January 2 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Conservative groups file appeal in taxpayer-funded abortion challenge – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-abortion-lawsuit-20180102-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Catholic Thomas More Society filed a notice of appeal Tuesday on behalf of conservative groups and legislators. They’re seeking an emergency injunction to keep the law from taking effect. State Rep. Peter Breen, a Lombard Republican who’s special counsel for the society, says lawmakers passed the measure too late in 2017 for it to take effect Jan. 1 and didn’t appropriate funding. Breen says there’s still time to block the law from being implemented since processing requests for procedure reimbursements takes months.)
— Giving up booze for Dry January? Here’s some advice from the experts – Fritz Hahn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-dry-january-tips-20180102-story.html
— Michele Bachmann mulls run for Al Franken’s Senate seat – Sarah Pulliam Bailey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-michele-bachmann-al-franken-senate-20180102-story.html
— State Senator Michael Connelly to speak at Republican monthly meeting Saturday, January 6th
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/arlington-heights/community/chi-ugc-article-state-senator-connelly-to-speak-at-republican-2018-01-02-story.html
— Trump takes hard line on ‘dreamers,’ but remains interested in a deal – Robert Costa, David Nakamura and Ashley Parker
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-immigration-daca-20180102-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Cronin: Merging two county offices (county clerk’s office with the DuPage Election Commission) a top issue – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/cronin-merging-two-county-offices-a-top-issue
— State Sen. Michael Connelly meeting with Palatine Republicans Saturday, Jan. 6
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/state-sen-connelly-meeting-with-palatine-republicans

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Cook County property tax prepayments reach $750 million. How high will they go? – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180102/BLOGS02/180109991/cook-county-property-tax-prepayments-reach-750-million-how-high-will

 

WTTW
— Conservative Lawmakers Back Effort to Block Publicly Funded Abortions – Nick Blumberg
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/01/02/conservative-lawmakers-back-effort-block-publicly-funded-abortions

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Conservative groups appeal in public-pay abortion challenge – AP
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180102/conservative-groups-appeal-in-public-pay-abortion-challenge

 

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Mail carriers walk to stay warm ‘when it’s this extreme’ – Jack Cullen (DIERSEN: I worked part-time for the Park Forest Post Office 1966-1969.)
http://qctimes.com/news/local/mail-carriers-walk-to-stay-warm-when-it-s-this/article_65185e78-06a8-57df-80df-e0b88540be02.html

 

WJBC
— Illinois ACLU: Trust Act not a substitute for Bloomington ‘welcoming city’ ordinance – Howard Packowitz (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, ACLU makes it clear that it is anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/01/02/illinois-aclu-trust-act-not-a-substitute-for-bloomington-welcoming-city-ordinance/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— U.S. calls on Iran to unblock social media sites amid protests – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/us-calls-on-iran-to-unblock-social-media-sites-amid-protests/897164460

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Fremont Township Republicans Unanimously Endorse Ives for Governor
http://mailchi.mp/36f517dd81d2/fremont-township-republican-organization-unanimously-endorses-ives-for-governor
— Ives On Fox News Channel Report on Deaths in Quincy Veterans Home
http://mailchi.mp/f3d3f5bc2eff/ives-on-fox-news-channel-report-on-deaths-in-illinois-veterans-home

 

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— 2017 IN REVIEW: Bruce Rauner and his money grabbers ruin Illinois
https://realgopillinois.com/2018/01/02/2017-rauner-gop-ruin-illinois/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Researcher: Government shares some blame in opioid crisis – Benjamin Yount
https://www.ilnews.org/news/health/researcher-government-shares-some-blame-in-opioid-crisis/article_c1173f46-ecc1-11e7-820a-0735050da85d.html

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— LAND OF LEAVING: MOVING COMPANIES RANK ILLINOIS NO. 1 FOR OUTBOUND VANS – Brendan Bakala
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/land-of-leaving-moving-companies-rank-illinois-no-1-for-outbound-vans/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— FIRST GOP TOWNSHIP ORG ENDORSES IVES OVER GOVERNOR RAUNER
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/first-gop-township-org-endorses-ives-over-governor-rauner.html

— KEY DEMOCRATS RIPPED FOR STICKING WITH COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR JOE BERRIOS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/key-democrats-ripped-for-sticking-with-cook-county-assessor-joe-berrios.html
— EARLY VOTING STARTS FEBRUARY 21 IN ILLINOIS PRIMARY CONTESTS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/early-voting-starts-february-21-in-illinois-primary-contests.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives suggests Rauner to blame for veterans’ home deaths – Stephen Dinan
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/02/ives-suggests-rauner-to-blame-for-veterans-home-deaths/
— Illinois pulls EDGE credit for spiraling company after investors (including Pritzker) are subpoenaed
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/02/illinois-pulls-edge-credit-for-spiraling-company-after-investors-including-pritzker-are-subpoenaed/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats plan MLK holiday ‘teach-ins’ to rally against Trump – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/2/dems-plan-mlk-holiday-teach-ins-against-trump/

 

CNS NEWS
— Planned Parenthood: We Did 321,384 Abortions; Got $543.7 Million in Tax Dollars – Terence P. Jeffrey
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/planned-parenthood-we-did-321384-abortions-got-5437-million-tax

 

FOX NEWS
— ‘How MUCH is that federal salary?’ Now you (and all taxpayers) can help drain the swamp – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: Those who have represented me in Washington have acted like my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have shouted at them a) that the federal government has always overpaid me, b) that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is too generous, and c) that my federal health, dental, and vision subsidies are too generous. Of course, they protested a) when the Post Office hired me in 1966 and let me work there for almost 3 years, b) when IRS hired me in 1971 and let me work there for almost 9 years, c) when IRS promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, d) when GAO hired me in 1980 and let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) when GAO promoted me in 1986. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/02/how-much-is-that-federal-salary-now-and-all-taxpayers-can-help-drain-swamp.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It’s past time to take on the governing elite and reform federal civil service compensation and you should feel that way too. The source of the problem is often not the employees themselves, who are spread across the country, but politicians in Washington who refuse to set priorities and make hard choices. You may feel like trying to put some reformist heat on them after checking out what’s happening in your own area. What will you find in your own backyard? Whatever it is, let Washington know. Call it entitlement reform for bureaucrats and the politicians who fund them.)

