February 9, 2024

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT LEANING SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Special counsel finds Joe Biden ‘willfully’ disclosed classified materials as private citizen, but no criminal charges warranted – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/08/special-counsel-biden-willfully-disclosed-classified-materials-as-private-citizen-but-no-criminal-charges-warranted/
— Special counsel alleged Biden couldn’t recall personal milestones. His response: ‘My memory is fine’ – JOSH BOAK
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/08/special-counsel-alleged-biden-couldnt-recall-personal-milestones-his-response-my-memory-is-fine/
— No migrants camped out at O’Hare International Airport for first time since summer, questions loom over dwindling city funds – ALICE YIN and NELL SALZMAN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/08/no-migrants-at-ohare-airport/
— Democratic candidates for state’s attorney split on juvenile crimes, retail theft – A.D. QUIG
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/08/cook-county-states-attorney-debate/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG PICTURE IN NAPERVILLE SUN: Naperville residents lambast McBroom for his migrant sign-up sheet proposal, calling it politically motivated and ‘self-serving’ – TESS KENNY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/02/08/naperville-mcbroom-council-chicago-migrant-criticism/

DAILY HERALD
— A surcharge for hybrid vehicles? – Editorial
https://www.dailyherald.com/20240209/editorials/a-surcharge-for-hybrid-vehicles/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— For Pritzker, the DNC could be a dress rehearsal for a presidential run – Leigh Giangreco
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/2024-democratic-national-convention/jb-pritzker-dnc-presidential-springboard

NBC5
— Biden angrily pushes back at special counsel’s report that questioned his memory, handling of documents – AP
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/special-counsel-biden-willfully-disclosed-classified-materials-but-no-criminal-charges-warranted/3351019/
— Task force to gather information, history on Illinois’ underground railroad created (COMMENT: Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly equate slaves fleeing slavery with citizens of foreign countries fleeing their motherlands.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/top-videos-home/task-force-to-gather-information-history-on-illinois-underground-railroad-created/3348966/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBR-sIKq9AU
— A look into the process behind Evanston’s reparations program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Rd2VjC6D0
— Important details on migrant shelters remain up in the air following Johnson, Pritzker meeting – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WfkkLTfEko

CBS2
— Democrats and RINOs ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/volunteers-free-store-migrants-chicago/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbPhg6UTJ94

FOX32
— Illinois Republicans raise concerns over spending on healthcare for non-citizens
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-republicans-spending-healthcare-noncitizens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I6BWfc2pgQ
— Biden insists ‘my memory is fine’ as he angrily criticizes Special Counsel report. President Biden on Thursday addressed the nation in a primetime speech regarding the release of a Special Counsel report that called into question his mental clarity, as well as the war in Gaza.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1408444

WTTW
— Special Counsel: Biden ‘Willfully’ Disclosed Classified Materials, but No Criminal Charges Warranted – AP
https://news.wttw.com/2024/02/08/special-counsel-biden-willfully-disclosed-classified-materials-no-criminal-charges

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— NRA endorses incumbent Bost over challenger Bailey – Brenden Moore
https://pantagraph.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/nra-endorses-incumbent-bost-over-challenger-bailey/article_e707a414-c5ed-11ee-9c63-3bfee16ff224.html

STATELINE
— Votes for Trump won’t be counted in Illinois if challenge to keep him off primary ballot is successful – John Clark
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/votes-for-trump-wont-be-counted-in-illinois-if-challenge-to-keep-him-off-primary-ballot-is-successful/

WJBC
— Illinois Senate Republicans tired of tax dollars going to free health care for immigrants – Dave Dahl
https://www.wjbc.com/2024/02/09/illinois-senate-republicans-tired-of-tax-dollars-going-to-free-health-care-for-immigrants/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Biden’s age continues to linger as a campaign issue amid slip-ups – AUSTIN DENEAN (COMMENT: The issue should be his health, not his age.)
https://foxillinois.com/news/beyond-the-podium/president-joe-bidens-age-continues-to-linger-as-a-campaign-issue-amid-slip-ups-2024-election-politics-former-president-donald-trump-republican-primary-nikki-haley-dean-phillips

