January 4 Evening Edition

ABC7
— GOV. RAUNER DISCUSSES STATE BUDGET, RELATIONSHIP WITH MADIGAN – Stacey Baca
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/gov-rauner-discusses-state-budget-relationship-with-madigan/1686702/
— JESSE JACKSON JR. FIGHTS TO KEEP DIVORCE CASE IN ILLINOIS – Evelyn Holmes
http://abc7chicago.com/news/jesse-jackson-jr-fights-to-keep-divorce-case-in-illinois/1685974/

 

NBC5
— ‘I’m Not Going to Go’: Rauner Says He Won’t Attend Trump’s Inauguration Later This Month  “I’m not going to go,” Rauner said. “I’m focused on Illinois. I really try to minimize the distractions. I minimize my time out of state.” – Tom Schuba and Mary Ann Ahern
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Rauner-Wont-Attend-Trumps-Inauguration-409697945.html

 

CBS2
— DISGUSTING: Marijuana Advocates To Hand Out Joints At Trump Inauguration – AP
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/01/04/marijuana-advocates-to-hand-out-joints-at-trump-inauguration/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Chicago’s Honey Butter Fried Chicken signs on to ‘sanctuary restaurant’ movement – Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz  (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will Honey Butter Fried Chicken post signs that say members of the following groups are NOT WANTED: 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?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-sanctuary-restaurants-honey-butter-0105-biz-20170104-story.html
— Rauner to skip Trump inauguration – Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-trump-inauguration-met-20170104-story.html
— Compromise should not be a dirty word in Springfield – John McCarron
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-rauner-compromise-springfield-madigan-perspec-0105-md-20170104-story.html
— Suburban residents should urge officials to address Chicago’s violence epidemic – Ted Slowik
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-chicago-violence-st-0105-20170104-story.html
— With Obamacare, GOP faces the ‘Pottery Barn rule’: You break it, you own it – Paul Kane
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-obamacare-repeal-analysis-20170104-story.html
— Referendum petitions submitted seeking voter OK to annex Lisle, Warrenville and Woodridge into Naperville – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-naperville-annex-false-st-0104-20170104-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Jackson Jr.’s lawyer: Wife committed ‘acts’ to spur divorce – Tina Sfondeles
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/jackson-jr-s-lawyer-wife-committed-acts-that-caused-divorce/amp/
— Johnson denies McCarthy claim that CPD is ‘in crisis’  Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson disputed his predecessor’s claim on a national TV news program that the city is “reaching a state of lawlessness.” – Fran Spielman
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/johnson-denies-mccarthy-claim-that-cpd-is-in-crisis/
— Scuttled Ford plant has Mexico fearing more under Trump – AP
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/scuttled-ford-plant-has-mexico-fearing-more-under-trump/
— Chicago Police detectives are questioning four African-Americans suspected of torturing a white mentally disabled man on videotape while someone yelled “F— Trump!” and “F— white people!,” a police spokesman confirmed Wednesday. “The video is reprehensible,” said Anthony Guglielmi, the police spokesman. The white victim lives in northwest suburban Crystal Lake, Guglielmi said. – Frank Main
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/black-captors-torture-white-victim-rant-against-trump-cpd-says/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Electoral college overrides popular vote – Nancy J. Thorner, Lake Bluff
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170104/discuss/170109781/
— DuPage deputy who fatally shot teen placed on leave – John McCarron
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170104/news/170109659/
— Citizens group building trust between police, minorities in DuPage – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170104/news/170109586/
— No one kicked off Des Plaines ballot yet; more hearings scheduled – Chacour Koop
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170104/news/170109584/
— Elburn election challenge hearing delayed till Monday – Susan Sarkauskas
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170104/news/170109705/
— Lawsuit seeks to ban Google from US government contracts – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170104/news/301049821/
— GOP House panel: Halt federal money for Planned Parenthood – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170104/news/301049820/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner to skip Trump inauguration – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170104/BLOGS02/170109949/rauner-to-skip-trump-inauguration
— What’s Roskam’s role in House ethics meltdown? – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170103/BLOGS02/170109985/whats-roskams-role-in-house-ethics-meltdown
— Ford’s Chicago factory building new hybrid police vehicle – CLAIRE BUSHEY
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170104/NEWS05/170109948/fords-chicago-factory-building-new-hybrid-police-vehicle

