December 30 Evening Edition

ABC7
— VP-ELECT MIKE PENCE VISITS CHICAGO FOR FUNDRAISER – Diane Pathieu and Laura Podesta
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/vp-elect-mike-pence-visits-chicago-for-fundraiser/1678382/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Vice President-elect Mike Pence was in Chicago Friday for a fundraiser at the Chicago Club. The fundraiser drew GOP heavy hitters, but dozens protested Pence’s arrival, too. The vice president-elect avoided those protests his motorcade entered through a secure area blocked off to the public by police and secret service. Once inside the Chicago Club, people who attended the private fundraiser said Pence was upbeat and thankful. Vice President elect-Mike Pence was in good spirits — smiling and waving — as he left a private fundraiser at the Chicago Club Friday. Several Illinois Republican leaders were among the 60 in attendance. “It was very upbeat. Raised a lot money for the Republican National Committee. He talked about his experience on the road, and the campaign,” said Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. Governor Bruce Rauner was traveling for the holiday season and was not in attendance. Those who were there said Pence kept it light, and did not go into topics like job creation, even though that’s what Tim Schneider, Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, said he hopes Pence will bring to our state. “People are leaving because there are no jobs. I think we need to bring jobs back to those communities were people have choices; and don’t choose to join gangs and do those types of things. Give them a job,” Schneider said. Kirk Dillard is chair of the Regional Transit Authority, which oversees the CTA, Metra, and Pace is ready to lobby Pence into spending more money on railroad infrastructure. “I clearly want Governor Pence, whose father was a bus driver in Chicago, to understand the need for mass transit like we have in Chicago,” Dillard said. Throughout the duration of the two hour fundraiser protesters chanted and held signs outside. Betty Virginia Holcomb is concerned with Pence’s track record of wanting to defund Planned Parenthood and restrict access to abortions. “Mike Pence has already put in place restrictive actions in the state of Indiana that restrict women’s access to reproductive rights and other types of healthcare,” she said. Glenn Pannell, who looks remarkably similar to the VP-elect, came all the way from New York to take a stand and support Planned Parenthood and LGBTQ organizations. “Mike Pence is out here raising money for the next four years…I’m out here raising money and awareness for people and causes that are important to me and unimportant to Mike Pence,” Pannell said. Tickets for the fundraiser cost $2,700 and up. The event raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that will go to the Republican National Committee to pay for multiple transition costs. As far as those protesters, they said they will be back out Saturday holding a demonstration in front of Trump Tower.)
— CELL-PHONE THIEVES TARGET DRIVERS SITTING IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO TRAFFIC – Diane Pathieu
http://abc7chicago.com/news/thieves-target-drivers-sitting-in-downtown-chicago-traffic/1679018/

 

NBC5
— Pence’s Chicago Visit Raises About $1M, Draws Protests
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Vice-President-Elect-Pence-to-Attend-Chicago-Fundraiser-408759915.html
— Illinois’ Stopgap Budget Expires at the End of the Year  But what does that mean for Illinois residents? – Tom Schuba
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Illinois-Stopgap-Budget-Expires-at-the-End-of-the-Year-408814475.html

 

CBS2
— Scores Of Protesters Greet Pence At GOP Fundraiser In Chicago – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/12/30/scores-of-protesters-greet-pence-at-gop-fundraiser-in-chicago/
— Trump Presidency Raises Concerns About Constitutional Limits – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/12/30/trump-presidency-raises-concerns-about-constitutional-limits/

 