 

THE HILL
— Legally, slashing federal payrolls won’t save us any money – SAM WICE
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/367048-legally-slashing-federal-payrolls-wont-save-us-any-money

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— GOP’s Bachmann mulling bid for Franken’s Senate seat
https://wtop.com/congress/2018/01/gops-bachmann-mulling-bid-for-frankens-senate-seat/

 

CNN
— Liberal media pushes Democrats’ tax propaganda
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36155

 

NEW YORK POST
— New York and co. are paying the price for being Deep Blue – John Podhoretz
https://nypost.com/2018/01/02/new-york-and-co-are-paying-the-price-for-being-deep-blue/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: But what we do know is this: Had there been a single Republican senator in any of the high-tax states in America — a senator in New York or New Jersey or Illinois or California or Oregon or Minnesota or Hawaii — the elimination of the SALT deduction would likely not have been included in the final tax-reform bill.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump takes hard line on ‘dreamers,’ but remains interested in a deal – Robert Costa, David Nakamura and Ashley Parker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-takes-hard-line-on-dreamers-but-remains-interested-in-a-deal/2018/01/02/45a47e20-efdf-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html

 

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP SAYS HISPANICS WILL START ‘FALLING IN LOVE’ WITH HIM AND REPUBLICANS OVER DACA – MARIA PEREZ (DIERSEN: Will Trump say that all those who prepaid their real estate taxes will start falling in love with him over the Republican tax bill?)
http://www.newsweek.com/trump-says-hispanics-will-start-falling-love-him-and-republicans-over-daca-768263

December 31 Evening Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: If the federal government is the “most generous employers ever,” why do so few apply to be federal employees? ANSWER: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/report-federal-worker-minimum-wage-is-100000-85-weeks-off/article/2644553

 

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

 

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

 

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

December 30 Morning Edition

NBC5
— Silverstein Has Petition Troubles, May Not Make it to Primary Ballot – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Silverstein-Has-Petition-Troubles-May-Not-Make-It-To-Primary-Ballot-467220783.html

 

ABC7
— New Illinois Laws 2018: Laws that take effect January 1
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/new-illinois-laws-2018-laws-that-take-effect-january-1/2785524/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Time at Mar-a-Lago is a respite for Trump — and a headache for his staff – Ashley Parker and Josh Dawsey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-staff-mar-a-lago-20171229-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “In a 30-minute interview, President Trump made 24 false or misleading claims.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/factcheck/ct-trump-interview-fact-check-20171229-story.html
— Trump administration fires all members of HIV/AIDS advisory council – Ben Guarino
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-trump-hiv-aids-council-20171229-story.html
— Cheap Amazon shipping leaves the Postal Service ‘dumber and poorer,’ Trump tweets – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-trump-postal-service-rates-amazon-20171229-story.html
— How 2018 will transport Americans back to 1968 – Editorial (DIERSEN: What did you do in 1968? I worked as a part-time mailman for the Democrats who ran the Park Forest Post Office. I was a full-time student at UIC. I lived with my parents and brother in Crete. I sold my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and bought a 1969 Dodge Charger SE. I saved money for college expenses.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-nineteen68-0101-story.html
— Bernie Sanders to Republicans: Stop saying I support your tax bill – David Weigel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-bernie-sanders-republican-tax-bill-20171229-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURES: Suburban homeowners flock to prepay property tax bills to beat looming deadline – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171229/suburban-homeowners-flock-to-prepay-property-tax-bills-to-beat-looming-deadline#autoplay
— FRONT PAGE: New consolidation twist surfaces about Naperville township roads – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171229/new-consolidation-twist-surfaces-about-naperville-township-roads

 

WBEZ
— Chicago Murder Rate Drops, But Not In All Neighborhoods – Patrick Smith, Natalie Moore
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/chicago-murder-rate-drops-but-not-in-all-neighborhoods/3658ab1f-3cbd-4c50-b60b-73cf87dad6e3

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Gov. Rauner announces staff changes
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171229/gov-rauner-announces-staff-changes
— Springfield’s Winter Warming Center seeing big crowds during first month – Crystal Thomas
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171228/springfields-winter-warming-center-seeing-big-crowds-during-first-month

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Abortion on decline in McHenry County Declines seen among most age groups, especially teens since start of decade – ERIC R. OLSON
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/30/abortion-on-decline-in-mchenry-county/af4haa/

 

TIMES
— In 2018, Illinois needs to stop the decline – Editorial (DIERSEN: Members of Group A run Illinois and they focus on driving out of Illinois those individuals, organizations, and companies that are members of Group B. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/editorial/our-view-in-illinois-needs-to-stop-the-decline/article_d752af8e-f266-5fc6-89e0-52dc6f4933ea.html

 

JOURNAL COURIER
— Governor rejects elderly home care plan – AP
http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/117604/governor-rejects-elderly-home-care-plan

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Alton Daily News badmouths those who prepaid their real estate taxes; says they want to “skirt the new law.”
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257637#.Wkd2Dt-nGM8

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Transgender Rights Lead NPR’s Top LGBTQ Stories of 2017 – DANNY NETT (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, you will be barred from getting an education, barred from getting a job, etc.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/transgender-rights-lead-nprs-top-lgbtq-stories-2017#stream/0

 

CHICAGO PATCH
— Year In Review: Trump’s 5 Biggest Clashes With Chicago In 2017 The president and the city were constant sparring partners throughout the year. But who won in the end? – Joe Vince
https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/year-review-trumps-5-biggest-clashes-chicago-2017

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives points finger at Rauner following report on Legionnaires’ outbreak at veterans home – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511306058-ives-points-finger-at-rauner-following-report-on-legionnaires-outbreak-at-veterans-home

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Will County Clerk candidate McPhillips: Taxes causing residents to flee Illinois – Glenn Minnis
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511304245-will-county-clerk-candidate-mcphillips-taxes-causing-residents-to-flee-illinois

 

FOX NEWS
— Capitol Hill’s sexual harassment scandal reignites debate about thrifty lawmakers sleeping in their office – Chad Pergram
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/30/capitol-hill-s-sexual-harassment-scandal-reignites-debate-about-thrifty-lawmakers-sleeping-in-their-office.html
— Facebook rolling back controversial initiative to fight fake news
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/12/28/facebook-rolling-back-controversial-initiative-to-fight-fake-news.html

 

BREITBART
— Judge Upholds Controversial Bill Requiring Taxpayers to Fund Abortions in Illinois – THOMAS D. WILLIAMS, PH.D.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/29/judge-upholds-controversial-bill-requiring-taxpayers-to-fund-abortions-in-illinois/

 

DAILY CALLER
— REPORT: Obama’s DOJ Suffered From ‘Systemic’ Sexual Misconduct – Joe Simonson
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/28/obamas-doj-suffered-from-systemic-sexual-misconduct/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Is amnesty for DREAMers worth it if we get a border wall? – Ed Straker
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/12/is_amnesty_for_dreamers_worth_it_if_we_get_a_border_wall.html
— White Privilege: An Article of Left-Wing Faith – Eileen F. Toplansky (DIERSEN: To be accepted by Democrats, you have agree with them that the more of the following that you are, the more that you have benefited from discrimination against minorities and against females and the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/12/white_privilege_an_article_of_leftwing_faith.html

 

TOWNHALL
— Mr. President: No DACA, Build The Wall, or No Deal at All! – Arthur Schaper
https://townhall.com/columnists/arthurschaper/2017/12/30/mr-president-no-daca-build-the-wall-or-no-deal-at-all-n2428356

