January 30, 2026

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Dabrowski defends West Chicago teacher’s pro-ICE social media post. DD: What do each of the candidates on the March 17, 2026 primary ballot in your precinct have to say about this?
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/illinois-gubernatorial-candidate-defends-teacher-s-pro-ice-social-media-post-3/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ted Dabrowski of the State of Illinois has expressed support for a West Chicago teacher whose social media post backing federal immigration enforcement led to suspension. Dabrowski said that the teacher’s post is protected speech and criticized local officials’ response as hypocritical, advocating for an end to sanctuary policies in Illinois. “The West Chicago teacher’s personal Facebook post stating “Go ICE” is a simple statement supporting law enforcement and protected by the First Amendment,” said Dabrowski, Candidate for Governor. “Local officials like West Chicago’s mayor are effectively rallying the community against the teacher for a speech “crime” which is no crime at all. There is no similar condemnation of top government officials, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who have consistently engaged in violent, incendiary rhetoric against federal law enforcement officials, decrying them as “authoritarians,” “fascists” and “jack-booted thugs. To end the chaos on our streets, Illinois must join the vast majority of states in this country that reject sanctuary policies.” According to Dabrowski’s statement, issued through his campaign’s Facebook page, the teacher’s expression aligns with federal law support. He critiqued local leaders for fostering opposition and highlighted broader implications of state policies on immigration enforcement. In Illinois, sanctuary policies have hindered cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers, resulting in the release of 1,768 criminal illegal aliens since early 2025. These individuals include those convicted of homicides, assaults, and sexual offenses due to local authorities’ refusal to hold suspects for federal transfer. Nationwide data indicates that failures to honor ICE detainers in sanctuary jurisdictions have led to releases responsible for numerous crimes. Border Patrol data further shows thousands of criminal alien arrests annually, underscoring public safety risks associated with limited local-federal cooperation on immigration enforcement. Dabrowski is a Republican candidate for Illinois Governor. Previously, he led Wirepoints as president and worked over 15 years in international banking with Citibank in emerging markets. He holds advanced degrees in public policy and finance.)

FOX NEWS
— West Chicago teacher placed on leave after Facebook post supporting ICE sparks outrage from activists.
https://www.aol.com/articles/chicago-teacher-placed-leave-facebook-224853892.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE:  A Chicago area teacher is on administrative leave and facing calls to lose his job over a Facebook post last week offering support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “GO ICE,” the teacher at West Chicago’s Gary Elementary School, posted on Facebook last week. Shortly after the post was made, activists in the predominantly Hispanic community quickly began sharing the post and calling for action to be taken against the teacher, who Fox News Digital is not naming due to safety concerns. “Imagine working as a teacher in an elementary school in West Chicago where the Latino community is highly populated and promoting ICE, sick AF,” one social media post said. Another commenter called the teacher a “f****** piece of s***.”)

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Seven detained outside West Loop Target as protesters demand retailer stand against ICE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/29/target-protest-chicago-immigration-minnesota-minneapolis-alex-pretti/
— Illinois Democratic hopefuls for US Senate agree Trump poses constitutional crisis but other differences emerge
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/29/illinois-democratic-hopefuls-for-us-senate-agree-trump-poses-constitutional-crisis-but-other-differences-emerge/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use children to protect their illegals.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/opinion-immigration-raids-schools-attendance-chicago-data/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/column-mayor-brandon-johnson-ice-border-patrol-actions-greising/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Gov hopeful Heidner took money from exec of garbage hauler dogged by mob allegations. Video gambling magnate Rick Heidner is unapologetic about taking $1,000 from the president of D & P Construction Co., Inc., saying he’s not going to return it “to grandstand because you say something to me.” The FBI once alleged the waste hauler was secretly controlled by late mob figures John and Peter DiFronzo.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/01/30/rick-heidner-republican-candidate-governor-video-gambling-magnate-ballys-casino-d-and-p-construction-rosemont