WGN TV
— Protesters march against Pence and incoming administration at Chicago fundraiser
http://wgntv.com/2016/12/30/protesters-march-against-pence-and-incoming-administration-at-chicago-fundraiser/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Pence’s Chicago fundraiser met by protesters – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-mike-pence-chicago-fundraiser-met-1231-20161230-story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/92231708-132.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Vice President-elect Mike Pence appeared at a Chicago fundraiser Friday where the Illinois GOP hoped to raise as much as $1 million for the Republican National Committee. On the host committee for the $2,700-per-ticket fundraiser were some of Illinois’ most prominent Republicans, including Gov. Bruce Rauner, seven of the eight Illinois GOP congressmen and Ron Gidwitz, a businessman who led President-elect Donald Trump’s Illinois campaign fundraising effort. The Indiana governor arrived in the Loop shortly before 11 a.m. and entered the Chicago Club through a back door not visible from the barricaded sidewalks in front of the building. Pence was not greeted by protesters, although they arrived later while he was inside. Illinois Republican Chairman Tim Schneider said a fractured state party during the primary season has since coalesced around Trump and Pence. “Chicago is the hub of the Midwest and it’s also very close to his roots in Indiana, so he can draw from those folks who are supporters from Indiana,” said Schneider, a Cook County commissioner, of Pence’s visit to the city. “I think we have a great number of supporters here in Chicago who believe in this new Trump-Pence administration, and that’s why they’re here.” Not listed as part of the host committee were U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and U.S. Rep. Robert Dold of Kenilworth, who distanced themselves from Trump but ultimately lost their re-election bids last month. Rauner has been reluctant to even say Trump’s name, which didn’t stop Democrats from cobbling together a TV attack ad during the fall attempting to link the governor to the GOP standard bearer. Rauner confirmed that he has spoken to Trump since the election. Rauner did not attend the event, however, as he had traveled out West with his family. About 150 protesters gathered at Michigan Avenue and Van Buren Street. Many of them waved signs that read “We say no to racism, sexism & war!” Among the chants they repeated: “Our bodies, our lives, our right to decide!” and “Racist, sexist, anti-gay! Mike Pence go away!” and “No Trump, no Pence! No KKK! No fascist USA!”There was, however, a Trump supporter who responded to the chants through a megaphone of his own. The man, who only would identify himself by the fake name of “Alexander Hamilton,” was approached by a handful of demonstrators who screamed and cursed at him as a Chicago police officer watched nearby. “Donald Trump will make America great again!” the man chanted over and over again. A Republican official indicated the fundraiser was expected to raise $500,000 to $1 million. Those making the maximum $33,400 contribution got a roundtable and photo with Pence, while those contributing $10,000 got a photo with him.)
— The Tiger Marching Band from Olivet Nazarene University will perform in the inaugural parade Jan. 20 after President-elect Donald Trump takes office – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-illinoisans-trump-ianuguration-parade-met-1230-20161230-story.html

— Expect Rauner opponent to face political attacks – Scott Reeder
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-reeder-column-st-0101-20161230-story.html
— Top Republicans say there’s a medical malpractice crisis. Experts say there isn’t. – Chad Terhune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-malpractice-2097ad2c-cead-11e6-b8a2-8c2a61b0436f-20161230-story.html
— Bad things happen when the swamp is drained – Adam Rosenblatt
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-drain-the-swamp-20161230-story.html
— Heroin-related deaths up 42% in 2016 in Will County; DuPage numbers still out – Bill Bird
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/crime/ct-nvs-naperville-heroin-abuse-statistics-st-0101-20161230-story.html
— Oak Park, Evanston led Cook County in election turnout
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/news/ct-oak-park-voter-turnout-tl-1230-20161230-story.html
— New mayor, downtown development and school construction big issues for Aurora in 2017 – Steve Lord and Sarah Freishtat
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-look-ahead-st-0101-20161230-story.html
— Lottery’s scratch-off payouts got little state oversight – Joe Mahr, Matthew Walberg and Angie Leventis Lourgos
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-illinois-lottery-privatization-met-20161230-story.html
— How to stop guns, gangs and poverty? Chicago seeks solutions after violent 2016 – Annie Sweeney, Steve Schmadeke and Jason Meisner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-violence-solutions-met-20161230-story.html
— Losing city friends in your 30s for a ‘burb life – Emily Perschbacher
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/sc-transient-essay-family-0103-20161227-story.html
— A stronger economy won’t save obsolete jobs – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-jobs-robots-automation-economy-manufacturing-perspec-0101-20161230-column.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pence’s Chicago visit raises about $1M, draws protests – AP
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/pences-chicago-visit-raises-about-1m-draws-protests/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: Who says “Tax legal pot and pay off pension debt.” ANSWER: Those who are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/kadner-tax-legal-pot-and-pay-off-pension-debt/
— Illinois’ partial budget ends with new year; deal not near – AP
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/illinois-partial-budget-ends-with-new-year-deal-not-near/
— Crooked pol’s pension take was $2M; now widow collects – Robert Herguth
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs-crooked-pols-pension-take-was-2m-now-widow-collects/
— Pfleger planning Michigan Avenue anti-violence rally on Saturday
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pfleger-planning-michigan-avenue-anti-violence-rally-on-saturday/
DAILY HERALD
— Lisle, Warrenville residents pushing for annexation to Naperville – Bob Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161230/news/161239939/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Naperville could become a much, much larger city if some residents in at least three neighboring towns have their way. Apparently spurred by the recent emphasis on government consolidation in DuPage County, residents in Lisle and Warrenville are circulating petitions to place referendum questions on the April 4 ballot to measure support for proposals to annex their communities to Naperville. A similar petition has been rumored to be circulating in Woodridge. Officials in all four towns said Friday they don’t know what’s behind the effort and stress that the complexities and likely resistance to such consolidations make them extremely unlikely. Lisle Mayor Joseph Broda said he first heard about the push earlier this month when Warrenville officials contacted leaders in all three towns — along with Woodridge — to alert them to the petition drives. “It’s hard to figure this one out,” Broda said. Warrenville Mayor David Brummel says he would oppose any effort to annex his city into Naperville. Warrenville Mayor David Brummel said his city’s assistant city manager, Cristina White, first learned of the campaign when she saw a man soliciting signatures for a petition outside the public library. A Chicago man who declined to be identified was collecting signatures on an annexation petition Friday afternoon outside the library. “I had no idea it was going on in other towns, too,” Brummel said. “I’ve been mayor for 12 years and I’ve never heard of anyone interested in annexing to Naperville.”)
— North Carolina gov.-elect sues over law stripping his powers – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161230/news/312309892/