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rev. Jackson meets with Gov. Rauner on crime, poverty – AP
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170104/rev-jackson-meets-with-gov-rauner-on-crime-poverty
— Chicago Ald. Pawar wants progressive agenda for Illinois – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20170104/bernard-schoenburg-chicago-ald-pawar-wants-progressive-agenda-for-illinois

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— President-elect Donald Trump’s former Campaign Manager, Corey Lewandowski, is coming to Springfield to be the keynote speaker for the Sangamon County Republicans Lincoln Day dinner next month.
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/former-trump-campiagn-manager-coming-to-springfield-01-04-2017

 

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Illinois set to lose one, maybe two seats in Congress
http://rockrivertimes.com/2017/01/04/illinois-set-to-lose-one-maybe-two-seats-in-congress/

 

QUAD CITY TIMES & BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Obama racial legacy: Pride, promise, regret and deep rift – AP (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Under Obama, which individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries have gained power and influence?  ANSWER: Those that are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, 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 longer than their ancestors.)
http://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/obama-racial-legacy-pride-promise-regret-and-deep-rift/article_dc12bfe0-72c2-50f9-8fc4-0d28804c19b9.html
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/obama-racial-legacy-pride-promise-regret-and-deep-rift/article_60b7cfa7-6092-54c2-8ede-c94d32b07cdf.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: He entered the White House a living symbol, breaking a color line that stood for 220 years. Barack Obama took office, and race immediately became a focal point in a way that was unprecedented in American history. No matter his accomplishments, he seemed destined to be remembered foremost as the first black man to lead the world’s most powerful nation. But eight years later, Obama’s racial legacy is as complicated as the president himself. To many, his election was a step toward realizing the dream of a post-racial society. He was dubbed the Jackie Robinson of politics. African-Americans, along with Latinos and Asians, voted for him in record numbers in 2008, flush with expectations that he’d deliver on hope and change for people of color. Some say he did, ushering in criminal justice reforms that helped minorities, protecting hundreds of thousands of immigrants from deportation, and appointing racially diverse leaders to key jobs, including the first two black attorneys general. These supporters say he deserves more credit than he gets for bringing America back from the worst recession since the Great Depression, the killing of Osama bin Laden, and a major expansion of health care that secured insurance for millions of minorities. They celebrate his family as a sterling symbol of black success. But Obama also frustrated some who believe he didn’t speak out quickly or forcefully enough on race or push aggressively enough for immigration reform. And his presidency did not usher in racial harmony. Rather, both blacks and whites believe race relations have deteriorated, according to polls. Mounting tensions over police shootings of African-Americans prompted protests in several cities and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Perhaps most strikingly, the president’s successor, Donald Trump, is seen by many as the antithesis of a colorblind society, a one-time leader of the “birther” movement that spread the falsehood that Obama was born in Africa. Trump’s strong reliance on white voters was in sharp contrast to the multiracial coalition that gave Obama his two victories. “President Obama represents the face of the future — multicultural America. Donald Trump represents the old racial order of the black-white divide,” says Fredrick Cornelius Harris, director of the Center on African American Politics and Society at Columbia University. “And for the next decades to come, there will be a battle between those two viewpoints of what America is.”  It took more than two centuries for America to elect a black president. It will take many years after he leaves office to sort out what it all meant.)