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Democrat and RINO leaders reject the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/ap-as-dei-policies-come-under-legal-attack-philanthropic-donors-consider-how-to-adapt/

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— The Illinois-Indiana Border Separates Two Worlds – EDWARD ROBERT MCCLELLAND
https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/the-illinois-indiana-border-separates-two-worlds/

CHALKBEAT
— Chicago Public Schools enrollment climbs as more migrant families arrive – Becky Veveaand
https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2024/02/08/chicago-public-schools-sees-more-migrant-students/

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2024/02/09/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-230/
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2024/02/08/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-32/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT LEANING SOURCES

JOHN KASS
— The Invasion Democrats Created and America Can’t Unsee
https://johnkassnews.com/the-invasion-america-wont-forget/

WIREPOINTS
— The well-educated are fleeing Illinois, too – Nick Binotti
https://wirepoints.org/the-well-educated-are-fleeing-illinois-too-wirepoints/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Justice Department Describes Joe Biden as “An Elderly Man with a Poor Memory”
https://mchenrycountyblog.com/2024/02/08/justice-department-describes-joe-biden-as-an-elderly-man-with-a-poor-memory/

NORTH COOK NEWS
— North County municipalities refuse to discuss illegal immigrant crisis
https://northcooknews.com/stories/654329444-north-county-municipalities-refuse-to-discuss-illegal-immigrant-crisis

WEST COOK NEWS
— West Cook County municipalities refuse to discuss illegal immigrant crisis
https://westcooknews.com/stories/654334892-west-cook-county-municipalities-refuse-to-discuss-illegal-immigrant-crisis

LAKE COUNTY GAZETTE
— Lake Forest podcast hosts: ‘The law allows you to come to the United States border and say I am seeking Asylum’
https://lakecountygazette.com/stories/654138370-lake-forest-podcast-hosts-the-law-allows-you-to-come-to-the-united-states-border-and-say-i-am-seeking-asylum

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IL State Rifle Assoc. Launches Video Highlighting Gun Control’s Racist History, Says Laws Were Meant to Keep Minorities Unarmed
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2024/02/il-state-rifle-assoc-launches-video-highlighting-gun-controls-racist-history-says-laws-were-meant-to-keep-minorities-unarmed.html
— The Failed Experiment of Decriminalizing Drugs – David E. Smith
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2024/02/opinion-the-failed-experiment-of-decriminalizing-drugs.html

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT LEANING SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘Well-meaning elderly man’: Republicans seize on Biden memory issues detailed in Hur report – Jeff Mordock
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/feb/8/republicans-seize-joe-biden-memory-issues-detailed/
— Stephen A. Smith grapples with reality in MAGA meltdown: ‘Who’s to say Black people would be wrong to vote Trump? – Terresa Monroe-Hamilton
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/02/08/stephen-a-smith-grapples-with-reality-in-maga-meltdown-whos-to-say-black-people-would-be-wrong-to-vote-trump-1435147/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Nikki Haley reads ‘mean tweets’ in new viral video – Asher Notheis
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2844867/nikki-haley-mean-tweets-second-late-night-appearance/
— Executive actions cannot stem tide of illegal immigration: White House – Haisten Willis
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/2845797/white-house-executive-action-tide-illegal-immigration/
— Eric Adams’s gangs of New York – Parker Miller
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/2844540/eric-adamss-gangs-new-york/
— Sunny Hostin still wants reparations after discovering ancestors were ‘enslavers’ – Jenny Goldsberry (COMMENT: In my defense, I have always stressed that all my ancestors have always lived in northeast Illinois.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2845357/sunny-hostin-reparations-ancestors-were-enslavers/
— Biden likes banning books too, you hypocrites – Parker Miller
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/2845323/the-amazon-files-biden-likes-banning-books-too-you-hypocrites/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Grindr, the original gay hookup app, is under fire for discriminating against gays – Andrea Widburg
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/02/grindr_the_original_gay_hookup_app_is_under_fire_for_discriminating_against_gays.html

