February 15 Evening Edition

ABC7
— RAUNER BEMOANS ‘AUTOMATIC SPENDING’ DURING BUDGET ADDRESS – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/gov-rauner-bemoans-automatic-spending-during-budget-address/1755771/
— Texas Gov. Greg Abbott: NFL ‘walking on thin ice’ by wading into politics – ESPN
https://abc7chicago.com/sports/texas-gov-greg-abbott-nfl-walking-on-thin-ice-by-wading-into-politics/1756169/
— CAREGIVERS CONTINUE TO WORK WITHOUT SALARY DUE TO BUDGET CRISIS – Sarah Schulte
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/caregivers-continue-to-work-without-salary-due-to-budget-crisis/1756797/

 

NBC5
— Rauner Lauds Senate Plan During Latest Budget Address  “For the first time, legislators from both parties are standing together to say that Illinois must have structural change to grow our economy and create good jobs in every part of our state,” Rauner said. – Tom Schuba
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Rauner-Touts-Senate-Plan-During-Latest-Budget-Address-413866123.html
— Rauner’s 3rd Budget Likely to be Shelved Like First 2 – John O’Connor
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Rauners-3rd-Budget-Likely-to-be-Shelved-Like-The-First-2-413817413.html
—  Oklahoma Lawmaker Defends Abortion Bill Labeling Women ‘Hosts’
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/Abortion-Bill-Labels-Women-Hosts_Dallas-Fort-Worth-413865323.html
— Chef Rick Bayless to Close Multiple Chicago Restaurants ‘Out of Respect’ For Immigration Demonstrations  Twitter users responded with support and criticism after Bayless made the announcement.  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps paint themselves as being anti-American.)
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Chef-Rick-Bayless-to-Close-Multiple-Restaurants-Out-of-Respect-For-Immigration-Civil-Action-413898163.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to America’s economy and way of life. The protests have been dubbed “A Day Without Immigrants.”)
— Demonstrators Protest Former Trump Aide’s Appearance at University of Chicago – Chris Hush  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps paint themselves as being anti-American.)
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/university-of-chicago-protest-corey-lewandowski-trump-413899173.html

 

