June 29 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Christine Radogno resigns from Illinois Senate
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/christine-radogno-resigns-from-illinois-senate/2164307/

 

NBC5
— Illinois Senate Republican Leader Abruptly Resigns – Richard Ray
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/-Illinois-Senate-Republican-Leader-Abruptly-Resigns-431598833.html
— ‘Real Fake’ Statue Installed Across From Chicago’s Trump Tower
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Real-Fake-Sculpture-Installed-Across-From-Chicagos-Trump-Tower-431575633.html

 

CBS2
— Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno To Resign Amid Budget Stalemate
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/06/29/illinois-senate-republican-leader-christine-radogno-resigns/
— Prosecutors: Warrenville Teens Gave Their 5-Year-Old Nephew Cannabis
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/06/29/warrenville-child-cannabis/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno resigns
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/264700185-story

 

WGN TV
— Illinois GOP Senate Leader Christine Radogno resigns
http://wgntv.com/2017/06/29/illinois-gop-senate-leader-christine-radogno-resigns/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Illinois Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno will resign Saturday – Tina Sfondeles
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/illinois-senate-gop-leader-christine-radogno-will-resign-saturday/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno on Thursday announced she’s resigning. Radogno — the first female caucus leader in Illinois General Assembly history — will resign as leader and also as a senator on Saturday, the first day of a new fiscal year, and the looming deadline for a budget deal to be reached. “I have done everything I can do to resolve the state’s budget crisis. I will continue to do so for the coming days. But if the solution will not come on my watch, I hope and pray that the Governor, other legislative leaders, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and House can find a path to solve the state’s problems,” Radogno said in a statement. Radogno and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton last December came together to craft the “grand bargain” package to try to end the impasse. While the plan fell apart at times, all measures within the package passed the Illinois Senate. It was Radogno, R-Lemont, who came to Cullerton to try to come up with a plan to try to solve the budget crisis. In her statement, Radogno thanked Cullerton for his “friendship and working relationship.” “Though I leave political office with a sense of sadness and some disappointment, I leave with no regrets. I did my best – that’s all I could do. It has been a privilege to serve. But now I am looking forward to returning to private life and spending time with my family, especially my five grandchildren.” Radogno began her third term as leader in 2013. She has served in the Illinois Senate since 1997 and represents the 41st District in DuPage, Will and Cook counties.)
— Nick Ayers named Pence chief of staff; was Rauner’s campaign manager – Lynn Sweet
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/nick-ayers-named-pence-chief-of-staff-was-rauners-campaign-manager/
— Trump’s ‘feds’ arrive in Chicago to fight gun crime – Frank Main
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/trumps-feds-arrive-in-chicago-to-fight-gun-crime/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Senate Republican leader Radogno steps down – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-christine-radogono-retirement-illinois-senate-met-0630-20170629-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: State Sen. Christine Radogno, the first female legislative leader in Illinois history, said Thursday that she will resign from office effective Saturday. The resignation of the top Illinois Senate Republican comes a couple months after she and Democratic Senate President John Cullerton tried to negotiate an end to the record budget impasse. Those talks fell apart, and Democrats blamed Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who had been shut out of the talks. “I believe it’s time for a new Senate Republican leader. I have done everything I can do to resolve the state’s budget crisis. I will continue to do so for the coming days,” Radogno said in a statement. “But if the solution will not come on my watch, I hope and pray that the governor, other legislative leaders, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and House can find a path to solve the state’s problems. Radogno, 64, of southwest suburban Lemont, said she is leaving office “with a sense of sadness and some disappointment” but “with no regrets.” “I did my best — that’s all I could do. It has been a privilege to serve. But now I am looking forward to returning to private life and spending time with my family, especially my five grandchildren,” she said. Even before her announcement, behind-the-scenes efforts to replace Radogno were being made by state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who served as her top deputy in the Senate GOP caucus, and by state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, the former Kane County Board chairwoman from St. Charles, legislative sources said. Talk of Radogno’s decision had begun spreading privately during the closing days of June in the aftermath of months of contentiousness with a Democratic legislative majority and a demanding Republican governor who has extensively used his personal wealth to command loyalty among GOP lawmakers. Radogno found her members’ loyalty to Rauner sometimes created problems with loyalty to her leadership, some GOP lawmakers said privately. That surfaced in attempts with Democrat Cullerton to negotiate an end to the state’s historic budget impasse known as the “grand bargain.” Rauner contended the so-called bargain did not go far enough and Democrats accused him of stripping away votes from a version of the package. Though Radogno has been in the General Assembly for 20 years, a decision to step down had been expected as the grind of legislative sessions, particularly serving in the minority, began to take its toll. Besides the political battles, Radogno also had some personal tragedies during her tenure, including the June 2014 death of her 31-year-old daughter, Lisa. In 2009, Radogno became the first woman to lead one of the four legislative caucuses. She succeeded Frank Watson of Downstate Greenville, who had suffered a stroke. Before running for the Senate, she was a La Grange trustee for seven years. Prior to that, she was a social worker at Mercy Center for Health Care Services. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University.)
— Lawsuit alleges racism at roiled Chicago water department – Hal Dardick and Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-chicago-water-department-lawsuit-met-0630-20170629-story.html
— President Trump: Delete your account. Stop diminishing the presidency. – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-trump-tweets-mika-edit-20170629-story.html
— Madigan’s goal is to protect his enablers. They don’t deserve it. – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-tax-hike-madigan-rauner-edit-0630-jm-20170629-story.html
— Madigan and Rauner in ‘Naked Prey’ and modest proposals to save Illinois – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-dissolve-illinois-kass-met-0630-20170629-column.html
— How Trump’s disgusting behavior will make Republican disunity more likely – Paul Waldman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-mika-tweet-republicans-20170629-story.html

