April 5 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kevin Morrison v. Timothy Schneider: Every vote matters – Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-godfather-20180405-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: One of two Democrats vying to take on Republican Cook County Board Commissioner Timothy Schneider of Bartlett declared victory this week, after he was 12 votes ahead when provisional ballot counting ended Monday. Barring any last-minute hitches before the county election results are certified Tuesday, Kevin Morrison of Elk Grove Village will face Schneider, chairman of the state GOP and an ally of Gov. Rauner, in November. Democrats figure Schneider could be vulnerable, given that Hillary Clinton got 57 percent of the vote in his northwest suburban district in 2016, compared with 37 percent for President Donald Trump. “The status quo isn’t working for our families,” Morrison said in his statement declaring victory in the primary. Schneider enthusiastically cast the state Republican Party’s votes for Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention. On Wednesday, he acknowledged Trump fared poorly in his district, but said that was a countywide phenomenon and not an indication of a broader political shift. “My district is historically Republican, and I believe it will remain that way,” he said. Morrison is a 28-year-old former special projects coordinator for Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg. He’s backed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — a union that Rauner has battled and pejoratively referred to as “Af-Scammy.” Schneider, 62, is a fiscally conservative golf course owner who in 2016 voted against the now-repealed county pop tax and in 2015 against the county’s 1-percentage-point increase in the sales tax. Over the years, he’s also often been the lone “no” vote against county worker labor contracts.)
— Rauner donated ‘The Godfather’ author’s papers to Dartmouth, in an offer it couldn’t refuse
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-godfather-20180405-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s tariffs could help Democrats in midterms.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-tariffs-midterm-election-20180404-story.html
— Wife wants to spend down retirement nest egg – Amy Dickinson (DIERSEN: Do you have “between 1.5 and 2 million dollars” saved for your retirement or are you on track to have that much saved when you retire? I do not have “between 1.5 and 2 million dollars” saved for my retirement because my Democrat superiors in the federal government wasted my career and forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes side with my Democrat superiors in the federal government.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/askamy/ct-ask-amy-ae-0405-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: According to a basic calculator offered on AARP’s website (aarp.org), most people will need the equivalent of 10 to 12 times their base yearly income in order to generate enough income to retire and maintain their lifestyle through retirement. This will differ according to where and how you live. This can amount to between 1.5 and 2 million dollars, based on various factors such as your age, your health and other financial obligations.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “L cars, whiskey, soybeans and more: Illinois products could be socked by Chinese tariffs as trade dispute escalates.”)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-china-tariffs-reaction-20180404-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Sinclair is NOT buying the Chicago Tribune” and asks “But is it hiring?”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/huppke/ct-met-sinclair-television-news-huppke-20180404-story.html
— Keep the census nonpartisan – Penny Pritzker and Carlos Gutterrez (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally. Ever-increasingly, Democrats use illegals to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, and governments that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20180405/282686162791762
— Mexico starts giving caravan migrants transit visas – AP (DIERSEN: How soon will Mexico officially declare war on America? Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America a) by its illegally sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally, b) by its illegally keeping many millions of its citizens in America illegally, and c) by its illegally sending mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-bc-lt–mexico-migrant-caravan-20180404-story.html
— Pfleger warns America will ‘go to hell’ if it does not follow Martin Luther King’s legacy – Kim Janssen (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who hint/imply/argue/shout that following King’s legacy is to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-pfleger-0405-chicago-inc-20180404-story.html
— Lawsuit abuse in Illinois gets lost amid state’s other many problems – Dan McCaleb (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, and especially those who I have filed lawsuits against, demonize me, denigrate me, and condemn me as being litigious. They stress that those who dominate the Republican Party in America, in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, and in Wheaton a) side with businesses, b) side with self-employed, and c) side with employers and a) side against consumers and b) side against employees, and that all the lawsuits that I have filed have been a) against businesses, b) self-employed, or c) against employers. I should write a book about the lawsuits that I have filed.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-mccaleb-column-st-0401-20180330-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats promote Castens.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/democrats-hosting-fundraisers-to-bolster-castens-challenge-to-rep-roskam/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Sinclair’s journalists should stand up for journalism, reject company scripts.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/sinclairs-journalists-should-stand-up-for-journalism-reject-company-scripts/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Two tariffs on Canadian newsprint threaten good journalism.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/tariffs-canadian-newsprint-threaten-chicago-journalism-newspapers-illinois-press-association-sam-fisher/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Former Elgin water director files discrimination complaint – Elena Ferrarin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180404/former-elgin-water-director-files-discrimination-complaint