 

THE HILL
— Nonprofits are the unintended victims of the new tax bill – CHRIS GATES
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/366773-nonprofits-are-the-unintended-victims-of-new-tax-bill

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Don’t Cheer as the I.R.S. Grows Weaker – Editorial (DIERSEN: What do you base your knowledge of IRS on? 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 $79,563-$90,173. I worked for GAO on audits of IRS for 3 years at the GS-13 Step-1-3 levels, currently, $94,610-$100,917. I have filed federal income tax returns since 1964 and itemized returns since 1972. I took IRS to Tax Court and won a split decision on my education deductions. Nevertheless my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes continue to viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn my knowledge of IRS.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/opinion/dont-cheer-as-the-irs-grows-weaker.html
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: No federal agency generates as much rancor as the Internal Revenue Service, part of that duo of inevitability, taxes and death. Despite its reputation for toughness, the I.R.S. relies on voluntary compliance, as in Americans’ sense of duty, to collect the money that powers our government. That’s more true than ever, because as it prepares to implement the most sweeping tax overhaul in 30 years, the I.R.S. is perhaps weaker than it has ever been. In 1986, the last time Congress passed major changes in the tax code, it included a budget increase for the agency, allowing it to hire 2,100 more employees to carry out the changes. Earlier this year, as the agency struggled to do its job with a decimated staff, a shrinking budget and decrepit computers, its commissioner pleaded with Congress to at least give it time to prepare for the big tax overhaul Republicans wanted. That didn’t happen. Instead, Republicans rushed hastily written legislation larded with amendments through both chambers. Even before this hash hit their desks, I.R.S. officials were warning about the potential for a catastrophic breakdown that could imperil our tax system. Then, at its busiest time of year, the agency was given a week before the tax law goes into effect to translate hundreds of pages of conflicting provisions, potential loopholes and unintended consequences into coherent guidance for taxpayers.)
— America, Can We Talk About Your Drinking? More people are consuming alcohol in risky ways. That’s not a good trend. – GABRIELLE GLASER
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/opinion/sunday/alcohol-binge-drinking.html
— Germans Will Ring in New Year With Extra Security, Especially for Women – Melissa Eddy
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/world/europe/germans-will-ring-in-new-year-with-extra-security-especially-for-women.html

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— The GOP Tax Bill Has Affluent Homeowners Enraged and Confused – Eric Levitz (DIERSEN: Those who itemize their deductions have always been demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being affluent. I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized our deductions since we got married in 1978.)
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/the-gop-tax-bill-has-wealthy-homeowners-enraged-and-confused.html

 

BLOOMBERG
— Ken Griffin Kicks in $3 Million for Soccer – Amanda L Gordon
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-29/ken-griffin-kicks-in-3-million-for-soccer-philanthropy-tracker

 

INEWS
–UK: Millennials will get an ‘inheritance boom’ – but too late to help housing struggles – Karl McDonald
https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/millennials-will-get-inheritance-boom-late-help-housing-struggles/

 

COMMUNITIES DIGITAL NEWS
— Why 20% of American households will not benefit from tax cut – Michael Busler (DIERSEN: One could argue that the tax bill is designed to reward renters and to punish homeowners.)
https://www.commdiginews.com/business-2/economic-politics/why-20-percent-households-will-not-benefit-tax-cut-97552/

 

SLATE
— Homeowners Lining Up to Pay Early Taxes Is a Sign of Blue-State Pain to Come – Henry Grabar (DIERSEN: Those who itemize their deductions have always been demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being wealthy. I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized our deductions since we got married in 1978. High real estate taxes depress home values.)
https://slate.com/business/2017/12/the-first-drops-of-rain-from-a-tax-bill-hurricane.html

(FROM THE ARTICLE: And now, in these frigid waning days of December, come the tax bill’s first visible losers: wealthy blue-state property owners (and the governments their taxes support). In the four days since Christmas, homeowners have lined up at city halls across the Northeast, doing something whose unnatural aspect reveals the scale of damage the tax bill will wreak in the Northeast: voluntarily handing over thousands of dollars in taxes months and months in advance. Hundreds of people waited on lines at city halls and county seats from Fairfax County, Virginia, to the suburbs of Baltimore, New York, and Boston, trying to pay their property taxes while they remain fully deductible on federal returns. Starting next year, the IRS will impose a limit of $10,000 on all state and local tax deductions. Of course, the bracket here is pretty limited to a certain privileged class: homeowners who not only have enormous property tax bills but also the money and the wherewithal to pay them in advance. It is overwhelmingly a wealthy group, and one concentrated in a handful of Democratic states and counties. Real estate taxes make up only about a third of SALT deductions, but they are easy to pay in advance. And if filing now means taking $10,000 off your 2018 tax return, a little dead-week trip to the Finance Department could save you thousands on next year’s taxes. So it’s not surprising that early payers are dedicating a few hours to fixing cash-flow issues in cities, suburbs, and counties up and down the Northeast Corridor, and in Illinois, Texas, and California as well. On the one hand, it’s hard to drum up much sympathy for the winners of a home price run that has sent the collective value of real estate in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, to take one example, higher than the GDP of the United Kingdom.)

December 29 Evening Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump says no protection for Dreamers without wall – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/dont-miss/trump-says-no-protection-for-dreamers-without-wall

 

ABC7
— Trump: East Coast could use some ‘good old Global Warming’ this weekend – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-east-could-use-some-global-warming-this-weekend/2837581/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “At expense of other nations, Trump follows through to put America first.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/america-first-trump-michael-barone/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Reversing the Illinois exodus – Editorial (DIERSEN: The more that members of Group A are elected in Illinois, the faster that members of Group B will leave Illinois. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-population-20171222-story.html
— Trump says no protection for ‘Dreamers’ without wall – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-daca-20171229-story.html
— Carjackings skyrocket in Chicago in 2017 — to highest level in at least 10 years – Jeremy Gorner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-carjackings-2017-story.html
— Not much to ‘like’ if Facebook job ads ignore older workers – Robert Reed (DIERSEN: How old are you? What is your position on age discrimination? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes promote age discrimination. They demonize, denigrate, and condemn as being lazy, stupid, and even worse things non-veteran White male federal employees who do not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-age-discrimination-facebook-ads-robert-reed-1226-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Older job seekers, who often have a tough time finding employment, now face another painful reality: Social media isn’t their work buddy. Dozens of companies are recruiting workers with ads on Facebook that use “age-based” microtargeting — a system designed to connect clients to millennial job prospects. But this hyper-focused approach has a dark side: It can prevent older job hunters from getting equal access to career opportunities posted online, and that smacks of age discrimination. Facebook and their corporate clients should wise up and dump this ham-handed strategy before it spirals out of control. Aside from being potentially ageist, unfair and legally suspect, it reduces a company’s employment possibilities by ignoring qualified, older job candidates.)
— Emanuel’s average income is $365,000 per year, 6 years of mayor’s tax returns show – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-rahm-emanuel-tax-returns-20171229-story.html
— Lawmakers behaving badly? Let’s see the names. – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-congress-sex-harassment-settlements-20171229-story.html
— Vernon Township supervisor to propose anti-nepotism policy, debate legal fees – Rick Kambic
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/vernon-hills/news/ct-vhr-vernon-township-legal-fees-tl-0104-story.html
— Lake County spent $4.9 million on uncompleted e-filing system, records show – Emily K. Coleman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-lake-county-efiling-st-1230-20171215-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— The tax bill has turned America’s accountants into ‘rock stars’ – Ben Terris
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171229/the-tax-bill-has-turned-americas-accountants-into-rock-stars

