FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Trump says government will stop making payments to sanctuary cities, states, including Chicago, IL
https://abc7chicago.com/post/donald-trump-speech-today-detroit-michigan-president-says-government-will-stop-making-payments-sanctuary-cities-states/18397691/
— Trump is ending protected immigration status for Somalis
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-is-ending-protected-immigration-status-somalis-long-target-anti-immigrant-barbs/18396840/
— Pritzker defends SAFE-T Act, but leaves door open to possible changes in legislative session. Republicans are ramping up their push for a series of modifications.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/gov-jb-pritzker-defends-safe-act-illinois-law-eliminating-cash-bail-leaves-door-open-possible-changes/18397579/
WTTW
— Trump Threatens to Defy Court Ruling, Yank Funding From Chicago Over Immigrant Protections
https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/13/trump-threatens-defy-court-ruling-yank-funding-chicago-over-immigrant-protections
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Chicago video gambling legalization in flux as aldermen, Mayor Brandon Johnson weigh changes. DD: In 2009, I led the successful effort to ban video gambling in Wheaton. My critics/opponents have punished me ever since.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/chicago-video-gambling-legalization-aldermen-mayor-brandon-johnson-weigh-changes/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Mayor Johnson pushes back on Trump threat to halt U.S. funding for Chicago, other sanctuary cities. On Tuesday, the president said he would stop federal payments to cities resisting immigration policies and their states. Mayor Brandon Johnson called the threat “blatantly unconstitutional and immoral.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2026/01/13/brandon-johnson-donald-trump-sanctuary-cities
DAILY HERALD
— Tensions flare in Minnesota as protesters and federal agents repeatedly square off
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260113/nation-and-world-politics/tensions-flare-in-minnesota-as-protesters-and-federal-agents-repeatedly-square-off/
SOUTHERN
— Mendrick visits Southern Illinois
https://thesouthern.com/news/gop-governor-candidate-mendrick-visits-southern-illinois/article_37f1622d-4812-5d57-9e14-e67c7644d4e6.html
CAPITOL CITY NOW
— Pritzker: Blago hire reflects on Homer Glen. Pritzker is not done trying to hold down insurance premiums; he also says the state and the Bears have talked infrastructure.
https://capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-pritzker-blago-hire-reflects-on-homer-glen/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/13/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-448/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— The Property Tax Sale Problem That Could Cost McHenry County Taxpayers $13 Million
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/13/the-property-tax-sale-problem-that-could-cost-mchenry-county-taxpayers-13-million/
— It’s Public Radio Broadcasting Day
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/13/its-public-radio-broadcasting-day/
— Algonquin Township Refuses to Provide Recording of Last Meeting
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/13/algonquin-township-refuses-to-provide-recording-of-last-meeting/
— Daniel Biss Runs TV Ad in Quest for 9th District Democratic Party Congressional Nomination
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/13/daniel-biss-runs-tv-ad-in-quest-for-democratic-party-congressional-nomination/
— 9th District Democratic Party Hopeful Laura Fine Runs Second TV Ad
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/13/9th-district-democratic-party-hopeful-laura-fine-runs-second-tv-ad/
— Senator Darby Hills Calls for Budget Transparency
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/13/senator-darby-hills-calls-for-budget-transparency/
— State Legislative Pork in McHenry County
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/13/state-legislative-pork-in-mchenry-county/
— Small “ICE Out” Demonstration on Route 14 – Photos
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/12/small-ice-out-demonstration-on-route-14/
— Two Views on the Democrats Energy Law
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/12/two-views-on-the-democrats-energy-law/
— Start of Most Dangerous Time for Taxpayers
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/12/start-of-most-dangerous-time-for-taxpayers/
— Candidates’ Night for Those Wishing to Oppose Foster, Plus Contested County Board Candidates
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/12/candidates-night-for-those-wishing-to-oppose-foster-plus-contested-county-board-candidates/
— Home Price Changes Since 2018
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/12/home-price-changes-since-2018/
— Taxpayers Provide Unrestricted $12 Million to NASCAR–Over 10% of NASCAR’s Profit
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/diersen%40aol.com?compose=GTvVlcSBmzlbpkcWVGRqKjnDXwPvQcFrcWBgjHKQJrXtkDhXCFhwqVwnmtkwXxbcKCQFgDFbmHcJF
— GOP US Senate Hopeful Taunts Democratic Party Hopefuls for Their Endorsement of Tim Walz
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/11/gop-us-senate-hopeful-taunts-democratic-party-hopefuls-for-their-endorsement-of-tim-walz/
— What a Difference Three Decades Make
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/11/what-a-difference-three-decades-make/
— If This Proposal Had Been Law in 1948, I’d Have Been in Big Trouble
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/11/if-this-proposal-had-been-law-in-1948-id-have-been-in-big-trouble/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Bailey DOGE Tracker Drops Bombshell: $180M in Taxpayer Cash Funneled to Pritzker-Linked Hyatt Hotel
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2026/01/bailey-doge-tracker-drops-bombshell-180m-in-taxpayer-cash-funneled-to-pritzker-linked-hyatt-hotel.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
AMAC
— Democrats Push Anti-ICE Violence
https://amac.us/newsline/politics/democrats-push-anti-ice-violence/
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— George Floyd Redux: Renee Good. When activists obstruct lawful arrests and politicians shout “murder,” the truth is lost: weaponizing a car against police turns ideology into a fatal choice.
https://amgreatness.com/2026/01/13/george-floyd-redux-renee-good/
FOX NEWS
— Trump to cut federal payments to sanctuary cities starting Feb 1 over immigration policies. Move targets jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-cut-federal-payments-sanctuary-cities-starting-feb-1-over-immigration-policies
— JD Vance, ICE flip script on sanctuary city leaders as ‘chaos’ erupts across Minnesota: ‘This is dangerous’ ‘You’re only seeing chaotic ICE raids in blue sanctuary cities where local officials are fighting against federal law enforcement,’ VP Vance said.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jd-vance-ice-flip-script-sanctuary-city-leaders-chaos-erupts-across-mn-dangerous
TOWNHALL
— A Chicago Man Was Brutally Attacked in the Loop. Guess How Many Times (57) the Suspect’s Been Arrested.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2026/01/13/chicago-57th-arrest-n2669348
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— At least 6 Minnesota federal prosecutors resign amid pressure to treat Renee Good killing as assault on ICE agent
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/federal-prosecutors-minnesota-resign-joe-thompson/
REUTERS
— DD: To give preference to one demographic group is to discriminate against another demographic group. Life is a zero-sum game.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/naacp-says-trump-being-deceptive-about-history-after-reverse-discrimination-2026-01-13/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— ICE, Minneapolis and the Rule of Law. Local officials encourage obstruction of federal agents and have now filed a meritless lawsuit.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/ice-minneapolis-and-the-rule-of-law-9b8b1410
Tag: trump
January 12, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Chicago, state sue Trump admin. seeking to limit immigration agents’ authority in Illinois
https://abc7chicago.com/post/us-immigration-customs-enforcement-news-chicago-illinois-sue-trump-admin-seeking-limit-agents-authority-state/18392657/
— Minnesota, Minneapolis, Saint Paul file lawsuit to stop ICE’s ‘federal invasion’
https://abc7chicago.com/post/minnesota-twin-cities-sue-federal-government-stop-immigration-crackdown/18392572/
— Sen. Mark Kelly files lawsuit against Pete Hegseth after censure
https://abc7chicago.com/post/sen-mark-kelly-files-lawsuit-pete-hegseth/18392248/
NBC5
— Illinois, Chicago file lawsuit against Trump administration over ‘unlawful’ immigration enforcement tactics
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-chicago-file-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-over-unlawful-immigration-enforcement-tactics/3875020/
CBS2
— Chicago, Illinois sue Department of Homeland Security, Trump administration for dangerous tactics, unlawful use of force by ICE and Border Patrol agents
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/illinois-chicago-lawsuit-trump-homeland-security-immigration-raids/
WGN9
— Bailey talks Bears, immigration crackdown and family tragedy amid new gubernatorial bid
https://wgntv.com/news/politics/darren-bailey-talks-bears-immigration-crackdown-and-family-tragedy-amid-new-gubernatorial-bid/
WTTW
— Needling Trump as 2028 Looms: Inside JB Pritzker’s All-of-the-Above Media Strategy
https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/12/needling-trump-2028-looms-inside-jb-pritzker-s-all-above-media-strategy
WGN RADIO
— Dabrowski, candidate for Illinois Governor
https://wgnradio.com/lisa-dent/ted-dabrowski-candidate-for-illinois-governor/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois extends Affordable Care Act open enrollment, as fate of subsidies remains uncertain
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/illinois-affordable-care-act-open-enrollment/
— Illinois and Chicago sue DHS over ‘militarized’ immigration-enforcement tactics
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/state-city-sue-dhs-over-militarized-immigration-enforcement-tactics-in-chicago-area/
— Minnesota and the Twin Cities sue the federal government to stop the immigration crackdown
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/minnesota-twin-cities-dhs-lawsuit/
— Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sues the Pentagon over attempts to punish him, declaring it unconstitutional
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/mark-kelly-sues-pentagon/
— Unions make life pricey in Illinois’ political machine
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/opinion-illinois-unions-increase-cost-of-living/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump administration hit with federal lawsuit over ‘occupation of Illinois and Chicago.’ The new lawsuit makes claims about the feds’ capture of biometric data, warrantless arrests, immigration enforcement at “sensitive locations” like courthouses and schools, the swapping of license plates and trespassing on private property.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2026/01/12/illinois-chicago-sue-trump-administration-over-organized-bombardment-under-noem-bovino
— Chicago to weigh paying $875K to settle claims tied to police handling of George Floyd protests. The proposed settlement is tied to a lawsuit that contends Chicago cops “responded to these protests with brutal, violent, and unconstitutional tactics that were clearly intended to injure and silence protesters.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2026/01/12/george-floyd-protests-chicago-police-department-response-lawsuit-proposed-settlement
— What questions do you have for Illinois political candidates this primary election season? Our journalists will pose some of your questions to the people running for office in 2026.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/01/12/what-questions-do-you-have-for-illinois-political-candidates-this-primary-election-season
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly push minorities to be pot pushers. Pot is poison.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/illinois-lending-social-equity-cannabis-tops-62-million
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/cannabis-industry-deserves-time-and-patience-mature-opinion
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/illinois-cannabis-law-needs-evolve-industry-opinion
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more dependency on government.
https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2026/01/12/how-illinois-may-be-impacted-by-1b-in-frozen-child-care-funds/88105068007/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/12/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-447/
— Pritzker spent far more time on national news, podcasts in 2025 than ever before
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/12/todays-chart-pritzker-spent-far-more-time-on-national-news-podcasts-in-2025-than-ever-before/
— Will changes actually be made to SAFE-T Act?
