward with buyouts for government workers after 65K accept offers
https://nypost.com/2025/02/12/us-news/federal-judge-allows-trump-to-push-forward-with-buyouts-for-government-workers/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— Attorney General Pam Bondi announces lawsuit against New York over immigration enforcement
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/attorney-general-pam-bondi-immigration-enforcement/
— Judge allows Trump’s deferred resignations plan for federal workers to proceed
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-allows-trumps-deferred-resignations-plan-federal-workers-to-proceed/

CNN
— Government watchdogs fired by Trump sue to get their jobs back
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/12/politics/inspector-general-lawsuit-fired-trump
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Eight inspectors general whom Donald Trump fired from their federal agency watchdog posts are suing for their jobs back, adding to the legal scrutiny over Trump’s first weeks of decisions in the White House and raising questions about his political intentions. They say that Trump shouldn’t have been able to fire them in late January without first notifying Congress and that the White House ignored regulations around their removal that existed to protect them from political interference and retribution. The administration’s “actions have inflicted substantial damage on the critical oversight ethos of transparency, truth-telling without fear or favor, and respect for the rule of law,” the lawsuit, filed in Washington, DC’s federal court on Wednesday, states. The lawsuit is the latest among more than four dozen filed in federal courts to challenge swift, early executive actions by the Trump administration. Many of the lawsuits, like Wednesday’s, allege that Trump’s White House is depriving Congress of some of its power. The IG’s case adds to a pile of challenges from government workers the Trump administration has removed from various posts — especially those in independent or non-political roles. The dismissals also raise questions over Trump and temporary government adviser Elon Musk’s adversarial approach to existing, long-established federal corruption watchdogs, at a time Trump and Musk are dismantling parts of the government, citing in part a desire to root out corruption. Trump’s dismissal of 18 IGs happened in the first week of his second term, when the watchdogs each received two-sentence emails titled “White House Notification” from the Office of Presidential Personnel. The reason they were given was “changing priorities,” which is not a sufficient reason under the law, their lawsuit claims. Soon after, the IG’s government email access was shut off, and they couldn’t return to their office buildings. “Their purported removals were legal nullities, and so they remain the duly appointed IGs of their respective agencies, unless and until the President lawfully removes them in compliance,” attorneys for the eight IGs wrote. “Plaintiffs’ integrity has been baselessly maligned publicly, with the abrupt and unlawful nature of their purported removals incorrectly implying that plaintiffs have done something wrong when in fact they have each done nothing but uphold the values of their positions and the IG community,” the suit adds. The IGs allege Trump has told Congress – as is required by law – nothing. The lawsuit instead points out the president commented to the press some IGs “were not doing their job.” Trump fired a 19th inspector general, the USAID’s watchdog, this week. The inspectors general, in positions across many government agencies, work to find and prevent waste, fraud and abuse within federal departments. The IGs say their work is non-partisan and ultimately saves taxpayers billions of dollars, protects vulnerable Americans’ rights and safeguards national security, according to the complaint. Those whom Trump fired include IGs at crucial departments including Defense, Health and Human Services, State and Veterans Affairs who say their work has saved the agencies millions of dollars. One of the IGs who is suing, Phyllis Fong, had been in her position at the Department of Agriculture for more than 20 years. After Fong was told she was fired, she continued to go to work, “recognizing that her termination was not effective because it failed to comply with the IG Act’s requirements,” her attorneys wrote, until her federal badge was deactivated and her computer and phone were taken back by the Department of Agriculture. Several of those who are suing had worked under Trump during his first term in the presidency, and one, Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration, had been Trump’s nominee for the post in 2018. The other IGs who are suing are: Robert Storch of the Defense Department; Michael Missal of Veterans Affairs; Christi Grimm of Health and Human Services; Cardell Richardson of the State Department; Sandra Bruce of the Education Department; and Larry Turner of the Department of Labor.)

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Are Trump’s Attempts to Overhaul the Federal Workforce Legal?  Personnel moves will face a range of tests in court.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/are-trumps-attempts-to-overhaul-the-federal-workforce-legal-f36cb5c0

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Birthright Citizenship: Majority Want Limits
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/birthright_citizenship_majority_want_limits

February 6, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— DOJ sues Chicago, Illinois and Cook County over sanctuary city policies
https://abc7chicago.com/post/doj-sues-chicago-illinois-cook-county-sanctuary-city-immigration-policies/15872840/
— LGBTQ+ group rallies at UI Health after Trump administration sued over transgender care order. Lawsuit claims UI Health Chicago doctors canceled 17-year-old transgender boy’s surgery last week after Trump’s executive order.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/lgbtq-group-rallies-ui-health-chicago-pflag-sues-trump-administration-executive-order-transgender-care-minors/15873976/
— Service members sue Trump administration over transgender military service ban
https://abc7chicago.com/post/transgender-military-service-ban-members-sue-trump-administration/15873833/

NBC5
— Justice Department sues Chicago and Illinois over immigration policies. In their complaint, the department cites specifically Illinois’ Trust Act, The Way Forward Act and Chicago’s Welcoming City ordinance.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/justice-department-sues-chicago-and-illinois-over-immigration-policies/3667316/