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— ‘Asylum seekers’ seem to think they’ll be voting in 2024: ‘Of course, for Biden’ – Frieda Powers
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/02/08/asylum-seekers-seem-to-think-theyll-be-voting-in-2024-of-course-for-biden-1435213/
— Dangerous new trend? Illegal alien beats NY homeowner, steals flag before flipping camera the bird – Terresa Monroe-Hamilton
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/02/08/dangerous-new-trend-illegal-alien-beats-ny-homeowner-steals-flag-before-flipping-camera-the-bird-1435119/
— GOP candidate ignites firestorm when she takes a flamethrower to ‘sexualized’ books that ‘groom’ kids – Frieda Powers
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/02/08/gop-candidate-ignites-firestorm-when-she-takes-a-flamethrower-to-sexualized-books-that-groom-kids-1435200/

BLAZE
— Enough border photo ops! GOP governors need to fight the interior invasion – DANIEL HOROWITZ
https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/enough-border-photo-ops-gop-governors-need-to-fight-the-interior-invasion

BREITBART
— Joe Biden Threatens to Further Cut Deportations Unless Congress Funnels Billions to Border Crossers – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/02/08/joe-biden-threatens-to-further-cut-deportations-unless-congress-funnels-billions-to-border-crossers/

COLLEGE FIX
— Bill would stop universities from imposing DEI pledges on students, staff – MARY MOBLEY
https://www.thecollegefix.com/bill-would-stop-universities-from-imposing-dei-pledges-on-students-staff/
— New York, Illinois universities vandalized with swastikas, antisemitic graffiti in same week – MICAIAH BILGER
https://www.thecollegefix.com/new-york-illinois-universities-vandalized-with-swastikas-antisemitic-graffiti-in-same-week/

DAILY SIGNAL
— The Gang’s All Here—Thanks to Biden’s Open Border – Simon Hankinson
https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/02/08/gangs-all-here-thanks-bidens-open-border-borderline/

DAILY WIRE
— Republicans Slam Biden Admin For Saying ICE Will Reduce Deportations If GOP Doesn’t Pass Border Bill – Ryan Saavedra
https://www.dailywire.com/news/republicans-slam-biden-admin-for-saying-ice-will-reduce-deportations-if-gop-doesnt-pass-border-bill
— Stephen A. Smith Rips Democrats For Prioritizing Illegal Aliens Over Americans
https://www.dailywire.com/news/stephen-a-smith-rips-democrats-for-prioritizing-illegal-aliens-over-americans
— Senator Murphy On Democrats’ Priorities: ‘People We Care About Most’ Are ‘Undocumented Americans’
https://www.dailywire.com/news/senator-murphy-on-democrats-priorities-people-we-care-about-most-are-undocumented-americans
— Dartmouth Brings Back SAT Requirement. – Mairead Elordi (COMMENT: The federal government should bring back the Federal Service Entrance Examination (FSEE). Because I passed the FSEE in 1970, IRS offered me a job in 1971. The Democrats who run the federal government dumped the FSEE because it frustrated their efforts to hire Democrats who were minority, female, younger, and/or veteran.)
https://www.dailywire.com/news/dartmouth-brings-back-sat-requirement
— The Racial Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card. It’s Only Going To Lead To More Failure. – Ben Shapiro
https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-racial-get-out-of-jail-free-card-its-only-going-to-lead-to-more-failure

EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Glides to Victory in Nevada Caucus. Trump’s win came hours after the Supreme Court heard arguments on an effort to remove him from the ballot in Colorado. – Janice Hisle
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-glides-to-victory-in-nevada-caucus-5583315

FEDERATION FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM
— House to Vote Again on Mayorkas Impeachment After Setback – Kari Jacobson
https://www.fairus.org/biden-immigration-border-policy/house-vote-again-mayorkas-impeachment-after-setback

FOX BUSINESS
— Democrats border bill attempts to ‘normalize’ illegal immigration: Sen. Ted Cruz. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, discusses whether the Republican Party is in ‘chaos’ after killing the Democrats’ border package on ‘Varney & Co.’
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6346486485112