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/12/will-changes-actually-be-made-to-safe-t-act/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
NEW YORK POST
— Trump to antisemites: You’re not welcome in MAGA
https://nypost.com/2026/01/12/us-news/trump-to-antisemites-youre-not-welcome-in-maga/
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Myth, Narratives, and the Death of Renee Good
https://amgreatness.com/2026/01/12/myth-narratives-and-the-death-of-renee-good/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Federal Law is Supreme on Immigration. The states are trying to legislate immigration law again.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/01/federal_law_is_supreme_on_immigration.html
— Dictators are Bad – Unless Trump Stops Them. The double standards are through the roof.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/01/dictators_are_bad_unless_trump_stops_them.html
BREITBART
— Trump Cancels Biden Rules Forcing Banks to Give Loans to Illegals
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/01/12/trump-cancels-biden-rules-forcing-banks-to-give-loans-to-illegals/
FOX NEWS
— Trump declares himself Venezuela’s ‘acting president’ in online post after Maduro ouster. Trump previously has indicated that the US would run Venezuela for years.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-declares-himself-venezuelas-acting-president-online-post-after-maduro-ouster
NEWSMAX
— Civil rights protections resulted in white people being “very badly treated,” Trump said in a recent interview.
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-civil-rights-whites/2026/01/12/id/1241767/
TOWNHALL
— The Reasoning Behind Minnesota’s Anti-ICE Lawsuit Against the Federal Government
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2026/01/12/minnesota-is-suing-the-trump-administration-over-ice-operationsand-the-reasoning-is-a-total-circus-n2669355
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Trump slaps 25% tariffs on any countries that do business with Iran
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-tariffs-countries-iran/
January 11, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— 2nd day of Chicago-area protests held in response to fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting
https://abc7chicago.com/post/ice-protest-chicago-news-wicker-park-elk-grove-village-arlington-heights-protests-held-shooting-renee-good/18388299/
WGN9
— Chicago protesters join nationwide push against immigration enforcement
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/chicago-protests-call-for-end-to-immigration-enforcement/
FOX32
— Krishnamoorthi leads Dem Senate poll, Bailey leads GOP governor field
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-2026-emerson-polling-jan
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Minnesota shooting raises questions about who investigates federal agents
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/11/immigration-accountability-minnesota/
— Minnesota braces for what’s next amid immigration arrests and in the wake of Renee Good shooting
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/11/minnesota-renee-good-shooting/
— Congress is debating possible consequences for ICE and even Kristi Noem in the wake of Renee Good’s killing
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/10/congress-debates-ice-consequences-for-renee-good/
DAILY HERALD
— Minnesota braces for what’s next amid immigration arrests and in the wake of Renee Good shooting
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260111/news/minnesota-braces-for-whats-next-amid-immigration-arrests-and-in-the-wake-of-renee-good-shooting/
— Protests of ICE, Minneapolis shooting grow in the suburbs
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260111/news/protests-of-ice-minneapolis-shooting-grow-in-the-suburbs/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Maduro’s capture exposes an ugly alignment between Democrats and dictators. From Caracas to Beijing, shared power interests explain the outrage.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/11/maduros-capture-exposes-ugly-alignment-democrats-dictators/
— No, the Bible does not promote violence like the Quran does. Christians understand the difference between descriptive and prescriptive literature.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/11/no-bible-promote-violence-like-quran/
NEW YORK POST
— Somali scams expose a toxic brew of wokeness, welfare and immigration
https://nypost.com/2026/01/11/opinion/somali-scams-expose-a-toxic-brew-wokeness-welfare-and-immigration/
— With Cea Weaver, Mamdani signals the dangerous truth of his housing plan for NYC
https://nypost.com/2026/01/11/opinion/with-cea-weaver-mamdani-signals-the-dangerous-truth-of-his-housing-plan-for-nyc/
https://nypost.com/2026/01/11/opinion/cea-weavers-ghoulish-beliefs-anatomy-of-a-far-left-cult-and-other-commentary/
— Minnesota ICE operation continues, netting 10 killers, violent child rapists — but lefty pols want agents out
https://nypost.com/2026/01/11/us-news/minnesota-ice-operation-continues-netting-10-killers-violent-child-rapists-but-lefty-pols-want-agents-out/
EPOCH TIMES
— Protesters Continue to Clash With Federal Agents in Minnesota
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/protesters-continue-to-clash-with-federal-agents-in-minnesota-5969385
FEDERALIST
— When Can We Start Uprooting Domestic Terror Cells Attacking Law Enforcement?
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/09/when-can-we-start-uprooting-domestic-terror-cells-attacking-law-enforcement/
— Portland Suspects Who ‘Weaponized’ Vehicle Against CBP Agent Are Venezuelan Gang Affiliates
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/09/dhs-portland-suspects-who-weaponized-vehicle-against-cbp-agent-are-venezuelan-gang-affiliates/
— Democrats Want Anti-ICE Protesters To Die So They Can Protect Their Fraudulent Patronage With Riots
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/09/democrats-want-anti-ice-protesters-to-die-so-they-can-protect-their-fraudulent-patronage-with-riots/
FOX NEWS
— Obama Presidential Center promotes ‘far-left’ agenda on public land. Kathy Salvi calls employment practices ‘discriminatory’ at facility built on public land in $10 deal.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-presidential-center-slammed-for-promoting-far-left-agenda-on-public-land
— Left-wing group backs tens of thousands of anti-ICE agitators nationwide. Renee Good’s death in Minneapolis sparks weekend of demonstrations.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/left-wing-group-backs-tens-thousands-anti-ice-demonstrations-nationwide
— Impeding federal law enforcement is not protest, it’s just crime. Harassing federal agents doing their jobs is criminal behavior, and it got a woman killed.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-impeding-federal-law-enforcement-not-protest-its-just-crime
PJ MEDIA
— Yes, Renee Good’s Actions Meet the Legal Definition of Domestic Terrorism
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/01/11/yes-renee-goods-actions-meet-the-legal-definition-of-domestic-terrorism-n4948156
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
MSN
— Trump’s National Park Service Brings Its Revisionist History to the Underground Railroad. DD: My critics/opponents have always demonized my hometown of Crete as being Lutheran, German American, conservative, and Republican. In Crete’s defense, I have always stressed the role that it played in the Underground Railroad. My ancestors have lived in Crete since 1854.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-s-national-park-service-brings-its-revisionist-history-to-the-underground-railroad/ar-AA1CoMar
— Trump administration lifts restrictions on ICE raids at farms, hotels and restaurants
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-administration-lifts-restrictions-on-ice-raids-at-farms-hotels-and-restaurants/ar-AA1H3vtY
NEW YORK TIMES
— DD: How has Affirmative Action (AA) impacted you? Since the 1960’s, my critics/opponents have used AA against me.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/politics/trump-interview-white-people-discrimination.html
WASHINGTON POST
— DD: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly promote more hatred against Trump.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/11/frey-minneapolis-ice-shooting-trump/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Affirmative Action Is Finally Waning. DD: Since the 1960’s, my critics/opponents have used Affirmative Action against me.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/affirmative-action-is-finally-waning-28463fda
— The Dream of a Florida Retirement Is Fading for the Middle Class. The Sunshine State used to be where all walks of life could afford to retire. That’s changing as it grows pricier. DD: Because Democrat leaders ever-increasingly make things worse for Republicans in Illinois, Illinois Republicans are ever-increasing willing to pay higher prices to live in Florida.
https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/the-dream-of-a-florida-retirement-is-fading-for-the-middle-class-a29a5687
— Meet the 92-Year-Old Judge Presiding Over the Trial of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. Despite Judge Alvin Hellerstein’s respected record, his age is raising questions about his ability to preside over a matter that could drag on for years. DD: How old are you? I am 77. I have been fighting age discrimination since I was 25 in 1973. My Democrat IRS superiors used “up-or-out” to waste my career and get rid of me. According to them, if they had not promoted you to GS-13 by the time you were 25, you were forever too old to be promoted to GS-13. Of course, they applied that rule only to Republicans like me. They forced the IRS manager to transfer to Dallas who had promoted me to GS-9 in 1972, GS-11 in 1973, and GS-12 in 1974. They disallowed my travel vouchers in 1974 and my education deductions in 1978. They ignored/dismissed/belittled my earning an MBA in 1976 and my passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. Because of the aforesaid, I transferred to GAO in 1980. The Democrats who ran GAO finally promoted me to GS-13 when I was 38 in 1986. But that was not until after I had earned a master’s degree in accounting in 1980, I had passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, and I had because a licensed CPA in 1981. I never would have made GS-13 at GAO if the GAO manager who had arranged my transfer not gotten back into power in 1985. They forced him to retire in 1987.