CBS2
— Thornton Township, Illinois fires Tiffany Henyard’s boyfriend, another employee
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/thornton-township-illinois-fires-tiffany-henyards-boyfriend/

WGN9
— Trump announces task force to ‘eradicate anti-Christian bias’
https://wgntv.com/news/trump-announces-task-force-to-eradicate-anti-christian-bias/
— 117th Chicago Auto Show begins 10-day run Saturday, kicks off with charity event Friday night, at McCormick Place
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/117th-chicago-auto-show-show-begins-10-day-run-saturday-kicks-off-with-charity-event-friday-night-at-mccormick-place/

WTTW
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/06/supporters-gender-affirming-care-rally-university-illinois-hospital-following-trump-s

WGN RADIO
— Should Illinois counties that voted to secede join Indiana?
https://wgnradio.com/john-williams/should-illinois-counties-that-voted-to-secede-join-indiana/
— How much money are Americans spending on their vices?
https://wgnradio.com/lisa-dent/how-much-money-are-americans-spending-on-their-vices/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump administration sues Illinois, Cook County and Chicago over sanctuary immigration laws
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/06/trump-immigration-sanctuary-lawsuit/
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/05/illinois-gender-affirming-care-trump-order/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Justice Department sues Illinois, Chicago and Cook County over sanctuary status. The federal lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, claims sanctuary policies in Illinois that keep local authorities from cooperating with the deportation effort are “exacerbating” a crisis at the U.S. Southern border.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/donald-trump/2025/02/06/donald-trump-justice-department-lawsuit-jb-pritzker-mayor-brandon-johnson-sanctuary-status
— Under Trump administration, some Chicago students think twice about applying for financial aid. If they submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, students risk outing their undocumented parents. But if they don’t, they could lose out on the chance at college.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2025/02/06/under-trump-administration-some-chicago-students-think-twice-about-fafsa

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Trump DOJ accuses Pritzker, Johnson and other local Dems of defying immigration crackdown
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/trump-justice-department-sues-chicago-over-sanctuary-laws
— Illinois officials eye N.Y. law keeping doctors’ names off abortion pill prescriptions
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/illinois-considers-law-obscuring-abortion-pill-prescriptions

SOUTHERN
— House Republicans meet with Trump to ‘move the ball forward’ on his agenda
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/02/06/house-republicans-meet-with-trump-to-move-the-ball-forward-on-his-agenda/

MUDDY RIVER NEWS
— House GOP caucus walks out during Dems’ pushback of Trump agenda
https://muddyrivernews.com/top-stories/house-gop-caucus-walks-out-during-dems-pushback-of-trump-agenda/20250206074725/

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Democrat leaders promote anti-Trump rally in Wheaton
https://www.shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life/news/dupage-county/2025/02/06/dupage-county-rally-to-support-medicaid-in-the-face-of-proposed-cuts/

WIFR
— Illinois State Representative John Cabello, R-90th District, slams Illinois democrats, claiming they used a Feb. 5 legislative session to push back on President Donald Trump’s agenda instead of focusing on the state budget.
https://www.wifr.com/2025/02/07/absolutely-positively-stupid-stateline-lawmaker-shares-reasons-behind-republican-walkout-during-legislative-session/

WSIL TV
— Attention federal employees: It may be hard to get a private sector job right now (COMMENT: Private sector employers a) look down on, if not despise, if not hate federal employees and b) ascribe negative stereotypes to federal employees.)
https://www.wsiltv.com/news/consumer/attention-federal-employees-it-may-be-hard-to-get-a-private-sector-job-right-now/article_a5178a86-1fcc-54ff-86bd-261d286dda77.html

WAND TV
— Thousands of cars sold in Illinois have fake odometer readings
https://www.wandtv.com/news/thousands-of-cars-sold-in-illinois-have-fake-odometer-readings/article_05d9763e-e3dd-11ef-a40b-6b906b5beb3d.html

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Opposition lawmakers protest alleged mistreatment of Indian deportees by US
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/world/ap-opposition-lawmakers-protest-alleged-mistreatment-of-indian-deportees-by-us/

STATE OF ILLINOIS
— Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot. How successful have Democrats been pushing pot in your county, township, municipality, and school district?
https://www.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/illinois/iisnewsattachments/30910-020625-24.02.05-pritzker-administration-announces-cannabis-sales-exceed-2-billion-annually2.pdf.pdf

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/06/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-244/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illinois near the bottom for social mobility (COMMENT: Sadly, my father, my grandfather, and my great grandfather are examples of downward mobility. In 1902, my great grandfather had 1285 Main Street built in Crete (4,030 sq. ft. https://www.redfin.com/IL/Crete/1285-Main-St-60417/home/23199035 ). In 1926, my grandfather had 1286 Wood Street built in Crete (1793 sq. ft. https://www.redfin.com/IL/Crete/1286-Wood-St-60417/home/23199039 ). My father never had a home built.)
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_3c4d4faa-e4c9-11ef-8357-db47fe4d3cdf.html

