February 26 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Democratic county chairs ask for investigation of Downstate GOP Rep. Chris Miller for displaying militia decal at U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-republican-state-represenatitve-us-capitol-insurrection-20210226-jodipvmmk5gubkyzqffbkm2ade-story.html
— ‘Culturally responsive teaching’ or ‘woke indoctrination’? New standards for Illinois teachers in training are latest flashpoint in culture wars. – ELYSSA CHERNEY, KAREN ANN CULLOTTA and ROBERT MCCOPPIN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-illinois-teachers-cultural-competency-new-standards-20210226-xfhgzb5fs5htpmdhyiop5p4mxm-story.html
— Former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s pension illustrates the broken system – EDITORIAL
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-fixing-illinois-chicago-budget-madigan-pension-20210226-tt4kmbn7hbetldxgez57x4ioqq-story.html
— What happened to the ‘famously cautious’ Michael Madigan when it came time to pick a successor? – ERIC ZORN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/eric-zorn/ct-column-madigan-kodat-guerrero-cuellar-haste-zorn-20210226-ffcpu3xnvffnlfqfdbns2mu6ty-story.html
— Backed by Pritzker, Ald. Michelle Harris holds early lead in contest to replace Madigan as Illinois Democratic chairman – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-democratic-party-chairman-madigan-successor-20210226-2fs7vj36srbjbhijdo7jmfcram-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote LGBTQ.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/clarence-page/ct-column-lgbtq-marie-newman-marjorie-taylor-greene-page-20210226-ps3yhanmtvcmjhlkq3jnq2yzua-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Downstate Republican says he removed far-right militia decal from his truck — but Democrats and Kinzinger call for probe. State Rep. Chris Miller denied any involvement with the extremist organization called the Three Percenters after his pick-up truck was photographed with the sticker in its back window in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6. – Andrew Sullender
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2021/2/26/22303594/republican-chris-miller-mary-representative-congress-three-percenters-militia-insurrection-truck
— Illinois companies should be required — not just encouraged — to increase diversity on their boards. A study last fall found that only 16.8% of directors at big Illinois companies are minority, and only 27.4% are women. – Alexi Giannoulias
(DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my superiors were constructively required by Democrat politicians to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who they had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $102,188) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $120,755) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $142,041) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $172,500) by age 40. Extremely few federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/26/22303178/corporate-board-diversity-illinois-alex-giannoulias-lgbtq-valerie-jarrett

DAILY HERALD
— It’s suburbs vs. Chicago for control of Illinois Democratic Party – JJ Bullock
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210226/its-suburbs-vs-chicago-for-control-of-illinois-democratic-party
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Aurora area groups issue call for racial equity in distribution of COVID-19 vaccine – Patricia Andrews-Keenan
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20210225/aurora-area-groups-issue-call-for-racial-equity-in-distribution-of-covid-19-vaccine

ABC7
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: ‘Pot for Shots’: Mich weed dispensary offers free joint to anyone who gets COVID-19 vaccine – CNN
(DIERSEN: To push pot on an individual, organization, company, government, or country is to destroy that individual, organization, company, government, or country.)
https://abc7chicago.com/health/pot-for-shots-marijuana-dispensary-offers-free-joint-to-anyone-who-gets-covid-vaccine/10372890/
— COVID-19 vaccine ‘passports’ may open society, but inequity looms – AP
(DIERSEN: Of course, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Independents, and RINOs will punish non-vaccinated Republicans.)
https://abc7chicago.com/travel/covid-vaccine-passports-may-open-society-but-inequity-looms/10372971/

NBC5
— Social Media is Radicalizing You (Yes, You) — Here’s How to Stop It. You can push back against social media algorithms with these tips. – Noah Pransky
(DIERSEN: Of course, according to my critics/opponents, my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters radicalize those who read them. Of course, my critics/opponents want you to read only what they put out or bless, nothing more, nothing less.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/lx/social-media-is-radicalizing-you-yes-you-heres-how-to-stop-it/2448542/

