February 19 Evening Edition

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

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.