DAILY HERALD
–DD: Democrat DuPage County leaders ever-increasingly do everything that they can to bring their illegals to DuPage County and to keep their illegals in DuPage County. How many illegals are Democrat DuPage County leaders housing in each of DuPage County’s townships, municipalities, school districts, and precincts?
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260129/local-politics/dupage-county-board-urges-congress-to-investigate-immigration-enforcement-efforts-withhold-dhs-fund/
— Minimum wage question highlights differences among Democrats in Senate race. DD: Have you ever worked for the minimum wage? I did for 18 months 1964-1966, part-time for 15 months and full-time for 3 months, while I lived with my parents in Crete and was a Crete-Monee High School student. Adjusted for inflation, I earned $12.54/hour. With the money I earned, I bought a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in May of 1966 that I used to commute to/from my parents’ home and a) jobs cleaning golf shoes in Flossmoor and chipping slag and pumping gasoline in Chicago Heights during the summer of 1966 and b) classes at UIC 1966-1967. I sold it in December of 1967 and bought a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 with money I had earned working for the Park Forest Post Office part-time since November of 1966 and full-time during the summer of 1967. In today’s dollars, my Post Office salary was $19.57/hour.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260129/us-congress-politics/minimum-wage-question-highlights-differences-among-democrats-in-senate-race/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Stratton advocated for a $25 rate while Krishnamoorthi and Kelly called $17 an hour a more achievable goal during the forum hosted by ABC 7 with Univision and the League of Women Voters. Illinois currently has a minimum wage of $15 an hour. The federal minimum wage, last increased in 2009, is $7.25. Kelly of Lynwood contended that $17 is “what studies show is viable and, also, we have to be realistic about how much we want to raise it because, of course, we have to get 218 votes in the House and 60 in the Senate.”)

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— SNAP users in Illinois face new work requirements.
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2026/01/30/snap-changes-in-illinois-could-impact-nearly-340k-residents/88397186007/

SOUTHERN
— Illinois vs. Trump: one lawsuit a week. DD: I should write about all the lawsuits that I have filed. My critics/opponents have always sided with the defendants and their attorneys.
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2026/01/29/illinois-vs-trump-one-lawsuit-a-week/

RIVER BENDER
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more abortion.
https://www.riverbender.com/news/details/gov-pritzker-announces-launch-of-the-prairie-state-access-fund-in-illinois-90299.cfm

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Trump sues IRS. DD: Democrats run IRS. I should write about all the lawsuits that I have filed. My critics/opponents have always sided with the defendants and their attorneys.
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/trump-sues-irs-and-treasury-for-10b-over-leaked-21323334.php

ST. LOUIS LIVE
— ICE agents deserve the prayers of religious leaders. Not condemnation.
https://www.silive.com/opinion/letters/2026/01/ice-agents-deserve-the-prayers-of-religious-leaders-not-condemnation-letter-to-the-editor.html

ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO
— Dabrowski believes he’s the only Republican who can beat Pritzker in November
https://www.stlpr.org/podcast/politically-speaking/2026-01-30/ted-dabrowski-believes-only-republican-beat-pritzker

IPM NEWSROOM
— Dabrowski discusses bringing ‘fiscal reality’ and ‘midwestern values’ to Illinois
https://ipmnewsroom.org/gop-gubernatorial-candidate-ted-dabrowski-discusses-bringing-fiscal-reality-and-midwestern-values-to-illinois/

SMILE POLITELY
— DD: The mainstream news media exists to destroy not only Trump, but to destroy all those who share his demographics: conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, heterosexual, married, non-poor, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time. I am all of the aforesaid. I should write about my critics/opponents who claim to be conservative and/or Republican, but who have taken adverse actions against me to pander to and to curry favor with the mainstream news media. I would focus on my critics/opponents who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me and have been Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct.
https://www.smilepolitely.com/splog/trumpaganda_a_new_journalism_course_at_u_of_i_being_offered_this_fall/

POLITICO
— Referring to heightened immigration activity, Pritzker said that “when ICE agents occupied the streets … and terrorized our immigrant communities,” the consequences rippled far beyond individual businesses, he said according to prepared remarks from his appearance at the Illinois Restaurant Association’s annual meeting at the Union League Club in Chicago. (The meeting was otherwise closed to the press.) Staffing recipe: “Forty percent of Illinois’ restaurant workforce are immigrants,” Pritzker said, adding the administration’s actions “weren’t just an attack on your bottom line — it was dangerous to our communities and to your restaurant families,” according to prepared remarks. DD: I washed dishes for the minimum wage in the basement of the SS Kresge in Chicago Heights 1964-1966. I was the only White male that ever had that job.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/01/30/no-bloodbath-just-a-style-showdown-00756879

