CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— When it comes to courting Caterpillar, extend an invitation, not an offer – Naperville Sun Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-editorial-caterpillar-naperville-st-0226-20170224-story.html
— Major Republican donors’ stake in far-right media outlet Breitbart is confirmed – Elise Viebeck and Matea Gold (DIERSEN: He who pays the piper calls the tunes. Everyone involved in media, in politics, in government, and in anything that is related to the aforesaid should be required to publicly disclose the amount and source of their income. I get a) $50,856/year Civil Service Retirement System pension, b) $17,288/year federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidy, and c) $2,028/year Social Security.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-major-gop-donor-stake-in-breitbart-20170224-story.html
— Jesse Jackson Jr.’s workers’ compensation benefits ‘troubling’: ethics expert – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-jesse-jackson-junior-follow-met-20170224-story.html
— As election day approaches, here’s a review of the Aurora mayoral race – Steve Lord
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-mayor-profiles-st-0226-20170224-story.html
— Protesters call for town hall meeting; Hultgren says they follow a ‘playbook’ to disrupt – Linda Girardi
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-hultgren-protest-town-hall-st-0226-20170224-story.html
— Jesse Jackson Jr., Redflex prove that crime pays in Chicago – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-chicago-way-crime-john-kass-0224-20170223-column.html
— Area schools won’t change transgender policies despite federal reversal – Rafael Guerrero
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-fox-valley-schools-transgender-st-0226-20170224-story.html
— Democrats brace for backlash as they vote on new DNC chair – David Weigel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-dnc-chairman-20170224-story.html
— Residents crowd Glen Ellyn town hall to discuss health care, press freedom, immigration – Gary Gibula
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-citizens-town-hall-st-0224-20170224-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Glen Ellyn anti-Trump Michael Malone says to Roskam “If you don’t like the circus, get out of the tent.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-to-rep-roskam-if-you-don-t-like-the-circus-get-out-of-the-tent-20170224-story.html
— Mayoral candidates tout endorsements – Steve Lord
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-mayor-endorse-st-0226-20170224-story.html
— Violence endures at Parkway Gardens, even with a deep-pocketed owner – Angela Caputo and Kathy Bergen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-related-parkway-gardens-met-20170224-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote Islam.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-naperville-moms-circle-islamic-center-st-0226-20170224-story.html
— Who’s watching the watcher? How local governments fall prey to big thefts – Editorial (DIERSEN: What qualifications do those who are paid to watch units of government in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois have? GAO audits federal agencies. I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels (currently $94,610-$122,991). For almost 9 of those years, I worked on audits of federal financial industry regulators; for almost 6 years, on audits of many other federal agencies; and for 3 years, on audits of IRS. I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173. I served on the Executive Committee of the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants for 13 years. I passed the CPA examination and the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt. I am a licensed CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Government Financial Manager, Certified Financial Services Auditor, and Forensic Accountant. I have masters degrees in business, accounting, and financial markets and trading. Because I have so many qualifications, those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who do not want me to expose their wrongdoing focus on demonizing me, denigrating me, and condemning me.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-madigan-essex-kankakee-public-corruption-edit-0225-jm-20170224-story.html
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: Governments are required to hire auditors, but many audits essentially rely on records provided by the officials being audited. Audits often are cursory and nonprobing. In the Dixon case, the city’s outside auditors and bankers settled with the city for nearly $40 million — a rare admission of accountability failure. Burnham officials sued their auditors for not catching the theft. The list of embezzlement cases involving public officials is long, but nearly every case involves three culprits: Too little oversight. Too concentrated control. Too much trust. If you’re an elected official (you too, school board members) or government worker who deals with taxpayer-funded accounts, be vigilant — and not only of your own conduct. Ask the questions: Who has access to the accounts and who oversees that person? How many signatures are required on transactions? How probing are the audits we’re paying for? That is: Who’s watching the watcher?)