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/alvin-hellerstein-maduro-judge-946f846e
— What Time Should You Wake Up? Probably Not 5 a.m. Sleep experts warn against rising too early if you’re not naturally a morning person, and provide tips for a better night’s sleep. DD: I wake up between midnight and 2 a.m. every day to put my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and send them out around 9:00 a.m.
https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/sleep-productivity-wake-up-time-0dd6a621
— The Point of Retirement? DD: Everyone needs reasons to live. My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. Ever-increasingly, since I became the GOPUSA Illinois Editor when I was 52 in 2000, putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and sending them out has been a reason for me to live.
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/the-point-of-retirement-enlightenment-or-at-least-calm-f154749c
January 10, 2026
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from freezing child care funding in Illinois, 4 other states. The temporary ruling comes a day after Illinois and the four other Democrat-led states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the federal government’s intention to freeze funding for social services programs in the states.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/01/09/judge-temporarily-blocks-trump-administration-from-freezing-child-care-funding-in-illinois-4-other-states
— Feds agree to halt proposed national youth gender care ban while court weighs motion. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agreed to hold off on communicating its new regulations regarding gender-affirming care, per documents filed this week in an ongoing suit from officials from 20 states, including Illinois, and Washington, D.C.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/health/2026/01/09/feds-agree-to-halt-proposed-national-youth-gender-care-ban-while-court-weighs-motion
BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRATY
— Trump admin to garnish wages of delinquent student loan borrowers, including IL residents. DD: Did you get a student loan? I did not. I did not try to get one. My critics/opponents would a) hint/imply/argue/shout that I was not college material and b) stress that my ACT score was only 24, that I only just barely made it into the upper 20% percent of my class, and that I displayed no leadership potential.
https://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article314265869.html
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DD: Democrat leaders say fractures are starting to show in Trump’s GOP at the start of this election year.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-fractures-are-starting-to-show-in-trumps-gop-at-the-start-of-this-election-year/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Weaponizing Tragedy: The Left’s War on Law and Order
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2026/01/open-borders-political-stunts-and-the-cost-in-innocent-lives/
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Chicago gets lowest employment score since 2009
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-gets-lowest-employment-score-since-2009/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Renee Good is a cautionary tale on the dangers of the Left’s cult of ideology. DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/4412656/renee-good-cautionary-tale-dangers-left-cult-ideology/
NEW YORK POST
— Trump admin blocked from freezing $10B in child care, social services funding to NY, 4 other blue states. DD: For Democrats, the federal government exists to provide social services to Democrats, that is, to provide welfare to Democrats.
https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/judge-blocks-trump-admin-from-freezing-10b-in-child-care-social-services-funding-to-five-blue-states/
BREITBART
— Seattle’s Socialist Mayor to Illegals: ‘This Is Your City’
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2026/01/09/seattles-socialist-mayor-to-illegals-this-is-your-city/
DAILY CALLER
— How American Leftist Groups Collaborated With Maduro For Over A Decade
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/09/maduro-venezuela-trump-black-lives-matter-blm-democratic-socialists-america-dsa-chavez-socialismmaduro-venezuela-trump-black-lives-matter-blm-democratic-socialists-america-dsa-chavez-socialism/
DAILY SIGNAL
— Minnesota Somali Fraud, Illegal Trucking Scandals Share One Thing: DEI
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/01/09/minnesota-somali-fraud-illegal-trucking-scandals-share-one-thing-dei/amp/
EPOCH TIMES
— Behind the Group That Controls Chinese Students in America. ‘Fight with all their might for the motherland.’ Chinese students are pressured into advancing Beijing’s interests in America.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/behind-the-group-that-controls-chinese-students-in-america-5962330
FOX NEWS
— NAACP posts split image comparing ICE agents to KKK members: ‘Different mask, same agenda’ DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly equate their runaway slaves with their illegals.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/naacp-posts-split-image-comparing-ice-agents-kkk-members-different-mask-same-agenda.print
— DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387438147112
LEGAL INSURRECTION
— School Must Allow Parent to Opt Kindergarten Student Out of LGBTQ+ Lessons, Court Rules. DD: How successful have Democrats been making the students in your school district sexually active LGBTQers?
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/01/school-must-allow-parent-to-opt-kindergarten-student-out-of-lgbtq-lessons-court-rules/
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Scenes from Last Night’s Anti-ICE Protest in D.C. DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/scenes-from-last-nights-anti-ice-protest-in-d-c/
NEWSMAX
— Judge Blocks Trump Freeze on Child Care Funds in 5 States. DD: For Democrats, the federal government exists to provide social services to Democrats, that is, to provide welfare to Democrats.
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/child-care-funding-freeze/2026/01/09/id/1241549/
TOWNHALL
— Mamdani Voters Shrug at Venezuelan Immigrant’s Warning Against Socialism
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2026/01/09/venezuelan-immigrants-vs-pro-mamdani-new-yorkers-n2669100
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC NEWS
— Protests against ICE planned across US after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon. DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/protests-ice-planned-us-after-shootings-minneapolis-portland-129078604
NBC NEWS
— Protests against ICE planned across US after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon. DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/protests-ice-planned-us-after-shootings-minneapolis-portland-129078604
REUTERS
— Fatal ICE shooting of Minneapolis activist sets stage for national protests. DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fatal-ice-shooting-minneapolis-activist-sets-stage-national-protests-2026-01-10/
MSN
— ‘You’re just an unqualified yes man’: Hegseth sat in silence as Duckworth gave a lengthy speech lambasting him. DD: Who has hinted/implied/argued/shouted that you were unqualified? My Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, workers, and subordinates hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I was unqualified when an IRS manager a) promoted me in when I was 23 and 24, b) gave me a very high-profile developmental assignment when I was 25, and c) promoted me because of my performance on that assignment when I was 25. According to them, those promotions and that assignment should have been given to my Democrat coworkers who were veterans. They all blamed Republicans like me for America losing the Vietnam War. They all stressed that I got student draft deferments when I was 18-21 and a financial hardship draft deferment when I was 21-22. They all hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the real reason why I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU when I was 21 was to avoid the Vietnam War draft. According to them, if I had not avoided the Vietnam War draft, I would not have been a able to a) earn that degree, b) pay for graduate evening business courses at Loyola when I was 23-27 and accounting courses at DePaul when I was 27-31, c) buy new cars when I was 19, 20, 23, 25, 29, etc., d) buy real estate when I was 24, 25, 27, 29, 35, etc., and e) get married when I was 29. To punish me, they a) forced my aforesaid IRS manager to transfer to Dallas, b) disallowed my travel vouchers when I was 25, c) disallowed my education deductions when I was 29, and d) made it clear that they would never promote me again. They ignored/dismissed/belittled a) my earning an MBA from Loyola when I was 27, b) my passing the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30, c) my earning a master’s degree from DePaul when I was 31, d) etc.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/you-re-just-an-unqualified-yes-man-pete-hegseth-sits-in-silence-as-tammy-duckworth-gives-lengthy-speech-putting-him-in-his-place/vi-AA1TTm4h
NEW YORK TIMES
— Judge Blocks Trump Officials From Freezing Billions in Social Services Funds. DD: For Democrats, the federal government exists to provide social services to Democrats, that is, to provide welfare to Democrats.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/09/us/trump-news
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/us/politics/trump-minnesota-food-stamps-usda.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/us/politics/trump-child-care-funding-freeze.html
— What Happens if Federal Agents and Local Officers Stop Getting Along? DD: Democrat leaders have declared a Second Civil War against Republicans. Illegals are soldiers in their Democrat Army.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/us/federal-agents-law-enforcement-trump.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Protests against ICE planned across US after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon. DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2026/01/10/ice-protests-shootings-minneapolis-portland/f9fc2cd4-ede6-11f0-91a9-9928b22be817_story.html
LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Fast-food workers make $20 an hour. California’s other low-wage earners ask: What about us? DD: In today’s dollars, I started earning $19.57/hour when I was 18 in 1966 and started working part-time for the Park Forest Post Office. To get that job, I had passed the postal employment examination, earned a high school diploma, passed a physical examination, passed a background investigation, had a driver’s license, and had a car to use to deliver mail.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-09/fast-food-workers-now-make-20-an-hour-californias-other-low-wage-earners-ask-what-about-us
USA TODAY
— DD: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly side with Venezuela against America.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/10/trump-ousted-venezuela-nicolas-maduro-immigrants-safety/88034921007/
FORTUNE
— Did your career get a bad start? My career in the federal government sure did. My Democrat Post Office supervisor a) disapproved of my getting student draft deferments and b) disapproved of my being Protest, German American, and a Crete resident. He was a veteran who blamed Republicans for America losing the Vietnam War. He disallowed my sick leave requests and forced me to resign when I was 20 in 1969. According to him, I got student deferments to avoid the Vietnam War draft. I passed the test to get into a postal management program, but my score was not high enough to get into the program. My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors used the aforesaid against me.
https://fortune.com/2015/03/31/four-successful-business-tycoons-first-jobs/
PBS
— Shootings in Minneapolis and Portland spur protests over federal enforcement operations. — DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/shootings-in-minneapolis-and-portland-spur-protests-over-federal-enforcement-operations-after
NEW REPUBLIC
— DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://newrepublic.com/article/205067/renee-good-george-floyd-minneapolis-resistance-violence
NEW YORKER
— DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/an-ice-killing-puts-minneapolis-on-the-brink
CREATORS SYNDICATE
— DD: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly side with Venezuela against America.
https://www.creators.com/read/mona-charen
AXIOS
— Liberal media tries to curry favor with Trump. DD: I should write about those Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who since 2000 have had their operatives and their dupes take the most/biggest adverse actions against me to curry favor with the Democrat news media.
https://www.axios.com/2024/11/19/liberal-media-trump-favor-effort
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
GUARDIAN
— Six years after George Floyd, we must stand against an ICE killing in Minneapolis. DD: Will Democrat leaders succeed in making Renee Good George Floyd 2?