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Davis: Wait and see if U.S., China can reach trade agreement – RYAN VOYLES (DIERSEN: The eternal optimist that I have always been, while I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, I always hoped that opportunities for advancement would improve for employees who shared my demographics, but I was wrong.)
http://www.pantagraph.com/business/farming/davis-wait-and-see-if-u-s-china-can-reach/article_1ae2e9a5-176c-5fa5-901b-e0dfe4d99d1a.html

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— U.S. Rep. Davis touts tax reform benefits at Decatur McDonald’s – RYAN VOYLES
https://herald-review.com/news/local/u-s-rep-davis-touts-tax-reform-benefits-at-decatur/article_76b4df6c-9323-5976-804d-a4d80be8d7f4.html

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — Fake news vs. ‘Fake news’ – Kathleen Parker (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all news is fake except for the news that they put out or bless.)
    http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/national/kathleen-parker-breaking-fake-news-vs-fake-news/article_82a77436-af3f-58b5-bb6f-8e53d5534360.html

 

MCDONOUGH VOICE
— Western Illinois University CPA program announces high exam pass rate – Jared DuBach (DIERSEN: In 1979, my Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt. In 1976, they were furious when I earned an MBA from Loyola. My passing the CPA examination and earning an MBA frustrated their efforts to demonize me, denigrate me, and condemn me as being stupid, lazy, and even worse things. In 1980, my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when I earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. In 1981, they were furious when I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt and became a licensed CPA. They were furious in 1990 when I became a Certified Fraud Examiner, in 1994 when I became a Certified Government Financial Manager, in 1996 when I became a Certified Financial Services Auditor, in 1997 when I became a Forensic Accountant, and in 1997, when I earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT. They were furious because the aforesaid frustrated their efforts to demonize me, denigrate me, and condemn me as being stupid, lazy, and even worse things.)
http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/20180404/educational-excellence-and-personal-growth

 

WJBC
— Pritzker hard to pin down on tax plan – Howard Packowitz
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/04/05/pritzker-hard-to-pin-down-on-tax-plan/

 