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— State of Illinois Paid CAPFAX / POLITICO $102,673  (COMMENT: I advocate full disclosure. He who pays the piper calls the tunes. 100% of the money and time needed to put GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and to send them out comes from me.)
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2025/02/state-of-illinois-paid-capfax-politico-102673/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Once again, we do not fault any news agency or blogger, or anyone else for making a living, but we do fault state and local governments for spending tax money on these types of subscriptions as there does not appear to be any statute providing our state government to spend money in this fashion.)
— U.S. Justice Dept. Sues Illinois, JB Pritzker, Chicago PD, Cook County Over Sanctuary Policies
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2025/02/u-s-justice-dept-sues-illinois-jb-pritzker-chicago-pd-cook-county-over-sanctuary-policies/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Laura Trump, Speaker at McHenry County GOPAC Event, Selected by FOX to Host Saturday Night Show
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/laura-trump-speaker-at-mchenry-county-gopac-event-selected-by-fox-to-host/
— Cary Grade School District Sends Immigrant Protection Letter in Searchable Format Showing It’s Never Too Late for A School Superintendent to Learn Something New
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/cary-grade-school-district-sends-immigrant-protection-letter-in-searchable-format-showing-its-never-too-late-for-a-school-superintendent-to-learn-something-new/
— Nunda Township GOP Candidate Forum Cancelled after Incumbent Declines to Attend
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/nunda-township-gop-candidate-forum-cancelled-after-incumbent-declines-to-attend/
— Huntley Amazon Warehouse Hires Employees Who Don’t Speak English
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/huntley-amazon-warehouse-hires-employees-who-dont-speak-english/
— Lakemoor, Former Mayor Ryan Todd Weihofen & State Police Sued for Over $40 Million for Botched Hemp Seizure
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/lakemoor-former-mayor-ryan-todd-weihofen-state-police-sued-for-over-40-million-for-botched-hemp-seizure/
— A Duty Most County Boards Probably Do Not Perform
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/a-duty-the-county-board-probably-does-not-perform/
— The Highest Compensated McHenry County Employees – $150,000 Up
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/the-highest-compensated-mchenry-county-employees/
— LaHood Comments on Trump’s Suing Chicago, Cook County and the State of Illinois over Illegal Alien Deportation Interference
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/06/lahood-comments-on-trumps-suing-chicago-cook-county-and-the-state-of-illinois-over-illegal-alien-deportation-interference/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Federal judge pauses Trump’s federal worker buyout plan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/6/federal-judge-pauses-trump-federal-worker-buyout-p/
— Trump elevates birthright citizenship fight with appeal of judge’s block
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/6/trump-elevates-birthright-citizenship-fight-appeal/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Trump DOJ sues Chicago in first major sanctuary city case
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/3312737/trump-doj-sues-chicago-first-major-sanctuary-city-case/

NEW YORK POST
— Trump administration sues Chicago, state of Illinois over sanctuary laws — and vows more lawsuits to come
https://nypost.com/2025/02/06/us-news/trump-administration-sues-chicago-state-of-illinois-over-sanctuary-laws-and-vows-more-lawsuits-to-come/

AMERICAN THINKER
— The Church, Illegals, and the Law
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/02/the_church_illegals_and_the_law.html

DAILY WIRE
— Trump Admin Sues Chicago, State Of Illinois Over Illegal Alien Sanctuary Laws. “The Department of Justice will no longer stand by as state and local leaders obstruct federal law enforcement efforts.”
https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-admin-sues-chicago-state-of-illinois-over-illegal-alien-sanctuary-laws
— U.S. Military Drops Off First Flight Of ‘High Priority’ Illegal Immigrants At GITMO. Those dropped off for detention were members of Tren de Aragua.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-u-s-military-drops-off-first-flight-of-high-priority-illegal-immigrants-at-gitmo
— Why Guantanamo Bay Is ‘The Perfect Place’ For Violent Illegals. Eventually, 30,000 undesirables with no business moving within our borders will be off our streets and tossed into prison.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-guantanamo-bay-is-the-perfect-place-for-violent-illegals

EPOCH TIMES
— Judge Pushes Back Deadline for Trump Admin Buyout Offer to Federal Workers. More than 40,000 federal workers have already opted into the plan.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/judge-pushes-back-deadline-for-trump-buyout-offer-to-federal-workers-5805560

FEDERATION FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM
— Misnamed Open-Borders Protest is the Usual Bust
https://www.fairus.org/blog/2025/02/05/misnamed-open-borders-protest-usual-bust

FOX NEWS
— Trump DOJ slaps Illinois, Chicago with lawsuit over sanctuary laws
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-doj-files-lawsuit-against-illinois-chicago-lawsuit-sanctuary-laws
— ‘Tough decisions’ in store for ‘sanctuary’ cities after Bondi turns off federal funding spigot. ‘I would expect there to be consequences, and I support that,’ PA House GOP Leader Jesse Topper said.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/state-officials-react-bondis-order-withholding-sanctuary-city-funding-tough-decisions-make