FOX NEWS
— It’s become an industry for race hustlers to find racism in everything. Race obsessed snake oil salesmen do us all a grave disservice while lining their own pockets – Greg Gutfeld
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/greg-gutfeld-industry-race-hustlers-racism
— Infighting continues at New York Times as staffers complain about LGBTQ coverage. Times staffers have bickered over everything from transgender issues to coverage of Israel-Hamas war. – Brian Flood
https://www.foxnews.com/media/infighting-continues-new-york-times-staffers-complain-about-lgbtq-coverage
— ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith rails against ‘$53 million pilot program for illegals,’ predicts Trump victory. ‘I personally think his return to the presidency is going to be civil war in this country,’ Smith says of Trump. – Brian Flood
https://www.foxnews.com/media/espns-stephen-a-smith-predicts-trump-will-defeat-biden-immigration-economic-issues-persist
— Democratic senator reveals ‘people we care about most’ are ‘undocumented Americans’ in US. Democratic Sen Chris Murphy joined MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on Wednesday to discuss border security bill. – Hanna Panreck
https://www.foxnews.com/media/democratic-senator-reveals-people-we-care-about-most-undocumented-americans-us
— Biden admin facing mounting backlash after migrant attacks homeowner, steals flag: ‘Becoming a trend’ ‘When people break our laws, they put their middle finger up to the cameras,’ Harris Faulkner says. – Hanna Panreck
https://www.foxnews.com/media/biden-admin-facing-more-outrage-after-migrant-attacks-homeowner-steals-flag-becoming-a-trend
— ‘Friends’, ‘Seinfeld’ and other TV shows unfit for today’s woke culture. What is woke culture? Revisit 8 TV shows that grapple with complexities of societal sensitivity. – Maeghan Dolph
https://www.foxnews.com/media/tv-shows-woke-culture
— Bipartisan lawmakers eye ‘pilot program’ to expedite citizenship for migrants who serve in US military. Bill proposed as a bipartisan immigration and border security deal went down in flames. – Elizabeth Elkind
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bipartisan-lawmakers-eye-pilot-program-expedite-citizenship-migrants-who-serve-us-military

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Stop Allowing Noncitizens To Determine Congressional and Presidential Representation – Lora Ries
https://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/stop-allowing-noncitizens-determine-congressional-and-presidential
— Voters Want Meaningful Reforms To Stem Illegal Immigration – Simon Hankinson
https://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/voters-want-meaningful-reforms-stem-illegal-immigration

MRC TV
— ‘Biden Should Be Removed’: X Reacts To Biden Avoiding Docs Prosecution Due To Mental Deficiencies – ERIC SCHEINER
https://www.mrctv.org/blog/eric-scheiner/biden-should-be-removed-x-reacts-biden-avoiding-docs-prosecution-due-mental

NEWS BUSTERS
— Musk Bashes Disney’s ‘Mandatory Institutionalized Racism,’ Promises to Support Lawsuits – Tom Olohan
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/business/tom-olohan/2024/02/08/musk-bashes-disneys-mandatory-institutionalized-racism
— Racial Revelations: Sunny Hostin’s Family Owned Slaves, Still DEMANDS Reparations – Nicholas Fondacaro (COMMENT: In my defense, I have always stressed that all my ancestors have always lived in northeast Illinois.)
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2024/02/08/racial-revelations-hostins-family-owned-slaves-still-demands

NEWSMAX
— Biden, No-Border Dems Brought Us Illegal Immigrant Crime – Deroy Murdock
https://www.newsmax.com/murdock/ice-newsom-nypd/2024/02/08/id/1152803/
— Musk Rages Against ‘Disney’s DEI Gestapo’ – Lee Barney
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/elon-musk-dei-disney/2024/02/08/id/1152802/

ONE AMERICA NEWS
— Democrat Senator Chris Murphy Wants Illegals To Help Them Win Elections – Will Scharf
https://www.oann.com/video/oan-contribution/will-scharf-democrats-want-illegals-to-help-them-win-elections/

PJ MEDIA
— Need More Proof That Transgenderism Is a Mental Disorder? Here You Go! – MATT MARGOLIS
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2024/02/08/need-more-proof-that-transgenderism-is-a-mental-disorder-here-you-go-n4926257

