WHITE HOUSE
— Excerpts from President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress
https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Hundreds gather in Daley Plaza Tuesday to protest Trump in ‘pro-democracy’ rally
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/04/hundreds-gather-daley-plaza-protest/
— Effort to house Gompers Park homeless moving forward
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/04/gompers-park-homeless-mayor-brandon-johnson/
— Trudeau slams Trump’s tariffs, says US is appeasing Putin while launching a trade war against Canada
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/04/trudeau-trump-tariffs-putin/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump administration puts several major Chicago federal buildings up for sale. The properties listed for sale Tuesday include two iconic high-rise towers in the Loop: the Kluczynski and Metcalfe federal buildings.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/donald-trump/2025/03/04/donald-trump-general-services-administration-sale-chicago-federal-buildings
— Lead Madigan prosecutor leaving U.S. attorney’s office after more than two decades. It’s unclear what prompted the departure of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu. The news comes in the early days of President Donald Trump’s new administration, but also less than three weeks after a jury found Madigan guilty of a bribery conspiracy and other crimes.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corruption-trials/2025/03/04/lead-madigan-prosecutor-leaving-u-s-attorney-office
DAILY HERALD
— Demonstrators across 50 states look to unify a disparate opposition to Trump and his sweeping agenda
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250304/nation-and-world-politics/demonstrators-across-50-states-look-to-unify-a-disparate-opposition-to-trump-and-his-sweeping-agenda/
— Trump’s trade war draws swift retaliation as Mexico, Canada and China impose tariffs on the US
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250304/business/us-tariffs-take-effect-mexico-canada-and-china-retaliate-with-their-own-tariffs-on-the-us/
NBC5
— After taking down Mike Madigan, top Chicago prosecutor is taking Trump buyout. Amar Bhachu is considered a tough-as-nails questioner and an advocate for ethics, justice and cleaning up Chicago’s halls of power.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/after-taking-down-mike-madigan-top-chicago-prosecutor-is-taking-trump-buyout/3688730/
CBS2
— Questions remain about immigration enforcement in Chicago
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/trump-speech-congress-immigration-enforcement-chicago/
WGN9
— Chicago’s history as a sanctuary city spans 40 years, 7 presidents and 5 mayors
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/chicagos-history-as-a-sanctuary-city-spans-40-years-7-presidents-and-5-mayors/
— Quigley, Schakowsky, Casten did not attend President Trump’s joint address to Congress Tuesday evening.
https://wgntv.com/news/illinois/illinois-representatives-to-skip-president-trumps-address-to-congress/
FOX32
— IRS could cut up to half of its 90,000-person workforce
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/irs-workforce-cuts-trump-administration
— ACLU of Illinois: Hearing on sanctuary cities is about ‘much more than immigration policy’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/aclu-illinois-hearing-sanctuary-cities-is-about-much-more-than-immigration-policy
— LaHood: Congress will vote on DOGE cuts
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-republican-doge-cuts
WBEZ
— Venezuelans in Chicago face Trump’s decision to end protected status. Many intend to stay in the U.S. But uncertainty from losing the status is putting pressure on business owners and straining relationships.
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2025/03/04/venezuelans-in-chicago-face-trumps-decision-to-end-protected-status
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Trump seeks to put 443 federal properties up for sale — including 11 in Chicago
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/trump-seeks-put-443-federal-properties-sale
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— The IRS is drafting plans to cut as much as half of its 90,000-person workforce
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-the-irs-is-drafting-plans-to-cut-as-much-as-half-of-its-90000-person-workforce-ap-sources-say/
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Trump administration ends reimbursements for Illinois food programs. USDA funds are part of nearly $2 billion being withheld from Illinois, Pritzker says. (COMMENT: To what extent are those in your county, township, municipality, school district, and precinct dependent on food programs?)
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/trump-administration-ends-reimbursements-for-illinois-food-programs/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/03/04/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-260/
— A month later, ICE still won’t reveal who it arrested in Chicago
https://capitolfax.com/2025/03/04/a-month-later-ice-still-won%e2%80%99t-reveal-who-it-arrested-in-chicago/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illinois legislators differ on Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_e0dba010-f939-11ef-b6d1-e365c30349d5.html
— Illinois Republicans pleased redistricting lawsuit moving forward
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_5ff3f8f4-f93d-11ef-a1ed-532e1f5769a9.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Republicans cheer, Democrats stand still as Trump walks in for joint address to Congress
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/4/republicans-cheer-democrats-stand-still-trump-walks-joint-address/
— White House says fired veterans among federal workers are ‘perhaps’ not fit for the jobs (COMMENT: If I was still working for the federal government, my many superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates who were veterans would be beyond furious. They would kill me figuratively if not literally.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/4/white-house-says-fired-veterans-among-federal-workers-perhaps-fit/
— Trump’s personnel office walks back order to fire probationary employees
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/4/trumps-personnel-office-walks-back-order-fire-probationary-employees/
NEW YORK POST
— United Auto Workers union praises Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico
https://nypost.com/2025/03/04/us-news/united-auto-workers-union-praises-trumps-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico/
FOX NEWS
— Illinois educators turn our kids into political pawns in war against Trump. Rooftop Revelations: It was no surprise when I learned that the Illinois State Superintendent told districts to defy Trump’s orders to dismantle DEI.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/illinois-educators-turn-our-kids-political-pawns-war-against-trump
— Activist gives illegal migrants heads up about ICE raids
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369572924112
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Trump’s Early Success at the Border Exposes Biden Lies
https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/03/trumps-early-success-at-the-border-exposes-biden-lies/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ASSOCIATED P{RESS
— Trump touts Elon Musk and DOGE in joint address to Congress
https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-address-congress-updates
ABC NEWS
— Republicans target 4 ‘sanctuary’ cities as Trump pushes mass deportations (COMMENT: The list includes Chicago.)
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/republicans-target-4-sanctuary-cities-trump-pushes-mass-119421896
NBC NEWS
— Trump addresses Congress as his policy overhaul tests the economy and key alliances. The Russia-Ukraine war and U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China are likely to be among the focuses of President Donald Trump’s speech, which began at 9:20 p.m. ET.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-administration-speech-congress-live-updates-rcna194006
NBC WASHINGTON
— Democrat and RINO leaders stress difficulties in deporting their illegals.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/immigration-courts-clogged-for-years-as-trump-vows-to-deport-millions-more/3858328/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Chinese Company to Single Workers: Get Married or Get Out (COMMENT: According to my Democrat GAO superiors, if my wife and I had children, I would not have been able to a) pass the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, b) earn a master’s degree in accounting in 1980, c) pass the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt and become a licensed CPA in 1981, d) earn additional job-related professional certifications in 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997, and e) earn a master’s degree in finance in 1997. None of my Democrat GAO superiors had anything close to the number of job-related degrees, professional certifications, and professional license that I had. They all decried the time and money needed to raise children. According to them, my not having children gave me a tremendous unfair advantage over them.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/world/asia/china-marriage-companies-childbirth.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The ideal worker at the Chinese chemical manufacturer, according to the internal memo, is hardworking, virtuous and loyal. And — perhaps most important — willing to have children for the good of the country. That was the message that the company, Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group, sent to unmarried employees recently, in a notice that spread widely on social media. It instructed them to start families by Sept. 30, or else. “If you cannot get married and start a family within three quarters, the company will terminate your labor contract,” the memo said.)
KHOU
— Congressman Al Green from Houston removed from Trump’s speech to joint session of Congress. The president was addressing Congress when Green disrupted the speech.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/politics/al-green-trump-speech-removed/285-5ef5f2c9-76e7-471d-adcf-2db10c1041ef
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Addresses Joint Session of Congress. The president sets his agenda for Ukraine, inflation, deportations and other issues, including the shrinking of the federal government.
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-speech-congress-joint-session
Tag: trump
March 4, 2025
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NBC5
— Pritzker SLAMS Trump, drops hints for 2028 run as Democrats look for leadership (COMMENT: Pritzker is far to the left of Harris.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRRuZ2qaXtA
— Census Bureau under Trump seeks permission to delete questions about gender identity. Trump has targeted transgender and nonbinary people with a series of executive orders since he returned to office.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/census-bureau-under-trump-seeks-permission-delete-questions-gender-identity/3687917/
— Stocks tank as Trump says tariffs will start Tuesday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/daily-open-stocks-tank-as-trump-says-tariffs-will-start-tuesday/3687825/
— Trump dashes hopes for last-minute Canada and Mexico deal ahead of 25% tariffs
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/trump-dashes-hope-for-last-minute-canada-and-mexico-deal-ahead-of-25-tariffs/3687449/
— Trump promises ‘big’ impacts ahead of joint address to Congress. The president took to Truth Social to offer a preview of the speech, which will take place Tuesday.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/trump-joint-address-to-congress-president-offers-preview/3687572/
WGN9
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote concerns about tariffs
https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-investigates/chicago-small-business-owners-concerned-over-trumps-tariffs-on-mexican-imports/
WTTW
— Chicago’s Sanctuary City Protections Face Crucible Moment as Mayor Brandon Johnson Set to Testify Before Congress
https://news.wttw.com/2025/03/04/chicago-s-sanctuary-city-protections-face-crucible-moment-mayor-brandon-johnson-set
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Here are some goods in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/03/tariff-goods-mexico-canada-china-2/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Under the Democrats and under the RINOs, ever-increasingly, more and more and more people will be on Medicaid. Beyond overwhelmingly, those on Medicaid vote for Democrats.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials/2025/03/03/medicaid-cuts-republicans-health-care-doom-millions-illinois-pritzker
DAILY HERALD
— Des Plaines council cutting city clerk’s oversight of staff
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250303/local-politics/des-plaines-council-cutting-city-clerks-oversight-of-staff/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— As Trump tariffs move from threat to reality, these Chicago industries brace for the impact
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/trump-tariffs-hit-chicago-manufacturing-pharma-tech
SOUTHERN
— Trump will face dozens of fired bureaucrats at joint address Tuesday (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors fired me in 1997, that is, they forced me to retire. What if my U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde and my U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald had invited me to Congressional addresses? My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that Hyde, Fitzgerald, and Hastert sided with GAO against me.)