LEGAL INSURRECTION
— Diversity Staffers at Eastern Illinois U. Raise Black Lives Matter Flag for Black History Month
https://legalinsurrection.com/2025/02/diversity-staffers-at-eastern-illinois-u-raise-black-lives-matter-flag-for-black-history-month/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— DOJ Sues Illinois, Chicago over Sanctuary Laws as Mass Deportations Continue
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/doj-sues-illinois-chicago-over-sanctuary-laws-as-mass-deportations-continue/

PJ MOBILITY
— Militant Group Teaching ‘Self Defense’ Against ICE Raids
https://pjmedia.com/lincolnbrown/2025/02/06/militant-group-teaching-self-defense-against-ice-raids-n4936751

WESTERN JOURNAL
— US Taxpayer Money Found Flowing to Drag Queen Shows in Ecuador
https://www.westernjournal.com/us-taxpayer-money-found-flowing-drag-queen-shows-ecuador/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— A short honeymoon for Catholics in D.C. as Vice President Vance clashes with bishops on migration
https://www.yahoo.com/news/short-honeymoon-catholics-d-c-130201365.html

CNN
— Judge pauses ‘buyout’ offer for federal workers
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-gaza-news-02-06-25

CBS NEWS
— Trump makes misleading claims about government payments to Politico.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-politico-payments-fact-check/

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Trump administration plans to retain only about 290 of the more than 10,000 employees worldwide at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/06/us/president-trump-news?campaign_id=60

MIAMI HERALD
— Democrats use DEI to promote more hatred against Republicans.
https://www.aol.com/florida-showed-trump-demonize-dei-225956004.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— White House Preparing Order to Cut Thousands of Federal Health Workers. The executive order could come as soon as next week, if the Trump administration goes ahead with plans
https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/white-house-preparing-order-to-cut-thousands-of-federal-health-workers-bd1e0b7f

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— 54% Agree Media Are the ‘Enemy of the People’ (COMMENT: The mainstream news media exists a) to advance the Democrat Party platform and to elect and reelect Democrats and b) to demonize, denigrate, and condemn the Republican Party platform and to defeat Republican candidates.)
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/54_still_agree_media_are_the_enemy_of_the_people

February 3, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Mexico, Canada for a month
https://abc7chicago.com/post/us-tariffs-mexico-paused-month-mexican-president-says/15860417/
— ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ protests and business closures in Chicago in opposition to Trump policies (COMMENT: Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration. I washed dishes for 18 months while I was in high school. If there had been as many illegals back then as there are now, they would have gotten that job.)
https://abc7chicago.com/post/day-immigrants-chicago-business-owners-city-close-monday-protest-president-trumps-immigration-policies/15859639/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump threatens to fire more than 100 Chicago EPA workers. An email tells new employees that the agency can “immediately terminate you.” (COMMENT: I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980. Because I had served my federal probationary period by working for IRS for almost 9 years, my Democrat GAO superiors were furious that they could not just fire me. However, they did force the GAO manager to retire who had arranged my transfer.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2025/02/03/trump-threatens-to-fire-100-chicago-epa-workers-environmental-protection-agency
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The warnings came in an email sent last week to most-recently hired workers who have not yet put in enough time to enjoy more job-protection benefits. “As a probationary/trial period employee, the agency has the right to immediately terminate you,” the email said. “The process for probationary removal is that you receive a notice of termination, and your employment is ended immediately.”)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Musk tightens grip on federal government as Democrats raise alarms
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/03/elon-musk-federal-government/
— Some Chicago businesses close their doors to protest immigration crackdown (COMMENT: Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration. I washed dishes for 18 months while I was in high school. If there had been as many illegals back then as there are now, they would have gotten that job.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/03/chicago-has-always-been-a-city-of-immigrant-workers-some-chicago-businesses-close-their-doors-to-protest-immigration-crackdown/
— South suburban business advocates warn targeting of DEI will hurt small businesses and the economy (COMMENT: Democrat and RINO employers use DEI a) to not hire Republicans like me and b) to get rid of their Republican employees like I was.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/03/south-suburban-business-advocates-dei-economy/