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Coin flip breaks tie vote in Belvidere City Council primary. First-ever tiebreaker on a Boone County vote, clerk says. – Shaquil Manigault
(DIERSEN: As a Republican Precinct Committeeman, I anxiously await campaign literature from the Republican candidates on the April 6, 2021 ballot for my precinct so that I can deliver that literature along with marked sample ballots and vote-by-mail information to the homes in my precinct that have at least one Republican or one Independent voter. I also anxiously await yard signs from the candidates that I can offer to the voters, and voter lists that target voters who are likely to vote and to vote Republican. For Milton Township, the Republican candidates are John Monino, Nick Nathwani, Chris LeVan, Gary Muehfelt, Dan Milinko, Jeff Castle, Drew Ellis, and Joe Soto. For Wheaton Park District, the Republican candidates include Ron Almiron. For DuPage County Educational Service Region, the Republican candidates include Paula McGowen. For Wheaton Warrenville School District 200, the Republican candidates are? For College of DuPage, the Republican candidates are Heidi Holan, Andrew Manno, and Deborah Sajdak.)
https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2021/02/26/natalie-mulhall-wins-2nd-ward-belvidere-primary-coin-flip/6832468002/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— MOST AMERICANS STILL SUPPORT PLAYING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT SPORTING EVENTS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/02/most-americans-still-support-playing-national-anthem-at-sporting-events.html
— THORNER: THE GASLIGHTING OF AMERICANS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/02/thorner-the-gaslighting-of-americans.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Durbin downplays division over state party chair contest, Pritzker denies promises being made
https://capitolfax.com/2021/02/26/durbin-downplays-division-over-state-party-chair-contest-pritzker-denies-promises-being-made/
— 2,441 new confirmed and probable cases; 55 additional deaths; 1,393 hospitalized; 336 in ICU; 2.5 percent average case positivity rate; 2.7 percent test positivity rate; 68,988 average daily doses
https://capitolfax.com/2021/02/26/2441-new-confirmed-and-probable-cases-55-additional-deaths-1393-hospitalized-336-in-icu-25-percent-average-case-positivity-rate-27-percent-test-positivity-rate-68988-average-daily-doses/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump rules supreme at ‘TPAC’ – S.A. Miller and Seth McLaughlin
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/26/donald-trump-rules-supreme-cpac/
— Sen. Josh Hawley: ‘I’m not backing down’ – Seth McLaughlin
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/26/josh-hawley-im-not-backing-down/

FOX NEWS
— Tom Cotton at CPAC tells conservatives ‘we will never retreat’ The Arkansas senator, a potential 2024 GOP presidential contender, vows he’ll ‘never apologize for defending America’ – Paul Steinhauser
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cotton-cpac-conservatives-will-never-retreat
— Cawthorn at CPAC says Dems want to turn U.S. into ‘Communist ash heap’ ‘They are trying to take away all of our rights and they are playing for keeps’ – Morgan Phillips
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cawthorn-cpac-dems-want-buy-vote-u-s-communist-ash-heap
— Is Trump the GOP’s future? Here’s what CPAC attendees think. Trump still leader of the party, CPAC attendees say, but many think Gov. Ron DeSantis should be 2024 presidential nominee. – Tyler Olson
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/is-trump-the-gops-future-heres-what-cpac-attendees-think
— Lawrence Jones says CPAC attendees ‘united,’ previews what Trump will say in speech. Jones said that “people from all over the country are fired up at CPAC.” – Joshua Q. Nelson
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-message-cpac-united-civil-war-gop-lawrence-jones
— Inside CPAC 2021: MAGA hats, coronavirus masks and temperature checks. – Adam Shaw
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/inside-cpac-2021-temp-checks-masks-maga-hats
— Scott Walker at CPAC says ‘America is under siege’ on campuses, in culture. Former Wisconsin governor takes aim at ‘radical activists on campus’ – Paul Steinhauser
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scott-walker-cpac-america-under-siege-campuses-culture

