December 23 Evening Edition

ABC7

— Oak Brook mall shooting: Shots fired inside mall, police say
https://abc7chicago.com/oak-brook-mall-shooting-center-news/11378018/
— Illinois COVID cases: IL reports 18,942 new cases, highest since pandemic began, and 78 deaths
https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-covid-testing-test-chicago/11376632/
— COVID cancelling Christmas, families opting for virtual holiday: ‘Life does not go as planned’ – Leah Hope
https://abc7chicago.com/covid-christmas-cancels-surge-omicron/11377801/

NBC5
— Large Police Presence Responds to Incident at Oakbrook Center
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/large-police-presence-responds-to-incident-at-oakbrook-center/2714762/

CBS2
— Active Shooter Reported At Oakbrook Center Mall
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/12/23/breaking-active-shooter-reported-at-oakbrook-center-mall/

FOX32
— Illinois reports 77,246 new COVID-19 cases this week
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-reports-77246-new-covid-19-cases-this-past-week-idph
— Illinois state senator who was carjacked: ‘It was like I was in a scene from a movie’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-state-senator-who-was-carjacked-it-was-like-i-was-in-a-scene-from-a-movie
— Orland Park mayor calls new Cook County COVID-19 restrictions ‘unlawful’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/orland-park-mayor-calls-new-cook-county-covid-19-restrictions-unlawful
— Illinois state representative Mary Flowers criticizes Lightfoot’s vaccine mandate: ‘a bad idea’ – Mike Flannery
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-state-representative-criticizes-lightfoots-vaccine-mandate-a-bad-idea

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— In 2021, violence spread into Chicago neighborhoods that normally enjoy a sense of security, rattling nerves and putting city leaders on the defensive – ANNIE SWEENEY and PAIGE FRY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-chicago-2021-gun-violence-20211223-ojymqhxao5czzi33rh5mc4bdvq-htmlstory.html
— State Sen. Kimberly Lightford’s husband exchanged gunfire with at least one suspect during carjacking earlier this week, police say – JEREMY GORNER
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-kimberly-lightford-carjacking-husband-gun-20211223-w4rinvrssbhtlhu4eqs6npjdji-story.html
— Does Mayor Lightfoot have fresh solutions for Chicago’s violence? – David Greising, President and CEO, Better Government Association.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-chicago-violence-lightfoot-20211223-4kppqmroxzct7e7vb6n4cmv2ue-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Illinois Senate majority leader says husband fired shots after they were carjacked. Sen. Kimberly Lightford and her husband, Eric McKennie, were robbed of a Mercedes SUV on Tuesday night in Broadview. – Frank Main
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2021/12/23/22851976/kimberly-lightford-carjacking-husband-fired-shots-gun-concealed-carry-permit-broadview
— ‘They made a promise,’ but CPS slow to act on changing slaveholder school names. A top schools official vowed to make changes after the Sun-Times revealed 30 Chicago schools were named for slaveholders. A year later, one school has been renamed. – Lauren FitzPatrick
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/12/23/22850165/cps-slaveholder-school-names-maurice-swinney-chicago-public-schools-name-change-hancock-college-prep

DAILY HERALD
— 4 people hurt, 1 in custody after shots fired inside Oakbrook Center mall, police say
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20211223/shots-fired-inside-oakbrook-center-mall-police-say
— Congratulating Trump on his embrace of COVID-19 vaccines – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20211223/editorial-congratulating-trump-on-his-embrace-of-covid-19-vaccines

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The revolving door spins at the Statehouse. Even before the first nominating petition is filed or ballot is cast, 2022 will bring turnover in the Illinois General Assembly. Here’s a rundown of who’s heading for the exits.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/juice/statehouse-turnover-entering-2022-latest-juice-springfield-memo

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Carjacked Pennsylvania Democrat lawmaker backed replacing police with mental health professionals – Haris Alic
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/dec/23/mary-gay-scanlon-carjacked-pa-lawmaker-championed-/

FOX BUSINESS
— Big government socialism is not the America we love. Trump left Biden a ‘silver platter’ that he has tarnished ‘beyond recognition’ – Larry Kudlow
https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/kudlow-big-government-socialism-is-not-the-america-we-love

GOPUSA
— Joe Caves To Radical Left; Extends Student Debt To May
https://www.gopusa.com/joe-caves-to-radical-left-extends-student-debt-to-may/
— Biden Says He’s Making 500 Million COVID Test Kits Available For Free But Hasn’t Even Signed A Contract To Buy Them
https://www.gopusa.com/biden-says-hes-making-500-million-covid-test-kits-available-for-free-but-hasnt-even-signed-a-contract-to-buy-them/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Did two Democrat politicians just get mugged by reality? – Andrea Widburg
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/12/did_two_democrat_politicians_just_get_mugged_by_reality.html

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Morning Greatness: Biden Says He Will Run Again if He’s in ‘Good Health’ – Liz Sheld
https://amgreatness.com/2021/12/23/morning-greatness-biden-says-he-will-run-again-if-hes-in-good-health/

BREITBART
— Illinois Rep. Schakowsky Contracts Coronavirus: I’m ‘Vaccinated and Received the Booster’ – HANNAH BLEAU
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/12/23/illinois-rep-schalowsky-contracts-coronavirus-im-vaccinated-and-received-the-booster/

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— DeSantis Moves To Oust Red China From Florida Retirement Investments – George Rasley
https://www.conservativehq.org/post/desantis-moves-to-oust-red-china-from-florida-retirement-investments