CBS2
— Rauner Offers Tax-Hike Guidance To End Illinois Budget Stalemate – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/02/15/rauner-offers-tax-hike-guidance-to-end-illinois-budget-stalemate/
— Americans Would Choose Money Over True Love, According To A Survey
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/02/15/americans-choose-money-true-love/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner’s teleprompter gives out, Madigan jokes ‘It’s the Russians’ – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-teleprompter-budget-speech-met-0216-20170215-story.html
— Emanuel keeps up Rauner attacks, this time on budget impasse – John Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-emanuel-rauner-budget-speech-met-20170215-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump’s White House is falling apart.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-russia-scandals-white-house-leaks-20170215-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Rauner Eric Zorn says “Rauner delivers a laughable budget address.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-rauner-budget-speech-laughable-zorn-20170215-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps promote anti-Trumps.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-rep-roskam-must-meet-face-to-face-with-voters-20170215-story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-when-will-rep-roskam-meet-with-his-constituents-20170215-story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-republican-town-halls-protesters-perspec-0216-md-20170215-story.html
— Former Lake County coroner Thomas Rudd indicted on perjury charges – Tony Briscoe and Jim Newton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-lake-county-former-coroner-rudd-charged-met-20170215-story.html
— Senate votes to block rule meant to prevent people with mental disorders from purchasing guns – AP  (DIERSEN: Democrats are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means.  Democrats are disciples of Saul Alinsky.  Ever-increasingly, Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout that you are mentally impaired if you are NOT anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-senate-gun-regulation-20170215-story.html
— In Chicago area, apartment developers increasingly look to the suburbs – Gail MarksJarvis
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-suburban-chicago-apartments-0216-biz-20170215-story.html
— Naperville St. Patrick’s Day 5k, parade set for March 11 – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-st-patricks-day-naperville-st-0217-20170215-story.html
— More students turn to GoFundMe to raise money for college costs – Leonor Vivanco  (DIERSEN: Where did the money come from to pay for your college expenses?  For me, it came from what I earned and saved doing yard work, delivering newspapers, washing dishes, cleaning golf shoes, chipping slag, pumping gasoline, delivering mail, working on an automobile assembly line, working as a security guard, selling tires, automotive services, and major appliances, collecting delinquent taxes, and auditing federal agencies.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-go-fund-me-college-tuition-met-20170215-story.html
— Musician John Oates, of Hall & Oates Fame, Set to Visit Naperville – Candy Purdom
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/community/chi-ugc-article-musician-john-oates-of-hall-oates-fame-se-2017-02-15-story.html
— Free speech for Corey Lewandowski at University of Chicago – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-corey-lewandowski-university-chicago-speech-perspec-0216-20170215-column.html
— Whatever happened to liberal Democrats, anyway? – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-michael-flynn-kass-0216-20170215-column.html
— Illinois senators, fly the plane – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-rauner-illinois-budget-compromise-senate-edit-0216-20170215-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner: Stop ‘pointing fingers’ and pass that ‘grand bargain’ – Tina Sfondeles  (DIERSEN: Who points their fingers at you? I should write a book about past and present officials and employees of the following who pointed/point their fingers at me: a) Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois, and the federal government, b) Milton Township Republican Central Committee, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Illinois Republican Party, and c) TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, and the American Association of Political Consultants.  All of the aforesaid paint themselves as being nasty failed scapegoaters.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rauner-to-push-permanent-property-tax-freeze-senate-bargain/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps oppose improving Obamacare.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/phil-kadner-obamacare-reform-a-high-risk-business-for-sick/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Rauner says “Rauner doing no favors for Senate leaders — or schools.”
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/brown-rauner-doing-no-favors-for-senate-leaders-or-schools/
— Axelrod plays peacemaker as UC flares up over Lewandowski – Michael Sneed
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/sneed-axelrod-plays-peacemaker-as-uc-flares-up-over-lewandowski/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Rauner indicates what kind of tax increases he’d accept – AP  (DIERSEN: To accept tax increases, will Rauner demand that the Democrats stop promoting a) dependency on government and on charity, b) LGBTQ activity, c) abortion, d) mass/illegal immigration, e) booze, pot, and gambling, f) race and gender based preference giving, g) age discrimination, h) patronage and political affiliation discrimination, i) erosion of the First and Second Amendments, j) etc.?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170215/news/170219293/
— Lake in the Hills village president candidates debate lack of board diversity – Madhu Krishnamurthy  (DIERSEN: To promote diversity is to get rid of those who are White, male, and/or older.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170215/news/170219235/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats charge Rauner with “playing politics with budget.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170215/news/170219293/
— Road chief accused of taking payments, not passing them on to Dundee Township – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170215/news/170219341/
— Controversial former Lake County coroner Dr. Thomas Rudd indicted on perjury charges – Lee Filas
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170215/news/170219261/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner lays out his terms for a budget deal – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170215/BLOGS02/170219927/rauner-lays-out-his-terms-for-a-budget-deal
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170215/BLOGS02/170219927/rauner-spells-out-his-terms-to-end-budget-standoff
— Chicago gains vast majority of Illinois’ new jobs – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170215/BLOGS02/170219922/chicago-gains-vast-majority-of-illinois-new-jobs

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Rauner: No Tax on Retirement Income – BRIAN MACKEY  (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are furious about this.  My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are filled with envy and have always been furious a) that I started earning Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) credits in 1966 when I was 18 years old, b) that I have been getting a CSRS pension since 1997 when I was 49 years old, and c) that the pension is $50,856. Extremely few of my current critics/opponents, their operatives, and the dupes are in line to get a pension or are getting a pension.)
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rauner-no-tax-retirement-income#stream/0
— Rauner pauses speech after teleprompter troubles – AP  (DIERSEN: How is your eyesight?  My eyesight has never been correctable to better than 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other.  Also, I have always had mild red/green color blindness.  The aforesaid ended my grade school plans of becoming a commercial airline pilot.)
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rauner-pauses-speech-after-teleprompter-troubles#stream/0
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Gov. Bruce Rauner put his annual budget speech on a short hold because of problems with the teleprompter. The Republican was speaking Wednesday when the teleprompter where the speech is displayed for him to read apparently stopped working. A lawmaker handed Rauner a printed copy. But Rauner said he didn’t have his reading glasses and “I’m a little old for this type.”  The delay lasted for several minutes, during which Rauner asked if anyone had “a good story” and told the audience he wouldn’t sing because he’s no good at it. After turning briefly to Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, Rauner said Madigan had quipped: “It’s the Russians.” That remark drew laughter from across the chamber.)
— Has Gov. Rauner Ever Introduced A Balanced Budget? – BRIAN MACKEY
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/has-gov-rauner-ever-introduced-balanced-budget#stream/0