POST MILLENNIAL
— The View’s Sunny Hostin SHOCKED to find she’s descended from Spanish slaveholders (COMMENT: In my defense, I have always stressed that all my ancestors have always lived in northeast Illinois.)
https://thepostmillennial.com/the-views-sunny-hostin-shocked-to-find-shes-descended-from-spanish-slaveholders

POWER LINE
— ILLEGALS ARE ALREADY VOTING – LLOYD BILLINGSLEY
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2024/02/illegals-are-already-voting.php

TOWNHALL
— The Absurd Democrat Border Con – Victor Davis Hanson
https://townhall.com/columnists/victordavishanson/2024/02/09/the-absurd-democrat-border-con-n2635023
— Mayorkas Wants You to Have Pity for Illegal Migrants Who Killed Americans – Sarah Arnold
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2024/02/08/mayorkas-americans-killed-by-illegals-should-not-be-politicized-n2634948
— Biden Plans to Do What He Said He Couldn’t Regarding Illegal Immigration – Matt Vespa |
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2024/02/08/biden-plans-to-do-what-he-said-he-couldnt-regarding-illegal-immigration-n2634976
— Democrat PLEDGES ALLEGIANCE to Illegal Immigrants, ADMITS AMERICA-LAST AGENDA!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwPWPJ-_iZQ
— Sunny Hostin Learned Her Ancestors Owned Slaves and Her Response Is Truly Something – Spencer Brown (COMMENT: In my defense, I have always stressed that all my ancestors have always lived in northeast Illinois.)
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/spencerbrown/2024/02/08/its-a-bummer-sunny-hostin-on-finding-out-her-ancestors-owned-slaves-n2634971

ZERO HEDGE
— Democrats Fail America’s Youth As Dozens Of Schools In Illinois & Maryland Have Zero Kids Proficient In Math – TYLER DURDEN
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/democrats-fail-americas-youth-dozens-schools-illinois-maryland-have-zero-kids-proficient

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT LEANING SOURCES

REUTERS
— Republican US senators seek info on Illinois judges’ diversity policies – Nate Raymond
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/republican-us-senators-seek-info-illinois-judges-diversity-policies-2024-02-08/

NBC NEWS
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/anti-dei-rhetoric-black-organizations-counter-billionaires-rcna136815

CBS NEWS
— Migrant crossings fall sharply along Texas border, shifting to Arizona and California – Camilo Montoya-Galvez
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-texas-border-arizona-california-migrants/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Democrats ever-increasingly a) run America and b) blame Republicans for everything that is bad.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/opinion/trump-republicans-border-ukraine.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/us/politics/trump-border-biden.html

FOX SAVANNAH
— Chicago may delay school year so students can ‘attend’ Democratic National Convention – KRISTINA WATROBSKI
https://fox28savannah.com/news/nation-world/chicago-may-delay-school-year-so-students-can-attend-democratic-national-convention-dnc-2024-election-chicago-public-schools-illinois-politics-education-crisis-in-the-classroom

FOX SAN DIEGO
— 80% of asylum-seekers rejected, DHS official says – Salvador Rivera
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/border-report/80-of-asylum-seekers-rejected-dhs-official-says/

FORBES
— Musk Rages Against ‘Disney’s DEI Gestapo’ And Doubles Down On Crusade – Robert Hart
https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/02/08/musk-rages-against-disneys-dei-gestapo-and-doubles-down-on-anti-diversity-crusade/

GOVERNING
— The Resentments and Realities of the Rural-Urban Divide. There are some delightful, lively small towns, but let the numbers do the talking: In Illinois, downstaters and their city “cousins” live in different worlds of expectations and aspirations. – Jim Nowlan
https://www.governing.com/politics/the-resentments-and-realities-of-the-rural-urban-divide

DAILY MAIL
— Biden’s own DOJ said he has ‘diminished faculties and a faulty memory’: Classified docs probe reveals he left Afghan files next to dog bed in garage, forgot when his son Beau died AND couldn’t remember when he was vice president. Long-awaited report reveals an 81-year-old president suffering memory lapses. ‘He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died,’ it said. Biden said he had cooperated fully and that the matter was now closed. -ROB CRILLY
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13062835/joe-biden-classified-documents-garage-private-office-investigation-not-charged.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.