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/09/george-floyd-ice-killing-minneapolis
January 9, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Renee Good’s wife speaks out after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis: ‘She literally sparkled’
https://abc7chicago.com/post/renee-goods-wife-speaks-fatal-ice-shooting-minneapolis-she-literally-sparkled/18378823/
— Illinois 5th worst state in US, Chicago 3rd worst city for fraudulent odometer rollback on used cars. DD: There were more than enough facts to make the Chicago Car Exchange (CCE) suspicious of the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T’s claimed mileage that CCE sold me, and therefore, CEE should have verified its claimed milage. The court left out many of those facts in its written decision. SEE: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/110/481/526770/ I argued this case before Chief Judge Posner. Further, CCE refused to offer to pay me the car’s loss in value because of the odometer discrepancy or the thousands of dollars of improvements that I had made to the car. The odometer exemption decision was rendered moot when the BIG THREE had Congress modify the Federal Odometer Act. I appealed the rest of the decision to the Supreme Court, but Supreme Court refused to hear it. According to Google AI: “Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange was a federal appeals court case that established that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not have the authority to exempt vehicles ten years or older from the Odometer Act’s disclosure requirements. Case Summary Plaintiff: David Diersen, who bought a 1968 Dodge Charger from Chicago Car Exchange (CCE). Defendant: Chicago Car Exchange (CCE), an automobile dealership. Allegation: Diersen claimed CCE violated the federal Odometer Act by providing an inaccurate odometer reading and intended to defraud him. The Odometer Act allows purchasers to sue for triple actual damages or $1500. Initial Ruling: The district court ruled for CCE, citing a 1988 NHTSA regulation that exempted vehicles ten years or older from the Act’s requirements. Appeals Court Ruling: The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, stating the NHTSA regulation was invalid as it lacked statutory authority. The court noted that Congress did not exempt any vehicle class in the Odometer Act, which aims to protect all purchasers from odometer tampering. Outcome: While finding the regulation invalid, the appeals court upheld the summary judgment for CCE because Diersen did not provide enough evidence that the dealership intended to defraud him, a required element for a claim under the Odometer Act. The court distinguished “mere negligence” from “intent to defraud” and noted that CCE had no reason to question the car’s original seller’s sworn statement. CCE had also offered Diersen a full refund, which he declined.”
https://abc7chicago.com/post/fraudulent-odometer-rollbacks-used-cars-14-past-year-illinois-5th-worst-state-us-chicago-3rd-city/18379513/
CBS2
— Judge blocks Trump administration from freezing $10 billion in social services funding to 5 Democratic states
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/judge-blocks-trump-administration-freezing-social-services-funding/
— Illinois leaders reject claims of fraud, say Trump’s childcare funding freeze is politically motivated
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/illinois-child-care-funding-freeze-no-fraud-trump-politically-motivated/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker, Illinois House Speaker Welch open to tweaking SAFE-T Act
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/01/09/pritzker-illinois-house-speaker-welch-open-tweaking-safe-t-act-electronic-monitoring-rich-miller
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Wife of Minnesota woman killed in ICE shooting: ‘We had whistles. They had guns’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/wife-of-minnesota-woman-killed-in-ice-shooting-we-had-whistles-they-had-guns/
— A needless death in Minneapolis
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/editorial-ice-minneapolis-shooting-renee-good-immigration-enforcement/
— Vivek Ramaswamy’s family bodyguard arrested on drug trafficking charges
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/vivek-ramaswamys-family-bodyguard/
DAILY HERALD
— DD: Democrat leaders push medial pot to push recreational pot.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260109/news/schaumburg-family-losing-access-to-daughters-medical-marijuana-patches-faces-pivotal-week/
— ‘Democracy in action’: Training teens as election judges — and encouraging them to vote — is a vital mission. DD: But Democrats run high schools and shout at teens that Republicans cause everyone’s problems.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260109/editorials/daily-herald-opinion-democracy-in-action-training-teens-as-election-judges-and-encouraging-the/
WGEM
— League of Women Voters’ candidate forums next month. DD: If I was still the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and a member of the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, the organizations would still be hosting candidate forums.
https://www.wgem.com/2026/01/08/wgem-stream-league-women-voters-candidate-forums-next-month/
WFIW
— JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICANS TO HOST GOVERNOR CANDIDATE FORUM IN JANUARY DD: If I was still the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and a member of the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, the organizations would still be hosting candidate forums.
https://www.wfiwradio.com/2026/01/06/jefferson-county-republicans-to-host-governor-candidate-forum-in-january/
NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-01-08/renee-nicole-good-isnt-the-first-death-caused-by-ice-under-trump-administration
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/09/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-446/
— ILGOP Chair Salvi: ‘The partisanship of Democrats has reached the level of undeniable insurrection’
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/09/ilgop-chair-salvi-the-partisanship-of-democrats-has-reached-the-level-of-undeniable-insurrection/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Poll of Republican U.S. Senate Primary Shows Nobody above 6%, 84% Undecided
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/09/poll-of-republican-u-s-senate-primary-shows-nobody-above-6-84-undecided/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— New video shows protester taunting ICE officer before Minneapolis shooting
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/9/new-video-shows-protester-taunting-ice-officer-minneapolis-shooting/
NEW YORK POST
— Renee Nicole Good’s 6-year-old son attends ‘social justice’ school that teaches about George Floyd, warned staffers to report ICE
https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/renee-goods-kindergarten-son-attends-social-justice-school-that-teaches-about-george-floyd-warned-staffers-to-report-ice/
— Socialist politician turns LA City Hall into anti-ICE, abolish-police spectacle
https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/la-lawmaker-eunisses-hernandez-hosts-anti-cop-anti-ice-presentation/
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— NYC protesters chant, ‘Kristi Noem will hang… Save a life, kill an ICE’
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/09/nyc-protesters-chant-kristi-noem-will-hang-save-a-life-kill-an-ice-1614951/
BREITBART
— Democrats Defend Tren de Aragua Migrants Shot During Attack on ICE
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/01/09/democrats-defend-tren-de-aragua-migrants-shot-during-attack-on-ice/
FRC ACTION
— No “flexibility” on tax dollar funding for abortion
https://www.frcaction.org/get.cfm?c=CHECKOUT&dmy=75509402-9BEA-3BC3-82CFD1DCF3A7C4A1&srcItem=PT26A01&fromItem=AL26A01&x=0#gsc.tab=0
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Heed the Unforgettable Words of Henry Hyde
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-lifeline/heed-the-unforgettable-words-of-henry-hyde/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The controversy this week involving the president insisting that pro-lifers be flexible on the Hyde amendment in budget negotiations in Congress has me longing for the days of the late Illinois Republican Congressman Henry Hyde. He drew the line on taxpayer funding of abortion, and so much else.)
NEWSMAX
— Democrats ‘Demonized’ Agents Ahead of Minn. ICE Shooting
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/dan-meuser-democrats-ice/2026/01/09/id/1241481/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— DD: I should write about those Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who since 2000 have had their operatives and their dupes take the most/biggest adverse actions against me to curry favor with the Democrat news media.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5416852-elizabeth-warren-stephen-colbert-cbs/
CBS NEWS
— Prosecutors in DOJ’s Civil Rights Division will not investigate Minneapolis ICE shooting, sources say
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-civil-rights-division-will-not-investigate-minneapolis-ice-shooting-sources-say/
DESERT REVIEW
— GOP, Pro-Life orgs forcefully defend Hyde Amendment amid Trump’s backpedaling
https://www.thedesertreview.com/news/national/gop-pro-life-orgs-forcefully-defend-hyde-amendment-amid-trump-s-backpedaling/article_fcfbf23d-4097-45fc-8151-ed09370a70d5.html
January 8, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Minneapolis ICE shooting: Tensions flare after ICE officer kills woman
https://abc7chicago.com/post/minneapolis-ice-shooting-community-edge-fatal-woman-federal-immigration-officer/18371827/
— DD: Pritzker calls for Noem to resign. Democrats oppose use of deadly force by federal agents.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/minneapolis-ice-shooting-illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-calls-dhs-secretary-kristi-noem-resign-chicago-groups-speak/18373900/
— House passes bill to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders
https://abc7chicago.com/post/house-vote-aca-subsidies-extension-9-republicans-help-get-floor/18373443/
— Senate advances war powers resolution to rein in Trump on Venezuela
https://abc7chicago.com/post/senate-advances-war-powers-resolution-rein-president-trump-venezuela/18372940/
NBC5
— ICE officer who fatally shot Minnesota woman was dragged by car during June immigration arrest. In a June incident, the agent was dragged by a vehicle at least 50 yards and required stitches, according to DHS and court documents.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/ice-officer-fatally-shot-minnesota-woman-dragged-car-june-immigration-arrest/3873500/
CBS2
— Judge won’t yet dismiss lawsuit over use of force during Midway Blitz, citing deadly Minneapolis shooting by ICE agent
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/judge-ellis-force-lawsuit-noem-bovino-dhs-chicago-immigration-enforcement/
— Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly filing articles of impeachment for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/robin-kelly-impeachment-kristi-noem-ice-shooting/
— 2 people shot and wounded by Border Patrol agents in Portland, Oregon
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/portland-oregon-shooting-federal-agents/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: DHS said Border Patrol agents stopped a car searching for a Venezuelan they claim is in the country illegally and a member of the Tren de Aragua gang. DHS said after the agents identified themselves, the driver “weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents.” “Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot,” DHS said. The department said the man drove off with his passenger. The shooting occurred around 2:20 p.m. local time in the Hazelwood neighborhood in East Portland, police said.)