ILLINOIS TIMES
— Rosanna Pulido: The anti-welcome lady A veteran immigration fighter finds her voice in Springfield – Fletcher Farrar
http://illinoistimes.com/article-19857-the-anti-welcome-lady.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rosanna Pulido was nearly unknown in Springfield until last fall when she emerged as the strongest citizen voice opposing the city council resolution to make Springfield a “Welcoming City.” The resolution is positive, progressive and innocuous, with phrases like, “the City of Springfield is committed to continue building a neighborly and welcoming atmosphere in our community, where all are welcome, accepted and appreciated.” But to Pulido, there is nothing innocuous about opening the city’s doors to immigrants and refugees, who she equates with “illegal aliens.” Her arguments that the resolution would be a foot in the door leading to all kinds of harm, from increased crime to increased costs for public services, helped persuade aldermen to table the resolution on a 7-3 vote, with Mayor Jim Langfelder, the son of an immigrant, announcing his opposition as well. She is well known nationally for her past anti-immigrant activism in Chicago. Pulido has only recently become vocal in Springfield, where she moved three years ago. She had spent several years caring for her parents in their final years – first her mother until her death, then her father. After the death of her father, who lived in Texas, she accepted the offer of a friend for whom she had been maid of honor to stay at her home in LaSalle County while she was deciding what to do next. Pulido found peace and quiet there, then moved to Springfield. She speaks of wanting to retire, perhaps from activism, but still has some fight left, now that the national mood seems headed in her direction. “I love Donald Trump,” she says. “He’s with me on immigration. I’ve been battling that since 2003 – fighting, fighting, fighting. Now I see a ray of hope.” In 2001 a friend who was police chief helped her land a job as police dispatcher in Northfield, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. She was appalled when a police detective brought in four different fake IDs, each one slightly different, from a crime suspect who had been arrested. “That opened my eyes to what was going on,” she said. Soon there was a movement to “give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens” and she became active in the fight against that. In 2005 she joined the national group the Minuteman Project in its gathering of some 1,200 volunteers on the Arizona-Mexico border for a citizens patrol to prevent Mexicans from illegally crossing into the U.S. Upon her return she organized an Illinois chapter of the Minutemen. The Minuteman Project has been called a “hate group” for its zeal in the fight against undocumented immigrants. Is it a hate group? “We’re all just regular people,” Pulido says. Over the years she’s associated with other groups accused of being hate groups, including the Federation for American Immigration Reform, for which she is now state adviser. Labeling groups as hate groups is “the way they do things now,” she says. “Everything is blown out of proportion. I’m not going to worry about it.” She then names several left-leaning groups that oppose her point of view. “They’re hate groups. They’re anti-American. They want to change America and our way of life.” Much of Pulido’s public record of controversial statements comes from her 2009 run for Congress as the Republican nominee in the special election to fill the seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel, a race she lost to Democrat Mike Quigley. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has listed her statements on two fact sheets titled, “The Real Hate in the Debate.” “They hate me,” she says of ICIRR. But she doesn’t deny the statements the group attributes to her, one of which is an off-color joke about gays she had posted on the internet before she began her political campaign. “I made a joke about gays,” she tells me in our interview. “I’m not perfect. I’m going to screw up. I make mistakes.” She says her joke was brought up at a campaign appearance at a gay bar. “I told them I did it, and if I offended anybody I’m sorry. The whole gay bar stood up and gave me a standing ovation.” In Chicago she accused the Catholic church of deliberately luring illegal immigrants to support Catholic social programs. “If the church succeeds in their mission, they will destroy the United States of America,” she said in testimony to an Illinois House committee. “That’s absolutely true,” she says now, while insisting she is not anti-Catholic, having attended a Catholic grade school and an all-girls Catholic high school. No longer Catholic, she is now an evangelical Christian, but she admires her father for remaining a staunch Catholic to the end. She also had posted a comment about Muslims praying. “It reminds me of my dog, smelling butts,” she wrote in 2003. She apologized for that also during the campaign. “Because I’m human. I make mistakes.” She said conservatives make jokes among themselves that may not be appropriate for a wider audience. “If I were with other Hispanics, I could make jokes about Hispanics,” she told me. I asked her if she is a bigot. “I’m a Mexican,” she replies. “I can’t be bigoted.” Pulido often refers to her Mexican heritage, though she was born in Chicago and her parents were both born in Texas. When I asked in an email how far back are her Mexican roots, her reply said in part, “We’re all immigrants from somewhere,” with a clip of President Bill Clinton in 1995 saying it is wrong for a “nation of immigrants” to permit abuse of immigration laws. In Springfield, Pulido may get her second wind. “I’m not afraid to speak out,” she says. “I am not afraid.”)