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/30/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-670/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Democrats run Illinois. Do you stand with ICE? If you do, anticipate/expect that Democrat leaders will soon get rid of you. Democrat leaders have declared a Second Civil War against Republicans. Illegals are their soldiers in their Democrat Army. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— Why Traditional Marriage Matters. DD: My critics/opponents know that my being in a traditional marriage since 1978 has helped me immensely and they are furious about that. According to my critics/opponents, if I had not gotten married in 1978, I would not have been able to a) pass the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, b) afford to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980, c) earn a master’s degree in accounting in 1980, d) pass the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, e) become a licensed CPA in 1981, f) get promoted in 1986, g) etc.
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/why-traditional-marriage-matters/

BREUITBART
— Disinformation Agent: Sen. Dick Durbin Brings AI-Generated Image of Alex Pretti Shooting to Senate Floor
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2026/01/29/disinformation-agent-sen-dick-durbin-brings-ai-generated-image-of-alex-pretti-shooting-to-senate-floor/

CAMPUS REFORM
— Northwestern students operate ICE tracker map to alert illegal aliens of DHS activity. Northwestern University’s student-run newspaper is tracking sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and operating an online surveillance map, potentially impeding federal operations near Chicago.
https://www.campusreform.org/article/northwestern-students-operate-ice-tracker-map-alert-illegal-aliens-dhs-activity/29303
— Northwestern LGBTQ research grants cut or frozen amid federal shift away from DEI studies
https://www.campusreform.org/article/northwestern-lgbtq-research-grants-cut-frozen-amid-federal-shift-away-dei-studies/29326

DAILY CALLER
— Alex Pretti’s Family Hires Attorneys Connected To George Floyd
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/28/alex-prettis-family-hires-attorneys-georgia-floyd/
— HUD Secretary Says Illegals May No Longer Live In Taxpayer-Funded Housing
https://www.aol.com/hud-secretary-says-illegals-may-021928429.html

DAILY SIGNAL
— What’s Behind the Politicized Threats From Nurses? DD: What have Democrat leaders promised nurses?
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/01/29/why-are-nurses-threatening-harm-people/

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Go Big, Then Go Smart: Trump, ICE and the Law. How To Skip the Left’s PR Trap
https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/go-big-then-go-smart-trump-ice-and-the-law-how-skip-the-lefts-pr-trap

NUMBERS USA
— Negative Net Migration: A Necessary Course Correction
https://www.numbersusa.com/blog/negative-net-migration-a-necessary-course-correction/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— How is ‘merit’ defined in college admissions? You might be surprised. DD: My critics/opponents have always decried my success taking standardized tests. According to them, all the standardized tests I passed favored those who share my demographics. I passed all the standardized tests needed a) to get accepted by UIC in 1966, b) to get hired by the Post Office in 1966, c) to get accepted by NIU in 1969 and to graduate in 1970, d) to get hired by IRS in 1971, e) to get accepted by Loyola in 1972 and to graduate in 1976, f) to get accepted by DePaul in 1976 and to graduate in 1980, g) to become a CPA in 1979, h) to become a Certified Internal Auditor and licensed CPA in 1981, and i) to get accepted by IIT in 1992 and to graduate in 1997.
https://thehill.com/opinion/education/5681853-standardized-tests-college-admissions/

CBS NEWS
— Video shows another angle of Alex Pretti’s prior scuffle with federal agents, blocks away from where Renee Good died
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/alex-pretti-encounter-federal-agents-new-angle-video/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Pretti, who was shot and killed by federal agents on Jan. 24, is seen joining a small crowd of concerned community members as federal agents blocked off a street during immigration enforcement. “Get the f*** out of here!,” Pretti said. “What the f*** is wrong with you?” Then, the video shows a federal agent in tactical gear taking a couple of steps towards Pretti before walking away and stepping into a federal SUV. Pretti then spits on the SUV and kicks out the vehicle’s passenger-side taillight. Multiple agents took Pretti to the ground, then he was briefly detained. Video of the Jan. 13 confrontation also shows Pretti with a handgun in his waistband.)
— Feds say drawdown in Minnesota is contingent on local cooperation. DD: Democrat leaders will never cooperate. They will forever flood America with their illegals. Any hint of a drawdown encourages more illegal immigration.
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-local-authorities-cooperate-with-ice/
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/live-updates/dhs-secretary-kristi-noem-under-scrutiny-bovino-exits-minnesota-after-alex-pretti-killing/
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/video/fear-remains-in-twin-cities-despite-vows-of-ice-drawdown/