FOX32
— Illinois officials warn Minneapolis ICE shooting echoes Chicago incidents
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-officials-warn-minneapolis-ice-shooting-echoes-chicago-incidents
WGN9
— Orland Park vigil honors those killed amid ICE operations
https://wgntv.com/news/southwest-suburbs/orland-park-vigil-honors-those-killed-amid-ice-operations/
— Woman killed by ICE agent was a mother of 3, poet and new to Minneapolis
https://wgntv.com/news/national/woman-killed-by-ice-agent-was-a-mother-of-3-poet-and-new-to-minneapolis/
WTTW
— Illinois Families, Child Care Providers Brace for Cuts as Trump Administration Withholds Social Safety Net Funds
https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/08/illinois-families-child-care-providers-brace-cuts-trump-administration-withholds-social
WGN RADIO
— Krishnamoorthi leads big in senate Dem primary, Bailey tops GOP field for governor
https://wgnradio.com/news/poll-krishnamoorthi-leads-big-in-senate-dem-primary-bailey-tops-gop-field-for-governor/
— Rep. LaHood: Not going to jump to conclusions on ICE shooting
https://wgnradio.com/john-williams/rep-lahood-not-going-to-jump-to-conclusions-on-ice-shooting/
WBEZ
— Child care funding freeze causes anxiety for Chicago-area parents. The Trump administration is cutting about $1 billion in funding to Illinois for child care and social service programs, citing alleged fraud. It’s mostly caused confusion and fear for parents who do and do not benefit from the subsidized programs.
https://www.wbez.org/education/2026/01/08/child-care-funding-freeze-causes-anxiety-for-chicago-area-parents
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Bailey distances himself from Trump but defends immigration crackdowns
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/darren-bailey-dismiss-loyalty-to-trump/
— Federal immigration officers shoot and wound 2 people in Portland, Oregon
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/federal-immigration-shooting-portland-oregon/
— Fatal ICE shooting sparks jurisdiction clash between state and federal authorities
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/ice-shooting-jurisdiction-clash/
— Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot launches ‘ICE Accountability Project’ to document immigration agents
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/former-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-launches-ice-accountability-project-to-document-immigration-agents/
— Judge cites Minneapolis shooting by ICE agent in declining to immediately dismiss lawsuit over use-of-force tactics in Midway Blitz
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/lawsuit-dropped-tactics-immigration-agents/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Judge cites Minneapolis ICE shooting as she pauses dismissal of Chicago-area use-of-force lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis on Thursday cited her obligation to protect the class governed by her preliminary injunction, telling lawyers she wants to do more research before closing the matter entirely.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2026/01/08/judge-cites-minneapolis-ice-shooting-as-she-pauses-dismissal-of-chicago-area-use-of-force-lawsuit
— DD: Democrats ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/01/08/ice-shooting-minneapolis-renee-nicole-good-kristi-noem
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly side with Maduro
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/01/08/law-enforcement-rationale-invading-venezuela-license-war-donald-trump-marco-rubio-jacob-sullum
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blast Trump.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/01/08/donald-trump-america-first-imperialism-maduro-invasion-venezuela-greenland-charlie-kirk-cupp
DAILY HERALD
— GOP race for governor tightens up after Severino removed from ballot
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260108/illinois-state-politics/gop-race-for-governor-tightens-up-after-severino-removed-from-ballot/
— A suburban congressional candidate’s name was struck from upcoming primary ballots Thursday after the Illinois State Board of Elections decided her petitions fell one signature short of the legally required 799. Eleventh District hopeful Tedora M. Brown, a Republican from Palos Park, is expected to appeal the decision. Brown couldn’t be reached for comment after the ruling.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260108/us-congress-politics/gop-congressional-candidate-falls-one-signature-short-removed-from-ballot/
— Community members express anger, fear and frustration over immigration enforcement in Elgin
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260108/news/it-just-hurts-community-members-express-anger-fear-and-frustration-over-immigration-enforcement/
— ‘I will not back down’: DuPage clerk’s dispute with county board heads to appeals court
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260108/news/i-will-not-back-down-dupage-clerks-dispute-with-county-board-heads-to-appeals-court/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— A generation gives up on homeownership. That’s not the only thing they’re giving up on.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/housing-despair-affects-work-and-family-choices-paper-finds
JOURNAL COURIER
— University of Illinois Springfield offering cannabis education programs
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/uis-offering-cannabis-education-programs-21283840.php
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/08/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-445/
— Emerson College/WGN-TV Statewide Poll
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/08/poll-just-8-percent-of-illinoisans-think-crime-is-most-important-issue-plus-lots-more/
— Bailey, Dabrowski, Pritzker talk about Elon Musk’s DOGE, ‘forensic audits,’ federal funding freeze
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/08/bailey-dabrowski-pritzker-talk-about-elon-musks-doge-forensic-audits-federal-funding-freeze/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_45bde6ed-2f6e-416e-8742-fd05faf3f719.html
— An Illinois lawmaker and Air Force veteran says U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s call for troops to refuse “illegal orders” undermines the chain of command, as the Defense Department moves to downgrade his retirement rank and pay over the remarks. State Rep. David Friess, R-Red Bud, said former military and intelligence officials understand better than most the importance of discipline and lawful obedience in the armed forces.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_fa04d01c-c17e-410a-ac51-584f1561b4eb.html
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Tax-Exempt Wirepoints Breaks IRS Rules to Smear Bailey and Boost Dabrowski’s Governor Run
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2026/01/tax-exempt-wirepoints-breaks-irs-rules-to-smear-bailey-and-boost-dabrowskis-governor-run.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— George Floyd 2.0
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/8/george-floyd-20/
— Automobiles become weapons for anti-ICE protesters
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/8/automobiles-become-weapons-anti-ice-protesters/
— Vance says ICE officer’s fatal shooting of victim in Minneapolis was ‘tragedy of her own making’ Refuses calls to remove immigration officers: “We’re not going to give in to terrorism on this”
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/8/vance-says-ice-shooting-victim-tragedy-making-rejects-calls-leave/
NEW YOIRK POST
— Renee Nicole Good was Minneapolis ‘ICE Watch’ ‘warrior’ who trained to resist feds before shooting
https://nypost.com/2026/01/08/us-news/renee-nicole-good-was-minneapolis-ice-watch-warrior-who-trained-to-resist-feds-before-shooting/
— ICE agent who opened fire on Renee Good was dragged, hospitalized by illegal migrant driver last year
https://nypost.com/2026/01/08/us-news/ice-agent-who-opened-fire-on-renee-good-was-dragged-hospitalized-by-illegal-migrant-driver-last-year/
— Trump’s right about boosting US military spending — but he should threaten our enemies, not our allies
https://nypost.com/2026/01/08/opinion/trumps-right-about-boosting-us-military-spending-but-he-should-threaten-our-enemies-not-our-allies/
DAILY CALLER
— Wisconsin School District Cares More About Hiring ‘Diverse,’ ‘Culturally Competent’ Teachers Over Effective Ones
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/08/wisconsin-school-district-diverse-culturally-competent-teachers/
EPOCH TIMES
— Russia Says Western Troops Sent to Ukraine Would Be ‘Legitimate Targets’
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/russia-says-western-troops-sent-to-ukraine-would-be-legitimate-targets-5967885
FOX NEWS
— These people’s ‘views of fairness’ rarely apply to themselves, Greg Gutfeld says. Fox News host Greg Gutfeld decries the hypocrisy of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top housing appointee calling homeownership a ‘weapon of White supremacy’ despite her family’s cushy quarters on ‘Gutfeld!’
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387392650112
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— More ICE protests in New York City day after Minneapolis shooting
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/ice-protests-nyc-minneapolis-shooting-immigration-enforcement/
— Trump says 5 GOP senators who voted to limit Venezuela war powers “should never be elected to office again”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-republican-senators-venezuela-war-powers/
January 7, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Woman killed in ICE-involved Minneapolis shooting identified
https://abc7chicago.com/post/shooting-is-reported-minneapolis-where-feds-are-conducting-immigration-crackdown/18367784/
— Protests in Little Village, across Chicago area after deadly ICE officer shooting in Minneapolis
https://abc7chicago.com/post/minneapolis-ice-shooting-today-protest-held-little-village-chicago-area-dhs-says-ce-officer-shoots-kills-woman-mn/18368707/
WGN9
— Noem holds press conference following deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis
https://wgntv.com/minnesota/shooting-involving-federal-agents-reported-in-minneapolis/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Illinois Democrats express outrage, seek full investigation into ICE fatal shooting of Minnesota woman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2026/01/07/illinois-democrats-outrage-ice-shooting-minneapolis-woman
DAILY HERALD
— Two Republicans fall off the ballot in gubernatorial, Senate contests
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260107/nation-and-world-politics/two-republicans-fall-off-the-ballot-in-gubernatorial-senate-contests/
— Democratic candidate for 3rd Congressional seat removed from ballot
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260107/us-congress-politics/democratic-candidate-for-3rd-congressional-seat-removed-from-ballot/
RIVER BENDER
— Duckworth Cosponsors Kaine’s Bipartisan War Powers Resolution on Venezuela
https://www.riverbender.com/news/details/duckworth-cosponsors-kaines-bipartisan-war-powers-resolution-on-venezuela—89641.cfm?