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Algonquin Township and Road District facing FOIA Lawsuit – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/04/algonquin-township-and-road-district-facing-foia-lawsuit/

 

ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Post-primary poll has Rauner down 22 points (DIERSEN: In Illinois, almost always, when Republican candidates lose in general elections, they blame those who supported their opponents in primary elections. In Illinois, almost always, Republicans who win in primary elections, but lose in general elections, fail/refuse to defend/advance the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and/or other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform.)
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-post-primary-poll-has-rauner-down-22-points/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A new poll taken after Illinois’s bruising gubernatorial primary does not have good news for Governor Bruce Rauner, who is losing to Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker by 22 points in the survey. Perhaps even more ominously, Rauner’s unfavorable ratings are double his favorable. Polling like this one, by Odgen & Fry, have led analysts to rate Rauner the country’s most vulnerable governor. A Politico analysis takes note of the strong challenge waged by Republican primary opponent, State Rep. Jeanne Ives, who Politico wrote, ran “incendiary television ads aimed at turning conservatives against the incumbent.” Rauner barely won the primary. Last month, a poll found Rauner is even much less liked than President Donald Trump statewide. Rauner’s favorable rating has sunk to an epic low with just 26% of Illinois voters saying they have a favorable view of the Governor. 63% have an unfavorable view. Meanwhile President Donald Trump has a favorability of 37% of voters statewide, while 58% rated him unfavorably. Among just Republican voters, the poll found that just 49% view Rauner favorably, while President Trump’s scores 73% favorable among those voters. “That’s just spectacularly lousy for a governor who isn’t under criminal investigation,” said Illinois political blogger Rich Miller, of the results. In June, an overview of governors’ races by the respected non-partisan political prognosticator The Cook Report agreed with Politico’s view and labeled Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner as the most vulnerable incumbent seeking re-election in 2018. The analysis noted that “Rauner has been under siege for much of his term,” due to his failure to pass a state budget.)

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Banning and Confiscating Guns in Deerfield, Illinois – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/banning-and-confiscating-guns-in-deerfield-illinois/
https://illinoisfamily.org/podcast/podcast-banning-and-confiscating-guns-in-deerfield-illinois/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner accused of “blatant cover up”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/04/05/rauner-accused-of-blatant-cover-up/

 

GOPUSA
— Parkland students say depression setting in, ‘a lot of us are not doing well’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=43035

 

NEWSMAX
— Amazon Bans Ad for Pro-Trump Book (DIERSEN: Amazon is a Democrat company.)
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/amazon-bans-advertising-trump/2018/04/04/id/852617/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Orange County Plunges Into Trumpworld With Immigrant Detainer Battle – Raoul Lowery-Contreras (DIERSEN: What has your county done that shows that it wants to enforce federal immigration laws?)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/05/orange-county-immigrant-detainer-battle/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Supporters of President Donald Trump in Orange County California could not deliver their famous Republican county for Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Part of the reason was that the county seat, the city of Santa Ana, was and is the second largest Mexican-American city in the country after San Antonio, Texas. Trump barely scored 20 percent with Hispanic voters around the country — and probably less in California. Now, 17 months after Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton swamped Trump in California by 4 million votes and Orange County by 102,000, Orange County’s allegedly conservative political leaders are rebelling against the governor and legislature that have passed laws making the state a “sanctuary” state; that is, affording some illegal immigrants protection from federal law enforcement. President Trump is cheering the county sheriff and county board by tweets like an energetic girl cheerleader who starts her day with two expressos. Orange County is rebelling against the state of California that passed into law prohibitions of state employees and private businesses from actively helping federal authorities violate federal court orders on immigration sweeps and detention of prisoners until the federal government gets around to securing judge-signed arrest warrants. Some observers wonder how the Orange County Board of Supervisors can sue the state when, in fact, California counties are mere subdivisions of the state. Specifically, how can Orange County sue when the very actions the Trump administration wants to implement in California have been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge? The Los Angeles Times: “A federal judge in Los Angeles has ruled that police departments violate the Constitution if they detain inmates at the request of immigration agents…U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte Jr. found that…the constitutional rights of inmates who were kept in custody at the behest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (their rights were violated)…police cannot legally honor such detainer requests from ICE…‘officers have no authority to arrest individuals for civil immigration offenses, and thus, detaining individuals beyond their date for release violated the individuals’ Fourth Amendment rights.” So, what is Orange County up to? The county sheriff’s department has come up with a way that is side-stepping the state law (SB 54) that limits cooperation between the sheriff and the federal government. The department is publishing a list of all inmates with their release dates on the internet.)
— Killing Someone Over A Racial Slur Is Still Murder – Scott Greer
http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/04/racism-defense-murder/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Unhinged snowflakes and the targeting of YouTube – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/04/unhinged_snowflakes_and_the_targeting_of_youtube.html

