ABC7
— Gov. JB Pritzker delivers Illinois state budget address Wednesday
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/gov-pritzker-delivers-budget-address-wednesday/5947085/
NBC5
— Pritzker Wants More Spending; How Much Depends on Tax Vote The second-year
Democrat presented a fiscal outline that purports to boost spending in key
areas
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/pritzkers-budget-to-boost-spending-amid-calls-for-restraint/2221946/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposes $42 billion state budget that promises added
funding for schools, public safety if voters approve his graduated income tax
in November – JAMIE MUNKS, DAN PETRELLA, RICK PEARSON and ANTONIA AYRES-BROWN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-jb-pritzker-illinois-budget-20200219-vzdczyhvnnd55bsknwcg2odgte-story.html
— Calling himself a ‘freed political prisoner,’ Rod Blagojevich thanks Trump
and remains unbowed – SOPHIE SHERRY and STACY ST. CLAIR
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-rod-blagojevich-commute-prison-20200219-kblsr65ebjbn5e62gm5n3kqvby-story.html
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker offers two budgets — one holding $150M for education unless
graduated income tax clears Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s second-year budget includes
putting nearly $1.4 billion in reserves, including funding for education —
unless his preferred graduated income tax amendment passes this November. –
Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/2/19/21144038/pritzker-offers-two-budgets-holding-150m-education-graduated-income-tax
— Blagojevich, calling himself ‘freed political prisoner,’ praises Trump, vows
to reform ‘broken’ criminal justice system “I saw what they do to families
because I saw it happen to my own,” Rod Blagojevich said.- Jon Seidel and
Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/blagojevich/2020/2/19/21143976/rod-blagojevich-released-news-conference
DAILY HERALD
— Blagojevich is out of prison, back home; ex-Naperville hospital CEO calls
commutation ‘appalling’ – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200218/blagojevich-is-out-of-prison-back-home-ex-naperville-hospital-ceo-calls-commutation-appalling
— IRS to pay visits to high-income taxpayers who fail to file – AP (DIERSEN: I
worked for IRS as a IRS Revenue Officer 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of
which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $85,084-$96,431/year. I worked
for GAO on audits of IRS 1986-1988 at the GS-13 Step 1-3 levels, currently
$101,176-$107,922/year.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200219/business/302199920/
(FROM THE ARTICLE:
Revenue officers across the country will increase face-to-face visits with
taxpayers who had income of more than $100,000 during a tax year and did not
file a return in 2018 or prior years. ‘The IRS is committed to fairness in the
tax system, and we want to remind people across all income categories that they
need to file their taxes,’ Paul Mamo, director of collection operations for
the IRS small-business and self-employed division said in a statement. The IRS
is increasing the face-to-face visits after hiring additional enforcement
personnel. The agency said the visits are aimed at informing these taxpayers of
their obligations and bringing them into compliance. The IRS reminds taxpayers
that there options available to those who cannot pay their bill in full, such
as payment plans, and reminds taxpayers it is important to file on time, even if
they cannot pay. For those who refuse to pay, the IRS can pursue civil and
criminal cases. However, the IRS said not confuse these efforts with a scam.
The taxpayers being visited have typically received several letters from the
IRS over an extended period of time, so they generally realize they have a tax
issue. While IRS revenue officer visits are unannounced, they will always
provide two forms of official credentials. A legitimate officer will help a
taxpayer understand and meet their obligation. But they will not make threats
nor demand an unusual form of payment. More information on how to identify a
legitimate IRS representative and how to report scams can be found on the IRS
website at IRS.gov.)
— Stances on drug treatment facility, recreational pot show contrast between
Kane chairman candidates – James Fuller
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200219/stances-on-drug-treatment-facility-recreational-pot-show-contrast-between-kane-chairman-candidates
— ‘It sends a bad message’: Republicans, others decry Blagojevich commutation,
but not Durbin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200218/it-sends-a-bad-message-republicans-others-decry-blagojevich-commutation-but-not-durbin
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says: “Blago decision tells us all too
much about Trump.”
