NBC5
— ‘I Will be in Charge,’ Pritzker Says as Durbin, Duckworth Endorse Him
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/i-will-be-in-charge-pritzker-says-as-durbin-duckworth-endorse-him-462831723.html
— Dennis Hastert Could Soon Face Questions About Payoffs – Phil Rogers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/dennis-hastert-could-face-questions-about-payoffs-462835873.html
ABC7
— JB Pritzker wins endorsements as infighting continues among candidates – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/jb-pritzker-wins-endorsements-as-infighting-continues-among-candidates/2758269/
— Forrest Claypool resigns as CPS CEO effective Dec. 31
http://abc7chicago.com/education/forrest-claypool-resigns-as-cps-ceo/2757751/
CBS2
— Erika Harold Wants Harassment Allegations To Be Taken Seriously – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/08/at-issue-erika-harold/
— Council Moving To Mandate Sexual Harassment Training For All City Workers (DIERSEN: Federal employees are required to take lots of “training” that makes them anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, 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.cbslocal.com/2017/12/08/city-employee-sexual-harassment-training/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— To understand GOP infighting in Illinois, follow Durkin race – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/miller-to-understand-gop-infighting-in-illinois-follow-durkin-race/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Seven Democrats line up for a chance to run against Roskam – Katherine Skiba (DIERSEN: Government is nasty. Politics is nasty. Based on my experience with this since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have already and/or will hint/imply/argue/shout at Roskam that my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails encouraged these seven Democrats to run against him. My critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and financial clout in the 6th Congressional District and they blame everything that is bad in the 6th Congressional District on me.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-peter-roskam-primary-race-20171206-story.html
— Durbin, Duckworth endorse Pritzker, try to show Dem unity amid divisions – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-durbin-duckworth-20171208-story.html
— Politicians use religion to further their goals – Scott Reeder (DIERSEN: What do you say to politicians who hint/imply/argue/shout that Jesus is a liberal Democrat/Libertarian/Green who promotes dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-reeder-column-st-1210-20171208-story.html
— There’s too much money in politics — just look at Illinois – Jared Bernstein (DIERSEN: How much money do you give activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc.? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress that I give them virtually none. In my defense, I send them a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email each and every morning and each and every evening free of charge and without any advertising. GOPUSA ILLINOIS email subscriptions are worth at least $1,000/year.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-illinois-governors-race-money-20171208-story.html
— What next for #MeToo, America? Noncelebrities need sexual harassment protection too. – Page’s Page
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-metoo-tarana-burke-sexual-harassment-1210-20171208-story.html
— Illinois taxpayers to pay blended rate of 4.35 percent for 2017 income – AP (DIERSEN: Do you pay state income tax? Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been furious a) that since 1997 that my Civil Service Retirement System pension has not been subject to state income tax and b) that since 2010, my Social Security has not been subject to state income tax.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-illinois-blended-income-tax-20171207-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— Tax proposal could carry high costs for many homeowners – Ken Harney
http://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20171208/tax-proposal-could-carry-high-costs-for-many-homeowners
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Whether you already own a home or are thinking of purchasing, the new tax legislation pending before Congress poses serious questions: Am I going to get smacked with punitive new taxes? Will the value of my home decrease because previous real estate tax benefits have been stripped away? Or am I one of the lucky ones, well insulated against big losses? . . . Though no independent or academic studies have been published estimating the effects of the new tax legislation on home values and prices, most studies to date have concluded that federal tax benefits are a component of property values. Strip these away and buyers will not obtain the full traditional financial benefits of ownership, and will pay less for homes. Economists at the National Association of Realtors estimate that the tax changes could whack 10 percent off average prices around the country, with declines steeper in states with higher home costs and tax burdens, lower in areas with more moderate prices and taxes. The flip side of all this, of course, is that if prices do decline, that will make purchasing a home more affordable — potentially good news for renters and move-up buyers priced out of the current marketplace. Tax-free capital gains exclusion. Under the legislation, owners will still be able to “exclude” up to $500,000 ($250,000 for single filers) of gain on their home sales. But to qualify they will need to have lived in their house for five of the preceding eight years; for decades the standard has been two out of the preceding five years. For many buyers who own homes for extended periods, this change won’t matter. But for many others it could pose problems, especially for people who transfer jobs in less than five years, and owners forced to sell because of divorce, health or other issues. Mortgage interest, second home deductions. As of this writing, House and Senate conferees had not agreed on whether to cut the home mortgage interest deduction maximum to $500,000 or to eliminate interest write-offs on second homes. Both are only in the House version and would primarily affect upper-income owners. So where does all this leave you? It depends on what you own, where you live, what you earn and what you may want to buy. Overall, the Republicans’ tax changes look like a net plus for corporations and stockholders, but a net negative for people who’ve benefited the most from the tax code’s longtime preferences for homeownership over renting.)