 

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— 18,000 Call In To Illinois GOP Congressman Roskam’s Phone Town Hall – AP
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/18000-call-illinois-gop-congressmans-phone-town-hall

 

WSIL
— Congress blocks rule barring mentally impaired from guns – AP  (DIERSEN: Democrats are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means.  Democrats are disciples of Saul Alinsky.  Ever-increasingly, Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout that you are mentally impaired if you are NOT anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/34511064/congress-blocks-rule-barring-mentally-impaired-from-guns

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Rauner urges OK of budget deal now in Senate – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/state/2017-02-15/rauner-urges-ok-budget-deal-now-senate.html

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Local lawmakers weigh in on Rauner’s budget address – Brian Robbins
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170215/local-lawmakers-weigh-in-on-rauners-budget-address

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Rauner encourages “grand bargain” with stronger reforms – KEVIN P. CRAVER
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/02/15/illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-encourages-grand-bargain-with-stronger-reforms/am6cbfm/
— OUTSTANDING: Lakewood Village Board keeps video gambling ban in place – KEVIN P. CRAVER
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/02/15/lakewood-village-board-keeps-video-gambling-ban-in-place/ad7hfy9/

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Democrats laugh at Rauner quips during state budget speech – AP
http://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/democrats-laugh-at-rauner-quips-during-state-budget-speech/article_f1e39c75-e283-5f5d-a664-06b6053dcca4.html

 

SOUTHERN
— Rauner: Shootings mean troopers needed on Chicago highways – AP
http://thesouthern.com/news/state-and-regional/rauner-shootings-mean-troopers-needed-on-chicago-highways/article_0c3c218c-3577-52f8-9323-1f90f052ff40.html

 

DAILY EGYPTIAN
— Rauner open to income tax hike, rejects tax on food, medicine – MONIQUE GARCIA, KIM GEIGER AND HALEY BEMILLER
http://dailyegyptian.com/66222/state/rauner-open-to-income-tax-hike-rejects-tax-on-food-medicine/

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — 18,000 call in to Illinois GOP congressman Roakam’s phone town hall – AP
    http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/call-in-to-illinois-gop-congressman-s-phone-town-hall/article_d870e387-e8d4-58e6-b4eb-692ee0fe8cac.html

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Efforts continue to preserve historic Wheaton mansion  Concerns raised over demolishing building – ERIC SCHELKOPF
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/02/15/efforts-continue-to-preserve-historic-wheaton-mansion/auiwvf7/
— Domo 77 restaurant in Wheaton to be razed for new commercial building – ERIC SCHELKOPF
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/02/10/domo-77-restaurant-in-wheaton-to-be-razed-for-new-commercial-building/ac6d6jf/

 

NAPERVILLE COMMUNITY TELEVISION
— Naperville Islamic Center Discusses Executive Orders
http://www.nctv17.com/naperville-islamic-center-discusses-executive-orders/

 

CHICAGO READER
— Are some ideas too ‘dangerous’ for the University of Chicago? – Michael Miner
http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2017/02/15/are-some-ideas-too-dangerous-for-the-university-of-chicago

 

MEDILL REPORTS
— HIGHER GASOLINE PRICES BOLSTER JANUARY RETAIL SALES – Rachel Newman  (DIERSEN: How much gasoline do you buy?  I buy very little because I sit at home 10+ hours a day, 70+ hours a week, 300+ hours a month, 3,650+ hours a year, and 36,500+ hours a decade putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out.)
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/higher-gas-prices-bolster-january-retail-sales/

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Wayne Township supervisor candidate Randy Ramey responds to opponent’s attack – Ruth de Jauregui
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511075896-wayne-township-supervisor-candidate-responds-to-opponent-s-attack