DAILY HERALD
— ‘We’re all humans’: Immigrant advocates rally in West Chicago to protest mass deportations (COMMENT: To come into a country illegally and/or to stay in a country illegally is to demonstrate gross disrespect for the rule of law and for that country.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250203/nation-and-world-politics/were-all-humans-immigrant-advocates-rally-in-west-chicago-to-protest-mass-deportations/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Carrying signs with slogans including “FIGHT IGNORANCE NOT IMMIGRATION,” a crowd of more than 150 people gathered in West Chicago to protest mass deportations Monday, saying the policy unfairly targets Latino residents. “We’re all humans at the end of the day. No one is illegal,” West Chicagoan Jessica Garnica said. “This is a new civil rights movement,” Casa DuPage Workers Center Executive Organizer Cristobal Cavazos said. He helped organize the Day Without Immigrants March and Rally, intended to demonstrate the importance of the Chicago area’s Latino community. Multiple Latinos are “not going to work, not going to school, not buying anything. The majority of people (at the rally) are essential workers in the factories, in the warehouses, in the restaurants,” Cavazos said. Drivers in passing cars and semitrucks honked as participants gathered at Route 59 near Route 38 before marching to the West Chicago City Hall. Mexican immigrants “bring a lot of diversity and culture to the U.S.” but are often treated with disrespect, university student Ajimelec Garcia of West Chicago said. As well as in Chicago, ICE actions have been reported in Deer Park, Elgin, Palatine, Round Lake, Waukegan and West Chicago as part of President Donald Trump’s deportation ramp-up. Federal authorities said their priority is arresting criminals but protesters feared longtime residents with jobs and families will be swept up. “A lot of people are worried,” Garcia said. “I feel they don’t really honestly care if you have papers, in a way. As long as you’re Mexican they don’t want you here.” On Fox News Sunday, Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan cited a 93% decrease in illegal border crossings. “We can’t have strong national security if we don’t have border security. We need to know who’s coming in, what’s coming in, where it’s coming in and why it’s coming in.” About 5,000 arrests were made in the first week, with the majority being criminals, Homan said. He added “noncriminals are (being) arrested in sanctuary cities because you force us into the community rather than arresting the bad guy in jail. And, when we find that criminal, he’s most likely with others, and they’re going to go, too. “If you want to be a sanctuary city, you’re going to get exactly what you don’t want — more agents in the city and more noncriminals arrested,” Homan said. Marcher Alejandra Jacobo of West Chicago said she’s concerned about loved ones. “They’ve worked so hard, most of the time for minimum wage,” Jacobo said. “I know they’re (ICE) doing their jobs, but do not take our good people. Just take the bad ones. These are the ones you should be chasing after.” Handmade signs sported slogans including “MEXICANS MAKE AMERICA GR8,” MY PARENTS ARE NOT CRIMINALS FOR WANTING A BETTER LIFE,” AND “AMERICA WE ARE YOUR PEOPLE.” Marchers included seniors, teens and kids in strollers. “We’re staying strong as a community,” Garnica said. “When you believe in God, he’s the one who’s going to guide us through.” The rally was organized by the Casa DuPage Workers Center and DuPage Immigrant Solidarity.)
— Canada Follows Mexico in Reaching Deal to Delay Trump Tariffs. The leaders of Mexico and Canada each said they had struck agreements to pause tariffs for 30 days, but levies on products from China were still set to take effect just after midnight. (COMMENT: I have ordered a 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T that will be built in Canada.)
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/03/us/trump-tariffs
— DuPage County keeps federal lobbyist
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250203/news/dupage-county-keeps-federal-lobbyist/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— How are Chicago schools responding to increased immigration enforcement? Here are five examples. (COMMENT: Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/how-chicago-schools-are-responding-immigration-enforcement

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL EWGISTER
— Pritzker calls Trump ‘incompetent’, says Illinois families will feel impact of new tariffs
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2025/02/03/gov-pritzker-is-vocal-about-pres-trump-calls-him-incompetent/78181424007/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Restaurants shutter nationwide for ‘Day Without Immigrants’ protests (COMMENT: Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration. I washed dishes for 18 months while I was in high school. If there had been as many illegals back then as there are now, they would have gotten that job.)
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/restaurants-shutter-nationwide-for-day-without-immigrants-protests-trump-mass-deporations-immigration-policies-washington-dc-utah-florida-california

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/03/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-241/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— From what I see, Democrats have decided to not only reject Trump’s presidency, but to end it. Democrats have declared a Second Civil War on Republicans. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrat Party Army. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— McCombie urges cohesion amid party in fighting
http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/illinois-quick-hits-mccombie-urges-cohesion-amid-party-in-fighting-conservation-group-raises-bird-flu-concerns/ar-AA1yl60B
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The head of Illinois House Republicans is responding to calls for her to step down from her leadership role. The Illinois Freedom Caucus, made up of six state representatives and one senator, is accusing House Minority Leader Tony McCombie of playing “silly games” after she denied several services at the Capitol for not voting for her as leader. McCombie said the suspension of certain caucus-specific services does not affect any legislator’s ability to serve constituents, and the focus should be on “fighting Democrat policies that are failing Illinois families, not each other.”)

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Mexico’s president blames U.S. for arming cartels (COMMENT: From what I see, Mexico will side with America’s enemies in WWIII.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/3/mexico-president-claudia-sheinbaum-blames-u-arming/

NEW YORK POST
— NJ Gov. Phil Murphy reveals he’s housing a migrant at his residence — and tells feds ‘good luck’ trying to get her. (COMMENT: Murphy wants to be a modern day George Wallace.)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/03/us-news/nj-gov-phil-murphy-reveals-hes-housing-a-migrant-at-his-residence-and-tells-feds-good-luck-trying-to-get-her/

FEDERALIST
— Former Mexican Consulate Lawyer Coaches Illegals To Lie To ICE (COMMENT: Democrats have declared a Second Civil War against America. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrats’ invading army.)
https://thefederalist.com/2025/02/03/report-former-mexican-consulate-lawyer-coaches-illegals-to-lie-to-ice/

CAMPUS REFORM
— University of Minnesota charges up to $1,575 for online DEI certificate (COMMENT: I should add up all the money that I paid for tuition and books to earn a) a bachelor’s degree (NIU-management-1970), b) three master’s degrees (Loyola- business-1976, DePaul-accounting 1980, and IIT-finance-1997), and two professional certifications CPA-1979 and Certified Internal Auditor-1981) and adjust that money to today’s dollars.)
https://www.campusreform.org/article/university-minnesota-charges-1575-online-dei-certificate/27386