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Mix Obama, Hitler, Trump. Watch internet go wild. – ANN DWYER (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the more that anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a Nazi, White supremacist, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/NEWS02/171209886/mix-obama-hitler-trump-watch-internet-go-wild
— Claypool out as CPS chief – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/BLOGS02/171209877/claypool-out-as-cps-chief
— Another potential ripple effect of the GOP tax overhaul – STEVE DANIELS
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/ISSUE01/171209879/another-potential-ripple-effect-of-the-gop-tax-overhaul
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Governor Rauner not in charge? Tell me something I don’t know – John Cullerton
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171208/john-cullerton-governor-rauner-not-in-charge-tell-me-something-i-dont-know
QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— Rauner continues verbal assault on Madigan during Quincy stop – Matt Hopf
http://www.whig.com/20171209/rauner-continues-verbal-assault-on-madigan-during-quincy-stop#//
TIMES
— Illinois’ biggest question: Who’s the boss? – Editorial
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/editorial/our-view-illinois-biggest-question-who-s-the-boss/article_8e66347a-e266-5051-8616-fa4713a394a3.html
JOURNAL TOPICS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mount Prospect restaurant owners promote video gambling. To promote video gambling is to promote destruction.
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/mount-new-push-for-video-gaming/
BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN
— A primary where voters will have an actual voice On the county, regional and statewide levels, Bureau County residents will have some real choices when the primary election takes place in March. It’s not too early for voters to resolve to play an important role in the outcome. – Editorial
http://www.bcrnews.com/2017/12/07/a-primary-where-voters-will-have-an-actual-voice/auj79tp/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Tax bill could make ‘dark money’ political contributions tax deductible Provision could make its way into final bill – JON SARLIN (DIERSEN: Of course, politicians like “dark money” when that money is used to help elect them.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/tax-bill-could-make-dark-money-political-contributions-tax-deductible/877607062
— Hispanic unemployment at all-time low under Trump Community makes up 17 percent of labor market – JULIA HOROWITZ
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/hispanic-unemployment-at-alltime-low-under-trump/877888621
NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Shimkus Will Help Finalize Tax Overhaul – MARK SCHULTZ (DIERSEN: Hopefully, Shimkus will work hard to keep all the itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-congressman-will-help-finalize-tax-overhaul
WAND TV
— “Madigan has the governor on the ropes.” – Doug Wolfe
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37028237/rose-madigan-has-the-governor-on-the-ropes
BGA
— IS IL READY TO ATTACK BUREAUCRATIC BLOAT AND SAVE MONEY? – Andy Shaw
https://www.bettergov.org/news/shaw-is-il-ready-to-attack-bureaucratic-bloat-and-save-money
UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Paul Ryan: 90% Of Taxpayers Will File On A Postcard (DIERSEN: The following expenses are not “loopholes:” mortgage interest, real estate taxes, state income taxes, medical and dental, 501(c)(3) contributions, and job-related education. Government should encourage home ownership and job-related education.)