 

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— Illinois counties receive historic number of tax prepayments – Matt Dutton
http://www.whig.com/20171229/illinois-counties-receive-historic-number-of-tax-prepayments#

 

BOLINGBROOK PATCH
— Rachel Tuszynski Admits To Hate Crime Against Mayor Roger Claar The Bolingbrook mayor was a big campaign supporter of Donald Trump’s candidacy for president in 2016. – John Ferak
https://patch.com/illinois/bolingbrook/rachel-tuszynski-pleads-guilty-hate-crime-vs-mayor-claar

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Wilcox Summarizes First Day of Reinert Petition Challenge
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/29/wilcox-summarizes-first-day-of-reinert-petition-challenge/

 

EAST CENTRAL REPORTER
— Brickman’s marijuana stance not shared by fellow Republicans
https://eastcentralreporter.com/stories/511306796-brickman-s-marijuana-stance-not-shared-by-fellow-republicans

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— WATCH: CNN Worries Tax Bill Will Help GOP, Hints At Conspiracy Theory – Ryan Saavedra
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2017/12/watch-cnn-worries-tax-bill-will-help-gop-hints-at-conspiracy-theory/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY REVIEW
— REP. BREEN REACTS TO CIRCUIT COURT RULING ON TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTIONS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/rep-breen-reacts-to-circuit-court-ruling-on-taxpayer-funded-abortions.html
— ILLINOIS’ ANDRZEJEWSKI MAPS THE SWAMP
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/illinois-andrzejewski-maps-the-swamp.html
— NATIONAL NEWS FOCUSES ON NATION’S “WORST REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR” IN ILLINOIS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/national-news-focuses-on-nations-worst-republican-governor-in-illinois.html
— GLENNON: BEST CHICAGO NEWS IN 2017? HISTORIC LOW TEEN BIRTHS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/glennon-best-chicago-news-in-2017-historic-low-teen-births.html

 

FOX NEWS
— Chicago’s Emanuel reaps benefits of opposing Trump — as city problems fester – Lukas Mikelionis (DIERSEN: What benefits have the anti-Trumps reaped in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/29/chicagos-emanuel-reaps-benefits-opposing-trump-as-city-problems-fester.html
— Things college professors called ‘racist’ in 2017 – Caleb Parke
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/29/things-college-professors-called-racist-in-2017.html

 

THE HILL
— A secure retirement may be in jeopardy for millions of Americans – CHARLES JESZECK AND FRANK TODISCO
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/366783-a-secure-retirement-may-be-in-jeopardy-for-millions-of-americans

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Illinois governor announces staff changes
http://www.sfgate.com/news/education/article/Illinois-governor-announces-staff-changes-12462676.php

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Trump: Give Me a Border Wall or I’ll Deport the Dreamers – Eric Levitz
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/trump-give-me-a-border-wall-or-ill-deport-the-dreamers.html

 

FORBES
— The Administrative State — Size, Scope And Resistance Of The Swamp – Adam Andrzejewski
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2017/12/29/the-administrative-state-its-size-scope-and-resistance/#572a153933b5

December 27 Evening Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

DAILY SIGNAL
— 1 of Every 5 Federal Employees Has a 6-Figure Salary – Rachel del Guidice (DIERSEN: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
http://dailysignal.com/2017/12/27/1-every-5-government-employees-6-figure-salary/

 

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

 

NATIONAL LAW REVIEW
— Take a Number: States and Cities Line Up to Ban Salary History Questions (DIERSEN: What about government employees? Government salaries are public and those who despise if not hate government employees viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn government employees as being grossly overpaid. I was a demonized, denigrated, and condemned government employee for almost 30 years. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/take-number-states-and-cities-line-to-ban-salary-history-questions

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Who’s Winning the Culture War? Corporate America. – DAVID A. HOPKINSDE (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, corporate America paints itself as being anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/opinion/culture-war-corporate-america.html

 

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

 

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

December 25 Morning Edition

ABC7
— 3 dead, 21 wounded in Christmas weekend shootings across Chicago
http://abc7chicago.com/3-dead-21-wounded-in-christmas-weekend-shootings-across-chicago/2822656/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trump takes note of who’s naughty and nice at Christmas – AP (DIERSEN: In your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, who determines who is naughty and nice? What criteria do they use?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171225/news/312259980/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How Chicago and Illinois failed the people in 2017 – Madeleine Doubek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/chicago-illinois-failed-people-2017-doubek/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Joy to the weed! Marijuana legalization comes bearing gifts – AP (DIERSEN: If you want to destroy someone, you give them pot.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–marijuana-high-holidays-20171222-story.html
— How can you be Christian without caring for the poor? – James Martin (DIERSEN: Do your critics/opponents care for the poor? Since 1966, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes  have hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a poor person in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a poor person in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted a poor people in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a poor person in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a poor person in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-poor-jesus-poor-mary-joseph-christmas-syrian-refugees-1225-story.html
— New state law treats pets more like children in custody cases – Leonor Vivanco-Prengaman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-pet-custody-law-20171218-story.html

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Reciprocity Bill Heads to U.S. Senate – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257374#.WkDdLN-nGM8

 

WSIL TV
— Bost: Trump can fire Mueller, FBI answers to president – Brandon Richard
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37136078/bost-fbi-answers-to-president-trump-can-fire-mueller

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois LGBTQ+ Advocates Say 2017 Saw Progress – RACHEL OTWELL (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, you will be barred from getting an education, barred from getting a job, barred from etc.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-lgbtq-advocates-say-2017-saw-progress#stream/0

 

WIREPOINTS
— Turmoil Grows Over Disparity In Rules For Prepayment Of Property Taxes – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/turmoil-grows-over-disparity-in-rules-for-prepayment-of-property-taxes-story-developing-wirepoints-original/
— Finally, a college ranking that means something. Two extremes in IL – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/finally-a-college-ranking-that-means-something-quicktake/

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — Democrats hope to use tax overhaul as a club against GOP – AP
    http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/democrats-hope-to-use-tax-overhaul-as-a-club-against/article_bd087114-ce7b-5f85-a980-838ed5efe196.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— North Korea calls U.N. sanctions ‘an act of war,’ says it’s ‘pipe dream’ that it will give up nukes – AP (DIERSEN: Acts of war include a) a country sending its citizens into another country illegally, b) a country keeping its citizens in another country illegally, and c) a country sending illegal drugs into another country illegally. Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America a) by its sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally, b) by its keeping many millions of its citizens in America illegally, and c) by its sending many mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/25/north-korea-calls-un-sanctions-act-war-says-its-pi/?

