February 16 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Willowbrook Sterigenics plant shut down Friday night
https://abc7chicago.com/health/willowbrook-sterigenics-plant-shut-down-friday-night/5141207/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— ‘Dark money’ fund spends over $700K in TV ads against Bill Daley in Chicago mayor’s race – Gregory Pratt
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chicago-mayors-race-ad-blitz-20190215-story.html
— Lake Ridge teen honored for volunteer work – Meredith Colias-Pete (DIERSEN: Are you a Republican Precinct Committeeman? What discourages you from volunteering to serve as an officer of your Republican township/county party organization? Do those who dominate your Republican township/county party organization demand blind loyalty to them and to them only? Are your demographics bad, for example, are you a Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or have your ancestors have been in America for a long time? Ever-increasingly, the Republican Party makes it clear a) that it wants those who are minority, female, and/or young and b) that it wants to get rid of those who are White, male, and/or old.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-lake-ridge-flowers-volunteer-award-st-20190207-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— In wake of scandal, Democratic Party of Illinois taps new executive director – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/scandal-illinois-democratic-party-mary-morrissey-tim-mapes/
— Pritzker budget to boost education, use marijuana money, freeze income tax – Tina Sfondeles (DIERSEN: To push pot is to destroy Illinois.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/pritzker-budget-boost-education-recreational-marijuana-money-freeze-income-tax-sports-betting-vaping/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In his first budget address, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to pitch an “austere” spending blueprint with no increase in the state income tax rate, a bump in education funding and revenue from business licenses to sell recreational marijuana. Pritzker told the Chicago Sun-Times he will also push for taxes on e-cigarettes and vaping, and for the legalization of sports betting to help bring in more immediate revenue. As for his plan to legalize recreational marijuana — which will take time to negotiate and pass in the Illinois General Assembly — the governor’s office said the budget is “banking some revenues,” from legalizing marijuana, “but just from the selling of the licenses.”)
— Smollett beating investigation bombshell gives fresh fodder to Trump supporters – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/smollett-beating-investigation-bombshell-gives-fresh-fodder-to-trump-supporters/

— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Legislation would greatly expand reproductive rights in Illinois – Rebecca Anzel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/health/abortion-reproductive-rights-illinois-general-assembly/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Suburban lawmakers (Casten, Foster, and Schneider) among those seeking to overturn Trump emergency – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190215/suburban-lawmakers-among-those-seeking-to-overturn-trump-emergency

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— New GOP exec director – Bernard Schoenburg
https://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20190112/bernard-schoenburg-davis-votes-for-funding-on-agency-by-agency-basis
(FROM THE ARTICLE: ANTHONY SARROS, a Decatur native who has also lived in Springfield and is now in Chicago, is the new executive director of the Illinois Republican Party. Sarros, 28, went to Mount Zion High School and has a political science degree, with a minor in business, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His parents still live in Decatur. Sarros was political director of Gov. BRUCE RAUNER’S re-election campaign, and had earlier been political director of the state GOP, data director for the House Republican Organization, and field office manager on Rauner’s 2014 campaign. When LaHood first ran for Congress in special primary and general elections in 2015, Sarros was deputy campaign manager and field director. Before getting into politics, he worked in jobs including being assistant to the Midwest scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates. “In the wake of the 2018 election, Republicans have the opportunity to offer a stark contrast from the governing Democrats to the voters in Illinois,” Sarros said. “It will be a challenge.” Sarros took over for TRAVIS STERLING, who took a job as director of development at the American Principles Project. That Arlington, Virginia-based organization also has an executive director from Illinois — TERRY SCHILLING, son of and one-time campaign manager for former U.S. Rep. BOBBY SCHILLING, R-Colona. The elder Schilling won a single term in the old 17th Congressional District in 2010, when that oddly shaped district included part of Springfield.)

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Legislation would greatly expand abortion rights in Illinois – Rebecca Anzel
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20190215/legislation-would-greatly-expand-abortion-rights-in-illinois

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— GOP leader Richard Porter with “storied history” to speak at Stark County Lincoln lunch – Gary L. Smith
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20190215/gop-leader-with-storied-history-to-speak-at-stark-county-lincoln-lunch

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Davis Continues Advocacy for Bipartisanship – Doug Jenkins (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, bipartisanship has meant a) Democrats win and b) Republicans lose.)
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=279617#.XGgkKch_OM8

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Lincoln Day Dinner Scheduled for February 23rd Features Jeannie Ives –
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/02/15/lincoln-day-dinner-scheduled-for-february-23rd-features-jeannie-ives-copy/

 

WBEZ
— What’s That Building? Blanchard Hall At Wheaton College And The Underground Railroad – Dennis Rodkin
https://www.wbez.org/shows/morning-shift/whats-that-building-blanchard-hall-at-wheaton-college-and-the-underground-railroad/484bc97e-b846-4763-bbd4-fc215a2efab7