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Celebrities Put on a Parade of Wokeness at Grammys, Proving They Didn’t Learn Their Lesson in 2024 (COMMENT: From what I see, Democrats have decided to not only reject Trump’s presidency, but to end it. Democrats have declared a Second Civil War on Republicans. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrat Party Army.)
https://www.westernjournal.com/celebrities-put-parade-wokeness-grammys-proving-didnt-learn-lesson-2024/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— Education Dept. to probe antisemitism at 5 universities, including Columbia, Northwestern, Berkeley
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/education-dept-antisemitism-universities-columbia-northwestern-berkeley/

NEWSWEEK
— National ’50 States’ Anti-Trump Protest Planned for Feb 5: What to Know (COMMENT: Democrats have declared a Second Civil War against America. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrats’ invading army.)
https://www.newsweek.com/50-states-anti-trump-protest-nationwide-february-5-details-2025300

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— ACLU Sues Over Trump Ban on Asylum at U.S.-Mexico Border (COMMENT: Democrats have declared a Second Civil War against America. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrats’ invading army.)
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-02-03/aclu-sues-over-trump-ban-on-asylum-at-u-s-mexico-border

WASHINGTON POST
— Immigrant advocates file lawsuit challenging Trump asylum shutdown. The Trump administration has claimed there is an “invasion” on the U.S.-Mexico border to justify summarily expelling migrants without giving them a chance to apply for asylum. (COMMENT: Democrats have declared a Second Civil War against America. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrats’ invading army.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/02/03/aclu-lawsuit-asylum-border/
— Here’s who’s been ousted from FBI, Justice Dept. so far. Will it stand? (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors ousted me, that is, they forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. My critics/opponents have no problem with that. Actually, they are furious that I have gotten a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension since then. Currently it is $66,680/year. So far, in today’s dollars, CSRS has paid me $1.8 million.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/03/fbi-justice-firings-removals-due-process/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Another Thing Musk Hates About Germany: Absentee Workers at His Tesla Plant (COMMENT: While I was a student at NIU in 1970, Chrysler hired me to work in its Belvidere plant on Mondays because that was when absenteeism was highest.)
https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/elon-musk-german-tesla-factory-workers-0317574f
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Elon Musk was taken aback last fall by reports of high absenteeism at Tesla’s TSLA -5.17%decrease; red down pointing triangle factory near Berlin. “This sounds crazy. Looking into it,” the company’s workaholic chief executive wrote last September on X, the social-media platform he owns, responding to a tweet citing a sickness rate above 15%. The number of workers calling in sick has long been a flashpoint at the facility, where managers are battling to preserve the freewheeling spirit of an American tech company amid union pressure to hew closer to more worker-friendly European practices. The culture clash offers corporate context for Musk’s increasingly frequent interjections on European politics, including his recent endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany party.)

ACLU
— Immigrants’ Rights Advocates Sue Trump Administration Over Efforts to Completely Shut Down Asylum at the Border (COMMENT: Democrats have declared a Second Civil War against America. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrats’ invading army.)
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/immigrants-rights-advocates-sue-trump-administration-over-efforts-to-completely-shut-down-asylum-at-the-border

ACCOUNTNG TODAY
— Illinois lawmakers propose alternative paths to CPA license (COMMENT: Because my becoming a licensed CPA when I was 32 years old in 1981 was my biggest professional accomplishment, my critics/opponents have ignored/dismissed/belittled that the most. None of my GAO Chicago office superiors, supervisors, coworkers, or subordinates were licensed CPAs.)
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/illinois-lawmakers-propose-alternative-paths-to-cpa-license

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— 77% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that requiring photo ID to vote is a reasonable measure to protect the integrity of elections – up from 74% in 2021. Just 17% disagree.
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/election_integrity_77_favor_voter_id

February 1, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Trump imposes tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, raising prospect of higher costs for US consumers
https://abc7chicago.com/post/president-donald-trump-imposes-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-white-house-prospect-higher-costs-us-consumers-raises/15854652/
— 2 migrant men allegedly beat Chicago businessman to death, left him bound, gagged, prosecutors say. Jefferson Ubilla-Delgado, Geiderwuin Bello Morales appear in court Saturday for charges in murder of 63-year-old George Levin
https://abc7chicago.com/post/jefferson-ubilla-delgado-geiderwuin-bello-morales-allegedly-left-george-levin-dead-norwood-park-basement-prosecutors/15854435/
— Events held across Chicago area to celebrate 1st day of Black History Month (COMMENT: What are your demographics? During what months are they celebrated?)
https://abc7chicago.com/post/black-history-month-events-held-chicago-area-including-aurora-breakfast-south-side-girl-scouts-event-west-book-fair/15854425/
— Venezuela frees 6 Americans after meeting between President Maduro and Trump’s envoy
https://abc7chicago.com/post/6-americans-detained-venezuela-freed-meeting-between-nicols-maduro-donald-trumps-envoy-richard-grenell/15853514/

