June 23 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Rauner signs gun bill; still no progress on budget – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/news/rauner-signs-gun-bill;-still-no-progress-on-budget/2137937/

 

NBC5
— Cullerton Calls Budget Special Session a ‘Political Stunt’  Gov. Rauner called the special session to try to force a budget deal before July 1 – Mary Ann Ahern
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/cullerton-calls-budget-special-session-political-stunt-430411433.html

 

CBS2
— Emanuel Calls Rauner A “Rookie Governor” With His Plan To Veto A 911 Surcharge
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/06/23/emanuel-rauner-911-surcharge-bill/
— Day 3 In Springfield: ‘Time For An Intervention,’ One Leader Says – Dana Kozlov
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/06/23/day-3-in-springfield-time-for-an-intervention-one-leader-says/

 

WLS AM
— Rauner says Democrats are failing to compromise
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/06/23/rauner-says-democrats-are-failing-to-compromise/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— With week to go, Rauner and Madigan can’t even agree on meeting – Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-leaders-meetings-met-0625-20170623-story.html

— Move quickly, Governor, in developing South Suburban Airport – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-editorial-south-suburban-airport-st-0625-20170624-story.html
— Quick takes on ‘Gov. Junk,’ Trump’s odd lies and more – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-governor-junk-rauner-omarosa-trump-zorn-perspec-0625-jm-20170623-column.html
— A law to make thugs think twice before shooting – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-gun-crime-sentences-rauner-edit-0624-jm-20170623-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote LGBTQactivity.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-chicago-pride-parade-2017-htmlstory.html
— Welcome to Fear City, Illinois: Lessons from the New York financial meltdown – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-new-york-chicago-illinois-bankruptcy-edit-0625-20170623-story.html
— The myth of sweet seasons in Springfield: What Rauner really walked into – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-rauner-budget-madigan-history-edit-0625-jm-20170623-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— A budget by June 30, or Illinois faces unprecedented ‘junk’ status – MARK BROWN
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/a-budget-by-june-30-or-illinois-faces-unprecedented-junk-status/
— Democrats, beware: African-American voters might take a pass in 2018 – Laura Washington
http://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/democrats-beware-african-american-voters-might-take-a-pass-in-2018/
— New Chicago IRS criminal investigations chief took on Hells Angels – Jon Seidel  (DIERSEN: I worked for GAO on audits of IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division for 3 years.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/new-chicago-irs-criminal-investigations-chief-took-on-hells-angels/
— Emanuel and Rauner continue squabbling over phone-tax increase – Fran Spielman
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rahm-emanuel-rips-bruce-rauner-for-threatening-phone-tax-veto/
— Duckworth a name for Chicago U.S. Attorney – Lynn Sweet
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/white-house-sends-durbin-duckworth-a-name-for-chicago-u-s-attorney/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Nybo: Compromise school funding bill allows State to look at funding through a more fair lens – Mae Fitzpatrick
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20170623/nybo-compromise-school-funding-bill-allows-state-to-look-at-funding-through-a-more-fair-lens
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote Islam.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170623/at-end-of-ramadan-muslim-leader-explains-fasting

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Time for Rauner to come out of hiding on Obamacare repeal – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170623/BLOGS02/170629898/time-for-rauner-to-come-out-of-hiding-on-obamacare-repeal
— A new twist in the Rauner-Emanuel Thompson Center squabble – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170623/BLOGS02/170629913/chicagos-thompson-center-deal-at-center-of-emanuel-rauner-battle
— As the clock ticks down, will Illinois leaders step up? – FREDERICK WADDELL, E. SCOTT SANTI AND JAY HENDERSON
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170622/OPINION/170629918/as-the-clock-ticks-down-will-illinois-leaders-step-up

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Mendoza issues warning while leaders argue – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170623/mendoza-issues-warning-while-leaders-argue

 

WSIL TV
— Meeting of top Illinois lawmakers canceled
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35739032/meeting-of-top-illinois-lawmakers-canceled
— Pence visits Focus on Family amid change for religious right – AP
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35732663/pence-visits-focus-on-family-amid-change-for-religious-right

 

WJBD RADIO
— White House responds to Johnny Depp’s assassination remarks
http://www.wjbdradio.com/politics/2017/06/23/white-house-responds-to-johnny-depps-assassination-remarks

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Cullerton calls budget special session a ‘political stunt’ – AP
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/cullerton-calls-budget-special-session-a-political-stunt-06-23-2017

 

CHICAGO LAW BULLLETIN
— ARDC: Suspend Trump campaign’s former Illinois director over tax returns
http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/Articles/2017/06/23/Suspend-ex-Trump-staffer-6-23-17
(FROM THE ARTICLE: An Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission Hearing Board has recommended that Springfield attorney Kent Gray, who was formerly a campaign director for President Donald Trump in Illinois and Missouri, be suspended for one year for allegedly lying about his tax returns in his divorce proceeding and for practicing while unauthorized.)