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ideas Illinois chair: Legislators should release their own tax returns – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511774432-ideas-illinois-chair-legislators-should-release-their-own-tax-returns
— ‘Illinois is already the abortion capital of the Midwest,’ Pro-Life advocate Eric J. Scheidler says – Karen Kidd
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511774447-illinois-is-already-the-abortion-capital-of-the-midwest-pro-life-advocate-says

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Lowering taxes at top of list for self-made man, mayoral candidate Wilson – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: Are you “self-made?” My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would shout that I am not. They would shout that I was a lowly failed wage-earner 1964-1997 and I have been a lowly failed retiree since 1997.)
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511766880-lowering-taxes-at-top-of-list-for-self-made-man-mayoral-candidate-wilson
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Enter the 70-year-old Wilson, who is running for mayor of Chicago amid a field of candidates that seems to grow by the day. Wilson, a self-made millionaire businessman, said his greatest selling point is that he’s different from the career politicians now in the race. “I’m not running for a paycheck,” Wilson said, adding that he plans to use his own money to finance his campaign. “The truth is I’m running to help all the people of this city who still do need a paycheck to be able to make a better living.” A resident of Chicago since 1965, Wilson went from picking cotton during the Jim Crow era, making 20 cents an hour, to being one of the first black owners of a McDonald’s restaurant. He took a struggling location and turned it around within a year, earning top accolades including the Outstanding Store Award and Top Sales Performer. The restaurant’s performance led to Wilson owning several around Chicago.)
— Hernandez endorsement: Mayoral candidate Wilson outshines ‘tired old players’ in Chicago – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: Are you a “tired old player?” My critic/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress that I am 70 years old.)
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511775916-hernandez-endorsement-mayoral-candidate-wilson-outshines-tired-old-players-in-chicago

— City of Wheaton City Council met January 22 – Angelica Saylo Pilo
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511777291-city-of-wheaton-city-council-met-january-22

 

OPEN THE BOOKS
— VIDEO CLIP: The War on Waste on Fox Nation’s Deep Dive (DIERSEN: What have you done to fight government waste? GAO fights government waste. I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325/year. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes dismiss, belittle, badmouth, demonize, denigrate, and condemn that.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRbmFK2sYgI&feature=youtu.be

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Public Libraries Still Unsafe – David E. Smith
https://illinoisfamily.org/pornography/public-libraries-still-unsafe-for-families-and-children/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Key moments in actor Jussie Smollett’s Chicago attack – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/16/key-moments-in-actor-jussie-smolletts-chicago-atta/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Why Trump doesn’t like Ann Coulter anymore – Editorial
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/why-trump-doesnt-like-ann-coulter-anymore

 

FOX NEWS
— Aurora workplace shooter was set to be fired by company, police chief says – Louis Casiano (DIERSEN: Have you been fired? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress that constructively, the federal government fired me in 1997 when I was 49 years old. They hint/imply/argue/shout that I must be ONE OF THE WORSE PEOPLE ON EARTH a) because the federal government fires extremely few of its employees and b) because I had far more job qualification than my coworkers. I had earned job-related master’s degrees when I was 48, 31, and 27 and a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21. I had earned job-related professional certifications when I was 48, 47, 45, 41, 32, and 30. I had earned a job-related professional license when I 32.)
https://www.foxnews.com/us/aurora-workplace-shooter-was-set-to-be-fired-by-comapny

— Political malpractice forced Amazon out of NYC — And it wasn’t just Ocasio-Cortez – Steve Levy
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/political-malpractice-forced-amazon-out-of-nyc-and-it-wasnt-just-ocasio-cortez

 

RUSH LIMBAUGH
— Why I Haven’t Mentioned Jussie Smollett Until Now
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2019/02/15/why-i-havent-mentioned-jussie-smollett-until-now/
— They Want You to Lose Faith in Trump
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2019/02/15/a-trump-supporter-begins-to-lose-faith/

 

LIFESITE NEWS
— Police investigating whether ‘MAGA’ attack on gay actor another left-wing hoax – Calvin Freiburger
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/report-police-investigating-whether-maga-attack-on-gay-actor-another-left-w

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— DEMOCRATS’ SEMANTIC ABSURDITY OVER BORDER WALL Brent Smith notes hatred for Trump ‘clouds what little judgment they have
https://www.wnd.com/2019/02/democrats-semantic-absurdity-over-border-wall/

 