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Billionaire pols could use a little farm team training – Editorial (DIERSEN: What do you know about the federal government? GAO audits federal agencies. I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels (currently $94,610-$122,991). For almost 9 of those years, I worked on audits of federal financial industry regulators; for almost 6 years, on audits of many other federal agencies; and for 3 years, on audits of IRS. I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173. I served on the Executive Committee of the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants for 13 years.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-billionaire-pols-could-use-a-little-farm-team-training/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In politics, there used to be farm teams. If you planned to run for governor some day, you might start out by running for the Chicago City Council. You could learn to hit a curve ball before moving up. But now very wealthy men — they all seem to be men — with no previous experience in elective office are pushing right to the top. People like Bruce Rauner, Donald Trump, Chris Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker, self-funded and self-impressed, are running for governor or senator or president or whatever and often winning. Because money often wins. But because they have never played even a summer or two of Triple-A ball, hacking away on a local school board or village board, they are prone to the kind of mental errors that could have been avoided with a little seasoning. We’re thinking here, first of all, of major league wannabee J.B. Pritzker, the Chicago billionaire who’s contemplating a run for governor. On Thursday morning, Pritzker woke up and could not resist an overwhelming desire to tweet out: “As a protest against Trump’s rescinding protections for trans kids, everyone should use the other gender’s bathroom today!” This did not go over well. Conservatives, choosing to take his suggestion literally, warned they would beat up any man who tried to enter a woman’s bathroom. And liberals said Pritzker entirely missed the point. As state Rep. Will Guzzardi tweeted in response, “No disrespect” but “we just want to let kids use their own gender’s bathroom.” Pritzker later clarified that he was just being flip to make a point. But a more experienced politician would have known that flip doesn’t play with the public. And you have to learn when not to swing. Maybe Pritzker will learn. They often do. Will Kennedy still run into elevators when reporters ask him annoying questions? Time will tell. But Rauner doesn’t talk as much anymore like an arrogant CEO. And who knows, if Trump strikes out enough, maybe even he will learn. Well, no, we don’t actually believe that. Our best scouts say Trump is not coachable.)
DAILY HERALD
— Few attend first Dist. 200 forum on $132.5 million tax-backed loan question – Katlyn Smith
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170224/news/170229220/
ABC7
— RACIST CAMPAIGN FLYERS SEEN IN DOLTON PRIOR TO MAYORAL ELECTION – Stacey Baca
http://abc7chicago.com/news/racist-campaign-flyers-seen-in-dolton-prior-to-mayoral-election/1771536/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps glorify and praise foreign countries and their citizens.
http://abc7chicago.com/society/syrian-immigrants-reunited-with-4-year-old-daughter-in-chicago/1772171/
WGN TV
— Rauner administration details why Thompson Center needs to go – TAHMAN BRADLEY
http://wgntv.com/2017/02/24/rauner-administration-details-why-thompson-center-needs-to-go/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Politicians emulate Trump’s bombastic ways at their peril – RICH MILLER (DIERSEN: I should write a book about past and present politicians and would be politicians in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who emulate Trump’s bombastic ways. They have always viciously demonized me, viciously denigrated me, and viciously condemned me. They have always blamed me for their problems, blamed me for your problems, blamed me for my problems, and blamed me for everyone’s problems. They are what everyone would say are scapegoaters.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170224/NEWS02/170229919/pols-emulate-trumps-bombastic-ways-at-their-peril
— Tollway gets new help in O’Hare access fight – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170224/BLOGS02/170229920/ohare-western-access-gets-congressional-allies
WTTW
— CPS Unfreezing $15M in School Funds After Latino Community Outcry – Matt Masterson
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/02/24/cps-unfreezing-15m-school-funds-after-latino-community-outcry
WBEZ
— TREASONOUS: Congressman Rush Declares His Offices As Sanctuaries – Claire Donnelly
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/congressman-rush-declares-his-offices-as-sanctuaries/2c88c461-87a4-44c2-baad-354d6fac8950
— Indivisible Illinois Activists Concerned About Bobby Rush’s Absence From Congress – Claire Donnelly
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/indivisible-illinois-activists-concerned-about-bobby-rushs-absence-from-congress/73a25197-53b7-494f-a4f5-bae4845ee434
DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps harass Kinzinger and Hultgren.
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/02/23/dekalb-county-activists-seek-parley-with-congressmen-kinzinger-hultgren/amm74o/
NORTHWEST HERALD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps want anti-Trumps to harass Roskam.
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/02/24/u-s-rep-peter-roskam-overseas-as-town-hall-held-without-him/ag19nw8/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps want anti-Trumps to harass Hultgren.