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/paul-ryan-90-of-taxpayers-will-file-on-a-postcard
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “When you clean out the tax system and get rid of a bunch of loopholes then K street and the loophole industry in Washington shrinks.” The philosophical change in the GOP tax plan is to get rid of loopholes and let people decide what they want to do with their own money. Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan joins Dan and Amy to discuss why tax reform will pass and how it will benefit all Americans.)
NORTH COOK NEWS
— Katie Miller blames one-party control for tax burden affecting House District 53, rest of state – Angela Underwood
https://northcooknews.com/stories/511272466-miller-blames-one-party-control-for-tax-burden-affecting-house-district-53-rest-of-state
ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Gov. Rauner won’t commit to debate with GOP challenger Ives – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/gov-rauner-won-t-commit-to-debate-with-gop-challenger/article_8b1bce7e-dc46-11e7-8b40-3f4740baeada.html
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— STILL NO RESPONSE: HOW DOES THE IL GOP DECIDE HOW TO SPEND RAUNER’S MILLIONS IN DONATIONS?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/still-no-response-how-does-the-il-gop-decide-how-to-spend-rauners-millions-in-donations-.html
— KATHLEEN MYALLS TAKES ON NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP GOP COMMITTEEMAN POST
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/kathleen-myalls-takes-on-new-trier-township-gop-committeeman-post.html
CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner dodges Ives debate question three times
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/08/rauner-dodges-ives-debate-question-three-times/
GOPUSA
— Black Democrats refuse to show up for Trump’s visit to honor Civil Rights Museum
http://www.gopusa.com/black-democrats-refuse-to-show-up-for-trumps-visit-to-honor-civil-rights-museum/
NEWSMAX
— Obama Invokes Hitler, Sparks Outcry From Trump Supporters – Zoe Papadakis (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the more that anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a Nazi, White supremacist, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/obama-invoke-hitler-trump/2017/12/08/id/830689/
CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
— Republicans scheme to give illegal immigrants citizenship – Chris Pandolfo
https://www.conservativereview.com/articles/republicans-scheme-to-give-illegal-immigrants-citizenship
THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-White says “Stop pointing at Asian Americans to downplay racism at universities.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/363974-stop-pointing-at-asian-americans-to-downplay-racism-at-universities
— Financial regulator’s conflicts of interest are a serious concern – BENJAMIN EDWARDS AND ANDREW STOLTMANN (DIERSEN: I worked for GAO on audits of federal financial industry regulators for almost 9 years at the GS-13 Step 4-10 levels 1989-1997, currently $104,070-$122,991. I have been an arbitrator for FINRA since 1998.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/363941-financial-regulators-conflicts-of-interest-are-a-serious-concern
ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Rauner recommended appointment of monitor he now criticizes
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/rauner-recommended-appointment-of-monitor-he-now-criticizes/
BEST SCHOOLS
— Is Marijuana Legalization Boosting College Enrollment? – David A. Tomar (DIERSEN: What percent of high school students want to go to college so that they can smoke pot? Did you want to go to college so that you could smoke pot? I did not. I lived with my parents and brother in our home in Crete a) while I was a full-time student at UIC 1966-1968, b) weekends during my first semester at NIU in 1969, and c) the summer of 1969.)
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/marijuana-legalization-college-enrollment/
NASDAQ
— Millions would lose mortgage, gift write-offs under U.S. tax bill – Reuters (DIERSEN: Do you itemize your deductions? I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized our deductions since got married in 1978. Of course, operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents have always been beyond furious about that. Almost all of them have financial problems. Most of them rent rather own, pay little or no state income tax, have never paid for job-related education, give little or no money to 501(c)(3) organizations, and/or have not had major medical or dental expenses. They will be overjoyed if the aforesaid deductions are taken away.)
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/millions-would-lose-mortgage-gift-writeoffs-under-us-tax-bill-20171208-00497