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Republicans leave for Christmas break believing they can govern – Al Weaver
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republicans-leave-for-christmas-break-believing-they-can-govern/article/2644220

 

PJ MEDIA
— New Illinois Abortion Law Fires Up Pro-Lifers, Inspires Challenge to GOP Governor – ROD KACKLEY DEC
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/new-illinois-abortion-law-fires-pro-lifers-inspires-challenge-gop-governor/

 

TOWNHALL
— Every Vote Really Does Count – Ken Blackwell
https://townhall.com/columnists/kenblackwell/2017/12/25/every-vote-really-does-count-n2426842

 

NEWSMAX
— AT&T Said to Fire Hundreds at Christmas Amid Trump Tax Bonuses
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/at-t-fire-christmas-trump/2017/12/24/id/833583/

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “GOP will suffer for tax giveaway.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/366398-juan-williams-gop-will-suffer-for-tax-giveaway

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Using Billions in Government Cash, Mexico Controls News Media – Azam Ahmed (DIERSEN: He who pays the piper calls the tunes. Since 2000, my critics/opponents have been beyond furious that I have enough time and enough money to put together and send out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails that I do not have to ask them or ask anyone else for money. My critics/opponents want people who they can manipulate/dominate, that is, people who need money.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/25/world/americas/mexico-press-government-advertising.html
— As Trump Rages About Immigrants, They Go to the Ivy League – Tariro Mzezewa (DIERSEN: Do you have a degree from an Ivy League university? I should write a book about those who stress that none of my four degrees (B.S. Management NIU 1970, MBA Loyola 1976, M.S. accounting DePaul 1980, and M.S. financial markets and trading IIT 1997) are from Ivy League universities.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/opinion/trump-african-immigrants-ivy-league.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps use children as cannon fodder.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/exactly-how-cruel-is-homeland-security/2017/12/23/6ecdf1c2-e74d-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e_story.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps crow over their success in turning “White college graduates” against Trump.
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-nevada-trump-suburbs-20171225-story.html
— In hopes of getting around federal law, immigrants seek governors’ pardons to block deportation – Kurtis Lee
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-immigration-pardons-20171225-story.html

 

BUSINESS TIMES
— U.S. charities fear big drop in donations from middle classes
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/us-charities-fear-big-drop-in-donations-from-middle-classes

 

CHEAT SHEET
— Why Older Americans Should Be Terrified by the GOP Tax Plan – Eric Schaal
https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/older-americans-should-be-terrified-by-gop-tax-plan.html/

December 24 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump criticizes FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe as he plans retirement – AP (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors always wanted to replace me with a Democrat, and especially with a Democrat who was minority, female, and/or younger. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-reacts-to-reports-of-fbi-deputy-directors-retirement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: McCabe plans to retire in about 90 days, when he becomes fully eligible for pension benefits, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the situation. Trump and his Republican allies have made it clear that they want McCabe out of the FBI. But McCabe is a civil service employee who cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an all-of-the-front page editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps glorify and praise a) those who come to America illegally, b) those who stay in America illegally, and c) those who bring others to America illegally.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/maria-no-documents-no-health-insurance-cancer-fight-angels-rush/

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

MOTLEY FOOL
— 3 Money Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Retirement If you make this mistake, you face almost a 60% chance of running out of cash during retirement. – Christy Bieber
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/12/24/3-money-mistakes-that-could-ruin-your-retirement.aspx

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

December 22 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— And now, folks, let’s hear it for Illinois Governor Money! – Laura Washington
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/and-now-folks-lets-hear-it-for-illinois-governor-money/
— How Chicago sausage is made when progressives take on regulars – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/miller-how-chicago-sausage-is-made-when-progressives-take-on-regulars/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois has too many school districts – Scott Reeder
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-reeder-column-st-1224-20171221-story.html
— The top 10 Chicago political stories of 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-chicago-politics-top-10-stories-20171222-story.html
— AT&T hands out bonuses to some workers, pink slips to others – Robert Channick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-att-layoffs-20171222-story.html
— Syverson says proposed Wisconsin casino would ‘devastate’ Rockford – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wisconsin-casino-rockford-concerns-20171222-story.html
— Two Chicago-area residents sue Apple over its practice of slowing older iPhones – Lauren Zumbach
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-apple-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-1223-story.html
— Will tax cuts help Republicans in 2018? – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-tax-cuts-mcconnell-ryan-20171224-story.html
— Illinois Supreme Court grants Dorothy Brown’s request to delay e-filing in Cook County – Steve Schmadeke
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-supreme-court-e-filing-20171222-story.html
— Comptroller calls for hearing on food stamp computer contract in wake of problems – Greg Trotter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-snap-system-hearing-20171222-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Maine Township highway commissioner says trustees broke law – Chacour Koop
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171222/maine-township-highway-commissioner-says-trustees-broke-law

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: What do you say to employers that prefer hiring citizens of foreign countries over citizens of America?
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171222/OPINION/171229997/daca-recipients-dreamers-good-for-gdp

 

ABC7
— Trump signs, lauds $1.5 trillion tax overhaul; off to Florida for holidays – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-signs-lauds-$15-trillion-tax-overhaul/2811909/
— Officials in Will, DuPage counties call for ban on sale of commercially bred pets – Sarah Schulte
http://abc7chicago.com/pets-animals/officials-in-will-dupage-counties-call-for-ban-on-sale-of-commercially-bred-pets/2813018/
— Gubernatorial candidate Kennedy highlights Chicago gun violence to call for change – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/kennedy-highlights-chicago-gun-violence-to-call-for-change/2812483/

 

NBC5
— Trump Signs Tax Cut in ‘Rush Job’ Oval Office Signing Event Asked if he had any regrets, Trump shook his head and said, “No” – Laurie Kellman and Jonathan Lemire
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/Trump-Signs-1-Trillion-Tax-Overhaul-Package-465927733.html
— Chris Kennedy Discusses Different Approach to Combating Gun Violence – Charlie Wojciechowski
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/kennedy-takes-different-approach-to-combating-gun-violence-466000553.html

 

CBS2
— Chris Kennedy Hopes 2018 Brings New Life — And Cash — To Campaign – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/22/chris-kennedy-hopes-2018-brings-new-life-and-cash-to-campaign/