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/02/24/protesters-converge-on-u-s-rep-randy-hultgrens-office/ajpvn5x/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps promote www.indivisibleNWIL.us.
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/02/24/residents-form-indivisible-political-group-in-crystal-lake/as6a45u/
- LOUIS POST DISPATCH
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Push to expand gambling underway in Missouri and Illinois – Kurt Erickson
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/push-to-expand-gambling-underway-in-missouri-and-illinois/article_bf5cdacb-7b54-5b7f-b0ea-627ec18c47bd.html
— St Louis-area Republicans in Congress avoid raucous town halls – Chuck Raasch
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/st-louis-area-republicans-in-congress-avoid-raucous-town-halls/article_bfd9d903-53b4-5f60-802b-d1198b19e3cb.html
PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps are overjoyed that “Mexican consulate comes to Peoria.”
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170224/mexican-consulate-comes-to-peoria
(FROM THE ARTICLE: With the proper documents, people born in Mexico can get a copy of a birth certificate within minutes. People can get “matriculas,” or government-issued identification cards, for themselves or their children. Some hold dual citizenship or they want their children to hold dual citizenships. The ID cards feature fingerprints, retinal-imaging and 27 digital locks to prevent identification theft, according to Marco Peral, of the consulate offices. Ron Noriega said the unit provides services to all who come. “They’re Mexicans, regardless of their status,” she said. “We don’t ask, there’s no reason to ask. We’re only providing a service.” The mobile unit’s services expanded this year, to include health screenings and legal advice on immigration, labor and other administrative issues. Staff from Alivio Medical Center, a Chicago-based clinic, travel with the mobile unit.)
BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Trump’s travels on pace to cost taxpayers more than Obama’s trips – ROGER SCHLUETER
http://www.bnd.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/answer-man/article134647399.html
WJBC
— Barickman calls Madigan’s new school funding commission ‘stall technique’ – Adam Studzinski
http://www.wjbc.com/2017/02/24/barickman-calls-madigans-new-school-funding-commission-stall-technique/
WJDB
— President Trump’s history of using anonymous sources (DIERSEN: What do you say to those in your municipality who use anonymous sources? What would you say to someone who has lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in your municipality who justifies his badmouthing you by saying that anonymous people have told him that you go around badmouthing him?)
http://www.wjbdradio.com/politics/2017/02/24/president-trumps-history-of-using-anonymous-sources
TIMES
— Why spend so much on cars, gas? – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/as-it-is-why-spend-so-much-on-cars-gas/article_8a9086d5-bdc1-5f1a-919d-47168c726076.html
MORTON TIMES NEWS
— Transgender protection status remains in Illinois – Sharon Woods Harris
http://www.mortontimesnews.com/news/20170224/transgender-protection-status-remains-in-illinois
WYCC PBS CHICAGO
— In The Loop 2.24.17 Highway Horror, Giving Shelter, Fighting Hate, Sextortion & Cyber Security
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIBHZpu7apA&feature=youtu.be
NAPERVILLE COMMUNITY TELEVISION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote Islam.
http://www.nctv17.com/creating-a-circle-of-peace-in-naperville/
CHICAGO NOW
— Gov. Rauner take the bait to threaten “PATCOING” State employees? – Jeff Berkowitz
http://www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2017/02/gov-rauner-take-the-bait-to-threaten-patcoing-state-employees/
MCHENRY TIMES
— Videos surface of men wearing Algonquin Township Highway Dept. uniforms firing guns, totaling car – Vimbai Chikomo
http://mchenrytimes.com/stories/511084992-videos-surface-of-men-wearing-algonquin-township-highway-dept-uniforms-vandalizing-township-vehicle
DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Winfield Township trustee candidate: Barbara Alekna – Vimbai Chikomo
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511084817-winfield-township-trustee-candidate-barbara-alekna
— Winfield Township trustee candidate: Zachary Halley – Vimbai Chikomo
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511084836-winfield-township-trustee-candidate-zachary-halley
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— USELESS COMMITTEES PROVIDE POLITICAL PAY RAISES FOR STATE LAWMAKERS Buried in the House rules lawmakers passed in January are a dozen new committees, bringing the total number of standing committees in the House to 45. Committee chairs receive a $10,326 stipend annually. – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/useless-committees-provide-political-pay-raises-for-state-lawmakers/?linkId=34857265
BREITBART
— Chicago Has Deadliest Day of 2017, Seven Killed, Including Pregnant Woman – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/02/23/chicago-deadliest-day-2017-7-killed-including-pregnant-woman/