 

CHICAGO PATCH
— Bound, Gagged White Man Tortured, Taunted, Called ‘Donald Trump’ By Black Tormenters: Video  Chicago police are questioning several persons of interest. Gagged man recovering at nearby hospital in stable condition. – Lorraine Swanson
http://patch.com/illinois/chicago/bound-gagged-white-man-tortured-taunted-called-donald-trump-black-tormenters-video

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Two College of DuPage Trustee Candidate Petitions Challenged – Kirk Allen
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/01/two-college-of-dupage-trustee-candidate-petitions-challenged/

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— 20 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS RAISE SALES TAX IN ILLINOIS – Brendan Bakala
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/20-local-governments-raise-sales-tax-in-illinois/?linkId=33002888

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— OUTGOING HOUSE DEMOCRAT SPILLS HIS GUTS ABOUT SPEAKER MADIGAN
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/01/outgoing-house-democrat-spills-his-guts-about-speaker-madigan.html
— HOLLYWOOD DEMANDS CONGRESS BLOCK TRUMP NOMINEES AND EFFORTS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/01/hollywood-demands-congress-block-trump-nominees-and-efforts.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Illinois Policy Institute planning Madigan protest
http://capitolfax.com/2017/01/04/illinois-policy-institute-planning-madigan-protest/
— Defeated legislator says Madigan has “kinda outlived his usefulness”
http://capitolfax.com/2017/01/04/defeated-legislator-says-madigan-has-kinda-outlived-his-usefulness/

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Chicago: The Nation’s Abattoir – Rich Lowry
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443496/chicago-death-toll-passive-policing-begets-aggressive-criminals

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— People fleeing New York outnumber those moving in by 2-1 – Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/01/people_fleeing_new_york_outnumber_those_moving_in_by_21.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Sheriff wants to give inmates community service hours to build Trump’s border wall – Stephen Dinan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jan/4/sheriff-thomas-hodgson-offers-inmates-community-se/

 

NEWSMAX
— New House Rules Allows Congress to Cut Federal Workforce – Todd Beamon
http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/house-rules-congress-cut/2017/01/04/id/766832/
— Democratic Party Starts ‘War Room’ to Stop Trump – Mark Swanson  (DIERSEN: To stop Trump, will the anti-Trumps start war rooms in each state, in each county, in each township/ward, in each municipality, and in each precinct?)
http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/Democratic-party-war-room/2017/01/04/id/766707/

 

DAILY CALLER
— House Makes It Easier To Cut Federal Salaries – KATHRYN WATSON  (DIERSEN: Will my critics/opponents ask Durbin, Duckworth, Roskam, and the rest of the Illinois congressional delegation to use the Holman rule to cut, if not eliminate, my Civil Service Retirement System pension and my federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidy?  My critics/opponents continue to blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems.  They viciously demonize me, viciously denigrate me, and viciously condemn me as being a Trump supporter.  They blame me for each and every defeat that Republican candidates have suffered in Illinois since 2000.  They demand that I be punished for the aforesaid.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/01/04/house-makes-it-easier-to-cut-federal-salaries/

 

BREITBART
— Remittances to Mexico Rose 25 Percent After Trump’s Election – KATIE MCHUGH
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/01/04/reuters-remittances-to-mexico-rose-25-percent-after-trumps-election/
— Liberals Panic as Trump Could Flip Left-Leaning Ninth Circuit – JOEL B. POLLAK
http://www.breitbart.com/california/2017/01/03/liberals-panic-trump-flip-left-leaning-ninth-circuit/

 