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/03/04/trump-will-face-dozens-of-fired-bureaucrats-at-joint-address-tuesday/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Democrats bringing fired federal workers to Trump speech
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/hill-politics/democrats-bringing-fired-federal-workers-to-trump-speech/
WGLT
— Musk moves to cancel leases for federal offices across Illinois (COMMENT: Outstandingly, the last 8 years that I worked for GAO 1990-1997 were in new space in the new 200 West Adams building in the Loop.)
https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2025-03-03/elon-musks-doge-moves-to-cancel-leases-for-federal-offices-across-illinois
CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/03/04/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-466/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WIREPOINTS
— The cost of illegal migrant healthcare… it’s billions instead of millions. But that’s typical of Illinois budgeting.
https://wirepoints.org/the-cost-of-illegal-migrant-healthcare-its-billions-instead-of-millions-but-thats-typical-of-illinois-budgeting-wirepoints-joins-tom-miller-of-wjpf-carbondale/
— Mayor Emanuel suddenly cares about Chicago’s “streets, schools and finances?” Here’s his record.
https://wirepoints.org/mayor-emanuel-suddenly-cares-about-chicagos-streets-schools-and-finances-heres-his-record-wirepoints/
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Trump got elected by promising to defend and advance the Republican Party platform if elected. What does that platform say about Ukraine, about tariffs, about spending cuts, about firing federal employees, about Canada, about Greenland, about etc.? – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— If I had sought to be on Musk’s DOGE team, I would have stressed that a) I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 Levels, currently $117,807-$153,151/year, b) I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $99,069-$112,280/year, c) I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance, d) I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting, and e) I became a licensed CPA when I was 32 years old. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, many of my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrat veterans, and at times, most, if not virtually all of them were. My Democrat superiors stressed to them that I avoided the Vietnam War draft. They stressed to them if I had not avoided the Vietnam War draft, I would not have been able to a) buy new cars when I was 19, 20, 23, 25, and 29. b) buy real estate when I was 24, 25, 27, 29, and 35, c) earn a bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and master’s degrees when I was 27 and 31, d) pass on my first attempt the CPA examination when I was 30 and the Certified Internal Auditor examination when I was 32, e) become a licensed CPA when I was 32, or f) get married when I was 29. My Democrat superiors succeeded in getting my Democrat superiors and supervisors to who were veterans to take many big adverse actions against me. I should write about that. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Why did America lose the Vietnam War? SEE: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22lost+the+Vietnam+war%22 According to my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government, America lost the Vietnam War because far too many Republicans like me who not only did not enlist, but who avoided the draft. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— My Democrat GAO superiors fired me in 1997, that is, they forced me to retire. What if my U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde and my U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald had invited me to Congressional addresses? My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that Hyde, Fitzgerald, and Hastert sided with GAO against me. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— If you work for the federal government, your superiors and supervisors know everything about you, including your and your spouse’s income, assets, liabilities, dependents, etc. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates always painted themselves as be grossly underpaid and suffering tremendous financial hardships. Most commonly, they stressed the tremendous cost of raising their children. They were filled with envy and they were furious that my wife had a good job and that we gave up trying to have children, that we did not adopt, and that we did not become foster parents. I should write about that. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Overwhelmingly, Republicans view federal employees negatively. Why is that? Virtually all federal employees are Democrats, and many of them are minority, female, and/or veteran. I am Republican, White, male, and non-veteran, but nevertheless, I survived as a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 27 years. To demonize me, denigrate me, and condemn me, my Republican critics/opponents stress that I was a federal employee 1966-1969 and 1971-1997 and that I have been a federal retiree since 1997. They especially stress that I was an IRS employee 1971-1980. I should write about why Republicans view federal employees negatively. I would stress how my Democrat superiors treated me. I would stress the many big adverse actions that my Democrat superiors took against me that they never would never had taken against me if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, and or veteran. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— According to my critics/opponents who are not past, present, or future government employees, government is the employer of last resort, that is, government employees are those who are so bad that they cannot get a job in the private sector. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on those who could not get a government job if they tried to because they lack qualifications, because they cannot pass a background investigation, or because of even worse things. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Refocusing U.S. military: Why identity politics has no place in national defense. Defending our nation is not meant to be a social club.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/3/refocusing-us-military-identity-politics-place-national-defense/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Why Illinois and the U.S. are broke
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/03/why_illinois_and_the_u_s_are_broke.html
BREITBART
— Trump Warns U.S. Against Becoming ‘Like Europe’ With Mass Migration (COMMENT: Democrat and RINO leaders are ever-increasingly replacing those in America who vote for Republicans with those who vote for Democrats.)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/03/03/trump-warns-u-s-against-becoming-like-europe-with-mass-migration/
FEDERALIST
— Trump’s Success Proves Democrats And Weak Republicans Were Holding Border Security Hostage
https://thefederalist.com/2025/03/03/trumps-success-proves-democrats-and-weak-republicans-were-holding-border-security-hostage/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
AOL
— Many federal employees are veterans. They’re terrified. (COMMENT: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, many of my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrat veterans, and at times, most, if not virtually all of them were. My Democrat superiors stressed to them that I avoided the Vietnam War draft. They stressed to them if I had not avoided the Vietnam War draft, I would not have been able to a) buy new cars when I was 19, 20, 23, 25, and 29. b) buy real estate when I was 24, 25, 27, 29, and 35, c) earn a bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and master’s degrees when I was 27 and 31, d) pass on my first attempt the CPA examination when I was 30 and the Certified Internal Auditor examination when I was 32, e) become a licensed CPA when I was 32, or f) get married when I was 29. My Democrat superiors succeeded in getting my Democrat superiors and supervisors to who were veterans to take many big adverse actions against me. I should write about that.)
https://www.aol.com/trumps-sweeping-doge-driven-cuts-093002133.html
— Musk Claims To Know The Net Worths Of Federal Employees – But How? (COMMENT: If you work for the federal government, your superiors and supervisors know everything about you, including your and your spouse’s income, assets, liabilities, dependents, etc. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates always painted themselves as be grossly underpaid and suffering tremendous financial hardships. Most commonly, they stressed the tremendous cost of raising their children. They were filled with envy and they were furious that my wife had a good job and that we gave up trying to have children, that we did not adopt, and that we did not become foster parents.)
https://www.aol.com/musk-claims-know-net-worths-223621481.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “We do find it sort of rather odd that, you know, there are quite a few people in the bureaucracy who have, ostensibly, a salary of a few hundred thousand dollars but somehow managed to accrue tens of millions of dollars in net worth,” he said. In reality, only 3% of the 2.4 million federal employees make more than $200,000 a year, while half make between $50,000 and $110,000 a year, according to government figures. Further, workers who have made six figures for a number of years could easily be worth seven figures, particularly those in their 50s or 60s who have been saving for retirement for decades and have considerable equity in their homes. But Musk’s assertion raises the more fundamental question about how he would know the financial situations of federal employees.)
NEW YORK TIMES
— China Retaliates Against Trump Tariffs With Levies on U.S. Food
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03/04/us/tariffs-us-canada-mexico-china
— The People Carrying Out Musk’s Plans at DOGE (COMMENT: If I had sought to be on Musk’s DOGE team, I would have stressed that a) I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 Levels, currently $117,807-$153,151/year, b) I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $99,069-$112,280/year, c) I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance, d) I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting, and e) I became a licensed CPA when I was 32 years old.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/27/us/politics/doge-staff-list.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The New York Times identified more than 50 people within the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a group formed by Elon Musk that in a short few weeks has radically upended federal agencies. Few members have formal Washington experience. Many are software engineers. All seem to have a clear mandate: Shrink and disrupt the federal government. Mr. Musk’s team has taken aim at more than 20 agencies while gaining access to sensitive government data systems. But the full extent of its reach or ambitions is unclear. Much of the team’s operations are opaque, and most of its personnel have not been disclosed by the Trump administration, and it is unclear exactly how large the operation is. Through executive order, President Trump moved the team from the Office of Management and Budget, where it had been housed as the United States Digital Service since its founding, into the White House — a transition that effectively shielded its work from open records laws that could give the public insight into its operations. The list below includes some of Mr. Musk’s allies; engineers — many of whom are young men — with backgrounds in artificial intelligence; former employees; and others who have helped the operation. Several have recently deleted their social media accounts after their names appeared in news reports.)
— Departures Are Draining Agencies of Expertise. Trump’s effort to remake the government is a direct challenge to a decades-long effort to build a civil service stocked with experts. Critics say it will backfire. (COMMENT: My coworkers who my Democrat GAO superiors did not force to retire were Democrats who a) had less work experience than I had, b) had less education than I had, c) had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had and/or were a) minority, female, younger, and/or veteran.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/us/politics/federal-workers-scientists-firings-trump.html
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly discourage assimilation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/politics/trump-english-official-language.html
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ in the military.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/transgender-military-ban-trump-hegseth.html
— Struggling With Errors, DOGE Deletes Billions More From List of Savings. For the second time in a week, Elon Musk’s government overhaul effort updated its “wall of receipts” to remove mistakes that inflated its success.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/politics/doge-musk-contracts-wall.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Trump’s speech to Congress has the ingredients for an explosive event. The president addresses restless lawmakers Tuesday after six weeks of working aggressively to slash their power.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/04/trump-speech-second-term-congress/
— No one knows what will finally stop Trump. So Black leaders are trying everything. Resistance to the president should include lawsuits, boycotts, marches — and not forgetting history.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/03/trump-opposition-black-leaders/
USA TODAY
— How DOGE’s email to federal employees was ripped from private sector playbook
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/24/musk-doge-federal-layoffs-private-sector-inspiration/79075752007/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump’s Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Take Effect, With Added Duties on China. Beijing hits back with retaliatory tariffs and other measures after U.S. imposes additional 10% duties on China.
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-stock-market-today-03-04-2025
— Trump Takes the Dumbest Tariff Plunge. He says the 25% levies on Mexico and Canada will begin Tuesday. Stocks fall.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-takes-the-dumbest-tariff-plunge-5da57946
— Just When We Need Them, the Media’s Credibility Hits Bottom. Journalists harrumph at Trump’s actions, but no one cares anymore. I say that with no satisfaction.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/just-when-we-need-them-the-medias-credibility-hits-bottom-79b11b8f
BARRON’S
— Trump’s Tariffs Will Send Inflation Higher, Hurt Exporters
https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-030425/card/trump-s-tariffs-will-send-inflation-higher-hurt-exporters-e4sxiO7RcFzoVmD88EBN
TIME
— These Are the Guests Democrats and Republicans Are Bringing to Trump’s Speech Tonight (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors fired me in 1997, that is, they forced me to retire. What if my U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde and my U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald had invited me to Congressional addresses? My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that Hyde, Fitzgerald, and Hastert sided with GAO against me.)
https://time.com/7264128/trump-joint-session-congress-2025-guests-democrats-republicans-schumer-johnson/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Fired federal workers. Medicaid recipients who could lose their healthcare under proposed budget cuts. A small business owner who may be affected by new tariffs. These are some of the people who will attend President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night, brought as guests by Democratic lawmakers seeking to highlight the human cost of the administration’s sweeping policy changes. For decades, lawmakers have used invited guests to put a human face on policy debates, underscoring the real-world consequences of decisions made in Washington. This year, as Trump touts what he calls a “historic transformation” of the federal government, Democrats are countering with stories of disruption and hardship—stories they hope will resonate beyond the chamber’s walls.)
NATION
— Your Government Owes You a Job. The federal government can easily afford a job guarantee program, becoming our employer of last resort. (COMMENT: According to my critics/opponents who are not past, present, or future government employees, government is the employer of last resort, that is, government employees are those who are so bad that they cannot get a job in the private sector. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on those who could not get a government job if they tried to because they lack qualifications, because they cannot pass a background investigation, or because of even worse things.)
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/your-government-owes-you-job/
HUFFINGTON POST
— Ever-increasingly, since 1965, Democrats and RINOs have ever-increasingly used Affirmative Action and DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.aol.com/trump-revokes-workplace-discrimination-rules-203613130.html
AXIOS
— Some Dems plot to disrupt Trump’s speech to Congress
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/04/trump-congress-address-democrats-disrupt-plan
GOOGLE AI
— Why did America lose the Vietnam War? According to my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government, America lost the Vietnam War because far too many Republicans like me who not only did not enlist, but who avoided the draft.