NBC5
— White House takes aim at Selena Gomez for video of her crying amid ICE raids. The White House produced a video featuring three mothers whose children were killed by convicted undocumented migrants.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/white-house-takes-aim-selena-gomez-video-crying-ice-raids/3662687/

FOX32
— Pritzker slams Trump’s tariffs, warns ‘working families will pay the price’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/pritzker-slams-trumps-tariffs-warns-working-families-will-pay-the-price

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Democrats elect Ken Martin, the party leader in Minnesota, as chair of the Democratic National Committee (COMMENT: Serving as the chairman of a political organization is a thankless job. I served as the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois 2005-2012. Also, I served on the Steering Committee of the Illinois Center Right Coalition 2003-2007. Also, I headed Pat O’Malley’s Republican gubernatorial primary campaign in Milton Township in 2002. Also, I have served as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000. Because of the aforesaid, my critics/opponents have blamed me for all the losses that Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct have suffered since 2000. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on a) past and present leaders of the Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Illinois Republican Party and b) Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct who have suffered losses and their major donors, political consultants, fundraisers, pollsters, and campaign managers.. I would focus on those who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/31/democratic-national-committee-chair-elected/
— AUGUST 21, 2021 FLASKBACK: FAA’s shift in hiring raises concerns (COMMENT: Air traffic control staffing was involved in an audit of FAA that I worked on for GAO in the early 1980s.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/05/27/faas-shift-in-hiring-raises-concerns/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, a Republican from Winfield, said the FAA has failed to give lawmakers answers that justify the hiring change or show how it will improve safety. “There is a lot of secrecy about where this new program originated,” said Hultgren, who has met with air traffic controllers and aviation graduates who live in his DuPage County district. “I have not gotten adequate responses from the FAA or from the (Obama) administration.”)

DAILY HERALD
— How Illinois compares to others on taxes, spending, other metrics
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250201/news/how-our-state-stacks-up-new-report-shows-how-illinois-compares-to-others-on-taxes-spending-other/
— Democrats push pot. Democrats oppose testing for pot impairment.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250201/editorials/daily-herald-opinion-the-importance-of-integrity-drug-testing-questions-put-officials-labs-and/
— What will happen to McConchie’s campaign cash after he leaves office?
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250201/illinois-state-politics/what-will-happen-to-mcconchies-campaign-cash-after-he-leaves-office/

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Leaders in Illinois, among the nation’s largest exporters, fear cost of Trump’s tariff plan
https://pantagraph.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/leaders-in-illinois-among-the-nations-largest-exporters-fear-cost-of-trumps-tariff-plan/article_39392c60-e02a-11ef-ac0b-ffa19327c4f7.html#tncms-source=login

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Colleges around the US cautiously navigate Trump’s DEI crackdown (COMMENT: UIC accepted me in 1966, NIU in 1969, Loyola in 1972, DePaul in 1976, and IIT in 1992. But I doubt that they would have accepted me in later years a) because of ever-increasing DEI pressure and b) because of my bad demographics.)
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/nation-world/colleges-around-the-us-cautiously-navigate-trumps-dei-crackdown/article_0b611e91-d8cc-552d-a263-ddc7428b6106.html

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Data Centers Coming Online Leading to Comeback of Fossil Fuels
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/01/data-centers-coming-online-leading-to-comeback-of-fossil-fuels/
— The Gift Book’s Origin
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/01/the-gift-books-origination/
— Democrat Calls for Passage of Property Tax Circuit Breaker, Abolition of Which Governor Pat Quinn Signed after Dems Sent Him Repeal
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/01/democrat-calls-for-passage-of-property-tax-circuit-breaker-abolition-of-which-governor-pat-quinn-signed-after-dems-sent-him-repeal/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump follows through with trade war threats, slaps tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/1/trump-follows-trade-war-threats-slaps-tariffs-cana/
— Democrats elect Ken Martin to chair Democratic National Committee (COMMENT: Serving as the chairman of a political organization is a thankless job. I served as the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois 2005-2012. Also, I served on the Steering Committee of the Illinois Center Right Coalition 2003-2007. Also, I headed Pat O’Malley’s Republican gubernatorial primary campaign in Milton Township in 2002. Also, I have served as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000. Because of the aforesaid, my critics/opponents have blamed me for all the losses that Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct have suffered since 2000. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on a) past and present leaders of the Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Illinois Republican Party and b) Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct who have suffered losses and their major donors, political consultants, fundraisers, pollsters, and campaign managers. I would focus on those who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/1/democrats-elect-ken-martin-chair-democratic-nation/
— No more ‘identity months’: Pentagon scraps official events for Black, Women’s History months (COMMENT: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government for almost 30 years, ever-increasingly, every month was an identity month except for Whites, men, and older people.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/1/identity-months-pentagon-scraps-official-events-bl/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— If you really support immigration, stop excusing border chaos
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3305430/if-you-really-support-immigration-stop-excusing-border-chaos/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Celebrity Selena Gomez recently posted, and then quickly deleted, a video of herself sobbing uncontrollably over the treatment of illegal immigrants being expelled by the Trump administration. Gomez was, of course, mercilessly mocked by conservatives across social media. There’s nothing really wrong with sympathizing with those trying to escape the deprivation and tyranny of the Third World. Most of us, I assume, would do the same for our families. The frustration, though, is misplaced.)
— The DEI regime is trying to make a comeback
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3307158/dei-regime-is-trying-to-make-a-comeback/