BREITBART
— ‘Undocumented, Unafraid’–Illegal Immigrants Protest ICE, Demand Amnesty – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/15/watch-undocumented-unafraid-illegal-immigrants-protest-ice-demand-amnesty/
— Trump Pledges to ‘Take Care of ICE,’ Then Signs Bill Crippling Agency’s Power to Deport Illegal Aliens – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/15/trump-pledges-to-take-care-of-ice-then-signs-bill-crippling-agencys-power-to-deport-illegal-aliens/
— Trump Decries Catch and Release While Expanding Release of Illegal Aliens – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/15/trump-decries-catch-release-while-expanding-release-illegal-aliens/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Trump Should Just Let the Democrats Self-Destruct – Gary Gindler
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/02/trump_should_just_let_the_democrats_selfdestruct.html
— Breaking the Left’s Deception of Black Americans – Lloyd Marcus
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/02/breaking_the_lefts_deception_of_black_americans.html

 

NEW AMERICAN
— Is California Dreamin’ Now California Nightmare? – Steve Byas
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/31501-is-california-dreamin-now-california-nightmare

 

TOWNHALL
— Democrats Can’t Hide Crazy – Wayne Allyn Root
https://townhall.com/columnists/wayneallynroot/2019/02/16/democrats-cant-hide-crazy-n2541597

 

NEWSMAX
— Illinois Governor Eyes Bond Sale, Tax Hike to Save Pensions
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/illinois-governor-bond-sale/2019/02/15/id/902903/
— Ann Coulter: Trump’s an ‘Idiot,’ That’s the National Emergency – Jason Devaney
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/ann-coulter-donald-trump-border-wall/2019/02/15/id/902974/

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY ISN’T JUST AT THE BORDER, IT’S IN WASHINGTON D.C. – Daniel Greenfield
https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/272887/national-emergency-isnt-just-border-its-washington-daniel-greenfield

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— EXPERTS: BILL WILL SPARK ‘LARGEST SURGE’ EVER OF MINORS Immigration groups warn of budget’s ‘landmines,’ ‘poison pills’
https://www.wnd.com/2019/02/experts-bill-will-spark-largest-surge-ever-of-minors/

 

CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
— Why isn’t Trump using the most obvious and effective executive actions for the border? – Daniel Horowitz
https://www.conservativereview.com/news/isnt-trump-using-obvious-effective-executive-actions-border/

 

THE HILL
— Democrats ready aggressive response to Trump emergency order, as GOP splinters – MIKE LILLIS AND SCOTT WONG (DIERSEN: Republicans support the emergency order. RINOs oppose the emergency order. RINOs want cheap labor.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/430292-dems-ready-aggressive-response-to-trump-emergency-order-as-gop-splinters
— CNN, MSNBC to air ad turned down by Fox over Nazi imagery – TAL AXELROD (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the more that Democrats and RINOs hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a Nazi: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/430323-cnn-msnbc-to-air-ad-turned-down-by-fox-over-nazi-imagery
— Business, conservative groups slam Trump’s national emergency declaration – NIV ELIS (DIERSEN: Republicans support the emergency order. RINOs oppose the emergency order. RINOs want cheap labor.)
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/430271-business-conservative-groups-slam-trumps-national-emergency-declaration

 

ABC NEWS
— JANUARY 10, 2019 FLASHBACK: Here’s a list of the 31 national emergencies that have been in effect for years Here’s a list of the presidents who declared still ongoing national emergencies. – Kendall Heath
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/list-31-national-emergencies-effect-years/story

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters promote hatred against Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/trump-presidency-national-emergency.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/opinion/trump-border-wall-national-emergency.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/trump-border-emergency-announcement.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/trump-national-emergency-congress.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/fact-checking-trump-emergency-border.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/national-emergency-trump.html
— The Power of Raw, Honest Stories About Money – Ron Lieber (DIERSEN: Everyone involved in government, politics, and/or journalism should be required to disclose where their money came from. Since 1966, virtually all my money has come from a) Social Security (since 2010, currently $2,118/year), b) Civil Service Retirement System (since 1997, currently $53,316/year), c) GAO (1980-1997, $125,325/year in 1997 in today’s dollars), d) IRS (1971-1980, $91,880/year in 1980 in today’s dollars), Firestone Stores (1970-1972), and Post Office (1966-1969, $16.91/hour in 1969 in today’s dollars).)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/your-money/gaby-dunn-chanel-reynolds-vicki-robin-interview.html
— Bill Weld Will Challenge Trump for 2020 Republican Nomination – Alexander Burns (DIERSEN: In your precinct, how strongly will the anti-Trumps support Weld?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/us/politics/bill-weld-trump-2020.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— CNN and MSNBC will run anti-Nazi ad that Fox News rejected – Steven Zeitchik (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the more that Democrats and RINOs hint/imply/argue/shout that you are a Nazi: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/02/16/cnn-msnbc-will-run-anti-nazi-ad-that-fox-news-rejected-filmmakers-say/
— TREASONOUS: Border communities begin legal challenges to Trump’s emergency declaration, wall construction – Robert Moore and Daniel Tyx
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/border-communities-begin-legal-challenges-to-trumps-emergency-declaration-wall-construction/2019/02/15/78fae72a-316d-11e9-8ad3-9a5b113ecd3c_story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— A Look at African-American History, Through the Numbers In recognition of Black History Month, here are a few facts and figures about the African-American experience in the U.S. – Jo Craven McGinty (DIERSEN: According to this article, “Black representation in Congress is coming closer to mirroring U.S. demographics.” Does German-American representation in Congress mirror U.S. demographics? Does Missouri Synod Lutheran representation in Congress mirror U.S. demographics? Does CPA representation in Congress mirror U.S. demographics?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-look-at-african-american-history-through-the-numbers-11550232000