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22lost+the+Vietnam+war%22
INDEPENDENT
— U.S. forecast to enter recession after Trump crashes markets with tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-news-tariffs-canada-mexico-zelensky-musk-updates-b2708278.html
March 3, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— How will Canadian and Mexican tariffs impact Chicago-area businesses and consumers?
https://abc7chicago.com/post/how-will-trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-impact-businesses-consumers-little-village-chicago-beyond/15974088/
— Dow drops nearly 650 points after Trump announces Canadian and Mexican tariffs
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-says-tariffs-mexico-canada-will-start-tuesday/15973614/
NBC5
— Shocking video shows speeding car crash into suburban home, burst into flames. Two people inside the vehicle were pronounced dead on the scene, Woodridge officials said
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/shocking-video-shows-speeding-car-crash-into-suburban-home-burst-into-flames/3687294/
FOX32
— Debate over Chicago’s sanctuary policies intensifies as federal lawmakers seek answers from Mayor Johnson
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/debate-chicago-sanctuary-policies-federal-lawmakers-seek-answers-mayor-johnson
WTTW
— Illinois Bill Aims to Add More Oversight of Homeschooling
https://news.wttw.com/2025/03/03/illinois-bill-aims-add-more-oversight-homeschooling
WBEZ
— Elon Musk’s DOGE moves to cancel leases for federal offices across Illinois. The Trump administration is aiming to unload half the buildings the government owns and cancel 50% of leases for offices across the country. (COMMENT: Outstandingly, the last 8 years that I worked for GAO 1990-1997 were in new space in the new 200 West Adams building in the Loop.)
https://www.wbez.org/politics/2025/03/03/musks-doge-moves-to-cancel-leases-for-federal-offices-across-illinois
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Elon Musk’s DOGE moves to cancel leases for federal offices across Illinois. The Trump administration is aiming to unload half the buildings the government owns and cancel 50% of leases for offices across the country. (COMMENT: Outstandingly, the last 8 years that I worked for GAO 1990-1997 were in new space in the new 200 West Adams building in the Loop.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2025/03/03/elon-musk-doge-leases-federal-offices-illinois
DAILY HERALD
— Legislation aims to help first-time homebuyers (COMMENT: Back in the good old days, I was able to save enough for a down payment for a new town home in University Park when I was 24years old in 1972. The money came from what I had earned a) working for IRS in Chicago and then Harvey for the previous 15 months, b) working part-time for the Firestone Store in Chicago Heights for the previous 18 months, and c) working for that store full-time for the 7 months before that. During that time, I also earned enough to a) help support my mother and brother, b) buy a new 1972 Corvette, and c) pay for tuition and books for graduate evening business courses at Loyola.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250303/real-estate/legislation-aims-to-help-first-time-homebuyers/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— GSA moves to close some SEC regional offices, including Chicago’s
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/gsa-moves-close-chicago-sec-office?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter-BreakingNews-20250303
KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
— Focused on Trump, Pritzker blasts administration’s actions in Kane County speech. Stars of Illinois Democratic Party speak at Kane County Democrats fundraising dinner.
https://www.shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle/2025/03/03/focused-on-trump-pritzker-blasts-administrations-actions-in-kane-county-speech/
STATELINE
— Rep. McCombie reintroduces bill to repeal Illinois pro-abortion laws, faces activists in Pecatonica
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/rep-tony-mccombie-abortion-bill-protests/
WCIA
— IL Republican lawmakers file batch of bills to boost relief for families
https://www.wcia.com/news/capitol-news/il-republican-lawmakers-file-batch-of-bills-to-boost-relief-for-families/
ST. LOUIS TODAY
— Illinois congresswoman aims bills to help farmers, unions, federal workers
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/column/joe-holleman/article_6fbfdf96-f7df-11ef-ad7d-833ad2b84dcc.html
CHICAGO MAROON
— Democrats and RINOs ever-increasingly use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://chicagomaroon.com/45816/news/2025-aaac-social-justice-talk-examines-challenges-to-racial-social-and-cultural-equity/
CWB CHICAGO
— At illegal street takeover, bystander tosses explosive into passing motorist’s car
https://cwbchicago.com/2025/03/at-illegal-street-takeover-bystander-tosses-explosive-into-passing-motorists-car.html
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/03/03/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-259/
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/03/03/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-465/
— Do you support or oppose allowing community colleges, with some restrictions, to offer four-year degrees? (COMMENT: According to my critics/opponents, degrees from non-Ivy League colleges are worthless.)
https://capitolfax.com/2025/03/03/question-of-the-day-3720/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— The Democrats boycotting Trump’s presidential address to Congress
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/3335952/democrats-boycotting-trump-presidential-address-congress/
DAILY WIRE
— AOC Admits She Was Openly Advising Illegals On How To Avoid Law Enforcement. AOC faced considerable heat online over her remarks.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/aoc-admits-she-was-openly-advising-illegals-on-how-to-avoid-law-enforcement
EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Admin Pauses Aid to Ukraine. The news follows a tense exchange between Trump and the Ukrainian president at the Oval Office last week.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-admin-pauses-aid-to-ukraine-5819502
FOX NEWS
— Rooftop Revelations: Illinois state superintendent prizing ‘diversity over education’ reflects ‘failure’ Pastor and Project H.O.O.D. founder Corey Brooks calls out Illinois state superintendent for telling school districts to defy the Trump’s administration’ abolishment of DEI.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369562475112
NEWSMAX
— Affirmative Action Calif.-Style Discriminates Against Minorities
https://www.newsmax.com/michaeldorstewitz/students-fair-admissions/2025/03/03/id/1201133/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In the summer of 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ended the practice of affirmative action, or race-based admission practices in its decision in a pair of cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions. But California is not only still driving race-based admissions practices, it’s shifted the policy into overdrive, and the California university system is now the target of a lawsuit because of it. Weirder yet, the person who filed the lawsuit is himself a member of a minority group, but he’s a member of the wrong one — he’s Asian, and his credentials are amazing.)
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— A hate-filled conservative-hating conservative-hater says “Trump is the right’s tool to dismantle a century of progress.”
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5169412-elon-musk-cpac-maga-movement-fascism/
MSN
— Trump Halts Military Aid To Ukraine, Wants Kyiv To Accept Peace Negotiations With Russia
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/us-president-trump-halts-military-aid-to-ukraine-wants-kyiv-to-accept-peace-negotiations-with-russia/ar-AA1AbohU
— Trump halts all military aid to Ukraine after White House clash with Zelensky
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/trump-halts-all-military-aid-to-ukraine-after-white-house-clash-with-zelensky/ar-AA1AbfMf
REUTERS
— Trump locks in Canada, Mexico tariffs to launch on Tuesday; stocks tumble
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/trump-decide-us-tariff-levels-mexico-canada-tuesday-deadline-approaches-2025-03-03/
CBS NEWS
— Democrats invite fired federal workers to Trump’s address to Congress (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors fired me in 1997, that is, they forced me to retire. What if my U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde and my U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald had invited me to Congressional addresses? My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that Hyde and Fitzgerald sided with GAO against me.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-invite-fired-federal-workers-trump-address-congress/
NEW YORK TIMES
— U.S. Suspends All Military Aid to Ukraine, Trump Official Says
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03/03/us/trump-news-congress
WASHINGTON POST
— Would Americans accept Trump’s concessions to Russia? It’s clear that President Donald Trump is pressuring Ukraine to make concessions. But Americans aren’t sold on giving up territory, and many are concerned about Russia’s threat.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/03/trump-concessions-russia-polling/
ATLANTIC
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly glorify and praise their illegals.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/chicago-immigrants-ice-raids/681855/
March 1, 2025 Evening Edition
WHITE HOUSE
— Designating English as the Official Language of The United States
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/designating-english-as-the-official-language-of-the-united-states/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Proposed Medicaid cuts could put nearly 1M Illinois residents at risk of losing coverage. A Humboldt Park Health official said people can expect much longer wait times in the emergency room if the cuts are approved.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/medicaid-illinois-chicago-protest-today-proposed-cuts-held-humboldt-park-health/15966039/
WGN9
— How many federal employees are there in Illinois? (COMMENT: I was a federal employee in Illinois for almost 30 years.)
https://wgntv.com/news/illinois/how-many-federal-employees-are-there-in-missouri-and-illinois/
FOX32
— From Trump’s electoral win to now: Chicago’s sanctuary city status tested amid ICE arrests
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-ice-raids-impact-brandon-johnson-sanctuary-city-donald-trump
WGN RADIO
— Tax attorney on the firing of over 6,000 IRS employees
https://wgnradio.com/home-sweet-home-chicago/tax-attorney-on-the-firing-of-over-6000-irs-employees/
DAILY HERALD
— As the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget Director Alexis Sturm warned a House committee that uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s economic and administrative policies could affect Illinois revenue, the president announced new tariffs will take effect Tuesday on imports from some of Illinois’ top trading partners.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250301/news/as-the-governors-office-of-management-and-budget-director-alexis-sturm-warned-a-house-committee-tha/
GENESCO REPUBLIC
— U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-17, to bring Illinois veteran James Diaz who lost his job in DOGE cuts to State of the Union (COMMENT: I lost my GAO job when I was 49 years old in 1997 because of Republican budget cuts. While both Diaz and I are Republicans and former IRS employees, Diaz is Hispanic, disabled, and a veteran.)
https://www.geneseorepublic.com/story/news/2025/02/28/illinois-veteran-victim-of-doge-cuts-to-attend-state-of-the-union/80871431007/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: James Diaz, a disabled veteran, will attend the State of the Union as a guest of Rep. Eric Sorensen to raise awareness about job cuts.
Diaz was laid off from his IRS job after serving in the military and working in the private sector. Sorensen believes Diaz’s story highlights the negative impact of budget cuts on hardworking Americans and veterans.)
NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Trump is a professional wrestling fan. Here’s how his politics echo the sport
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/2025-03-01/trump-is-a-professional-wrestling-fan-heres-how-his-politics-echo-the-sport
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Musk defends DOGE, blasts Social Security in marathon Rogan appearance
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/1/elon-musk-defends-doge-blasts-social-security-marathon-rogan/
WAHINGTON EXAMINER
— Trump signs executive order establishing English as the US’s official language
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/3334514/trump-executive-order-establishing-english-us-official-language/
— Pentagon surging more soldiers, combat vehicles to the southern border
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/3334491/pentagon-surging-more-soldiers-combat-vehicles-to-the-southern-border/
BREITBART
— Donald Trump Declares Victory Over Biden’s Migrant Flood
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/03/01/donald-trump-declares-victory-over-bidens-migrant-flood/
DAILY WIRE
— ‘Invasion Of Our Country Is Over’: U.S. Sees Record Low Number Of Illegal Entries In February. Defense Secretary Hegseth said that the U.S. would gain “100% operational control” over the border.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/invasion-of-our-country-is-over-u-s-records-record-low-number-of-illegal-entries-in-february
EPOCH TIMES
— Federal Employees et 2nd Round of ‘Pulse Check’ Emails Requesting List of Accomplishments. Roughly 1 million of the 2.3 million federal employees responded to the first email. (COMMENT: I was a federal employee for almost 30 years. To get rid of me, my Democrat superiors ever-increasingly under-employed me, that is, they ever-increasingly gave me job assignments with lesser and lesser and lesser responsibilities, that is, they ever-increasingly demoted me. My Democrat GAO superiors were beyond furious when the manager who had arranged my transfer from IRS in 1980 and who was finally able to assign me to audits of IRS, promoted me when I was 38 years old in 1986. They forced him to retire in 1987, they threw me off audits of IRS in late 1988, and they gave me an extremely inappropriate and bad job assignment and unfair performance expectations and appraisal in 1989. They would not have been able to do the aforesaid if GAO had been unionized. They somewhat backed off on their efforts to get rid of me after my Congressman Henry Hyde came to my defense later in 1989.)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/federal-workers-get-2nd-round-of-pulse-check-emails-requesting-list-of-accomplishments-5818411
FOX NEWS
— Some of Illinois Wants to Join Indiana
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369498112112
LEGAL INSURRECTION
— Prof Sues University of Illinois Chicago, Alleging it Discriminated Against Him as a ‘White Male.’ “It was very clear that he was not welcome there because of the color of his skin and the fact that he was a white male.”
https://legalinsurrection.com/2025/03/prof-sues-u-illinois-chicago-alleging-it-discriminated-against-him-as-a-white-male/
PJ MEDIA
— Trump’s Border Success, Other Wins Put Dems to Shame
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/03/01/trumps-border-success-puts-dems-to-shame-n4937461
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Amid Trump crackdown, illegal border crossings plunge to levels not seen in decades
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/illegal-crossings-plunge-to-levels-not-seen-in-decades-amid-trump-crackdown/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Employment is a zero sum-game. For every employee who gets a promotion, there is one who does not. I should write about all my coworkers who my Democrat GAO, IRS, and Post Office superiors promoted over me. They all were Democrats who had less work experience than I had, had less education than I had, had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had. They all were Democrats who were minority, female, younger, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/world/asia/trump-zero-sum-world.html
February 27, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— DuPage Co. Sheriff James Mendrick to run for governor of Illinois
https://abc7chicago.com/post/illinois-elections-2026-dupage-county-sheriff-james-mendrick-announces-candidacy-governor/15959495/
— Audit finds Illinois’ noncitizen health care programs far outstripped original cost estimates
https://abc7chicago.com/post/audit-finds-illinois-migrant-health-care-programs-far-outstripped-original-cost-estimates-pritzker-has-proposed-cutting-1/15959981/
NBC5
— DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announces run for Illinois governor. Mendrick is the first candidate to officially declare his candidacy in the 2026 race.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/dupage-county-sheriff-james-mendrick-announces-run-for-illinois-governor/3685170/
— Chicago mayor among those quoted in video ahead of hearing on sanctuary city status. Johnson preparing to testify about sanctuary city status.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-mayor-among-those-quoted-in-video-ahead-of-hearing-on-sanctuary-city-status/3685037/
FOX32
— DuPage County sheriff announces run for Illinois Governor
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/dupage-county-sheriff-james-mendrick-illinois-governor
— Duckworth lays into Trump over veteran layoffs: ‘middle finger to our heroes’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/duckworth-trump-veteran-layoffs
WGN9
— Musk dominates, disparages federal workers at first Trump Cabinet meeting (COMMENT: What is your attitude toward federal employees and retirees? I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 27 years.)
https://wgntv.com/news/musk-dominates-disparages-federal-workers-at-first-trump-cabinet-meeting/
— This salary is needed to be ‘upper-middle class’ in Illinois, study says
https://wgntv.com/news/illinois/this-salary-is-needed-to-be-upper-middle-class-in-illinois-study-says/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: According to GoBankingRates, an individual living in Illinois needs to make a salary of at least “$127,092” to be considered upper middle class. The study determined the state’s middle-class income range to be $54,468 to $163,404. Anything lower is presumably considered working-class, while anything higher is presumably considered upper-class.
WTTW
— Audit Finds Illinois’ Noncitizen Health Care Programs Far Outstripped Original Cost Estimates
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/27/audit-finds-illinois-noncitizen-health-care-programs-far-outstripped-original-cost
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick seeking GOP bid for Illinois governor in 2026
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/27/dupage-county-sheriff-james-mendrick-running-for-governor/
— As Trump’s deadline to eliminate DEI nears, few schools openly rush to make changes
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/27/trump-dei-schools/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Mendrick made the announcement early Thursday morning via social media. He added he will not run for his third term as DuPage County sheriff next year. “We need a secure future for our state and we will make Chicago and Illinois safe again,” he said on social media. The next Illinois gubernatorial election will be held in November 2026.)
— Chicago faith and civic leaders encourage people to participate in nationwide ‘Blackout Friday’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/27/chicago-faith-leaders-blackout-friday/
DAILY HERALD
— DuPage sheriff James Mendrick announces he will run for governor in 2026
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250227/illinois-state-politics/dupage-sheriff-announces-he-will-run-for-governor-in-2026/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Prompted by what he calls “radical” changes in Illinois’ criminal justice system, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick is skipping a potential third term as the county’s top cop and setting his sights instead on the governor’s mansion. Mendrick, a Republican from Woodridge, announced Thursday he will run for Illinois governor in the 2026 election. He’s the first candidate to formally declare for the race. In a phone interview Thursday, Mendrick said he’s been thinking about running for about two years, as he’s watched legislation like the state’s SAFE-T Act — which eliminated the cash bail system in Illinois — have what he sees as negative impacts on law and order. “It’s been very frustrating to me to see how many people (charged with a crime) are being let go, and the judges are saying they can’t do anything about it because of the law,” he said. “I’ve been in law enforcement 29 years — it will be 30 when I end my term as sheriff — and I’ve seen a lot of changes, but nothing as radical as the last four years.” Besides putting potentially dangerous people back on the streets, Mendrick said the law deprives defendants of opportunities to take part in his jail’s rehabilitation efforts, such as a gang tattoo removal program that’s received national acclaim. Mendrick first announced his intentions Thursday in an interview on WLS-AM’s Ray Stevens show and a Facebook post. He took aim at Gov. JB Pritzker in the latter, accusing the two-term Democrat of imposing policies that conflict with federal law and make communities less safe. “My family and I have decided that we want our State back,” he wrote. “We don’t like being fearful of crime that is randomly occurring now in our streets, homes and our retail stores due to soft on crime legislation. We don’t want to move out of Illinois like so much of our population. “Our culture is being eliminated by senseless laws created by our current government that persecutes cops and empowers criminals,” he added. “I’m here to stop the bleed.” Pritzker has not said whether he will run again in 2026. With a growing national profile as an outspoken opponent of President Donald Trump, his name also has been floated as a possible Democratic nominee for president in 2028. Press secretary Alex Gough said via email Thursday that nothing has changed regarding Pritzker’s reelection plans, and declined to comment on Mendrick’s announcement. Mendrick acknowledges that running for governor is a costly proposition, especially if he ultimately faces off with a self-funded billionaire like Pritzker. Even so, he said he didn’t make much effort to contact Republican leadership to line up support and fundraising before Thursday. “I think my message is strong enough that it will draw support,” he said, adding that he’s already been inundated with calls and messages from people offering support. “It’s overwhelming, but overwhelming in a good way.” DuPage GOP leaders said they’re excited about Mendick’s campaign and optimistic about its prospects. “It will be exciting to have one of our own from DuPage County on the top of the ticket,” said Kevin Coyne, chair of the DuPage County Republicans. “Crime is a top concern for Illinois voters, and no one can speak to that better than Sheriff Mendrick,” he added. “I think he has the ability to make it a competitive race.” Jim Zay, a longtime DuPage County Board member and former chairman of the DuPage GOP, said the decision to run for governor is something that Mendrick is “not taking lightly.” “I know Jim and many of us have been frustrated with the direction of Illinois for a while,” said Zay, a Carol Stream Republican. “He felt strongly enough with his views that he can make a difference and change the direction in which the state’s going. With his plans to leave the sheriff’s office next year, Mendrick said he will support Undersheriff Eddie Moore as his successor. “He has no equal in a race for DuPage County Sheriff,” he wrote on Facebook.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250227/illinois-state-politics/dupage-sheriff-announces-he-will-run-for-governor-in-2026/
SOUTHERN
— DHS registry for migrants in US illegally raises alarm from immigration advocates (COMMENT: Democrats and RINOs are illegal immigration advocates.)
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/02/27/dhs-registry-for-migrants-in-us-illegally-raises-alarm-from-immigration-advocates/
— Economists say Trump tariff threats, DOGE job cuts are ‘chilling’ the economy
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/02/27/economists-say-trump-tariff-threats-doge-job-cuts-are-chilling-the-economy/
JOURNAL COURIER
— Lawsuit threatens Illinois minority teachers scholarship (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/pritzker-minority-teacher-scholarship-lawsuit-20189556.php
NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Illinois lawmakers debate gun insurance requirement
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/illinois-lawmakers-debate-gun-insurance-requirement
CAPITOL FAX
— DuPage County sheriff says he’s running for governor
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/27/dupage-county-sheriff-says-hes-running-for-governor/
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/27/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-257/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
JOIHN BIVER
— Searching for Willie Brown
https://johnbiver.com/searching-for-willie-brown/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would decriminalize prostitution
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2025/02/illinois-lawmakers-consider-bill-to-legalize-adult-services-industry.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump endorses DOGE, email as Musk dominates Cabinet meeting
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/26/donald-trump-defends-elon-musk-email-doge-cabinet-meeting/
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Americans Overwhelmingly Support Israel’s Right to Defend Itself, Poll Finds. Eighty-two percent of U.S. adults also believe that Hamas should be removed from power.
https://freebeacon.com/israel/americans-overwhelmingly-support-israels-right-to-defend-itself-poll-finds/
DAILY SIGNAL
— 71% of Americans Favor Removing Illegals From Medicaid, Adding Work Requirements
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/02/27/71-americans-favor-removing-illegals-medicaid-adding-work-requirements/
HOT AIR
— Trump Ending Benefits to Illegals Is a Game Changer
https://hotair.com/headlines/2025/02/27/trump-ending-benefits-to-illegals-is-a-game-changer-n3800234
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
YAHOO NEWS
— Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly promote Duckworth.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/sen-tammy-duckworths-lived-experience-142350169.html
FLORIDA POLITICS
— Who will run for Byron Donalds’ seat in Congress?
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/723169-who-will-run-for-byron-donalds-seat-in-congress/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis could also jump in. The investment manager and frequent CNBC guest now lives in Southwest Florida and could bring an opportunity to self-fund. Catalina Lauf, another former Illinois congressional candidate who worked in the Commerce Department under Trump, has also moved to Florida and been suggested as a possible candidate.)