NEW YORK POST
— Chicago ICE raids expose left-wing ecosystem protecting criminal illegal migrants from deportations
https://nypost.com/2025/01/31/us-news/chicago-raids-expose-how-leftist-groups-help-crooks-evade-ice/
— Democratic govs line up to fight Trump even as they dance around criminal illegal migrants
https://nypost.com/2025/02/01/opinion/democratic-govs-line-up-to-fight-trump-even-as-they-dance-around-criminal-illegal-immigrants/
— Over 7.2K illegal migrants arrested in 9 days during ICE crackdown
https://nypost.com/2025/02/01/us-news/ice-crackdown-sees-7400-illegal-migrants-arrested-in-9-days/
— Another flight was forced into last second redirect at DCA just 24 hours before deadly crash
https://nypost.com/2025/02/01/us-news/another-american-airlines-flight-was-forced-into-last-second-redirect-at-dca-24-hours-before-tragic-crash/
— Trump admin slams Selena Gomez for her infamously tearful video over ICE raids
https://nypost.com/2025/02/01/us-news/trump-admin-slams-selena-gomez-for-her-infamously-tearful-video-over-ice-raids/
— How DEI is being rebranded — not disbanded
https://nypost.com/2025/02/01/opinion/no-death-for-diversity-how-dei-is-being-rebranded-not-disbanded/
— Kristi Noem stops taxpayer money from funding illegal migrant flood
https://nypost.com/2025/02/01/opinion/how-us-taxpayers-funded-the-largest-illegal-migration-in-history/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Two illegal immigrants arrested in brutal murder of 63-year-old Chicago man
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/02/01/two-illegal-immigrants-arrested-in-brutal-murder-of-63-year-old-chicago-man-1520103/

FOX NEWS
— ICE crackdown sees 7,400 illegal migrants arrested in 9 days
https://www.foxnews.com/us/ice-crackdown-sees-7400-illegal-migrants-arrested-9-days

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Pritzker: Dem Governors Working Hard With One Another To Think About How Do We Fight Back? How Do We Push Back?
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/01/gov_pritzker_dem_governors_working_hard_with_one_another_to_think_about_how_do_we_fight_back_how_do_we_push_back.html

WESTERN JOURNAL
— NY Hotels Using Illegals to Bilk Taxpayers Hit With Whopping Monetary Judgment
https://www.westernjournal.com/ny-hotels-using-illegals-bilk-taxpayers-hit-whopping-monetary-judgment/
— Trump Is Right: Obama FAA Policy Penalized ‘High Aptitude’ Applicants, Even Chicago Tribune Was Worried in 2021
https://www.westernjournal.com/trump-right-obama-faa-policy-penalized-high-aptitude-applicants-even-chicago-tribune-worried-2021/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NBC NEWS
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote birthright citizenship
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/pregnant-women-fear-trumps-birthright-citizenship-order-rcna188757

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump’s Canada and Mexico Tariffs Could Hurt Carmakers. General Motors and a few other companies make as much as 40 percent of their North American cars and trucks in Canada and Mexico, leaving them vulnerable to tariffs.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/business/economy/tariffs-trump-automakers-canada-mexico.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, produces all of its Chrysler Pacifica minivans at a plant in Windsor, Ontario. It also makes the Dodge Charger muscle car, including a new electric version, there. About two-thirds of its highly profitable Ram pickups are made in the United States, but the other third comes from a factory in Saltillo, Mexico. Stellantis did not respond to a request for comment.)

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump’s DEI purge targets federal workers who did not work in DEI (COMMENT: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government for almost 30 years, constructively, all its employees were always in DEI roles. All federal employees had to give preference to federal employees who were Democrat, and especially to those who were minority, female, younger, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time. That is, federal employees had to discriminate against federal employees who were Republican, and especially against those who were White, male, older, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and/or had ancestors who had been in America for a long time. I should write about the aforesaid.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/02/01/trump-dei-energy-education-departments/
— Democrat leaders use Venezuela’s Maduro and his “repressive state” to promote more illegal immigration. Under the Biden, America repressed Republicans.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/01/trump-venezuela-deportation-maduro-migrants/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Mexico’s president orders retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-02-01/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china

USA TODAY
— Gender, hiring, foreign aid: 3 ways Project 2025 is turning up in Trump’s actions
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/31/project-2025-trump-executive-orders/77977234007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— How Migrant Groups Are Thwarting ICE. As agents arrive in Chicago and other cities, elaborate operations are springing into action—aiming to hinder authorities.
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/trump-migrant-arrests-activist-campaign-20939aa5

FORBES
— Trump Acknowledges Black History Month—After Weeks Of Attacking Diversity
https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/02/01/trump-acknowledges-black-history-month-after-weeks-of-attacking-diversity/