THE BLAZE
— Chicago foursome in custody after live streaming kidnapping and torturing Trump supporter – Brandon Morse
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/01/04/chicago-foursome-in-custody-after-live-streaming-kidnapping-and-torturing-trump-supporter/
— Rand Paul reintroduces his ‘audit the fed’ bill with Trump’s support – Brandon Morse
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/01/04/rand-paul-reintroduces-his-audit-the-fed-bill-with-trumps-support/
— Fireworks explode on Fox News when Krauthammer challenges O’Reilly over Trump inauguration – Chris Enloe  (DIERSEN: How strongly have the anti-Trumps in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and Illinois threatened to harm Trump supporters?  One thing that restrains anti-Trumps is the fact that since 2008, Trump supporters have purchased a tremendous amount of firearms and ammunition for their self-defense.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/01/04/watch-fireworks-explode-on-fox-news-when-krauthammer-challenges-oreilly-over-trump-inauguration/
— Paul Ryan stops kid from ‘dabbing’ during the most awkward swearing in you’ll ever see – Brandon Morse
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/01/03/paul-ryan-stops-kid-from-dabbing-during-the-most-awkward-swearing-in-youll-ever-see/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: First there was planking, then there was owling, then there was Taylor Swifting, and now there is dabbing. You’ll oftentimes find internet meme sensations popping up here and there, and the latest one is called “dabbing.” It’s where you tuck your head into your forearm as you cross it over your head. People everywhere are doing it, but Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is having none of it.  During the swearing in of Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall, Ryan, Marshall, and his son were putting their hands on the Bible for a photo-op, with Marshall’s son began dabbing. Ryan, either not understanding what the son was doing, or not really feeling like going along with it, put a stop to it. “You alright?” he asks the teen. “I’m alright,” the son responded while still holding the pose. “Do you want…can you put your hand down?” continues Ryan. The teen then put his arm down and apologized. “Were you going to sneeze? Is that it?” asked Ryan. The awkwardness level of this video is turned up to 11, but regardless, it’s still a humorous moment that will live in infamy for the “dabber.”)

 

THE HILL
— ‘Audit the Fed’ bill gets new push under Trump – PETER SCHROEDER  (DIERSEN: For 9 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, I worked on audits that involved the Federal Reserve.)
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/312662-audit-the-fed-bill-gets-new-push
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Under the bill, the Fed’s monetary policy deliberations could be subject to outside review by the Government Accountability Office.  Proponents of the measure argue that the Fed is too powerful and lacks sufficient oversight for its interest rate decisions. But Fed officials from Yellen on down, as well as other critics, have warned that such a policy could subject the Fed to undue political pressure and discourage it from taking unpopular steps for the good of the overall economy. The proposal has garnered some bipartisan support and has passed the House several times in past Congresses.)

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: Which individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries want churches to be operatives or dupes for the Democrat Party?  ANSWER: those that are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, 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 longer than their ancestors.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-absence-of-christianity-in-the-fight-for-social_us_586c2b79e4b068764965c513

 

MSN
— Rauner Blames Madigan For Lack Of Budget Truce
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/rauner-blames-madigan-for-lack-of-budget-truce/vp-BBxUeL1

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump probably won’t let Obama go quietly –  E.J. Dionne Jr.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-probably-wont-let-obama-go-quietly/2017/01/04/fe10efdc-d2a5-11e6-a783-cd3fa950f2fd_story.html
— The American auto industry does not need Trump to stage-manage it – Charles Lane
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-american-auto-industry-does-not-need-trump-to-stage-manage-it/2017/01/04/d97260c4-d2a1-11e6-9cb0-54ab630851e8_story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Tillerson’s $180M Retirement Pay Raises Questions
http://www.wsj.com/video/tillerson-180m-retirement-pay-raises-questions/E1645ABF-5CF3-41E1-9312-2DDA9382ECD4.html?mod=djemTEW_h
— To Save Themselves, Small Colleges Offer Lifeline to Their Hometowns  Feeling weight of job losses and local flight, rural schools invest in nearby communities; ‘we can’t survive if this town isn’t healthy’ – Douglas Belkin
http://www.wsj.com/articles/to-save-themselves-small-colleges-offer-lifeline-to-their-hometowns-1482316200
— America’s Roster of Public Companies Is Shrinking Before Our Eyes  Gusher of private capital, IPO slump and merger boom cause listings to plunge; ‘There’s no great advantage’ – MAUREEN FARRELL
http://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-roster-of-public-companies-is-shrinking-before-our-eyes-1483545879
— Republican Lawmakers Revive ‘Audit the Fed’ Legislation  Measures would require the Government Accountability Office to examine monetary policy decisions – HARRIET TORRY
http://www.wsj.com/articles/republican-lawmakers-revive-audit-the-fed-legislation-1483561810
— A Treasury Secretary’s Farewell Plea: Get Rid of the Debt Ceiling  Jacob Lew, a veteran of budget battles, says the debt limit merely creates partisan mischief that could end in economic calamity – NICK TIMIRAOS
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2017/01/04/a-treasury-secretarys-farewell-plea-get-rid-of-the-debt-ceiling/