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/blago-decision-tells-us-all-too-much-about-trump
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Five Republican candidates fight for U.S. Senate seat, Forum held at Five
Points – Brittni Clemons
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/five-republican-candidates-fight-for-u-s-senate-seat-debate-held-at-five-points/
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Fox River Grove Red Light Camera Provides Almost $1 Million
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/fox-river-grove-red-light-camera-pulls-almost-1-million-out-of-local-pockets/
— McConchie on Pritzker Budget Speech
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/mcconchie-on-pritzker-budget-speech/
— GOP Candidate for McHenry County Board Chairman Mike Buehler Addresses
County Board
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/gop-candidate-for-mchenry-county-board-chairman-mike-buehler-addresses-county-board/
— Is This the Answer Suzanne Ness Will Give When Asked If She Will Vote for
Mike Madigan?
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/is-this-the-answer-suzanne-ness-will-give-when-asked-if-she-will-vote-for-mike-madigan/
— IL-06/IL-14: NRCC Elevates Jim Oberweis and Ted Gradel to Contender Level
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/il-06-il-14-nrcc-elevates-jim-oberweis-and-ted-gradel-to-contender-level/
— John Pletz Challenges Northwest Herald to Print Negative Comments about Jack
Franks
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/john-pletz-challenges-northwest-herald-to-print-negative-comments-about-jack-franks/
— U.S. Senate GOP Primary Heats Up
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/u-s-senate-gop-primary-heats-up/
— Leslie Schermerhorn Questions McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks’ Fitness
for Holding Office
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/leslie-schermerhorn-questions-mchenry-county-board-chairman-jack-franks-fitness-for-holding-office/
— Governor Pritzker’s Budget Speech
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/02/19/governor-pritzkers-budget-speech/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— EDUCATION DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING HARVARD, YALE OVER CHINA, SAUDI FUNDING
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/02/education-department-investigating-harvard-yale-over-china-saudi-funding.html
— FBI ARRESTS 15 IN KANKAKEE-BASED CHILD EXPLOITATION RING
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/02/fbi-arrests-15-in-kankakee-based-child-exploitation-ring-.html
DAILY CALLER
— Few Asylum Seekers Have Legitimate Claims, Latest Data Indicate – JASON
HOPKINS
https://dailycaller.com/2020/02/19/most-immigrant-asylum-claims-are-bogus/
DAILY SIGNAL
— ‘Endangers the Public’: Trump Tears Into LA Mayor Over Sanctuary Status –
Jason Hopkins
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/02/19/endangers-the-public-trump-tears-into-la-mayor-over-sanctuary-status/
NEWSMAX
— Bernie, Others Face Vicious Fight for Right to Lose to Trump – Conrad Black
https://www.newsmax.com/conradblack/berniesanders-democrats-donaldtrump/2020/02/19/id/954743/
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Rooting Out Systemic Racism and White Supremacy – PETER KIRSANOW (DIERSEN:
According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, because
of discrimination against minorities and against females, if I had been a
minority and/or female, a) I would NOT have been able to earn a job-related
bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 or job-related master’s degrees when I
was 27, 31, and 48; job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32,
41, 45, 47, and 48; or a job-related professional license when I was 32 and b)
the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost
3 years; IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9
years; IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974; d) GAO would NOT
have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years; and GAO would
NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/rooting-out-systemic-racism-and-white-supremacy/
CNS NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: From what I see, the more of the following that you are,
the likely that you are a pot smoker: 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 for a long
time.
https://www.cnsnews.com/article/national/michael-w-chapman/gallup-24-pot-smokers-are-liberal
POLITICO
— Trump frees Blagojevich — and irritates Illinois Republicans – MELANIE
ZANONA
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/huddle/2020/02/19/trump-frees-blagojevich-and-irritates-illinois-republicans-488362
CNN
— Top Pentagon policy official resigns at Trump’s request – Jim Sciutto,
Barbara Starr and Zachary Cohen
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/19/politics/john-rood-pentagon-official-depart/index.html
NEW YORK TIMES
— China Expels 3 Wall Street Journal Reporters as Media Relations Sour Beijing
said it revoked their credentials over a headline the newspaper published in
its opinion pages. – Alexandra Stevenson
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/business/media/china-wall-street-journal.html