 

WLS AM
— Bill Cameron sits down with the Chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors, Kirk Dillard.
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/22/connected-to-chicago-12-24-2017/

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Will, DuPage County officials to propose banning sale of commercially-bred pets in stores
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/12/22/will-dupage-county-officials-to-propose-banning-sale-of-commercially-bred-pets-in-stores/ax568z7/

 

DAILY HERALD
— State looks to control dog, cat sales at DuPage, Will pet shops – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171222/state-looks-to-control-dog-cat-sales-at-dupage-will-pet-shops

 

WJPF
— Newsradio WJPF interview with Evelyn Sanguinetti
http://www.wjpf.com/episode/newsradio-wjpf-interview-with-evelyn-sanguinetti/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps a) want women to see heterosexual Republican men as being sexual harassers, if not rapists and b) want women to vote only for Democrat women or for Democrat men who demonize, denigrate, and condemn heterosexual Republican men and/or who are gay, transsexual, or queer.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/poll-7-in-10-americans-say-sexual-harassment-is-a-very-serious-problem/886512273
— Hundreds of EPA employees leave under Trump Scientists out, political appointees in – SOPHIE TATUM (DIERSEN: During the 1980s and 1990s, overwhelmingly, a) GAO employees who were pushed out were Republican, White, male, older, non-veteran, and/or accounting degree holders and b) those who replaced them were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or public policy degree holders.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/report-hundreds-of-epa-employees-leave-under-trump/886369616

 

CHICAGO ARGUS
— Pot is the Republican boogeyman. Or so says governor candidate Jeanne Ives – Gregory Tejeda (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2017/12/pot-is-republican-boogeyman-or-so-says.html

 

WILL COUNTY NEWS
— Ives Statement on WBEZ Report, ‘Beginning of an Epidemic: Email Shows State Wanted to Wait 6 Days to Publicize Legionnaires’ Outbreak’ – Steve Balich
http://willcountynews.com/2017/12/21/ives-statement-on-wbez-report-beginning-of-an-epidemic-email-shows-state-wanted-to-wait-6-days-to-publicize-legionnaires-outbreak/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE BLUE UN HELMETS PROTECTING VIOLENT CHICAGOANS FROM THEMSELVES?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/can-we-expect-to-see-blue-un-helmets-protecting-violent-chicagoans-from-themselves.html
— U OF I URBANA-CHAMPAIGN SEEKS ADMIN FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ‘ADVOCACY AND ACTIVISM’ (DIERSEN: To promote social justice is to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/u-of-i-urbana-champaign-seeks-admin-for-social-justice-advocacy-and-activism.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Reader comments closed for the holidays I’ll be back in the new year. (DIERSEN: Since 2004, I have sent a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email out each and every morning, and since 2015, each and every evening too free of charge and without any advertising. Those emails have included links to more than 289,600 articles and information on many upcoming events.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/22/reader-comments-closed-for-the-holidays-7/

 

BREITBART
— Liberals Celebrate Christmas with ‘I Am So Sick of White Guys’ Coloring Book – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/22/liberals-celebrate-christmas-sick-white-guys-coloring-book/

December 20 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Rauner defends state handling of fatal Legionnaires outbreak at veterans’ home – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/health/rauner-defends-state-handling-of-fatal-legionnaires-outbreak-at-veterans-home/2805149/
— Trump celebrates after Congress wraps up massive tax package – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-celebrates-after-congress-wraps-up-massive-tax-package/2802688/

 

NBC5
— Wheaton, Palatine Ranked Among Safest Cities in Illinois
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/wheaton-palatine-named-safest-cities-to-live-in-illinois-465506123.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: For families looking to raise families, certain communities stand out for a variety of reasons, and a new ranking has revealed the safest city in the state. According to security company SafeHome, Wheaton is the safest city in the state. The ranking cites the city’s dramatic decrease in violent crime, which is down 17.8 percent in 2017, and their strong citizen-to-police officer ratio as the factors that pushed it to the top of the list. Narrowly finishing behind Wheaton is Palatine, which also saw drops in both violent crime and property crime. Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, and Mount Prospect rounded out the top five, according to the company. Naperville, recently ranked the second-best city in America to live by Niche, finished in seventh place among the safest cities in America. The security company used a variety of criteria to come up with its rankings, which took cities of 50,000 or more people and evaluated them on statistics such as violent crime rate, property crime rate, and other data made available by the FBI and the Census Bureau. While smaller cities tend to rank highly on the list, some of Illinois’ biggest cities made the cut as well. Champaign, home to the University of Illinois, ranked in the 22nd spot, and Chicago itself, despite making national headlines for gun violence, was ranked as the 23rd-safest city in the state according to SafeHome.)
— GOP Tax Bill Could Be a Windfall for Dozens of Lawmakers Only two Republicans found to have sizable real estate holdings voted against the bill
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Tax-Bill-Loophole-Windfall-Lawmakers-465480623.html

 

CBS2
— Rauner: State Is Taking Action For Deaths At Quincy Veteran’s Home – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/20/veterans-home-quincy-legionnaires/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois loses population, drops to 6th-largest state – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/illinois-loses-population-drops-to-6th-largest-state