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Democrats Will End Your Freedom Of Speech Next Week
https://www.conservativehq.org/post/democrats-will-end-your-freedom-of-speech-next-week

DAILY WIRE
— Ron DeSantis At CPAC Highlights Future Of Republican Party Moving Forward: ‘Don’t Ever Back Down’
https://www.dailywire.com/news/ron-desantis-at-cpac-highlights-future-of-republican-party-moving-forward-dont-ever-back-down

PJ MEDIA
— Hello, CPAC! Trump Is Still In Charge Here – MARK ELLIS
https://pjmedia.com/columns/mark-ellis/2021/02/26/hello-cpac-trump-is-still-in-charge-here-n1428667

EPOCH TIMES
— Trump ‘Planning for the Next Administration’: Former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows – SAMUEL ALLEGRI
https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-planning-for-the-next-administration-former-chief-of-staff-mark-meadows_3712640.html

THE HILL
— Donald Trump Jr. attacks Cheney at CPAC: ‘Lincoln Project Liz’ – MORGAN CHALFANT
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/540761-donald-trump-jr-attacks-cheney-at-cpac-lincoln-project-liz
— House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said President Trump has not given him a commitment to refrain from targeting House GOP incumbents in their primaries. – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE
(DIERSEN: I should write a book about Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, Independent plants, and RINOs who have targeted Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct since 2000.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/540724-mccarthy-no-commitment-from-trump-to-not-target-republicans
— CPAC officials booed after asking attendees to put on masks. “So please everyone, when you’re in a ballroom when you’re seated, you should still be wearing a mask. So if everybody can go ahead, work on that,” organizers asked amid boos from the crowd. – Joseph Guzman
https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/540736-cpac-officials-booed-after-asking-attendees-to

NEW YORK TIMES
— Punish Lawyers for Complicity With Trump? – William D. Zabel, New York
(DIERSEN: Who have hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters selected to punish Trump-voters in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county district, in your county, and in Illinois? Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains; township, ward, and county party organizations; and the Illinois Republican Party should be taking steps to protect Trump-voters. 157 in my precinct voted for Trump. 20,080 in Milton Township voted for Trump. 193,611 in DuPage County voted for Trump. 2,446,891 in Illinois voted for Trump.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/opinion/letters/lawyers-trump.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Republican Civil War Over Trump? Not at CPAC. As Republicans in Washington debate the former president’s role in the party, many GOP rising stars, activists and voters have made up their minds. – Joshua Jamerson
https://www.wsj.com/articles/republican-civil-war-over-trump-not-at-cpac-11614366303

NEWSWEEK
— Dan Bongino Tells CPAC He’ll Start Up Server Farms, Banks, ‘Whatever You Want’ for Conservatives – DANIEL VILLARREAL
https://www.newsweek.com/dan-bongino-tells-cpac-hell-start-server-farms-banks-whatever-you-want-conservatives-1572525
— Josh Hawley Gets CPAC Standing Ovation at Mention of Election Certification Objection – MATTHEW IMPELLI
https://www.newsweek.com/josh-hawley-gets-cpac-standing-ovation-mention-election-certification-objection-1572499

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled GOP-hating GOP-haters say “Some local GOP leaders fire up base with conspiracies, lies.”
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2021/02/some-local-gop-leaders-fire-up-base-with-conspiracies-lies-2/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Most Voters Have Unfavorable Opinion of AOC
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/congressional_faves_feb26

GLOBE AND MAIL
— Trump’s hold on Republican Party on display at CPAC
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-politics/video-trumps-hold-on-republican-party-on-display-at-cpac/

DAILY MAIL
— America’s culture and campuses are ‘under SIEGE’ by the woke brigade’s attempts to cancel conservative thought, Scott Walker tells CPAC – KEITH GRIFFITH
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9304843/Americas-culture-campuses-SIEGE-woke-brigade-Scott-Walker-says.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.