February 25, 2025 Evening Edition
WHITE HOUSE
— Sick Politicians Want Killers, Rapists Roaming Our Streets
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/sick-politicians-want-killers-rapists-roaming-our-streets/
— Statement on Trump White House Victory Against the Associated Press
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/02/statement-on-trump-white-house-victory-against-the-associated-press/
— New Poll Shows Massive Support for President Trump and His Agenda
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/new-poll-shows-massive-support-for-president-trump-and-his-agenda/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk’s direction
https://abc7chicago.com/post/president-donald-trump-backs-musk-he-roils-federal-workforce-demands-threats/15953583/
— Is Mayor Brandon Johnson is ready to defend Chicago’s sanctuary city law to Congress?
https://abc7chicago.com/post/ex-congressman-luis-guttierez-questions-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-is-ready-defend-sanctuary-city-law-congress/15954965/
— Rudy Giuliani satisfies Fulton County election workers’ $148 million defamation case
https://abc7chicago.com/post/rudy-giuliani-satisfies-fulton-county-election-workers-148-million-defamation-case/15952884/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Search for next US attorney in Chicago underway, again, in dramatically changed landscape (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always stressed that my Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald appointed U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who sided with my Democrat GAO superiors in Diersen v. GAO. Previously, Peter Fitzgerald also appointed Amy St. Eve to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois who also sided with my Democrat GAO superiors. To side with my Democrat GAO superiors is to promote Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, to promote race and gender based preference giving, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/search-for-next-us-attorney-in-chicago-underway-again-in-dramatically-changed-landscape/
— Democrat leaders always hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans are responsible for racist graffiti
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/officials-promise-immediate-consequences-after-racist-graffiti-found-at-oak-park-and-river-forest-high-school/
— Social Security says higher payments are on the way for millions of former public workers
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/social-security-payments/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: More than 3.2 million Social Security recipients who received pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public service jobs will soon see a boost in their benefits. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, and new monthly payments will begin in April, the agency says. The Social Security Administration announced it would immediately begin processing retroactive payments and will send increased monthly payments to people affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which were rescinded in the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act that former President Joe Biden signed into law last year. The Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset limited Social Security benefits for recipients if they got retirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government. Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it also puts a strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.)
— Apple shareholders reject proposal to scrap company’s diversity programs
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/apple-diversity-programs-2/
— Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk’s direction
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/federal-employees-elon-musk/
— Elon Musk renews threat to fire federal workers despite pushback from various agencies
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/elon-musk-federal-workers/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rep. LaHood calls Trump policies a ‘priority’ as he opens search for new top federal prosecutor. The Peoria Republican also noted that the Northern District of Illinois has gone more than 22 months without a confirmed U.S. attorney.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/02/25/lahood-opens-u-s-attorney-search-by-calling-trump-policies
— Anticipate/expect that hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters will ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that rump is a Nazi. To hint/imply/argue/shout that someone is a Nazi in America today is like hinting/implying/arguing/shouting that someone is a Jew in Germany in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2025/02/25/pritzker-trump-comparison-nazi-hitler-academic-commentary
— With intensifying assaults on the press, is it time for a ‘NATO for news’? To protect the free press in America, we need to agree that “an attack on one is an attack on all.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/02/24/president-donald-trump-assault-press-news-media-associated-press-ap-nato-news-jim-friedlich
DAILY HERALD
— Wheaton College in political, religious crosshairs over congratulating Trump appointee
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250225/news/wheaton-college-in-political-religious-crosshairs-over-congratulating-trump-appointee/
— Some GOP lawmakers start to call out DOGE — carefully
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250225/nation-and-world-politics/some-gop-lawmakers-start-to-call-out-doge-carefully/
— College of DuPage to host College Poll Worker Recruitment Summit April 11
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250224/submitted-content/college-of-dupage-to-host-college-poll-worker-recruitment-summit-april-11/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Who will be Chicago’s next U.S. attorney? Rep. LaHood is taking applications.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/darin-lahood-kicks-search-chicagos-us-attorney
SHAW LOCAL
— White House says it ‘will decide’ which news outlets cover Trump, rotating some traditional ones
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2025/02/25/white-house-says-it-will-decide-which-news-outlets-cover-trump-rotating-some-traditional-ones/
ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Apple shareholders reject proposal to scrap company’s diversity programs
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/politics/article/alert-apple-shareholders-reject-proposal-to-20186932.php
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor. Here’s what to know about Casey.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-as-desantis-talks-up-his-wife-as-next-florida-governor-heres-what-to-know-about-casey/
NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Rollback of diversity efforts leaves teachers wondering about effects on Black History Month
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/2025-02-25/rollback-of-diversity-efforts-leaves-teachers-wondering-about-effects-on-black-history-month
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Pritzker positions himself at forefront of Trump opposition by invoking Nazis’ rise to power
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-positions-himself-at-forefront-of-trump-opposition-by-invoking-nazis-rise-to-power/
— Lawsuit threatens Illinois minority teachers scholarship. Conservative group seeks to overturn race-based financial aid. (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/lawsuit-threatens-illinois-minority-teachers-scholarship/
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Edgar disses Trump
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/02/25/edgar-battles-cancer-disses-trump-00205911
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/25/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-255/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Milena McConchie, Wife of Recently Resigned State Senator Dan McConchie Succumbs to Cancer from Chernobyl Radiation, R.I.P.
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/milena-mcconchie-wife-of-recently-resigned-state-senator-dan-mcconchie-succumbs-to-cancer-from-chernobyl-radiation-r-i-p/
— Carbondale Retreats To Keep Sidewalk Counseling Case Out of U.S. Supreme Court
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/carbondale-retreats-to-keep-sidewalk-counseling-case-out-of-u-s-supreme-court/
— Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy “My Way or the Highway” Funk Mails Out Newsletter Right Before Election Day
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-my-way-or-the-highway-funk-mails-out-newsletter-right-before-election-day/
— Schakowsky Continues Picketing Agencies Musk Targets
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/schakowsky-continues-picketing-agencies-musk-targets/
— Federal Gun Dealer Takedown
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/federal-gun-dealer-takedown/
— State Reps Reick and Keicher Set Tele-Town Hall Meeting February 26th
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/state-reps-reick-and-keicher-set-tele-town-hall-meeting-february-26th/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— DHS warns illegal immigrants to self-deport
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/25/dhs-warns-illegal-immigrants-self-deport/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Chicago keeps electing Democrats to disastrous results
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3329826/chicago-keeps-electing-democrats-disastrous-results/
— Hospitals conducting transgender procedures on children supported by billions in taxpayer dollars
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3329731/hospitals-transgender-procedures-children-billions-taxpayer-dollars/
NEW YORK POST
— Trump administration ends use of controversial app to allow migrants to fly without ID
https://nypost.com/2025/02/25/us-news/trump-administration-ends-use-of-app-to-allow-migrants-to-board-flights-without-id/
CITY JOURNAL
— How Universities Get Away With Hiring Radicals. Fellow-to-faculty programs have seeded academia with activists.
https://www.city-journal.org/article/universities-fellow-to-faculty-programs-activists
DAILY WIRE
— Nearly 100 Illegals Captured In Colony Ridge Deportation Raids. Border Czar Tom Homan said “several child sexual predators” were arrested in the Texas development.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/nearly-100-illegals-captured-in-colony-ridge-deportation-raids
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Homan Wants to Double ICE Footprint in Sanctuary Cities. Musk Is Helping Him Get There.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/tom-homan-wants-to-double-ice-footprint-in-sanctuary-cities-elon-musk-is-helping-him-get-there/
NEWS BUSTERS
— The View Celebrates Black History Month By Promoting Discredited 1619 Project
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2025/02/25/view-celebrates-black-history-month-promoting-discredited
ONE AMERICA NEWS
— DHS Secretary Noem Says She Discovered Some Officials ‘Tipping Off’ Illegals About Deportation Plans: ‘They Will Be Fired’
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/dhs-secretary-noem-says-she-discovered-some-officials-tipping-off-illegals-about-deportation-plans-they-will-be-fired/
WESTERN JOURNAL
— Poetic Justice: Obama Library Delayed – Discrimination Lawsuits, Environmental Injunctions, Enrichment Allegations
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/poetic-justice-obama-library-delayed-discrimination-lawsuits-environmental-injunctions-enrichment-allegations/ar-AA1zCG31
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Federal workers urge congressional lawmakers to reverse job cuts
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-workers-urge-congressional-lawmakers-to-reverse-job-cuts/
— Case surge from fired federal workers jams federal board
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/case-surge-from-fired-federal-workers-jams-merit-systems-protection-board/
NTD
— House Hearing on ‘The Government Accountability Office’s 2025 High-Risk List’
https://www.ntd.com/live-1-pm-et-house-hearing-on-the-government-accountability-offices-2025-high-risk-list_1049779.html
WASHINGTON POST
— What has Trump done today?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/trump-administration-actions/
USA TODAY
— Trump pitches $5 million gold card path to citizenship for foreign investors
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2025/02/25/trump-pitches-gold-card-path-to-citizenship-for-foreign-investors/80355877007/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Proposes Fines, Prison Time for Migrants Who Don’t Join Registry. Administration plans to establish registration website as soon as this week.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-immigration-migrant-registry-jail-time-95c405a7
POLITICO
— White House says it will determine which reporters have access to the president
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/25/trump-white-house-press-pool-access-00206001
PBS
— Elon Musk may direct more demands on federal employees to justify their work
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/elon-musk-may-direct-more-demands-on-federal-employees-to-justify-their-work
RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Is Trump Acting Like a Dictator? 74% of Democrats Say So
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/is_trump_acting_like_a_dictator_74_of_democrats_say_so
February 24, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The few Republicans who still oppose Trump, including former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, gather in search of a path to oppose him. (COMMENT: To what extent do Republican leaders in your area oppose Trump? What are they doing to oppose Trump? Why do they oppose Trump?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/24/republicans-oppose-trump/
ABC7
— Pfleger church flying American flag upside-down: ‘America is under distress’ (COMMENT: Democrat leaders crow about their success in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.)
https://abc7chicago.com/post/father-michael-pfleger-flies-american-flag-upside-down-outside-saint-sabina-church-gresham-chicago/15952293/
FOX32
— Pfleger protests Trump administration with upside-down American flag (COMMENT: Democrat leaders crow about their success in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.)
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-pastor-protests-trump-administration-upside-down-american-flag
— To get more votes from Blacks, Democrat leaders push for reparations. Anticipate/expect that to get more votes from voters who are the following, Democrat leaders will push for reparations for them: other minorities, females, young people, LGBTQers, those who have less money than others, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, and those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1598130
WBEZ
— Trump’s cozying up to Russia comes as ‘slap in the face’ to Ukrainian Americans in Chicago
https://www.wbez.org/nation-world/2025/02/24/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-war-third-anniversary-chicago-ukrainians
WGN RADIO
— DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump’s pick
https://wgnradio.com/news/political-news/ap-desantis-promotes-his-wife-as-next-florida-governor-and-takes-a-shot-at-trumps-pick/
OUR QUAD CITIES
— Pritzker’s proposal to fund resources for the homeless in Illinois (COMMENT: Under Illinois Democrats and under Illinois RINOs, homelessness will ever-increasingly increase in Illinois.)