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Tracy’s Senate bid includes an affordable America
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/don-tracy-republican-senate-bid/
DUPAGE COUNTY
— DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek invites the public to a Vote-by-Mail Forum on Thursday, Jan. 15th from 5:00-6:30 pm, at the County’s Auditorium, 421 County Farm Road, Wheaton. This event will give voters the opportunity to raise questions to the Clerk’s staff on the entire voting-by-mail process.
https://www.dupagecounty.gov/county_clerk/dupage_county_clerk_jean_kaczmarek_invites_public_1615.php
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/07/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-444/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Illinois gives $12M to NASCAR
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/waste-watch-illinois-gives-12m-to-nascar/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani’s woke, privileged tenant advocate Cea Weaver breaks down crying when asked about hypocritical gentrification comments
https://nypost.com/2026/01/07/us-news/zohran-mamdanis-tenant-advocate-cea-weaver-breaks-down-crying-when-asked-about-hypocritical-gentrification-comments/
AMERICAN THINKER
— ICE shoots Minneapolis protester who seemed to be trying to ram them, leftists try to create a new George Floyd. Clearly a case of self-defense, based on the numerous videos.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/01/ice_shoots_minneapolis_woman_trying_to_ram_them_leftists_try_to_create_a_new_george_floyd.html
BLAZE
— Tim Walz says Minnesota is ‘at war’ with the federal government after fatal ICE shooting
https://www.theblaze.com/news/walz-minnesota-war-federal-govt
CAMPUS RFEFORM
— Complaint targets seven Illinois public campuses over race and sex-restricted awards
https://www.campusreform.org/article/complaint-targets-seven-illinois-public-campuses-race-sex-restricted-awards/29229
FEDERALIST
— Yes, ICE Agents Can Defend Themselves From People Using Cars As Murder Weapons
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/07/yes-ice-agents-can-defend-themselves-from-people-using-cars-as-murder-weapons/
PJ MEDIA
— Shooting in Minneapolis: Vehicular Assault on ICE, Mob Threatens Agents
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/01/07/shooting-in-minneapolis-vehicular-assault-on-ice-mob-threatens-agents-n4948005
— Get Ready, George Floyd 2.0 Is Coming
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/01/07/get-ready-george-floyd-20-is-coming-n4948014
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— Walz rips Trump after deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5674957-live-updates-trump-venezuela-greenland-minnesota-fraud/
ABC NEWS
— Duckworth on fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis
https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/sen-tammy-duckworth-fatal-ice-shooting-minneapolis-128995389
CBS NEWS
— House Speaker Mike Johnson invites Trump to deliver State of the Union on Feb. 24
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-2026-state-of-the-union-february-24-mike-johnson/
— Actions in Venezuela divide Americans as they look for clarity on Trump admin. goals
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-actions-venezuela-opinion-poll/
January 6, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Trump demands Venezuela kick out China and Russia, partner with US on oil
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-demands-venezuela-kick-china-russia-partner-us-oil-exclusive/18364005/
NBC5
— Trump administration freezes social safety net money to Illinois, 4 other states
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/trump-administration-freezes-social-safety-net-money-to-illinois-4-other-states/3872383/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal drugs.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/could-a-u-s-military-raid-on-mexico-cut-chicagos-illicit-drug-supply/3872422/
WTTW
— Charged With ‘Impeding’ Federal Agent at Broadview ICE Facility, Cook County Board Candidate Drops Out
https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/06/charged-impeding-federal-agent-broadview-ice-facility-cook-county-board-candidate-drops
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump says US to get 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/venezuela-barrels-oil-trump/
— Democrat leaders say “Dabrowski fills news conference with contradictions.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/republican-candidate-for-illinois-governor-ted-dabrowski-fills-news-conference-with-contradictions/
— Rampant fraud is undermining faith in government. Gov. Tim Walz was right to exit.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-theft-ppp-wirtzburg-chicago-medicaid-fraud/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump administration freezing $10 billion in social service funding for Illinois, four other blue states
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2026/01/06/trump-administration-freeze-social-service-funding-illinois
— Appeals court sides with Illinois, 21 other states against White House on cuts in medical research funding
https://chicago.suntimes.com/health/2026/01/06/appeals-court-kwame-raoul-trump-administration-medical-research
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Darren Bailey promises a DOGE for Illinois
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/darren-bailey-promises-doge-illinois
WBEZ
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly side with Maduro against America.
https://www.wbez.org/politics/2026/01/06/venezuela-occupation-not-good-for-venezuela-america-chicago-uchicago-professor-says
— DD: Many if not most of my Democrat older White male GAO superiors were big drinkers.
https://www.wbez.org/food-drink/2025/12/03/chicago-is-a-drinkers-paradise-even-for-the-sober-and-the-sober-curious-among-us
SHAW LOCAL
— Duckworth calls Trump ‘a coward and a liar’ with no clear plan in harsh rebuke over Venezuela strikes. ‘If Donald Trump wants to run a country, he should think about running the United States of America.’
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/01/07/duckworth-calls-trump-a-coward-and-a-liar-with-no-clear-plan-in-harsh-rebuke-over-venezuela-strikes/
STATELINE
— Illinois allocates $50M to combat systemic racism and disinvestment
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illinois-allocates-50m-to-combat-systemic-racism-and-disinvestment/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump tells Republicans to be ‘flexible’ on abortion restrictions to get a health care deal
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-trump-tells-republicans-to-be-flexible-on-abortion-restrictions-to-get-a-health-care-deal/
WSIU
— DD: Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot in Carbondale.
https://www.wsiu.org/2026-01-06/carbondale-dispensary
WFIW RADIO
— JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICANS TO HOST GOVERNOR CANDIDATE FORUM IN JANUARY
https://www.wfiwradio.com/2026/01/06/jefferson-county-republicans-to-host-governor-candidate-forum-in-january/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/06/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-443/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS
— Another $1.5M Democrat-Socialist Boondoggle In Illinois
https://www.breakthrough-ideas.com/read/2026/01/04/another-1-5m-democrat-socialist-boondoggle-in-illinois
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_8317cd33-b4e7-4017-9404-ee5336eddd97.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani stands by radical ‘housing justice’ appointee Cea Weaver — as Trump admin warns NYC ‘should be on notice’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/06/us-news/zohran-mamdani-stands-by-housing-justice-appointee-cea-weaver/
— Mom of Mamdani aide who said owning a home fuels ‘white supremacy’ has $1.6M house in Tennessee
https://nypost.com/2026/01/06/us-news/mom-of-zohran-mamdani-aide-who-said-owning-a-home-fuels-white-supremacy-has-1-6m-house-in-tennessee/
BREITBART
— Rand Paul, Mike Lee Sound Alarm over $5.7 Billion for Refugees in Spending Bill
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/06/rand-paul-mike-lee-sound-alarm-over-5-7-billion-for-refugees-in-spending-bill/
FOX NEWS
— Chicago Teachers Union promotes Venezuela regime change protests organized by socialist groups. Chicago Teachers Union promoted rally organized by ANSWER Coalition and Party for Socialism and Liberation.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-teachers-union-promotes-venezuela-regime-change-protests-organized-socialist-groups
— Mamdani’s top housing pick once called homeownership a ‘weapon of white supremacy’
https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/mamdanis-top-housing-pick-once-called-homeownership-a-weapon-of-white-supremacy/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Maduro capture will go down in history as the day “justice defeated tyranny”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maria-corina-machado-maduro-capture-us-operation/
CNN
— Mounting tensions in Venezuela as rights groups denounce repression
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/venezuela-maduro-trump-president-military-01-06-26?post-id=cmk2l9b8k0000356qhv3feyw3
WASHINGTON POST
— Fear grips Caracas as a new wave of repression is unleashed in Venezuela. Venezuela’s government launched a far-reaching crackdown after Maduro’s ouster, detaining journalists and civilians and sending armed gangs to the streets.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/06/venezulea-maduro-rodriguez-government-repression/
January 5, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Maduro declares ‘I am innocent’ and ‘still president’ in Manhattan court appearance
https://abc7chicago.com/post/venezuelas-nicols-maduro-arrives-manhattan-federal-court-arraignment/18354979/
— Local advocates ask Trump admin. to reinstate Venezuelans’ Temporary Protected Status, stop deportations amid uncertainty. An estimated 50,000 Venezuelan migrants settled in Illinois over the last three years after being bused there from Texas.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/advocates-ask-donald-trump-administration-reinstate-tps-venezuelans-stop-deportations-nicolas-maduro-captured/18357232/
WGN9
— Kelly fires back at Hegseth over demotion threat: ‘I will fight this with everything I’ve got’
https://wgntv.com/news/kelly-fires-back-at-hegseth-over-demotion-threat-i-will-fight-this-with-everything-ive-got/
FOX32
— Hegseth censures Sen. Mark Kelly after ‘illegal orders’ video
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/hegseth-censures-sen-mark-kelly
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on Jan. 5 he has issued a letter of censure to U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. The censure stems from a video posted to social media where Kelly and other members of Congress called on troops to “refuse illegal orders.” In December, the Pentagon announced it was launching a full command investigation into Kelly over “serious misconduct” allegations.)