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner: Federal tax changes help tax-cut agenda – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: Are you a homeowner in a “traditionally Republican-leaning suburban (area) with high property tax bills?” Will Republicans making you pay more federal income tax inspire you to help Rauner fight Democrats for lower property tax bills and for lower state income taxes? According to the Democrats, if you itemize your deductions, and especially if you pay more than $10,000 a year in property and income taxes, you are undeservedly filthy rich and you can easily afford to pay more federal income tax.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-federal-tax-bill-20171220-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said Wednesday that federal tax code changes limiting how much in state and local taxes Illinoisans can deduct could give a boost to his call for freezing property taxes and rolling back a state income tax hike. Under the measure sent to Trump, federal income taxpayers will see a larger standard deduction. But taxpayers used to itemizing their deductions will see a $10,000 limit on the deductibility of state income taxes and local property taxes. Previously, there were no limits on state and local tax deductibility. Supporters of capping the tax deduction contended it amounted to a federal subsidy for high-tax states. Opponents noted most of the high-tax states pay more in federal taxes than they receive back in federal benefits and are largely Democratic-leaning states, such as Illinois. Prior to the legislation’s passage, Rauner had declined to publicly weigh in on the effects of changing the state and local tax deduction on Illinois residents, though it could have negative effects on homeowners in traditionally Republican-leaning suburban areas with high property tax bills. “The simple fact is for states that are high-tax, high-spending states, it makes it more difficult… For states like Illinois and others, it makes it more difficult,” Rauner said. “It makes it all the more important that we make the type of changes that…I’ve been recommending from day one. That we bring down our property taxes, that we work down the income tax hike that Speaker (Michael) Madigan forced through last (July),” he said. “It makes it all the more essential that we in Illinois make those changes.” Rauner has called for freezing local property taxes and making it easier for residents to put on the ballot referendum questions that would lower real estate taxes. In addition, Rauner has called for a rollback of the income tax hike Democratic and some Republican lawmakers enacted over his veto to end the state’s historic budget stalemate.)
— Rauner won’t say if he has moral responsibility for Quincy veterans’ illnesses, deaths – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-quincy-veterans-home-legionnaires-20171220-story.html
— Elgin faith leaders call out U46 school board member for critique of religion assignment – Rafael Guerrero
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-elgin-faith-leaders-jeanette-ward-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— Trump stands to save millions under new tax measure, experts say – Drew Harwell
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-save-millions-tax-plan-20171220-story.html
— The new tax challenge for Illinois Democrats – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-progressive-income-tax-20171220-story.html
— How the tax bill impacts homeowners, buyers and sellers – Kathy Orton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-tax-bill-impact-homeowners-real-estate-20171220-story.html
— Trump just admitted the GOP’s tax cuts were deceptively sold – Aaron Blake
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-gop-taxes-analysis-20171220-story.html
— Triumphant Trump celebrates tax win — but some fear backlash – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-gop-tax-bill-20171220-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Drink water at vets’ home linked to deaths? ‘Absolutely,’ Rauner says – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/drink-water-at-vets-home-linked-to-deaths-absolutely-rauner-says/
— Declining population knocks Illinois down to 6th-largest state – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/declining-population-knocks-illinois-down-to-sixth-largest-state/
— Trump has scored a solid year of accomplishments. What now? – Byron York
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-has-scored-a-solid-year-of-accomplishments-what-now/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Ives says she’s the real social conservative running for governor – Marni Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171220/ives-says-shes-the-real-social-conservative-running-for-governors
— How tax bill impacts homeowners, buyers and sellers – Kathy Orton
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171220/how-tax-bill-impacts-homeowners-buyers-and-sellers
— DuPage sheriff dispatch center supervisor faces misconduct charge – Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171220/dupage-sheriff-dispatch-center-supervisor-faces-misconduct-charge
— A sweeping tax plan whose promises face widespread doubts – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171220/business/312209938/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The GOP tax bill is good for you—buh-leeve me! – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171220/BLOGS02/171229981/the-gop-tax-bill-is-good-for-you-x2014-buh-leeve-me
— Somebody’s getting a pay raise from the tax bill. Probably not you. – STEPHEN GANDEL
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171219/NEWS02/171219872/somebodys-getting-a-pay-raise-from-the-tax-bill-probably-not-you
— Illinois’ population dips again—and now trails Pennsylvania – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171220/BLOGS02/171229989/illinois-population-dips-again-and-now-trails-pennsylvania

 

WLS AM
— Rauner sees pros and cons with tax reform bill – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/20/rauner-sees-pros-and-cons-with-tax-reform-bill/
— Kinzinger: Republicans handling of govt. shutdown threat “extremely frustrating.” – John Dempsey
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/20/gop-congressman-republicans-handling-of-govt-shutdown-threat-extremely-frustrating/

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Illinois drops from 5th to 6th in population. What’s driving people out? – JOSEPH BUSTOS (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats focus on driving out of Illinois people, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article190772804.html

 

SOUTHERN
— Rauner says he’s been kicking HUD ‘in the pants’; HUD says try ‘kick-starting the Cairo economy’ instead – MOLLY PARKER
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/acha/rauner-says-he-s-been-kicking-hud-in-the-pants/article_b46c3ac1-20ad-59a7-90d1-921dc24e7fd3.html

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— It’s time to consolidate school districts – Scott Reeder
http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20171220/my-view-its-time-to-consolidate-school-districts

 

STATELINE
— What the Tax Bill Means for Illinois Taxpayers Story includes calculator to see how you and your family is impacted – Scott Picken
http://www.mystateline.com/news/what-the-tax-bill-means-for-illinois-taxpayers/884695096

 

WAND
— Ives, challenging Rauner, campaigns in Coles County – Joe Astrouski
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37112873/ives-challenging-rauner-campaigns-in-coles-county

 

IVES FOR ILLINOIS
— Ives Outlines Benedict Rauner’s Top Ten Betrayals
http://mailchi.mp/2ebbd210a631/ives-outlines-benedict-rauners-betrayals?e=985ad8c00b

 

HEARTLAND INSTITUTE
— HUFFINGTON POST PREPARES TO SMEAR HEARTLAND AGAIN – Joseph Bast
https://www.heartland.org/news-opinion/news/huffington-post-prepares-to-smear-heartland-again

 

WILL COUNTY NEWS
— Ives Outlines Benedict Rauner’s Top Ten Betrayals – Steve Balich
http://willcountynews.com/2017/12/20/ives-outlines-benedict-rauners-top-ten-betrayals/

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— As a high property tax state, Illinois is not attractive, CNN economist says – Glenn Minnis
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511298937-as-a-high-property-tax-state-illinois-is-not-attractive-cnn-economist-says

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Gubernatorial Candidate Jeanne Ives interviewed by ECWd – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/gubernatorial-candidate-jeanne-ives-interviewed-by-ecwd/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IVES RESPONDS: BENEDICT RAUNER’S 10 BETRAYALS IN 2017
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/ives-responds-.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives puts together her own top ten list
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/20/ives-puts-together-her-own-top-ten-list/
— Rauner dodges questions about veterans’ home problems
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/20/rauner-dodges-questions-about-veterans-home-problems/

 

GOPUSA
— Trump: A nation without borders is not a nation
http://www.gopusa.com/trump-a-nation-without-borders-is-not-a-nation/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘Dreamers’ flock to Capitol to protest lack of action on amnesty – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/20/dreamers-flock-capitol-protest-lack-action-amnesty/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Media Bias Against GOP Tax Bill Misleads The Public – Amber Athey
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/20/media-bias-against-gop-tax-bill-misleads-the-public-video/

 

BREITBART
— Pro-Life Coalition Warns: Obamacare ‘Stability’ Deal Without Hyde Amendment Will Force Taxpayers to Fund Abortion – DR. SUSAN BERRY
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/20/pro-life-coalition-warns-obamacare-stability-deal-without-hyde%E2%80%A8-amendment-will-force-taxpayers-to-fund-abortion/

 

BLAZE
— Catholic priest comes out as gay during his homily — and parishioners give him a standing ovation – Dave Urbanski (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will “religious leaders” send you straight to HELL if you do not promote LGBTQ activity?)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/20/catholic-priest-comes-out-as-gay-during-his-homily-and-parishioners-give-him-a-standing-ovation
— Rosie O’Donnell offers $2 million each to GOP senators to vote against tax reform bill – Sarah Taylor (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who claim to be conservative and/or Republican, but treat me like they have been offered lots of money, a new home, a new car, a sweetheart job, a sweetheart contract, favorable legislation, and/or lots more if they succeed in stopping me from putting out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/20/rosie-odonnell-offers-2-million-each-to-gop-senators-to-vote-against-tax-reform-bill