CHRISTIANITY TODAY
— Christians Protest Against Satanic Display Satanists Placed Beside Nativity Scene In Illinois Capitol – ANTON CARILLO
https://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/14379/20211223/christians-protest-against-satanic-display-satanists-placed-beside-nativity-scene-in-illinois-capitol.htm

DAILY SIGNAL
— 12 People Canceled by the Left After Expressing Conservative Views – Douglas Blair
(COMMENT: I should write a book about those who cancel me and cancel my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters for my conservative views. I would focus on a) past and present leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization, b) past and present Republican leaders of Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, Wheaton Park District, and Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, c) conservative and religious leaders, d) Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct, their political consultants, major donors, fundraisers, pollsters, campaign managers, campaign staff members, and campaign volunteers, and e) those who I have sued.)
https://www.dailysignal.com/2021/09/19/12-people-canceled-by-the-left-after-expressing-conservative-views/

HOT AIR
— Illinois state senator supports defund the police efforts, then karma struck – KAREN TOWNSEND
https://hotair.com/karen-townsend/2021/12/23/illinois-state-senator-supports-defund-the-police-efforts-then-karma-struck-n437312

PJ MEDIA
— ‘Nobody Wants This Crap’: DeSantis Champions Bill Allowing Parents, Employees to Sue Over CRT Harm – ATHENA THORNE
(COMMENT: Expect that ever-increasingly, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Independents, and RINOs will get rid of you if you do not promote CRT.)
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/athena-thorne/2021/12/23/nobody-wants-this-crap-desantis-champions-bill-allowing-parents-employees-to-sue-over-crt-harm-n1543944

EPOCH TIMES
— Antifa Threatens Downers Grove Dad Who Opposes Sexually Explicit Books at Schools – Cara Ding
https://www.theepochtimes.com/antifa-threatens-illinois-dad-who-opposes-sexually-explicit-books-at-schools_4175415.html
— ‘Stop W.O.K.E.’ Act: DeSantis Gives Florida Parents Another Tool ‘To Fight Back Against Woke Indoctrination’ – Patricia Tolson
(COMMENT: I should write a book about those who paint themselves as being woke and who have taken adverse actions against me. I would focus on a) past and present leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization, b) past and present Republican leaders of Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, Wheaton Park District, and Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, c) conservative and religious leaders, d) Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct, their political consultants, major donors, fundraisers, pollsters, campaign managers, campaign staff members, and campaign volunteers, and e) those who I have sued.)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/stop-w-o-k-e-act-desantis-gives-florida-parents-another-tool-to-fight-back-against-woke-indoctrination_4163761.html
— US Secret Service Investigating Hundreds of Fraud Cases Linked to Funds for Pandemic Relief – Naveen Athrappully
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-secret-service-investigating-hundreds-of-fraud-cases-linked-to-funds-for-pandemic-relief_4174188.html

THE HILL
— Taking aim at critical race theory, Ron DeSantis grabs reins of the conservative movement – MIKE GONZALEZ
https://thehill.com/opinion/education/587098-taking-aim-at-critical-race-theory-ron-desantis-grabs-reins-of-the

NEWSWEEK
— ‘The Great Exodus’: Superintendents Resigned in Droves as Culture Wars Hit Schools in 2021 – KATHERINE FUNG
https://www.newsweek.com/great-exodus-superintendents-resigned-droves-culture-wars-hit-schools-2021-1662382
— Vaccine Mandate Protesters Turned Away From Trump Tower Restaurant Requiring COVID Shots – MEGHAN ROOS
https://www.newsweek.com/vaccine-mandate-protesters-turned-away-trump-tower-restaurant-requiring-covid-shots-1662872

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Unions, States and Parents Fight Over New Laws on History Lessons, Books. Teachers fret as hundreds of books are pulled from school libraries; union pledges to challenge every new law. – Kris Maher
https://www.wsj.com/articles/unions-states-and-parents-fight-over-new-laws-on-history-lessons-books-11640268001

BLOOMBERG LAW
— Low-Level Pot Crime No Cause for Deportation, Appeals Court Says. Trafficking small quantities doesn’t show ‘moral turpitude’ Dissent says ‘nothing more depraved’ than drug trafficking – Mike Leonard
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar-and-criminal-law/low-level-pot-crime-no-cause-for-deportation-appeals-court-says

NEWS ONE
— GOP Candidate Mellissa Carone Says Government Wants To ‘Eliminate The White People’ Critical Race Theory – Zack Linly
(COMMENT: Ever-increasingly, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Independents, and RINOs use CRT to get rid of Republicans once and for all.)
https://newsone.com/4264939/mellissa-carone-crt-white-people-conspiracy-theory/

NATION WORLD NEWS
— COMMENT: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters illegally encourage citizens of foreign countries to illegally come to America illegally with their children.
https://nationworldnews.com/us-reunites-100-children-taken-from-their-parents-under-trump/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Voters Against ‘Zuckerbucks’ Influencing Elections
(COMMENT: According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, I negatively influence elections. They hint/imply/argue/shout that I caused all the losses that Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct have lost since 2000. They demonize, denigrate, and condemn what I have done since as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000 and as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999 and what I did raising funds from DuPage County Republicans so that they could help sponsor Wheaton’s Independence Day parades and fireworks 2005-2019, and my serving as a) the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman 2005-2012, b) a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, c) the Milton Township Republican Organization webmaster 2008-2010, d) an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and e) an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2000-2004.)
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/december_2021/voters_against_zuckerbucks_influencing_elections

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.