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Democrats criticize Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela and look to block further engagement
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/illinois-democrats-criticize-trump-administrations-actions-in-venezuela-and-look-to-block-further-engagement/
— Mysterious cannabis syndrome becoming more common. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/scromiting-cannabis-cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome/
DAILY HERALD
— Hegseth censures Sen. Kelly after warning about following illegal orders
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260105/nation-and-world-politics/hegseth-censures-sen-kelly-after-warning-about-following-illegal-orders/
— Young Democrats of Illinois to host primary debate for 8th Congressional District. DD: If I was still the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and a member of the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, the organizations would still be hosting candidate debates.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260105/submitted-content/young-democrats-of-illinois-to-host-primary-debate-for-8th-congressional-district/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Mike Tyson accuses ex-cannabis business partners of racketeering in $50M lawsuit
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/cannabis/mike-tyson-sues-ex-cannabis-business-partners
— Midway slips as O’Hare soars, but Southwest plans a rebound. DD: Most of the audits that I worked for GAO on 1980-1997 required taking flights in/out of Midway and O’Hare.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/airlines-airports/midway-slips-ohare-soars-southwest-plans-rebound
COURIER JOURNAL
— The state of Illinois blocked the Louisville Metro Police Department’s access to its license plate surveillance system after an LMPD detective allegedly aided a federal agency in conducting immigration-related searches.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2026/01/05/illinois-blocks-lmdp-from-flock-surveillance-camera-system/87995365007/
25 NEWS NOW
— Bailey appears to be front-runner again in GOP race for governor
https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/05/bailey-appears-be-front-runner-again-gop-race-governor-says-iwu-political-scientist/
NPR ILLINOIS
— Amid fraud claims, Trump admin announces more changes to federal child care funding
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-01-05/amid-fraud-claims-trump-admin-announces-more-changes-to-federal-child-care-funding
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/05/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-442/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— More people continue leaving Illinois than arriving
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_9f59f645-6340-4756-8110-655dd4f6eeeb.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats wanted Maduro gone — until Trump took him out
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/5/democrats-wanted-maduro-gone-trump-took/
— Sen. Mark Kelly on Monday vowed to fight efforts to cut his rank and pay as a retired U.S. Navy officer after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused him of making “seditious statements” in a video to military personnel.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/5/mark-kelly-vows-fight-back-retired-military-rank-pay-cut-seditious/
— HHS targets Biden-era rule that funds child care centers before verifying attendance. Kennedy seeks to cancel ‘loopholes’ in wake of Minnesota day care fraud allegations.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/5/hhs-targets-biden-era-rule-funds-child-care-centers-verifying/
NEW YORK POST
— Alleged JD Vance home vandal is son of wealthy doctor, Dem donor — who recently changed name to Julia
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/alleged-jd-vance-home-vandal-is-child-of-wealthy-local-doctor-who-recently-changed-name/
— Far-left, China-aligned groups organized pro-Nicolas Maduro protests in New York and other US states: ‘Unprecedented crime’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/marxist-peoples-forum-organized-pro-maduro-protests/
— Far-left Dems call Trump’s capture of Nicolas Maduro ‘an impeachable offense’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/far-left-dems-call-trumps-capture-of-maduro-an-impeachable-offense/
— ‘Diversion’ from prison is another way progressives keep getting people killed
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/opinion/progs-obsession-with-diversion-programs-keeps-getting-people-killed/
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Venezuela’s Interim Leader Vows to Work With U.S. After Trump Threats
https://amgreatness.com/2026/01/05/morning-greatness-venezuelas-interim-leader-vows-to-work-with-u-s-after-trump-threats/
AMERICAN SPECTATOR
— Hegseth’s Pentagon delivered where others failed.
https://spectator.org/the-experts-were-wrong-about-pete-hegseth/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Confederacy of Enablers Downplays Somali Fraud
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/01/confederacy_of_enablers_downplays_somali_fraud.html
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Two professors, one researcher advocated for reparations at University of Illinois-hosted committee meeting
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/two-professors-one-researcher-advocated-for-reparations-at-university-hosted-committee-meeting-1613971/
BLAZE
— DHS accuses Hilton Hotels of ‘siding with murderers and rapists’ over ICE — and the hotel chain responds
https://www.theblaze.com/news/dhs-ice-hilton-hotels-obstruct
BREITBART
— Hilton Hotels Responds: Hotel Highlighted by DHS Is ‘Independently Owned’
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/05/hilton-hotels-responds-hotel-highlighted-dhs-is-independently-owned/
COLLEGE FIX
— University of Maryland stands by security fees for Turning Point USA event
https://www.thecollegefix.com/university-of-maryland-stands-by-security-fees-for-turning-point-usa-event/
DAILY CALLER
— Harvard Dean Removed After Posts Trashing Police, ‘Whiteness,’ And Trump Resurface
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/05/harvard-dean-removed-after-posts-trashing-police-whiteness-and-trump-resurface/
— Democrats Just As Godless As You’d Imagine
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/05/democrats-republicans-ryan-burge-christians-atheists-trump-kamala-harris-study/
— Hegseth Takes Action Against Sen. Mark Kelly, Who Egged On Military To Defy Trump In Viral Video
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/05/pete-hegseth-mark-kelly-demotion-illegal-orders-video/
DAILY WIRE
— Why Venezuelans Are Dancing In The Streets. What Venezuelans feel today is not bloodlust or vengeance. It is relief, gratitude, and hope.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-venezuelans-are-dancing-in-the-streets
EPOCH TIMES
— Trucking Insiders Reveal How Licensing System Enabled Illegal Immigrant Drivers. Variance between state regulations and limited federal regulation also contributed to the proliferation of ‘CDL mills,’ multiple training providers said.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/trucking-insiders-reveal-how-licensing-system-enabled-illegal-immigrant-drivers-5961182
FEDERALIST
— Pentagon Moves To Demote Mark Kelly For ‘Seditious’ Video
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/05/pentagon-moves-to-demote-mark-kelly-for-seditious-video/
— Outrage From Dems Who Once Demanded Trump Target Maduro Is Completely Fake
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/05/outrage-from-dems-who-once-demanded-trump-target-maduro-is-completely-fake/
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— How Sanctuary Cities Enable Benefit Fraud
https://www.fairus.org/opinion/how-sanctuary-cities-enable-benefit-fraud
FOX NEWS
— Illinois sheriff blames America’s ‘most dangerous’ law on spike in drugs, homelessness. Sheriff of Franklin County, Illinois delivers his take on the SAFE-T Act and it’s impact on his community after eliminating cash bail.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387258582112
— University of Illinois hosted state-funded committee meeting where professors advocated for reparations. Members of school community discussed ‘rectificatory justice’ and other reparations programs for African Americans.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/university-illinois-hosted-state-funded-committee-meeting-where-professors-advocated-reparations
— Tim Walz’s White guilt finally ends his career as Minnesota’s fraud explodes. Minnesota governor cites inability to focus on campaign while dealing with massive childcare fraud investigation. DD: This harkens back to George Ryan. My critics/opponents supported/promoted George Ryan.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-tim-walzs-white-guilt-finally-ends-his-career-minnesotas-fraud-explodes
— Celebrations erupt in Miami streets after Maduro’s capture
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387268560112
LEGAL INSURRECTION
— China, Russia, Iran Condemn Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro; Hezbollah Decries ‘American Arrogance’
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/01/china-russia-iran-condemn-capture-of-venezuelas-maduro-hezbollah-decries-american-arrogance/
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Teddy Roosevelt Would Be Proud
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/teddy-roosevelt-would-be-proud/
NEW AMERICAN
— Blue States Driving the “Affordability Crisis”
https://thenewamerican.com/us/economics/economic-blues-are-blue-states-driving-the-affordability-crisis/
— Charlie Kirk Coalition Falling Apart Amid MAGA Civil War?
https://thenewamerican.com/video/deep-state/charlie-kirk-coalition-falling-apart-amid-maga-civil-war/
NEWSMAX
— Mamdani Official: Homeownership Is ‘White Supremacy’
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/zohran-mamdani-homeownership-official/2026/01/05/id/1240820/
PJ NEWS
— Turning Point USA Headquarters Renamed Following Record $10 Million Donation
https://pjnewsletter.com/tpusa-hq-erika-kirk/
REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Who’s Responsible? Identity Theft Fueled by Government Inaction and Illegal Immigration
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/video/2026/01/02/whos_responsible_identity_theft_fueled_by_government_inaction_and_illegal_immigration_1156510.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— 2028 Democrats rip Trump’s ouster of Maduro
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5673139-potential-2028-democrats-venezuela/amp/
CBS NEWS
— Judge in Maduro’s case has previously been a thorn in Trump’s side
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maduro-judge-previously-thorn-in-trumps-side/
— 2,000 federal agents deploying to Minneapolis in immigration crackdown, fraud probe
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minneapolis-federal-agents-crackdown/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Hegseth Moves to Downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly’s Military Rank. Potential reduction in retired rank follows Arizona Democrat’s participation in video calling on troops to resist illegal orders.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/hegseth-moves-to-downgrade-sen-mark-kellys-military-rank-56055879
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasing
https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/01/affordability-is-the-political-buzzword-of-2026/
POLITICO
— Pentagon moves to punish senator for anti-Trump video
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/05/hegseth-kelly-punish-video-00710555
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Defense Department is taking steps to downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly’s retirement rank and pay in response to his November video warning servicemembers not to follow illegal orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on social media, called the Arizona Democrat’s remarks “seditious statements” and claimed they are part of a “pattern of reckless misconduct.”)