 

THE HILL
— Amnesty for the ‘best and brightest’ will still cost taxpayers – IRA MEHLMAN (DIERSEN: Are/were you one of the “best and brightest?” For federal employees, if you are White, male, and/or non-veteran, you are not one of the “best and brightest” unless you make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/365847-amnesty-for-the-best-and-brightest-will-still-cost-taxpayers

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Chants of protest drown out any caroling this holiday season at the Capitol – Lisa Mascaro (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, members of Group A make it clear that they want the federal government to get rid of members of Group B. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-capitol-holiday-protests-20171219-story.html

December 19 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— GOP on verge of huge tax overhaul — with one hiccup Stephen Ohlemacher and Marcy Gordon
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-gop-tax-bill-20171219-story.html
— Illinois Republicans, Democrats in Congress stick with their parties on tax vote – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-congress-taxes-20171219-story.html
— Tax plan a windfall for companies, but will anything trickle down to the rank and file? – Robert Reed
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-tax-plan-wages-jobs-robert-reed-1220-story.html
— When people wouldn’t believe two dogs killed their owner, the sheriff described the horror – Kristine Phillips
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dogs-maul-owner-virginia-20171219-story.html
— Suicide expert says rampant stress not a new problem for Naperville students – Suzanne Baker
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-suicide-expert-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— The toughest job in state government – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-dcfs-walker-rauner-abuse-20171219-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you promote pot in Illinois, you promote the destruction of Illinois.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-marijuana-legalization-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— Why doesn’t Trump get credit for revving up the economy? – Ed Rogers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-economy-trump-gross-domestic-product-ed-rogers-1220-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How Illinois lawmakers voted on House tax bill. But there is a snag. – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/how-illinois-lawmakers-and-others-voted-on-house-tax-bill/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Aurora Election Commission could be on chopping block in March vote – Susan Sarkauskas
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171219/aurora-election-commission-could-be-on-chopping-block-in-march-vote

 

ABC7
— Senate expected to pass massive tax reform bill after hiccup – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/senate-expected-to-pass-massive-tax-reform-bill-after-hiccup/2799415/
— Mauled by dogs: Sheriff offers gruesome details about death of woman killed by her own pets – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/mauled-by-dogs-sheriff-offers-gruesome-details-about-death-of-woman-killed-by-her-own-pets/2799855/

 

NBC5
— House Needs to Vote Again on $1.5T GOP Tax Bill Democrats called the bill a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy – Stephen Ohlemacher and Marcy Gordon
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/GOP-Roll-Trillion-Final-Tax-Bill-House-Senate-465150303.html

 

CBS2
— Palatine Township Board Delays Vote On Hiring Parliamentarian – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/19/palatine-township-parliamentarian/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— GOP on the verge of huge tax overhaul — with one hiccup – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/congress-tax-vote

 

WLS AM
— Ives out with a rescue plan for state’s pension problem – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/19/ives-out-with-a-rescue-plan-for-states-pension-problem/
— Chicago area Congressmen on WLS to debate tax bill – John Dempsey
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/19/chicago-area-congressmen-on-wls-to-debate-tax-bill/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner says nobody will buy plant that state helped sell – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171219/schoenburg-rauner-says-nobody-will-buy-plant-that-state-helped-sell

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Teen arrested trying bring pot into Peoria County courthouse – Phil Luciano
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171218/teen-arrested-trying-bring-pot-into-peoria-county-courthouse

 

TIMES
— High school journalists should not be censored – Liza Buhr
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/youth/buhr-high-school-journalists-should-not-be-censored/article_89269742-8887-51ee-a00d-7ef52119ebec.html

 

WSIL TV
— Political expert weighs in on “Rauner’s Top 10 Accomplishments” – Roni LeForge
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37104258/political-expert-weighs-in-on-rauners-top-10-accomplishments

 

SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey sees flight from Illinois as another Rauner failure – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511300724-bailey-sees-flight-from-illinois-as-another-rauner-failure

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Straub notes Durkin role in aiding taxpayer flight from state – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511301030-straub-notes-durkin-role-in-aiding-taxpayer-flight-from-state

 

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— Shades of Rauner’s nursing home scandal in Quincy veterans death case
https://realgopillinois.com/2017/12/18/shades-rauners-nursing-scandal-quincy-veterans-home-case/

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Ives for Governor “Meet and Greet” – Coles County – December 20, 2017 – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/ives-for-governor-meet-and-greet-coles-county-december-20-2017/
— John Clough, Illinois Prisoner Review Board Member Electioneering with State Vehicle – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/john-clough-illinois-prisoner-review-board-member-electioneering-with-state-vehicle/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner claims WBEZ canceled monthly show for political reasons
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-claims-wbez-canceled-monthly-show-for-political-reasons/
— ILGOP weighs in against Straub *** Oppo dump!
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/oppo-dump-10/
— Ives proposes pension changes
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/ives-proposes-pension-changes/
— Rauner touts his top 10 accomplishments
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-touts-his-top-10-accomplishments/
— The most negative campaign ever
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/the-most-negative-campaign-ever/
— Rauner talks up contributions to pro-life candidates while campaign highlights Dems’ worst moments of 2017
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-talks-up-contributions-to-pro-life-candidates-while-campaign-highlights-dems-worst-moments-of-2017/

 

CNS NEWS
— Rep. Roskam: ‘Low Expectations’ on Tax Plan Will Work in Republicans’ Favor – Susan Jones
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/rep-roskam-low-expectations-tax-plan-will-work-republicans-favor

 

LIFE NEWS
— Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner: Pro-Life People Should Vote for Me Even Though I Forced Them to Fund Abortions – MICAIAH BILGER
http://www.lifenews.com/2017/12/19/illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-pro-life-people-should-vote-for-me-even-though-i-forced-them-to-fund-abortions/

 

GOPUSA
— University of Virginia stonewalls conservative club for restricting membership to conservatives (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who claim to be conservative and/or Republican, but a) who do lots of anti-conservative and/or anti-Republican things and/or b) focus on destroying those who are conservative and/or Republican. They really are Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs. Most commonly, they reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. Most commonly, they promote LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, age discrimination, political affiliation discrimination, and patronage.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35538

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump cheers on a stock market he once called a ‘big, fat, ugly bubble’ – Michael Scherer and Jenna Johnson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-cheers-on-a-stock-market-he-once-called-a-big-fat-ugly-bubble/2017/12/19/811cce82-e4de-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html

 

NEW REPUBLIC
— The Democrats’ Risky Pursuit of Suburban Republicans The strategy threatens to alienate the party’s base in the age of Trump. – JEET HEER
https://newrepublic.com/article/146345/democrats-risky-pursuit-suburban-republicans