 

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Gay Journalist Comes Out As Conservative
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/gay-journalist-comes-out-as-conservative

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— CONGRESSMAN HULTGREN RELEASES NEW REPORT ON 14TH CD’S HEROIN, OPIOID EPIDEMIC
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/congressman-hultgren-releases-new-report-on-14th-cds-heroin-opioid-epidemic.html
— STATE REP CHALLENGES ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT TO CUT DOWN BUDGET WEIGHT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/state-rep-challenges-illinois-government-to-cut-down-budget-weight.html
— MCCONCHIE ON GOV’S 2017 BUDGET SPEECH: RAUNER SHOWED REAL LEADERSHIP
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/mcconchie-on-govs-2017-budget-speech-rauner-showed-real-leadership.html
— REP. MCDERMED: ILLINOIS NEEDS RESPONSIBLE BUDGET TO CLIMB OUT OF DOWNWARD SPIRAL
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/rep-mcdermed-illinois-needs-responsible-budget-to-climb-out-of-downward-spiral.html
— SENATOR REZIN: BUDGET SOLUTION WILL INCLUDE THINGS NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/senator-rezin-budget-solution-will-include-things-not-everyone-will-like.html
— ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE CEO: SPRINGFIELD DOESN’T DESERVE ANOTHER PENNY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/illinois-policy-institute-ceo-springfield-doesnt-deserve-another-penny.html
— RAUNER DELIVERS ANOTHER “RINSE AND REPEAT” BUDGET ADDRESS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/rauner-delivers-another-rinse-and-repeat-budget-address.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Think tank backs Trump, says large number of non-citizens vote illegally – Rowan Scarborough
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/12/noncitizen-voters-feud-between-academics-resurface/

 

GOPUSA
— 30,000 expected at Nation of Islam convention in Detroit
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=20720

 

BLAZE
— Steve Bannon ‘could care less’ about repairing White House’s relationship with media – Tre Goins-Phillips
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/02/15/steve-bannon-could-care-less-about-repairing-white-houses-relationship-with-media/

 

BREITBART
— Poll: Majority of Hispanics Support Deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens, Plurality Back Defunding of Sanctuary Cities – KATIE MCHUGH15
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/02/15/poll-majority-of-hispanics-support-deporting-criminal-illegal-aliens-plurality-back-defunding-of-sanctuary-cities/
— 36 Top State Republican Party Attorneys Sign Letter Supporting Judge Neil Gorsuch for SCOTUS – NEIL W. MCCABE
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/02/15/32-gop-state-attorneys-general-sign-letter-senate-supporting-judge-neil-gorsuch-scotus/

 

THE PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY REPORT
— Judges Join the ‘Resistance’ – John and Andy Schlafly
http://www.pseagles.com/Judges_Join_the_%E2%80%98Resistance%E2%80%99

 

DAILY CALLER
— ‘Not Freedom Of The Press’: Journalists Upset Trump Keeps Calling On Conservative Media – Alex Pfeiffer  (DIERSEN: I have been a member of the “conservative media” since 2000.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/15/not-freedom-of-the-pressjournalists-upset-trump-keeps-calling-on-conservative-media/
— GAO Declares Medicaid Waste Worse Than Official Estimates – Kathryn Watson
http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/15/comptroller-general-declares-medicaid-waste-worse-than-official-estimates/

 

REUTERS
— Illinois governor raises prospect of tax hike in budget speech – Dave McKinney and Karen Pierog
http://www.reuters.com/article/illinois-budget-idUSL1N1G015U

 

FEDERAL TIMES
— Hiring freeze exacerbates High Risk issue, GAO says – Carten Cordell  (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the agency was almost always under hiring freezes and/or promotion freezes.)
http://www.federaltimes.com/articles/hiring-freeze-exacerbates-high-risk-issue-gao-says

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— 18,000 call in to Illinois GOP congressman Roskam’s phone town hall – AP
http://federalnewsradio.com/government-news/2017/02/18000-call-in-to-illinois-gop-congressmans-phone-town-hall/

 

DAILY MAIL
— Illinois governor offers tax-hike guidance to end stalemate – AP
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-4228604/Illinois-governor-offers-tax-hike-guidance-end-stalemate.html

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.