NBC NEWS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use Pretti to stop deportation of their illegals. Democrat leaders ever-increasingly turn Good and Pretti into George Floyd.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/renee-good-alex-pretti-shootings-spark-minneapolis-protesters-video-ic-rcna256350
— Homan plans for eventual drawdown of federal authorities in Minnesota. DD: Any hint of a drawdown encourages more illegal immigration.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/live-updates-minneapolis-ice-dhs-funding-pretti-shooting-rcna256271

CNN
— Border czar to speak in Minnesota as report indicates ICE agents are under new orders to ease tactics. DD: Democrat leaders will never cooperate. They will forever flood America with their illegals. Any hint of a drawdown encourages more illegal immigration.
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/minneapolis-ice-trump-01-29-26

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Trump’s border czar suggests a possible drawdown in Minnesota, but only after ‘cooperation’  DD: Democrat leaders will never cooperate. They will forever flood America with their illegals.
https://apnews.com/article/homan-minneapolis-immigration-enforcement-0d559bf53b630d7cc525fd3219f430ba

MSN
— Timberwolves ‘stand with Minnesota’ DD: Who stands with conservatives? I always have been a conservative and I always will be a conservative. As anti-conservative Democrats and anti-conservative RINOs ever-increasingly take over Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, Wheaton Warrenville School District 200, and my precinct, fewer and fewer and fewer stand with me. While I am still the GOPUSA Illinois Editor and a Republican Precinct Committeeman, Democrat and RINO leaders ended my roles as a) a member of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee in 2024, b) the Republican fundraiser for Wheaton Independence Day parades and fireworks in 2021, c) the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman in 2012, d) the Milton Township Republican Organization webmaster in 2010 and 2004, e) an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member in 2007, f) etc.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/timberwolves-stand-with-minnesota-via-donation-statement-shirts/ar-AA1Vi0Wt

NEWSWEEK
— Alex Pretti’s Family Hires Lawyer Who Helped Convict George Floyd’s Killer. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly turn Good and Pretti into George Floyd.
https://www.newsweek.com/alex-pretti-parents-hire-chauvin-prosecutor-george-floyd-schleicher-11433252

NEW YORK TIMES
— Girls Are Ahead in Reading at Every Age. DD: According to my critics/opponents, those who are the following should ever-increasingly be given more preference: minority, female, younger, non-Protestant, non-German American, have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time, and citizens of foreign countries.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/upshot/boys-reading-falling-behind.html
— DD: For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire, retain, and promote Democrats, and especially Democrats who are minority, female, younger, veteran, disabled, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/us/politics/eocc-dei-employment-discrimination.html

USA TODAY
— Border czar plans Minnesota ‘draw down,’ but Trump says it’s ‘not’ a pullback. DD: Any hint of a drawdown encourages more illegal immigration.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/29/minneapolis-minnesota-shooting-ice-live-updates/88403039007/
— Vacations nonnegotiable, even if it means major budget cuts. DD: My critics/opponents stress that because I avoided the Vietnam War draft, I could and did take vacations in 1969 and 1970 (Florida), 1971 (Bahamas), and 1973-1977 (Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Washington DC). They stress that because I got married in 1978 and my wife had a good job, we took vacations following her four business trips to luxury resorts across America each year 1978-1992. My Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors, supervisors, and subordinates were furious about the aforesaid.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2026/01/28/over-half-of-americans-are-slashing-their-budgets-to-afford-trips/88302202007/