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/gov-pritzkers-proposal-to-fund-resources-for-the-homeless-in-illinois/
WSIU
— Democrat leaders have protesters call on LaHood to oppose Trump’s cuts to health care, food assistance
https://www.wsiu.org/state-of-illinois/2025-02-24/protesters-call-on-lahood-to-oppose-trump-cuts-to-healthcare-food-assistance
NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump administration backs off requiring response to “What did you do last week?” email
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-24/trump-administration-backs-off-requiring-response-to-what-did-you-do-last-week-email
— Federal agencies still can’t agree on ‘What did you do last week?’ email
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-24/federal-agencies-still-cant-agree-on-what-did-you-do-last-week-email
WAND TV
— Judge rejects immediately restoring AP’s access to White House but urges government to reconsider. A federal judge on had refused to immediately order the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to presidential events, saying the news organization had not shown it had suffered irreparable harm in the matter. (COMMENT: AP treats Trump unfairly. But I have never treated Republican candidates, elected officials, or party leaders unfairly.)
https://www.wandtv.com/news/national/judge-rejects-immediately-restoring-aps-access-to-white-house-but-urges-government-to-reconsider/article_a64e49e8-c5db-55f0-8948-b150240eb30b.html
ILLINOIS PATCH
— Pritzker Refuses To ‘Bend The Knee’ As Trump Says ‘Long Live The King’ The Illinois governor also drew parallels between Nazi Germany and the modern political climate. (COMMENT: To be America’s next president, Pritzker ever-increasingly promotes more hatred against Trump, that is, to be America’s next president, Pritzker ever-increasingly promotes more hatred against those who voted for Trump including the 2.4 million in Illinois.)
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/pritzker-compares-trump-king-says-he-wont-bend-knee
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/24/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-254/
— Poll: Mayor Johnson’s re-elect in crowded field is 8 percent; Just 7 percent view him favorably, 80 percent unfavorably
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/24/poll-mayor-johnsons-re-elect-in-crowded-field-is-8-percent-just-7-percent-view-him-favorably-80-percent-unfavorably/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Immigration group received over $63 million in Illinois taxpayer funds in 7 months
https://www.aol.com/news/immigration-group-received-over-63-150000603.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Echoing My Continuing Concern that Data Centers Will Endanger Electric Supply to Homeowners and Businesses
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/echoing-my-continuing-concern-that-data-centers-will-endanger-electric-supply-to-homeowners-and-businesses/
— Time to Build Another Nuclear Power Plant in Illinois
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/time-to-build-another-nuclear-power-plant-in-illinois/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 8
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/the-censures-of-algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-funk-part-8/
— Marengo Set To Impose Grocery Sales Tax
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/marengo-set-to-impose-grocery-sales-tax/
— Fox River Grove Moving Ahead with Downtown Development
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/fox-river-grove-moving-ahead-with-downtown-development/
— Third Mailer from Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Danijela Sandberg
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/third-mailer-from-algonquin-township-highway-commissioner-danijela-sandberg/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel to Clear Out Illegal Aliens
https://amgreatness.com/2025/02/24/new-york-citys-roosevelt-hotel-to-clear-out-illegal-aliens/
BREITBART
— Poll: Support for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Totally Collapses
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/02/24/poll-support-for-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-totally-collapses/
— Houston 15-Year-Old Shoots Mom, Sister After Eating ‘Bunch’ of Marijuana Edibles
https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2025/02/23/police-houston-15-year-old-shoots-mom-sister-marijuana-edibles/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Federal agencies can ignore “What did you do last week?” email, Trump administration says
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-doge-email-federal-employees-opm-directive-accomplishments/
CNN
— Musk’s new message: Elon Musk said tonight that federal workers who do not respond to a weekend email asking them to justify their jobs will be given another opportunity “subject to the discretion of the President” and warned that they would still be fired if they didn’t reply a second time. Hours earlier, the Office of Personnel Management notified government agencies that responding to Musk’s email, which President Donald Trump praised as “pretty ingenious,” was voluntary.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-24-25/index.html
— Setback for AP: A federal judge declined today to temporarily restore the Associated Press’ access to some of Trump’s events, the Oval Office and Air Force One.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-24-25/index.html
WASHJINGTON POST
— What has Trump done today?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/trump-administration-actions/
— Trump administration tells agencies they can ignore Musk order on email reply. The Office of Personnel Management told HR officials that employees wouldn’t be let go for not replying to an email asking what they did last week.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/24/musk-email-government-confusion/
DENVER POST
— SBA administrator orders regional offices to exit “sanctuary cities” like Denver
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/02/24/sba-administrator-regional-headquarters-exit-denver/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Backs Musk’s Email Asking Federal Workers to List Accomplishments. Agencies issue conflicting guidance on whether to comply with the request.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-says-workers-who-dont-respond-to-musks-email-risk-being-fired-27c2e9e4
BARRON’S
— Illegals who were invited in by Democrat and RINO leaders return home.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/their-dreams-dashed-by-trump-migrants-make-return-journey-home-8c6ff17b
PBS
— Federal workers sue over Elon Musk’s threat to fire them if they don’t explain their accomplishments (COMMENT: I sued my Democrat GAO superiors over their threats if I did not take their early retirement “offer” when I was 49 years old in 1997. SEE: https://gopillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DiersenGAOFifthAmendedComplaint.pdf They made it clear to me that if I did not take their “offer,” they would make my next 6 years until I would be eligible for regular retirement a living hell for me. The least of which they would do would be to demote me and to give me adverse transfers. Previously, they had always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for them, and forced to take a $23,472/year (21%) pay cut to transfer from IRS. GAO was not unionized; it did not unionize until 2007.)
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-workers-sue-over-elon-musks-threat-to-fire-them-if-they-dont-explain-their-accomplishments
February 22, 2025 Evening Edition
ABC7
— Chicago inspector general alleges obstruction by city’s law department
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-alleges-obstruction-citys-law-department-seeks-protection-city-council/15938401/
CBS2
— DOGE’s Elon Musk says federal employees must document their work or resign
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-doge-federal-employees-document-work-resign/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Three years after Russian invasion of Ukraine, hundreds rally for continued U.S. support
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/22/three-years-after-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-hundreds-rally-for-continued-u-s-support/
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/22/transgender-trump-executive-order-chicago-impact/
DAILY HERALD
— Trump revels in mass federal firings and jeers at Biden before adoring conservative crowd
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250222/nation-and-world-politics/trump-revels-in-mass-federal-firings-and-jeers-at-biden-before-adoring-conservative-crowd/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Chicago school district’s Black Student Success Plan faces a legal challenge
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/chicago-public-schools-black-student-success-plan-faces-lawsuit
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— The Associated Press is suing three Trump administration officials over access to presidential events
https://www.news-gazette.com/ap-sues-3-trump-administration-officials-citing-freedom-of-speech/article_8d2d6220-7ea4-52b2-b621-7a5de38b92ac.html
NEWS & TRIBUNE
— Instead of secession threat, Indiana and Illinois should collaborate
https://www.newsandtribune.com/indiana/opinion/tribune-star-editorial-instead-of-secession-threat-indiana-and-illinois-should-collaborate/article_470ed51c-7c65-5695-bbcc-43bc751fa3f5.html
WCIA
— Trump suggests Musk needs to be ‘more aggressive’
https://www.wcia.com/news/national/trump-suggests-musk-needs-to-be-more-aggressive/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump revels in mass federal firings and jeers at Biden before adoring conservative crowd
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-trump-revels-in-mass-federal-firings-and-jeers-at-biden-before-adoring-conservative-crowd/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Lara Trump Packs Them in at McHenry County GOPAC/Joe Tirio Fundraiser
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/lara-trump-packs-them-in-at-mchenry-county-gopac-joe-tirio-fundraiser/
— Jeff Keicher Outraged at Pritzker’s Smearing “Republicans and Republican Voters as Nazis”
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/jeff-keicher-outraged-at-pritzkers-smearing-republicans-and-republican-voters-as-nazis/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 6
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/the-censures-of-algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-funk-part-6/
— Sheriff Seeking Communicators – Pay $30 per Hour
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/sheriff-seeking-communicators-pay-30-per-hour/
— Trouble at Lake in the Hills Hannah Martin Grade School
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/trouble-at-lake-in-the-hills-hannah-martin-grade-school/
— Shorten Offers Coffee and Donuts to Township Voters
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/shorten-offers-coffee-and-donuts-to-township-voters/
— University of Illinois Announces Book Prize in the Field of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/university-of-illinois-announces-book-prize-in-the-field-of-womens-gender-and-sexuality-studies/
— LaHood Seeks Extension of Indictments of Unemployment Comp Fraudsters
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/lahood-seeks-extension-of-indictments-of-unemployment-comp-fraudsters/
— Drain Replies to Shorten
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/21/drain-replies-to-shorten/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump marks first month in office with victory lap at CPAC
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/22/trump-marks-first-month-office-victory-lap-cpac/
— Elon Musk demands federal workers answer email with what work they performed, or be fired
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/22/elon-musk-demands-federal-workers-answer-email-work-performed-fired/
— Trump wants Musk to be ‘more aggressive’
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/22/trump-wants-musk-aggressive/
— It’s time to get tough on anti-American media
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/21/mmga-time-get-tough-anti-american-media/
NEW YORK POST
— AG Pam Bondi issues stark warning for Illinois, NY governors to ‘comply’ with federal law
https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/us-news/ag-pam-bondi-issues-stark-warning-for-illinois-ny-governors-to-comply-with-federal-law/
— Trump triumphantly returns to CPAC as president, touts GOP as ‘proud voice’ of Americans: ‘We are the party of common sense’
https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/us-news/trump-returns-to-cpac-as-president-touts-gop-as-proud-voice-of-americans/
DAILY SIGNAL
— Trump Vows to Deport Illegal Aliens at Unprecedented Scale in Speech to Conservatives
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/02/22/trump-touts-largest-deportation-effort-history-speech-conservatives/
FOX NEWS
— Attorney General Bondi issues stark warning for Illinois and NY governors to ‘comply’ with federal law. ‘We are sick and tired of Americans being murdered, and these states protecting illegal aliens,’ Bondi said.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/attorney-general-bondi-issues-stark-warning-illinois-new-york-governors-comply-federal-law
— CPAC straw poll reveals who conservatives believe will be 2028 presidential nominee
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369195325112
NEWSMAX
— Kari Lake to Newsmax: Slams Gov. Pritzker’s Illinois as ‘So Far Gone’
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/lake-pritzker-illinois/2025/02/22/id/1200088/
— Homan: Security Should Be Nonpartisan Issue
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/homan-border-nonpartisan/2025/02/22/id/1200098/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CNN
— Federal employees told to justify jobs in email or Musk says they face dismissal
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/22/politics/elon-musk-employees-emails/index.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Latest Trump guidance on race has schools scrambling amid ‘intense fear’ An Education Department letter says even race-neutral policies aimed at diversity could result in schools and colleges losing federal funding.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/02/22/trump-schools-federal-funding-dei-race/
— With Pentagon purge, Trump thrusts military into uncharted territory. The abrupt removal of six top officers has deepened concern among the president’s critics, who fear he intends to impose his political will on the nonpartisan institution.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/22/trump-pentagon-purge-charles-q-brown/
— As Trump pursues his policies, Democratic states block his path. Attorneys general have worked for months to craft legal opposition to the president’s agenda. Now they’re putting it into practice.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/02/22/trump-lawsuits-democratic-attorney-generals/
POLITICO
— Musk says all federal employees need to explain their work immediately — or be let go. Federal employees received an email Saturday afternoon, and gave them a deadline of Monday night.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/22/musk-federal-employees-explanation-dismissal-00205613
C-SPAN
— Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders & Republicans Deliver Remarks at CPAC
https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/gov-sarah-huckabee-sanders-republicans-deliver-remarks-at-cpac/431059
February 19, 2025 Evening Edition
Anticipate/expect that ever-increasingly, the more demographics that you share with Trump, the more that Pritzker will do to destroy you. Trump is conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, married, Protestant, German American, and his ancestors have been in America for a long time. 2.4 million voted for Trump in Illinois.