ATLANTIC
— The college backlash is a mirage
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-college-backlash-is-a-mirage/ar-AA1TBfay
(FROM THE ARTICLE: If you were to judge by public-opinion polling, you might reasonably conclude that Americans have broadly given up on the idea of going to college. In 2013, 70 percent of adults surveyed by Pew said that a college education was “very important.” This year, only 35 percent did. Over the same time period, the share of Americans who believe that college is “not worth the cost” rose from 40 to 63 percent, according to NBC. If you were to judge, instead, by the choices that Americans are actually making, you might draw a different conclusion. Despite the reported skepticism of higher education, enrollment in four-year colleges and universities is growing. These institutions awarded 2 million bachelor’s degrees in 2023, compared with 1.6 million in 2010, and the fraction of 25-year-olds with a bachelor’s degree has steadily increased for the past 15 years. Even as Americans tell pollsters that college isn’t worth it, their behavior suggests that they still recognize the value of a degree for themselves and their children. And they’re correct to do so. For the overwhelming majority of graduates, the returns on going to college more than offset the cost of tuition. The college wage premium—the difference in earnings between people with only a high-school diploma and people with a four-year college degree—surged in the 1980s and ’90s and has remained close to those historic highs for the past two decades. One recent analysis found that the average person with a bachelor’s degree earns about 70 percent more than a high-school graduate with a similar amount of work experience. Researchers at the Cleveland Fed recently estimated that the college wage premium will stand at 76 percent in 2042. Even though plenty of young people struggle in the job market right after graduation, a college degree tends to unlock more lucrative career paths with greater long-term opportunities for advancement.)
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
INDIA TRIBUNE
— Raja Krishnamoorthi Builds Financial and Political Momentum in Illinois Senate Race
https://www.indiatribune.com/public/index.php/raja-krishnamoorthi-builds-financial-and-political-momentum-in-illinois-senate-race
January 4, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Maduro to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday for arraignment on alleged drug charges
https://abc7chicago.com/post/ousted-venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro-appear-manhattan-federal-court-monday-arraignment-alleged-drug-charges/18351236/
— Venezuelan communities meeting in Chicago area after US captures President Maduro
https://abc7chicago.com/post/venezuela-protest-chicago-protests-today-expected-nicolas-maduro-captured-saturdays-federal-plaza-demonstration/18350445/
FOX32
— What did Trump mean US will ‘run’ Venezuela? Rubio explains
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/trump-us-will-run-venezuela-rubio
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— How cocaine and corruption led to the indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/cocaine-corruption-indictment-maduro/
— US intervention in Venezuela could test Donald Trump’s ability to hold GOP together in an election year
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/us-intervention-venezuela-trumps-gop-election/
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US won’t govern Venezuela but will press for changes through oil blockade
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/nicolas-maduro-arrives-in-us/
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DD: Central Illinois Democrats protest against Trump’s military action in Venezuela
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/local/2026/01/04/central-illinois-protests-against-trumps-military-action-in-venezuela/88007076007/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— YMCA Posts Sign Saying ICE Not Welcome
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/ymca-posts-sign-saying-ice-not-welcome/
— Dems Circling Like Vultures over Richmond Township Vacancies
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/dems-circling-like-vultures-over-richmond-township-vacancies/
— More Details on Sunday, January 25th, Gubernatorial Debate Sponsored by GOP Voter Information Project
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/more-details-on-sunday-january-25th-gubernatorial-debate-sponsored-by-gop-voter-information-project/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez: Either get on board or get out of the way
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/4/trump-venezuelan-vice-president-delcy-rodriguez-either-get-board-get/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Some cultures are simply not compatible with American values
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/4375483/some-cultures-not-compatible-american-values/
NEW YORK POST
— Zohran Mamdani previously called to end sanctions on Venezuela, partly blamed penalties for US migrant crisis
https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/us-news/zohran-mamdani-previously-called-to-end-sanctions-on-venezuela-partly-blamed-penalties-for-us-migrant-crisis/
— Biden’s ‘extravagant’ pension is largest of any president in history – and even more than what he earned as prez
https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/us-news/bidens-pension-is-largest-of-any-us-president-in-history/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former President Joe Biden’s long career in politics allowed him to retire with the largest taxpayer-funded pension of any ex-prez in US history — $417,000, or more than his presidential salary, an expert says. Biden, 83, was in line to rake in the massive amount from two pension funds in his first year as former president, according to an analysis by National Taxpayer Union Foundation Vice President Demian Brady. “It’s pretty unusual, historically unusual, to have such a large pension amount,” Brady told The Post. “I would have to say that it’s the largest,” the taxpayer advocate said when asked to compare Biden’s pension to his predecessors. The hefty estimated annual sum is double what Biden’s former boss, Barack Obama, has received in retirement pay after leaving the White House and $17,000 more than Biden’s $400,000-per-year presidential salary. It also reflects Biden’s “unique situation” as a former senator, vice president and president, a career path that has allowed him to take advantage of a “loophole” letting him tap into multiple taxpayer-backed retirement funds, Brady said. Biden, who once described himself as “one of the poorest members” of Congress, is able to collect the lucrative payouts by double-dipping in benefits established under the Former Presidents Act of 1958 as well as the Civil Service Retirement System for ex-senators. Annual pay in the CSRS pension plan is determined by a formula that takes into account Biden’s 44 years in the Senate and as vice president, as well as his three highest years of salary during that span. “Biden’s starting pension could be as much as $166,374, including an $18,186 set aside in the program for the spousal portion of benefit,” according to Brady, who noted his estimate assumes Biden sought to maximize the size of his Senate pension. The former prez would have raked in more than $254,000 in annual benefits from CSRS if not for a cap limiting his annual payouts to 80% of his highest salary, which was $230,700 a year as vice president and president of the Senate. Biden, who was elected to the upper chamber in 1972, entered office before the Senate retirement plan was tweaked to make it a bit less generous for newer members. On top of the check from his Senate and vice presidential service, Biden also receives a quarter of a million dollars annually from his presidential pension. Under the 1958 law, Biden’s presidential pension must be equivalent to the salary of a Cabinet secretary, which is currently $250,600. The law was enacted amid public concern over former President Harry Truman’s purported financial struggles after leaving office, although several historians and experts now believe Truman was actually a multi-millionaire after his presidency and not on the verge of becoming destitute. The FPA also established a number of additional taxpayer-funded perks for outgoing presidents, including money for staff, equipment and office space. For fiscal year 2026, the General Services Administration budgeted more than $1.5 million for Biden – $727,000 alone for office space – more than any other former president.)
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Nine Reasons Why Trump’s Venezuela Operation Is Great for America
https://amgreatness.com/2026/01/04/nine-reasons-why-trumps-venezuela-operation-is-great-for-america/
AMERICAN THINKER
— We’re Sleeping through a Chinese Takeover. The Chinese Communist Party doesn’t need to beat us on the battlefield. It only needs the West to stay asleep.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/01/we_re_sleeping_through_a_chinese_takeover.html
BREITBART
— Minnesota’s Somali Fraudsters Paid for Lamborghini, Rolls Royce Rentals, Luxury Resort in Kenya with Stolen Money
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/04/report-minnesotas-somali-fraudsters-paid-for-rich-lifestyles-with-stolen-money/
EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Praised for Bold, Unprecedented Venezuela Operation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the operation as ‘unbelievable and a tremendous success.’
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-praised-for-bold-unprecedented-venezuela-operation-5965996
FOX NEWS
— Trump restores America as the world’s sole superpower. President embraces ‘Donroe Doctrine’ as Venezuela operation leaves Russia and China unable to protect their ally.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-trump-restores-america-worlds-sole-superpower
— Trump DOJ demands Minnesota voting records over same-day registration ‘vouching’ concerns. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon cited concerns about the vouching policy that lets one voter verify residency for 8 others.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-doj-demands-minnesota-voting-records-over-same-day-registration-vouching-concerns
PJ MEDIA
— New St. Paul Mayor Said She Was an Illegal Alien
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/01/04/new-st-paul-mayor-said-shes-an-illegal-alien-n4947884
TOWNHALL
— Democrats Can’t Help but Side With America’s Enemies
https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2026/01/04/democrats-cant-help-but-side-with-americas-enemies-n2668830
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NBC NEWS
— Rubio says Maduro’s capture ‘not a war against Venezuela’
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/marco-rubio-says-maduro-s-capture-not-a-war-against-venezuela-full-interview-255365701900
— Rubio says elections in Venezuela would be ‘premature at this point’ after Maduro’s capture
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/marco-rubio-says-elections-in-venezuela-would-be-premature-at-this-point-after-maduro-s-capture-255365189663
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Venezuela’s New Leader Is a Hardline Socialist Like Maduro. Delcy Rodríguez is known as a political operator—someone Trump said is ‘willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.’
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelas-new-leader-is-a-hardline-socialist-like-maduro-875336e9
— Trump Rolls the Dice on Nation-Building With Vow to ‘Run’ Venezuela. Swift military operation delivers Venezuelan strongman Maduro into custody, though his lieutenants say they remain in charge.
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/trump-rolls-the-dice-on-nation-building-with-vow-to-run-venezuela-805a9e35
DESERT NEWS
— Shaping campaigns responsibly: The role of political consultants DD: My critics/opponents reject many, if not most, if not virtually all, if not all conservative principles and planks in the Republican Party platform. They reject my promotion of those principles and planks in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters. They reject many, if not most, if not virtually all, if not all of a) the articles that I link to in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters and b) my opinions that express in those newsletters.
https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/12/31/behind-the-campaign-political-consultant-role-ethical-advice/