 

THE HILL
— Kelly said to be losing influence with Trump – NIALL STANAGE (DIERSEN: Who has the most influence with those who run your municipality, your township/ward, your county, and Illinois?)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/381713-the-memo-kelly-said-to-be-losing-influence-with-trump

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Thousands of Google employees, including dozens of senior engineers, side with America’s enemies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/technology/google-letter-ceo-pentagon-project.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s easy campaign promises run into the difficulties of reality.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-easy-campaign-promises-run-into-the-difficulties-of-reality/2018/04/04/410dcb3a-3820-11e8-acd5-35eac230e514_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: GAO says “implicit racial bias causes black boys to be disciplined at school more than whites.” But wait, Democrats run public education in America and Democrats crow that they give preferential treatment to Blacks.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/04/05/implicit-racial-bias-causes-black-boys-to-be-disciplined-at-school-more-than-whites-federal-report-finds/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Facebook Data on 87 Million Users May Have Been Improperly Shared Mark Zuckerberg says he made a ‘huge mistake’ in not focusing on protecting privacy of user data – Georgia Wells and John D. McKinnon (DIERSEN: Facebook is a Democrat website. What data does Facebook have on you that your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes use against you? For me, that data includes that I am a Trump supporter, Protestant (baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, old (born in 1948), non-poor, gun owner, 100% German American, my ancestors have been in America since 1844, federal retiree, former union member, childless, pet-less, American nameplate car owner, etc.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mark-zuckerberg-to-testify-before-house-committee-on-april-11-1522844990
— DeVos Hears Arguments on Obama-Era School Discipline Policy concerns allegedly disproportionate actions against African-American, Hispanic students – Michelle Hackman
https://www.wsj.com/articles/devos-hears-arguments-on-obama-era-school-discipline-1522880275
— Navigating the rules of office engagement in the #MeToo era, males seek guidance on mentoring women without crossing a line – John Simons (DIERSEN: What happened to your mentors? In 1975, my Democrat IRS superiors got rid of my mentor who had promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. In 1987, my Democrat GAO superiors got rid of my mentor who had hired me in 1980, got me assigned to audits of IRS in 1986, and promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/men-learn-how-to-be-allies-without-fear-to-female-colleagues-1522849814

 

FINANCIAL TIMES

— Don’t get distracted. John Bolton is a huge threat –
SIMON KUPER (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, the articles linked in those emails, my comments on those articles, and upcoming events are huge distractions. My critics/opponents want to you to rely on them, and only them, to provide you with all the information that you need.)

https://www.ft.com/content/476adbc2-379d-11e8-8eee-e06bde01c544

 

ATLANTIC
— Why Big Business Isn’t Defending Amazon Against Trump Many of the administration’s policies have been favorable to corporate America. The tradeoff? A president committed to publicly stoning companies that cross him. – RONALD BROWNSTEIN (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Why do those who say that they are religious, conservative, and/or Republican do not defend me? ANSWER: They are not really religious, conservative, and/or Republican; my critics/opponents have threatened to destroy them if they defend me; and/or my critics/opponents have offered them a bribe if they do not defend me.)
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/04/why-big-business-isnt-defending-amazon-against-trump/557264/

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— DeVos joins debate on racial inequities in school discipline – AP (DIERSEN: If school discipline should be equal based on the child’s race, why not then also equal based on the child’s political affiliation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, language, religion, health, height, weight, BMI, hair color, eye color, parents’ income, parents’ net worth, length of time ancestors have been in America, etc.?)
https://federalnewsradio.com/government-news/2018/04/devos-reviews-obama-discipline-rule-with-educators/

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.