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— COD Foundation releases Federal Grand Jury Subpoena – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/06/cod-foundation-releases-federal-grand-jury-subpoena/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Must We Have Sharia in America? – Oliver Perry
https://illinoisfamily.org/islam-sharia/must-sharia-america/
— Christian Leaders Call on Congressional Leaders to Support the ‘Free Speech Fairness Act’ – John Biver
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/christian-leaders-call-ryan-mccarthy-support-free-speech-fairness-act/
— Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Say It Ain’t So! – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/federal/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-say-aint/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— THORNER: DO BILLIONAIRES CONTROL POLITICAL PARTIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/06/thorner-do-billionaires-control-political-parties-on-both-sides-of-the-aisle.html
— ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE CALLS FOR LAWMAKER PAY DELAY UNTIL BUDGET PASSAGE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/06/illinois-policy-institute-calls-for-lawmaker-pay-delay-until-budget-passage.html
— ST REP STEVE REICK’S FIRSTHAND REPORT ON SPECIAL SESSION
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/06/st-rep-steve-reicks-firsthand-report-on-special-session-video.html
— DI LEO: SPRINGFIELD – THE CITY THAT BANNED CAPITALISM
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/06/springfield-the-city-that-banned-capitalism.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Madigan’s daily press briefing: He’d meet with Rauner and he’s peeved at Durkin
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/23/madigans-daily-press-briefing-hed-meet-with-rauner-and-hes-peeved-at-durkin/
— Rauner denies Cullerton claim – Cullerton: Special session is a “stunt” – Manar wants Rauner to call daily leaders meetings – Durkin said he opted out on his own *** Cullerton claims Rauner “pulled the plug” on meeting
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/23/cullerton-claims-rauner-pulled-the-plug-on-meeting/
— Emanuel goes off on Rauner… again
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/23/emanuel-goes-off-on-rauner-again/
— Rauner asked why Madigan could work with other governors and not him
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/23/rauner-asked-why-madigan-could-work-with-other-governors-and-not-him/
— Hardiman on Madigan: “He’s like the Godfather down there”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/23/hardiman-on-madigan-he%e2%80%99s-like-the-godfather-down-there/

 

TOWNHALL
— Progressive Group: Screw White Working Class Voters – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2017/06/23/progressive-group-screw-white-working-class-voters-n2345409

 

NEWSMAX
— Johnny Depp’s Trump Assassination Joke Thuds Online – Clyde Hughes
http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/johnny-depp-trump-assassination-joke/2017/06/23/id/797797/

 

BREITBART
— European Union Admits Massive Rise of Illegal Migrants, But Not Refugees – CHRIS TOMLINSON
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/23/european-union-admits-massive-rise-illegal-migrants-not-refugees/

 

THE BLAZE
— Leading charity site labels top Christian organizations ‘hate groups’ – Tre Goins-Phillips  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if your organization does not promote LGBTQ activity, Democrats call it a hate group.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/06/23/leading-charity-site-labels-top-christian-organizations-hate-groups/

 

VOICE OF AMERICA
— Trump Signs Bill to Facilitate Firing of Federal VA Workers Accused of Wrongdoing  (DIERSEN: According to Democrats, opposing anything in the Democrat Party platform is wrongdoing.)
https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-signs-bill-to-facilitate-firing-of-federal-veterans-affairs-workers-accused-of-wrongdoing-/3913437.html

 

THE HILL
— GAO could lose 200 staff under proposed spending levels, say Dems – NIV ELIS  (DIERSEN: If GAO loses staff, they will be Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/339159-gao-could-lose-200-staff-under-proposed-spending-levels-say-dems
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The flat level of funding proposed for the Government Accountability Office in an appropriations subcommittee markup would lead to a staff reduction of 200 employees by the end of 2018, Democrats warned on Friday. “Frankly this bill’s funding level for the Government Accountability Office, I feel, is irresponsible,” said Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, which sent the bill to the full committee on Friday. That level of staff cuts would leave GAO with its lowest level of staff since the 1930s, Ryan added. The GAO is responsible for auditing government programs for Congress and recommending ways to ferret out inefficiencies. “With the Trump administration refusing legitimate oversight requests just because they come from Democrats, GAO’s efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse are more important than ever,” Ryan said, referring to a legal opinion from the Trump administration advising agencies that they could ignore oversight requests from Democrats. The bill would leave the GAO’s funding flat at 2017 levels of $568 million, $46.2 million below its appropriation request for the year. Because the GAO expected $27.5 million in reimbursements from program and financial audits and rental income, however, the figure is only $22.7 million below its net appropriations request. Earlier in the week, GAO Director-General Gene Dodaro testified that the agency’s work identifying waste, fraud and abuse in the government led to $112 in savings for every dollar invested in the agency. “Last fiscal year alone, our work generated over $63 billion in financial benefits and 1,234 program and operational improvements across government,” Dodaro said.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Supreme Court gives second chance to man facing deportation because of bad lawyering – Robert Barnes
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-gives-second-chance-to-man-facing-deportation-because-of-bad-lawyering/2017/06/23/5d556d3c-5821-11e7-b38e-35fd8e0c288f_story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Tips for a Long, Healthy Life from ‘Longevity Village’  Smile more, rethink stress and embrace aging: A doctor shares lessons from his travels to a Chinese village known for its centenarians – John Day  (DIERSEN: How old are you?  I am 68.  Because my father died suddenly of heart failure in 1969 when he was 47 and I was 21, I wonder how many of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes erroneously counted on me to be dead by now.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/tips-for-a-long-healthy-life-from-longevity-village-1498240237

 

INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
— The Banana Republic Of Illinois – STEPHEN MOORE
http://www.investors.com/politics/columnists/the-banana-republic-of-illinois/
— Despite What You’ve Heard, The Senate Bill Doesn’t Slash, Gut, Or Even Cut Medicaid
http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/despite-what-youve-heard-the-senate-bill-doesnt-slash-gut-or-even-cut-medicaid/

 

EXECUTIVE GOV
— GAO Requests $618M Budget for Fiscal 2018 – Ramona Adams
https://www.executivegov.com/2017/06/gao-requests-618m-budget-for-fiscal-2018/

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.