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— DISGUSTING: Trump Inauguration Just Got More Mellow Thanks to 4,200 Free Joints – Brad Tuttle
http://time.com/money/4622174/donald-trump-inauguration-day-free-marijuana/

 

NEW REPUBLICAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “The Republican Party’s Corruption Will Bring Them Down—Again. They’ve forgotten just how badly corruption can hobble an administration.”
https://newrepublic.com/article/139618/republican-partys-corruption-will-bring-downagain
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “How to Protect Diversity During Trump’s Presidency.  Liberals should expand the concept to include socioeconomic status.”  What if Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion was only for those whose parents did not have college degrees? Neither of my outstanding parents attended college.  My father was the first of his ancestors to earn a high school diploma.  My mother never attended high school.
https://newrepublic.com/article/139620/protect-diversity-trumps-presidency

 

MEDIAITE
— ‘F*ck Donald Trump! F*ck White People!’: 4 in Custody for Torturing Young Man Live on Facebook – Justin Baragona
http://www.mediaite.com/online/f-donald-trump-f-white-people-4-in-custody-for-torturing-man-live-on-facebook/

 

AFGE
— Largest Federal Employee Union Opposes Reinstatement of ‘Holman Rule’  House proposal lets lawmakers slash federal workers’ pay, jobs without due process
https://www.afge.org/publication/largest-federal-employee-union-opposes-reinstatement-of-holman-rule/

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Federal Employee Accountability Bill Is First Approved by House in New Congress – Eric Katz
http://www.govexec.com/management/2017/01/federal-employee-accountability-bill-first-approved-house-new-congress/134296/

 

FED SMITH
— The Holman rule: How To Quickly Reduce Federal Employee Salaries and Agency Programs – Ralph R. Smith  (DIERSEN: Will my critics/opponents ask Durbin, Duckworth, Roskam, and the rest of the Illinois congressional delegation to use the Holman rule to cut, if not eliminate, my Civil Service Retirement System pension and my federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidy?  My critics/opponents continue to blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems.  They viciously demonize me, viciously denigrate me, and viciously condemn me as being a Trump supporter.  They blame me for each and every defeat that Republican candidates have suffered in Illinois since 2000.  They demand that I be punished for the aforesaid.)
http://www.fedsmith.com/2017/01/04/how-to-quickly-reduce-federal-employee-salaries-and-agency-programs/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Holman rule was eliminated in 1983. It is now back in operation under the Rules for the 115th Congress which were adopted on January 2, 2017. The House Rules specifically cite the Holman Rule which will have the following purpose: “The purpose of this provision is to see if the reinstatement of the Holman rule will provide Members with additional tools to reduce spending during consideration of the regular general appropriation bill.” The Holman Rule will enable the House of Representatives to reduce the number of federal workers at specific agencies or cut their compensation. It would be done as a provision of or an amendment to an appropriations bill. The rule will allow Congress to reduce the workforce or compensation for employees in agencies covered by the specific spending bill in which the provision or amendment is included.)

 

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Voters Say Media Still Anti-Trump
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/january_2017/voters_say_media_still_anti_trump
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Voters remain critical of the news coverage of Donald Trump and think the media is still showing the same bias against him that it displayed during the presidential campaign. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that nearly half (48%) of all Likely U.S. Voters believe most reporters are biased against the president-elect. Only 12% think they are biased for Trump, while 31% feel most reporters try to be fair and balanced.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) A closer look finds that 74% of Republicans and a plurality (47%) of voters not affiliated with either major political party think most reporters are biased against Trump.  Even Democrats think most reporters are more likely to be biased against Trump (26%) than biased for him (16%). But 47% of voters in President Obama’s party believe most reporters try to be fair and balanced, a view shared by 29% of unaffiliateds and only 15% of GOP voters.)

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.