— Black Students at University of Michigan Demand Segregated Space – JEROME HUDSON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/02/24/black-students-university-michigan-demand-segregated-space/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Nine Causes of Scientific Decline in American Academia – Leo Goldstein
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/02/nine_causes_of_scientific_decline_in_american_academia.html
— CNN’s Chris Cuomo OK with girls having forced exposure to male genitalia – Carol Brown
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/02/cnns_chris_cuomo_ok_with_girls_having_forced_exposure_to_male_genitalia.html
NEWS WITH VIEWS
— THE HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA – Rob Pue
http://www.newswithviews.com/Pue/rob103.htm
HANNITY
— CNN’s Cuomo: Underage Girls Should Be Taught ‘Tolerance’ For Male Genitals In School Locker Rooms
http://www.hannity.com/articles/election-493995/cnns-cuomo-underage-girls-should-be-15592533/
LIFEZETTE NEWS
— Three Key Tenets of the Trump Platform Honed at CPAC President debuted his populist vision at conservative confab in the years leading to 2016 – Martin Walsh
http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/three-things-trump-said-at-cpac-that-are-relevant-today/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Immigration Trump argued in 2013 that the Republican Party would continue to lose elections if GOP lawmakers granted citizenship to illegal immigrants, comparing reform efforts that included amnesty to a “suicide mission.” “The fact is 11 million people will be voting Democratic. You can be out front. You can be the spearhead. You can do whatever you want to do, but every one of those 11 million people will be voting Democratic,” Trump said, adding, “It is just the way it works.” In 2015, Trump again made immigration a major emphasis in his speech. “It’s a massive problem we have to stop illegal immigration,” Trump explained. “It’s disgusting what is happening to our country, we are a dumping ground for the rest of the world.” Trump also highlighted the immediate need for a border wall. “We need a wall. If I run, I will tell you, the king of building buildings, the king of building walls,” Trump said, “Nobody can build ’em like Trump. That I can promise you. I can promise you that.”)
POLITICO
— Trump wages war on Chicago The nation’s third-largest city has become the place the president loves to hate. – NATASHA KORECKI
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/trump-chicago-235374
THE HILL
— GOP grapples with how to handle town halls – SCOTT WONG (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps are full of hatred. Anti-Trumps are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means. Anti-Trumps are disciples of Saul Alinsky.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/321090-gop-grapples-with-how-to-handle-town-halls
ROLL CALL
— At CPAC, Trump Delivers a Journalism Lecture — and a Threat POTUS hits anonymous sources after ‘senior administration official’ briefs reporters – John T. Bennett
http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/at-cpac-trump-delivers-a-journalism-lecture-and-threat
NBC NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Republicans in Congress Are Still Looking for Direction from Trump.”
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/republicans-congress-are-still-looking-direction-trump-n725141
NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Members of the following groups do not want police to enforce immigration laws: 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.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/us/sanctuary-city-trump-immigration-detainers.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, the Democrat press makes it clear that exists a) to defend and advance the Democrat Party platform, the Libertarian Party platform, and the Green party platform and b) to get rid of Trump supporters, Protestants, conservatives, Republicans, Americans, Whites, males, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/opinion/barring-the-white-house-press-corps-from-the-white-house.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, NYT sides with foreign countries and with their citizens AGAINST America and AGAINST its citizens.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/opinion/the-islamophobic-huckster-in-the-white-house.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, NYT sides with foreign countries and with their citizens AGAINST America and AGAINST its citizens.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/opinion/why-i-will-not-leave.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps and anti-conservatives say “At CPAC, Conservatives Settle Into Their New Role.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/us/politics/cpac-photos-trump-conservatives.html
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Mexico Responds to Trump Our southern neighbors aren’t rolling over to his political demands. – Editorial (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, WSJ sides with Mexico AGAINST America.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mexico-responds-to-trump-1487978920
USA TODAY
— Deadly drug overdoses more than doubled since 1999 – Sean Rossman (DIERSEN: Citizens of what countries bring the most heroin into America?)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/02/24/deadly-drug-overdoses-more-than-doubled-since-1999/98345458/