Are you German American? I am. If you are, what do you stress in defense of your national origin? I stress that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans in WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans in WWII, and that my father would have fought the Germans in WWII if he had not been 4-F.
FOX32
— Pritzker compares Trump Administration to Nazi regime during budget address
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/pritzker-compares-trump-administration-nazi-regime-during-budget-address
— Trump designates some cartels as ‘foreign terrorist organizations’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1596064
NBC5
— Pritzker delivers stern message on state of country. Pritzker, who has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump over the years, specifically cited actions taken by Trump and Elon Musk, and in some cases referenced the Holocaust.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/what-comes-next-illinois-governor-delivers-stern-message-on-state-of-country/3678083/
— Government officials charge taxpayers millions to try to keep secrets from public. NBC 5 Investigates has found that it has cost Chicago-area taxpayers more than $13.4 million over the past 12 years for officials to try to keep clearly-public documents secret.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/government-officials-charge-taxpayers-millions-to-try-to-keep-secrets-from-public/3677223/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Pritzker proposes belt-tightening budget with no new taxes, invokes Nazism in bashing Trump
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/19/gov-j-b-pritzker-likens-trump-administration-actions-to-nazi-germany-what-comes-next/
— Trump and Zelenskyy trade barbs as US-Ukraine relations sour over the war with Russia
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/19/ukraine-zelenskyy-trump-russia/
— Indiana House passes Illinois secession bill on first reading, but amendments keep session lively
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/19/indiana-house-passes-illinois-secession-bill-on-first-reading-but-amendments-keep-session-lively/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker unveils $55.2 billion budget with no new taxes, compares Trump playbook to the Nazi movement. The Democratic governor also peppered his seventh budget blueprint — which Republicans derided as the largest in state history — with key policy proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/02/19/jb-pritzker-budget-address-state-of-the-state
— Federal worker firings by Trump, Musk are chaos, not cost-cutting
https://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials/2025/02/19/president-trump-elon-musk-doge-layoffs-firings-civil-servants-endanger-america-bird-flu-nuclear
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker remarks on the Holocaust — and on Trump
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/jb-pritzker-remarks-holocaust-and-donald-trump
ADVANTAGE NEWS
— Pritzker calls to tighten Illinois’ belt, repeatedly invokes Nazis in attack on Trump
https://www.advantagenews.com/news/local/pritzker-calls-to-tighten-illinois-belt-repeatedly-invokes-nazis-in-attack-on-trump/article_d1537bae-eefd-11ef-ad36-1bda87f7591b.html
STATELINE
— Pritzker invokes specter of Nazi Germany in rebuke of Trump administration
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/pritzker-invokes-specter-of-nazi-germany-in-rebuke-of-trump-administration/
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Republicans decry, Pritzker defends ‘Nazi’ references during budget speech. Pritzker refers to Nazis six times in criticism of Trump.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_edb79bb8-ef16-11ef-8c25-474e08243540.html
— Pritzker calls to tighten belt, repeatedly invokes Nazis in attack on Trump. Governor makes no calls for ethics reforms despite Madigan conviction.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_92dde236-eefa-11ef-9497-332440818a6d.html
— Republicans criticize Pritzker after budget address
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_b405d33a-ef11-11ef-9a1a-73cef9f3019e.html
ST.LOUIS TODAY
— Pritzker likens Trump administration actions to Nazi Germany
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/illinois-gov-j-b-pritzker-likens-trump-administration-actions-to-nazi-germany/article_cd5a1a2e-ef18-11ef-b4c3-83559ec34cbe.html
UNION BULLETIN
— Pritzker likens Trump administration actions to Nazi Germany: ‘What comes next?’
https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/national/gov-j-b-pritzker-likens-trump-administration-actions-to-nazi-germany-what-comes-next/article_7a81f5f3-2f15-59c1-b3d6-b304a0f0e406.html
CITIES 92.9
— Republicans decry, Pritzker defends ‘Nazi’ references during budget speech
https://www.cities929.com/2025/02/19/watch-republicans-decry-pritzker-defends-nazi-references-during-budget-speech/
ABC7
— Pritzker proposes $2B in spending growth without new income or service taxes in budget. Budgeting office says global outlook has changed since previous $3.2B deficit estimate.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-deliver-budget-address-wednesday/15930773/
— Democrat leaders crow about their getting Democrats to protest.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/university-illinois-chicago-uic-educators-researchers-students-protest-nih-funding-cuts-proposed-trump-admin/15933853/
— Federal workers in Chicago left confused by mass firings, sudden rehiring
https://abc7chicago.com/post/federal-workers-chicago-left-confused-sudden-rehiring-following-mass-firings-trump-administrations-doge/15934016/
CBS2
— Homeless encampment residents in Chicago’s Gompers Park take issue with city “cleanup”
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/homeless-encampment-residents-chicago-gompers-park-cleanup/
DAILY HERALD
— Restraining order sought to block 26th Senate appointment amid legal fight
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250219/illinois-state-politics/restraining-order-sought-to-block-26th-senate-appointment-amid-legal-fight/
WGN RADIO
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://wgnradio.com/news/asylum-seekers-the-american-dream-is-over/
WBEZ
— Lawmakers promised cannabis funds would right many wrongs, but results are mixed. In 2020, Illinois legalized recreational marijuana. But experts say the boon won’t last forever, and policymakers should re-examine how the funds are spent.
https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2025/02/19/lawmakers-promised-cannabis-funds-would-right-many-wrongs-but-results-are-mixed
— Pritzker’s $55.2 billion budget has no new taxes, cuts health care for adults lacking legal status. The Democratic governor also peppered his seventh budget blueprint — which Republicans derided as the largest in state history — with key policy proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.
https://www.wbez.org/springfield/2025/02/19/jb-pritzker-budget-address-state-of-the-state
RIVER BENDER
— State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton), House Republican Caucus Deputy Budgeteer, Issues Statement On Gov. Pritzker’s Budget Address
https://www.riverbender.com/news/details/rep-elik-issues-statement-on-gov-pritzkers-budget-address-79845.cfm
BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Families Experiencing Homelessness Can Apply For Up To $6,500 — With No Limit On How It’s Spent. Families of Chicago Public Schools students who lack stable housing may be eligible for a one-time payment through a state guaranteed income program.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/18/families-experiencing-homelessness-can-apply-for-up-to-6500-with-no-limit-on-how-its-spent/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/19/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-251/
— Black Caucus angrily responds to Pritzker’s budget proposals: ‘An insult to this entire Black community’
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/19/black-caucus-angrily-responds-to-pritzkers-budget-proposals-an-insult-to-this-entire-black-community/
— Pritzker zeroes out health plan for undocumented immigrants – Slashes welcoming center funding
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/19/pritzker-zeroes-out-health-plan-for-undocumented-immigrants-slashes-welcoming-center-funding/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Irony Concerning ComEd Profit and Mike Madigan’s Conviction
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/irony-concerning-comed-profit-and-mike-madigans-conviction/
— Robotic House Building Inaugurated in Southwest Florida
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/robotic-house-building-inaugurated-in-southwest-florida/
— Pritzker Proposes Easier Township Government Consolidation, Plus Abolition of Township Assessors in Townships Under 5,000 Population
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/pritzker-proposes-easier-township-government-consolidation-plus-abolition-of-township-assessors-in-townships-under-5000-population/
— Reactions to Governor’s Budget Talk
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/reactions-to-governors-budget-talk/
— Algonquin Township Integrity Trustee Team Mail
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/algonquin-township-integrity-trustee-team-mail/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 3
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/the-censures-of-randy-funk-part-3/
JOHN BIVER
— Looking for solutions in all the wrong places
https://johnbiver.com/looking-for-solutions-in-all-the-wrong-places/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump Education Department cancels $226 million in ‘divisive’ diversity grants
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/19/trump-education-department-cancels-226-million-divisive-diversity-gran/
— Trump to sign executive order ending benefits for illegal immigrants
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/19/trump-executive-order-end-benefits-illegal-immigrants/
NEW YORK POST
— McDonald’s to let white students apply for Latino scholarships after DEI lawsuit (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/19/business/mcdonalds-to-let-white-students-to-apply-for-latino-scholarships/
AMERICAN THINKER
— DOGE takes on the Social Security monster
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/02/doge_takes_on_the_social_security_monster.html
BREITBART
— President Trump Blasts Zelensky: ‘A Dictator Without Elections’
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/02/19/president-trump-blasts-zelensky-a-dictator-without-elections/
TOWNHALL
— ‘Game On’ for Democrats in ICE’s Way, Homan Says
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/jeremyfrankel/2025/02/19/tom-homan-to-dems-obstructing-ice-game-on-n2652484
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Pritzker takes jabs at Trump tariffs
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-takes-jabs-trump-tariffs/
FORTUNE
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use DEI to promote more hatred against Republicans.
https://fortune.com/2025/02/19/trump-anti-dei-campaign-hits-universities/
C-SPAN
— Illinois State of the State Address
https://www.c-span.org/program/state-legislature/illinois-state-of-the-state-address/655949
February 18, 2025 Evening Edition
WHITE HOUSE
— EXPANDING ACCESS TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION; ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL AGENCIES
https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— ‘We are the patriots’: Chicago federal employees protest mass firings in Federal Plaza (COMMENT: I have always been a Republican. Virtually all federal employees are Democrats. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years. I share many demographics with Trump. If I was still a federal employee, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates would have killed me by now figuratively if not literally.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/18/federal-employees-protest-mass-firings/
— Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/18/trump-schools-end-dei-programs/
— Trump signs order to study how to expand IVF and calls for ‘radical transparency’ from government
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/18/trump-will-sign-new-executive-orders-while-his-first-joint-tv-interview-with-musk-airs-in-prime-time/
— Soon, if not already, under the Democrats and under the RINOs, everyone in America will be a) handing out welfare and/or b) receiving welfare.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/14/dupage-naperville-homeless-winter-emergency-shelter/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/chicago-immigration-resource-guide
— Trump’s Friday firings leave EPA Chicago office with fewer scientists, staff. Dozens of probationary employees were cut because they didn’t have job protections.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2025/02/18/trump-fires-epa-chicago-scientists-staff-environmental-protection-agency
DAILY HERALD
— Suit asks court to block appointment of McConchie successor in Senate
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250218/illinois-state-politics/suit-asks-court-to-block-appointment-of-mcconchie-successor-in-senate/
— College of DuPage board names top pick for president
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250218/news/college-of-dupage-board-names-top-pick-for-president/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: COD Trustee Andrew Manno, who co-chairs the presidential search committee, told the board last month that it had selected about a dozen or so candidates to appear before the committee for interviews. The committee held those interviews over a span of two days — “over long, long hours” — and was able to narrow the search down to four candidates, Manno said in January. Both the board and the committee agreed to follow a “hybrid confidential approach” to “ensure that COD has the best quality candidates that the country has to offer,” Manno said previously.)