 

DNA INFO
— Mike Pence Greeted By Protests At Chicago Fundraiser – Josh McGhee
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161230/downtown/mike-pence-will-be-greeted-by-protests-at-chicago-fundraiser-activists-say

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Pence’s Chicago visit raises about $1M, draws protests
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/pence-s-chicago-visit-raises-money-draws-protests/article_24ff051a-c2cd-5936-9d67-6d0cae9e5e69.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Photos of the event posted Friday on Pence’s Twitter account show about 70 people at The Chicago Club. The tweet says, “Appreciate the encouragement & support of many Chicago business and community leaders of the inauguration of President @realDonaldTrump.”)

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump: Putin ‘very smart’ for decision to withhold sanctions  President-elect calls delay ‘great move’ – CNN
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/trump-putin-very-smart-for-decision-to-withhold-sanctions/633864680

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Illinois GOP offers hotel deal, tickets for presidential inauguration
http://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511064922-illinois-gop-offers-hotel-deal-tickets-for-presidential-inauguration

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Wheaton Warrenville South sophomore to march in Tournament of Roses Parade – ERIC SCHELKOPF  (DIERSEN: Outstandingly, DuPage County Republicans sponsor the Wheaton Warrenville South and the Wheaton North High School Bands in Wheaton’s Independence Day Parades.)
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2016/12/28/wheaton-warrenville-south-sophomore-to-march-in-tournament-of-roses-parade/aefd0om/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Wheaton Warrenville South High School sophomore Daniel Hjellming is used to marching in the Wheaton Fourth of July Parade and the Wheaton Memorial Day Parade.)

 

CHICAGOIST
— Protesters Tell Pence To ‘Go Away’ Outside Illinois GOP Fundraiser
http://chicagoist.com/2016/12/30/protesters_tell_pence_to_go_away_ou.php#photo-1
— Get Ready For More Stalemate As Illinois Stopgap Budget Expires Sunday – STEPHEN GOSSETT
http://chicagoist.com/2016/12/30/many_of_us_are_eagerly.php

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Illinois GOP offers hotel deal, tickets for presidential inauguration
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511064923-illinois-gop-offers-hotel-deal-tickets-for-presidential-inauguration

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— OUR REGRETTABLE SHRINKING STATE  The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation, and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House… – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/our-regrettable-shrinking-state/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— EMANUEL AMONG 100 MAYORS COMMENDING OBAMA FOR PROTECTING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats put foreign countries and their citizens ahead of America and its citizens.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2016/12/emanuel-among-100-mayors-commending-obama-for-protecting-undocumented-immigrants.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Tea party trio seeking their roles in a Trump presidency –  Seth McLaughlin
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/29/tea-party-darlings-marco-rubio-rand-paul-mike-lee-/?

 

FOX NEWS
— What a Trump presidency means for law enforcement – Scott Erickson
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/12/30/what-trump-presidency-means-for-law-enforcement.html

 

AMERICAN SPECTATOR
— The Terrorism We Refuse to Fight  Forget ISIS — we’ve got Chicago. – BEN STEIN
https://spectator.org/the-terrorism-we-refuse-to-fight/

 

BLAZE
— Former Congressman Joe Walsh says Obama is a secret Muslim that hates Israel – Carlos Garcia
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/12/29/former-congressman-joe-walsh-says-obama-is-a-secret-muslim-that-hates-israel/
— Black Lives Matter gets what it wants in Chicago — and crime is skyrocketing – Carlos Garcia
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/12/30/black-lives-matter-gets-what-it-wants-in-chicago-and-crime-is-skyrocketing/

 

BREITBART
— GOP Congress Renews EB-5 Citizenship-for-Investment Program – KATIE MCHUGH
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/30/gop-congress-renews-eb-5-citizenship-for-cash-program/
— GOP Pushback on Trump’s Border Wall, Immigration Enforcement Plans
http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/12/30/bloomberg-gop-pushback-trumps-border-wall-immigration-enforcement-plans/
— CNN Calls Michigan Middle School ‘Build the Wall’ Chant ‘Racism’ – WARNER TODD HUSTON  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps put the interests of foreign countries and of their citizens ahead of the interests of America and of its citizens.)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/29/cnn-calls-michigan-middle-school-build-the-wall-chant-racism/