 

USA TODAY
— Google plans to add tens of thousands of new jobs as it expands in 14 states – Edward C. Baig (DIERSEN: From what I see, the more of the following that you are, the LESS LIKELY THAT GOOGLE WILL OFFER YOU A JOB: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2019/02/13/google-hire-tens-thousands-new-data-centers-offices/2862599002/

 

BOSTON GLOBE
— In challenge to Trump, Bill Weld exploring 2020 run as a Republican – Michael Levenson (DIERSEN: In your precinct, how strongly will the anti-Trumps support Weld?)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2019/02/15/former-massachusetts-governor-bill-weld-explore-running-for-president-says/wgPTWQR2t0iHIVHigO7vYO/story.html

 

PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE
— Should Blacks challenge Black candidates more than white ones? (DIERSEN: Should Whites challenge White candidates more than minority ones? Should males challenge male candidates more than female ones? Should older people challenge older candidates more than younger ones? Should Christians challenge Christian candidates more than non-Christian ones? Should German Americans challenge German American candidates more than non-German American ones? Should non-veterans challenge non-veteran candidates more than veteran ones? Should rich people challenge rich candidates more than non-rich ones?)
https://www.phillytrib.com/should-blacks-challenge-black-candidates-more-than-white-ones/article_655526fe-6fb7-550f-8bac-59628156e80c.html

 

ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
— A new ‘freedom caravan’ of primarily Cuban migrants is trying to reach US – MARIO J. PENTON
https://www.abqjournal.com/1281280/a-new-freedom-caravan-of-primarily-cuban-migrants-is-trying-to-reach-us.html

 

WIRO SEATTLE
— Hate groups allowed to flourish underground largely unchecked – Deborah Horne (DIERSEN: According to the Democrats, a hate group is one that does NOT promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, retaliation, and even worse things. According to the Democrats, a hate group is one that is NOT 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, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/hate-groups-allowed-to-flourish-underground-largely-unchecked/921027688

 

KELO
— Never Too Old To Make A Difference – Kelli Volk (DIERSEN: Are you a Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain? How old are you? How soon will the age limit a) to serve as a Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain be set at say age 25, b) to serve as an officer of a Republican township/ward/county organization be set at say age 30, c) to serve as an Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee member be set at say age 35, and d) to serve as an IRP officer, IRP National Committeeman, or IRP National Committeewoman be set at say age 40? How soon will you have to be a minority or a female to hold any of the aforesaid positions? All my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes promote a) age discrimination and b) reverse discrimination to curry favor with those who are younger, minority, and/or female.)
https://www.keloland.com/news/eye-on-keloland/never-too-old-to-make-a-difference/1786149544

 

FORTUNE
— TREASONOUS: Parties Line Up to Sue Trump on ‘National Emergency’ Declaration – KARTIKAY MEHROTRA, ANDREW HARRIS, and BLOOMBERG
http://fortune.com/2019/02/15/trump-declared-national-emergency/

 

DAILY NATION
— How to keep your career moving forward – JAMES KAHONGEH (DIERSEN: What hindered your career from moving forward? For me, for a career in the private sector, it was my being draft bait until I was 22 years old in 1971 and Oldsmobile withdrawing a job offer in 1971 that I had accepted because it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. For me, for a career in the federal government, it was my avoiding the draft, my being a Republican, my complaining about political affiliation discrimination, my complaining about reverse discrimination, my complaining about age discrimination, and my becoming in 1988 an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged the federal government with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation. For me, for careers in both the private sector and the federal government, it was my not having a degree from an Ivy League university, my not earning an MBA until I was 27, my not passing the CPA examination until I was 30, my not earning master’s degree in accounting until I was 31, my not passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination until I was 32, and my not becoming a licensed CPA until I was 32. For me, for careers in both the private sector and the federal government, because since the 1960s employers have been under tremendous pressure to hire, retain, and promote minorities and females and because they have always been under tremendous pressure to hire veterans, it was my being a White male non-veteran.)
https://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/mynetwork/How-to-keep-your-career-moving-forward/3141096-4981820-mscuhl/index.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.