ABC7
— Judge declines to immediately block Elon Musk or DOGE from federal data or layoffs
https://abc7chicago.com/post/white-house-claims-elon-musk-does-not-run-doge-new-filing/15925645/
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-leaders-speak-undocumented-business-owners-deportations-illinois-hispanic-chamber-commerce-offers-legal-adivce/15926782/
NBC5
— Republicans consider cuts, work requirements for Medicaid. Eighty million U.S. adults and children are currently enrolled in the nearly-free health care coverage offered to the poorest Americans.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/health/republicans-consider-cuts-work-requirements-medicaid/3677068/
CBS2
— Mentoring program helping Black high school students prepare for college success (COMMENT: To get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors got rid of my IRS mentor who promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. To get rid of me, my Democrat GAO superiors got rid of my GAO mentor who arranged for my transfer from IRS in 1980 and was finally able to assign me to audits of IRS and to promote me in 1986.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/onegoal-mentoring-program-black-high-school-students-college/
FOX32
— Illinois federal employees protest against Trump’s layoffs. Federal workers held a rally at Federal Plaza in Chicago, protesting planned layoffs under President Donald Trump. The Trump administration offered buyouts to nearly 2 million federal employees, leading to 75,000 resignations. Thousands of probationary workers, including EPA employees, were fired without warning, sparking outrage. (COMMENT: I have always been a Republican. Virtually all federal employees are Democrats. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years. I share many demographics with Trump. If I was still a federal employee, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates would have killed me by now figuratively if not literally.)
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-federal-employees-protest-against-trumps-layoffs
WTTW
— Are You a Federal Worker in Illinois? We Want to Hear From You. (COMMENT: Would WTTW be interested in hearing about how my Democrat GAO superiors used Republican-led budget cuts to waste my career and to force me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997?)
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/17/are-you-federal-worker-illinois-we-want-hear-you
— Fired EPA Workers in Chicago Rally Against Trump’s Mass Government Layoffs
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/18/fired-epa-workers-chicago-rally-against-trump-s-mass-government-layoffs
— Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/18/committee-advances-bill-ban-vehicle-searches-based-smell-cannabis
VERMILION COUNTY FIRST
— Chief Budgeteer Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) joined Illinois Senate Republican Leader Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and Deputy Leader Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) to call on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to commit to transparent accounting of taxpayer spending and to deliver a budget that does not include tax increases on Illinois families and businesses in tomorrow’s address.
https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2025/02/18/illinois-senate-republicans-call-for-no-new-taxes-transparent-accounting-in-budget/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Illinois Republican Senate members say Democrats state budget is flawed
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/watch-live-illinois-republican-senate-members-discuss-budget/
— Florida is rushing to enforce new immigration laws.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-florida-is-rushing-to-enforce-new-immigration-laws-heres-what-to-know/
FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump’s border czar says ICE arrests way up, illegal border crossings way down
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-effect-has-migrants-thinking-twice-about-crossing-the-border-white-house-says-illegal-immigration-border-security-politics-ice-arrests-public-safety
WQAD
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more abortion
https://www.wqad.com/video/news/politics/illinois-politics/planned-parenthood-of-illinois-offering-medication-abortion-pills-through-app/526-3295b9a7-c293-4033-9d3d-4a4e89a2c287
— Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot.
https://www.wqad.com/video/news/politics/illinois-politics/illinois-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-vehicle-searches-based-on-smell-of-cannabis/526-3f033835-2d5d-4df9-b093-e19bb4879010
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Eliminating immigrant spending, boosting education funding top Senate Republican budget priorities. Gov. JB Pritzker set to give budget address Wednesday.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/eliminating-immigrant-spending-boosting-education-funding-top-senate-republican-budget-priorities/
BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Residents, Advocates Fear An Encampment Clearing As Tensions At Gompers Park Rise. Though the city said a planned March 5 moving event doesn’t mean the encampment will be cleared, similar events have led to the dismantling of tent cities, advocates said.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/18/residents-advocates-fear-an-encampment-clearing-as-tensions-at-gompers-park-rise/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/18/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-250/
— Poll unsurprisingly finds Trump/Musk and their actions unpopular in Illinois, except for a close division on immigration (COMMENT: 2.4 million in Illinois voted for Trump/Vance.)
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/18/poll-unsurprisingly-finds-trumpmusk-and-their-actions-unpopular-in-illinois-except-for-a-close-division-on-immigration/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Bill would eliminate property taxes for Illinois homeowners after 30 years of residency (COMMENT: I have lived in Illinois for more than 76 years and in Wheaton for almost 47 years. I have paid real estate taxes for more than 52 years.)
https://www.aol.com/bill-eliminate-property-taxes-illinois-213600444.html
— Pritzker to deliver proposed Illinois budget amid mounting spending pressures
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_d154e64e-ee38-11ef-ad97-eb573b7a9e65.html
— Government efficiency caucus formed
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_1951acf4-ee41-11ef-8dfc-47160dadc270.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Because Secret Service Clearance Is Required Wednesday Deadline to Buy Tickets to See Lara Trump at McHenry County/Joe Tirio Fundraiser
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/because-secret-service-clearance-is-required-wednesday-deadline-to-buy-tickets-to-see-lara-trump/
— Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Danijela Sandberg’s Opponent Prematurely Declares Victory
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/algonquin-township-road-commissioner-danijela-sandbergs-opponent-prematurely-declares-victory/
— Illinois Policy Institute Tees Up Opposition to Progressive Income Tax Proposals by Democrats
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/illinois-policy-institute-tees-up-opposition-to-progressive-income-tax-proposals-by-democrats/
— Looks Like I Was Wrong on Netflix Subject for “Monsters – Season 3”
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/looks-like-i-was-wrong-on-netflix-subject-for-monsters-season-3/
— Grafton Township Republican Party Issues Endorsements for Township Trustee
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/grafton-township-republican-party-issues-endorsements-for-township-trustee/
— Another View of the Replacement Process for State Senator Dan McConchie
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/another-view-of-the-replacement-process-for-state-senator-dan-mcconchie/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 2
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/the-censures-of-randy-funk-part-2/
— McHenry County Administrator Peter Austin Gets 5.3% Raise
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/mchenry-county-administrator-peter-austin-gets-5-3-raise/
ILLINOIS RECORD
— A leaked Video shows the Illinois GOP seemingly lying about their 2024 election get out the vote impact
https://www.illinoisrecord.com/p/a-leaked-video-shows-the-illinois
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Illegal immigrants now paying up to $30,000 as cartels raise prices under Trump
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/18/illegal-immigrants-paying-30-000-cartels-raise-pri/
WASHINGTON EXAMINAR
— CPAC theme: ‘America is back on track’
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/washington-secrets/3322407/cpac-theme-america-back-on-track/
AMERICAN WIRE
— Biden admin doled out 10 BILLION to illegals in just one year, shocking probe finds
https://americanwirenews.com/biden-admin-doled-out-10-billion-to-illegals-in-just-one-year-shocking-probe-finds/
CENTER SQUARE
— New guidance seeks to end use of ‘race preferences, stereotypes’ in school admissions
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_127ef2e4-ee26-11ef-a6c4-878910db08f2.html
— IRS tax gap grows to $600 billion as DOGE looks for savings (COMMENT: I worked for GAO for 3 years 1986-1988 on audits of IRS Criminal Investigation Division efforts to close the tax gap.)
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_ecd0de72-ee0c-11ef-848d-ebb54839938d.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency take a look at one of the federal government’s most-disliked agencies, the Internal Revenue Service, some point to a persistent problem: the tax gap. The tax gap is the difference between what taxpayers pay the IRS voluntarily and on time and what they actually owe the IRS. The projected annual gross tax gap for tax year 2022 was $696 billion, with about $90 billion of that paid late or through IRS enforcement, according to the IRS.)
DAILY WIRE
— Education Dept Slashes $600 Million In Grants Promoting ‘Divisive’ Ideologies. Grants had been training teachers in CRT and gender ideology.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/education-dept-slashes-600-million-in-grants-promoting-divisive-ideologies
FEDERALIST
— United States Should Encourage Less Migration, More Stability
https://thefederalist.com/2025/02/18/former-refugee-the-united-states-should-encourage-less-migration-more-stability/
FOX NEWS
— Vance to speak at CPAC’s opening day. CPAC, which dates back to 1974, is the nation’s oldest and largest annual gathering of conservative leaders and activists.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vice-president-jd-vance-speak-cpacs-opening-day
NEW AMERICAN
— Noem to Illegal Aliens and Would-be Illegals: Get Out, Stay Out, and Don’t Cross the Border
https://thenewamerican.com/us/immigration/noem-to-illegal-aliens-and-would-be-illegals-get-out-stay-out-and-dont-cross-the-border/
NEWSMAX
— If you have a criminal record, you can’t stay here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt8YhNBsLVc
OPEN THE BOOKS
— CASH FOR MIGRANTS: FEMA NOT THE ONLY AGENCY SPENDING BIG. The Office of Refugee Resettlement has faced questions over transparency, conflict of interest.
https://openthebooks.substack.com/p/5f0bfa8c-91b1-4477-baa5-b98ecf340a76?lid=q5u4w2bhnmbt
TOWNHALL
— Homan Has the Perfect Response to AOC ‘Educating’ Illegals on How to Evade ICE
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/madelineleesman/2025/02/18/tom-homan-aoc-update-n2652391
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Trump says he may impose auto tariffs of around 25%
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-auto-tariffs-25-percent/
NEWSWEEK
— Inside the Five-Star Hotel Where Deported Migrants Are Awaiting Their Fate
https://www.newsweek.com/inside-five-star-hotel-where-deported-migrants-are-awaiting-their-fate-2032899
USA TODAY
— Student asks Supreme Court to say he can wear T-shirt saying ‘There are only two genders.’ In past decisions, the Supreme Court has allowed students to wear arm bands in protest of the Vietnam War but not to hold up a “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” banner.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/16/supreme-court-student-two-genders-t-shirt-free-speech/78390509007/
LEADER
— IRS tax gap grows to $600 billion as DOGE looks for savings (COMMENT: I worked for GAO for 3 years 1986-1988 on audits of IRS Criminal Investigation Division efforts to close the tax gap.)
https://www.myleaderpaper.com/news/national/irs-tax-gap-grows-to-600-billion-as-doge-looks-for-savings/article_e3f7dd85-5ace-5b39-a934-9d543adda481.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency take a look at one of the federal government’s most-disliked agencies, the Internal Revenue Service, some point to a persistent problem: the tax gap. The tax gap is the difference between what taxpayers pay the IRS voluntarily and on time and what they actually owe the IRS. The projected annual gross tax gap for tax year 2022 was $696 billion, with about $90 billion of that paid late or through IRS enforcement, according to the IRS. The problem has been around for decades and is growing. From 2014 to 2016, the IRS estimated the tax gap was about $496 billion each year, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.)
ABP
— How Big A Problem Are Illegal Indians For US? 11 Insights From Johns Hopkins Study.
https://news.abplive.com/news/world/how-big-problem-illegal-indians-us-11-insights-johns-hopkins-study-1752190