 

DAILY CALLER
— GOP Should Embrace The Working Poor – David Benkof
http://dailycaller.com/2016/12/30/gop-should-embrace-the-working-poor/
— KRAUTHAMMER:‘Obama Sees Himself As God’- CHRISTIAN DATOC (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes see themselves as being God.)
http://dailycaller.com/2016/12/30/obama-sees-himself-as-god-russia-sanctions-krauthammered-video/

 

CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN NEWS
— HOW STATES COULD RESTRICT USE OF FOOD STAMPS IN TRUMP ERA
http://conservativerepublicannews.com/2016/12/30/how-states-could-restrict-use-of-food-stamps-in-trump-era/

 

CNS NEWS
— 15,479 Syrian Refugees Have Been Admitted This Year – 606% More Than 2015; 98.8% Are Muslims – Patrick Goodenough
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/15479-syrian-refugees-have-been-admitted-year-606-more-2015-988-are

 

NEWSMAX
— Rep. Adam Kinzinger: Congress, Americans Need Truth About Russia – Sandy Fitzgerald
http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/adam-kinzinger-russia-elections-hacking/2016/12/30/id/766223/

 

INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— Mormon Tabernacle Choir Singer Resigns Rather Than Sing for Trump: I Could Never ‘Throw Roses to Hitler’ – MIKE MILLER  (DIERSEN: What are the anti-Trumps in Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, in your municipality, and in your precinct saying about Trump?)
http://ijr.com/wildfire/2016/12/766667-mormon-tabernacle-choir-singer-resigns-rather-than-sing-for-trump-i-could-never-throw-roses-to-hitler/

 

CHRISTIAN POST
— Franklin Graham Wants Trump to Make America a Global ‘Peacemaker’ Again – SAMUEL SMITH
http://www.christianpost.com/news/franklin-graham-trump-make-america-global-peacemaker-again-172456/

 

ONE NEWS NOW
— Making a Russian bear a Democratic scapegoat – Billy Davis  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents a) blame me for Trump winning the Republican primary in Illinois, b) are overjoyed that Trump lost to Clinton in my precinct, in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois on November 8, 2016, and c) are furious that Trump won the electoral college on November 8, 2016.  Will they blame me for Trump winning the electoral college on November 8, 2016 or will they just punish me for that?)
https://www.onenewsnow.com/politics-govt/2016/12/30/making-a-russian-bear-a-democratic-scapegoat

 

NEWS BUSTERS
— Soros: Trump a ‘Con Artist’ with ‘Incompetent Extremists’ in Cabinet – Sam Dorman
http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/business/sam-dorman/2016/12/30/soros-trump-con-artist-incompetent-extremists-cabinet

 

POLITICO
— Trump’s inaugural parade lineup announced – NOLAN D. MCCASKILL
http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/12/inauguration-parade-lineup-233064

 

THE HILL
— DC restaurants to donate part of Trump inauguration profits to charities – MARK HENSCH  (DIERSEN: Of course, all the charities will be anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/312262-dc-restaurants-to-donate-trump-inauguration-hauls-report

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— Be Careful What You Wish For. Impeach Trump And You Get Pence – Earl Ofari Hutchinson
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/impeach-trump-you-get-pence_b_13895876.html

 

CNBC
— Trump tweets may cause US companies to halt job creation abroad — for the moment — expert says – Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/29/trump-tweets-cause-companies-to-halt-job-creation-abroad-for-the-moment-expert.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “The Trump camp’s spin on Russian interference is falling apart.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/12/30/the-trump-camps-spin-on-russian-interference-is-falling-apart/

 

NATIONAL MEMO
— 6 Ways Women Are Already Resisting Donald Trump
http://www.nationalmemo.com/women-resisting-trump/

 

GUARDIAN
— Facebook temporarily bans author after he calls Trump fans ‘nasty fascistic lot’ – Julia Carrie Wong
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/30/facebook-temporary-ban-kevin-sessums-trump-supporters

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— How long does it take to crush a federal employee? – Jeff Neal  (DIERSEN: Virtually all federal employees are Democrats.  Political affiliation discrimination is rampant in the federal government.  I survived tremendous efforts by my Democrat superiors, Democrat supervisors, Democrat coworkers, and Democrat subordinates to get rid of me a) for almost 3 years while I worked the Post Office 1966-1969, b) for almost 9 years while I worked for IRS 1971-1980, and c) for almost 18 years while I worked for GAO 1980-1997.  In retrospect, with benefit of hindsight, I am amazed that I was able to do the aforesaid.  The following helped me survive: I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 33.)
http://federalnewsradio.com/commentary/2016/12/how-long-does-it-take-to-crush-a-federal-employee-2/

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.