BROOKINGS
— How to Save Marriage in America. DD: My critics/opponents know that my being in a traditional marriage since 1978 has helped me immensely and they are furious about that. According to my critics/opponents, if I had not gotten married in 1978, I would not have been able to a) pass the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, b) afford to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980, c) earn a master’s degree in accounting in 1980, d) pass the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, e) become a licensed CPA in 1981, f) get promoted in 1986, g) etc.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-to-save-marriage-in-america/

WEEK
— DD: Democrat leaders use Pretti to divide gunowners. Bringing a loaded gun to protest demonstrates intent.
https://theweek.com/politics/gop-rift-guns-alex-pretti-second-amendment

PBS
— Homan vows ‘massive changes’ and ICE drawdown if Minnesota officials cooperate. DD: Democrat leaders will never cooperate. They will forever flood America with their illegals.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/homan-vows-massive-changes-and-ice-drawdown-if-minnesota-officials-cooperate

POLITICO
— DD: The mainstream news media exists to destroy Trump, Republicans, and America.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/29/republicans-trump-immigration-midterms-00754270
— Don Lemon arrested over Minnesota church protest after judge previously rejected charge
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/30/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-protest-00756892

AXIOS
— Homan sees cooperation as path to Minnesota “drawdown” DD: Any hint of a drawdown encourages more illegal immigration.
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/homan-minnesota-drawdown-minneapolis-ice-jails
— Mike Johnson braces for conservative revolt over ICE funding deal. DD: Any hint of an ICE funding deal encourages more illegal immigration.
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/mike-johnson-republicans-ice-funding-shutdown

THUTHOUT
— Senator Ed Markey Calls to Abolish ICE, Says Voting to Fund DHS Supports “Murder”  “Anyone who supports funding DHS and ICE is supporting the murder of Americans,” said Sen. Ed Markey. DD: I attended a meeting with Markey when I worked for GAO in the 1980s.
https://truthout.org/articles/senator-calls-to-abolish-ice-says-voting-to-fund-dhs-supports-murder/

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

NEW ARAB
— Family of Alex Pretti retains lawyers who helped prosecute the George Floyd case. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly turn Good and Pretti into George Floyd.
https://www.newarab.com/news/alex-prettis-family-hires-lawyer-george-floyd-case?amp

GUARDIAN
— Calls for King Charles to formally apologize for slavery after research shows crown’s role. DD: All my ancestors immigrated during the 1840s and 1850s. In their defense, I have always stressed that they always lived in northeast Illinois.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jan/30/calls-for-king-charles-to-formally-apologise-for-slavery-after-research-shows-crowns-role

PERSONNEL TODAY
— DD: Democrats and RINOs use Affirmative Action and DEI to get rid of Republicans who are conservative, White, male, older, heterosexual, married, non-poor, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-legislation-dei/

BW PEOPLE
— Viral Microsoft Post Sparks Career Reality Check. DD: To get promoted, my Democrat coworkers in the federal government focused on helping their Democrat superiors and supervisors get rid of their Republican employees who were conservative, White, male, older, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and/or had ancestors who had been in America for a long time. I should write about my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government.
https://www.bwpeople.in/article/viral-microsoft-post-sparks-career-reality-check-591419
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A forthright social media post by a young Microsoft professional has gone viral, triggering widespread reflection on career growth, personal responsibility, and workplace expectations among early-career employees. The post, authored by a 26-year-old engineer, delivers an unvarnished message: long-term career success is built through consistency, discipline, and self-driven learning rather than company brands, prestigious degrees, or external validation. Its central theme, that no one is coming to “save” professionals from stagnation, has struck a chord across India’s technology and startup communities. Drawing from personal experience, the author argues that sustained effort, emotional resilience, and continuous skill-building compound over time, particularly during the formative early years of a career. The message challenges the culture of instant gratification, urging young professionals to prioritize patience, focus, and long-term thinking. The post also confronts workplace insecurities, noting that most people are preoccupied with their own struggles, a realization that frees individuals from fear-driven decisions and encourages calculated risk-taking. It further resonates with professionals from smaller cities and non-elite institutions, acknowledging the unique pressures they face in competitive corporate environments. Thousands of responses have followed, with readers praising the message for cutting through curated success narratives that dominate social media. Many described it as a timely reminder that in an era of uncertainty, adaptability, accountability, and discipline remain the most reliable career assets.)

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.