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Radogno quits as state budget war deepens – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170629/BLOGS02/170629827/radogno-quits-as-state-budget-war-deepens
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It’s a sign of just how bad the state’s budget war has become: One of the few officials widely considered to be someone who could and would compromise has announced her resignation, effective July 1. In a stunning—but not wholly unexpected—development, Sen. Christine Radogno of Lemont said she will step down as a senator and the Senate GOP leader on the same day the state’s new fiscal year will begin, quite likely without a budget in hand. “I have done everything I can do to resolve the state’s budget crisis,” Radogno said in a statement after meeting with her caucus. “I will continue to do so for the coming days. But if the solution will not come on my watch, I hope and pray that the governor, other legislative leaders, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and House can find a path to solve the state’s problems.” She added: “Though I leave political office with a sense of sadness and some disappointment, I leave with no regrets. I did my best; that’s all I could do.” There was no immediate word on a replacement. Her departure clearly will not help resolve a heavily bitter and personal fight between two strong-willed men at the center of the budget battle: Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan. Along with Senate Democratic Leader John Cullerton, who has denied rumors about his impending resignation, Radogno crafted a “grand bargain” package that represented the only forward movement in years on a budget. While it never did come to a vote, it formed the basis of the budget and tax-hike plan that Cullerton sent to the Senate, and which now is pending in the House. Perhaps Radogno’s announcement will kick something into high gear in the hours that remain before July 1. But the signs at the moment aren’t great.)
— No budget, but Edge lives – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170629/BLOGS02/170629829/illinois-job-creation-program-edge-could-be-restored

 

DAILY HERALD
— Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno latest to resign – Kerry Lester
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170629/illinois-senate-republican-leader-christine-radogno-latest-to-resign

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno to resign – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170629/senate-republican-leader-christine-radogno-to-resign

 

WSIL TV
— House GOP pushes bills to crack down on illegal immigration – AP
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35780028/house-gop-pushes-bills-to-crack-down-on-illegal-immigration

 

CITIZEN KELLY
— KELLY: RAUNER ISN’T A REPUBLICAN, WAS AWOL IN GOP BEFORE HE BECAME GOVERNOR
http://www.citizenkelly.com/kelly-rauner-not-republican-awol-gop/

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives rejects property tax bill that offers only ‘fake reform’ – Hoang Tran
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511134175-ives-rejects-property-tax-bill-that-offers-only-fake-reform

 

ILLINOIS TIMES
— Other unions dealt with Rauner. Why not AFSCME?  A closer look at the governor’s claim his contracts with smaller unions show he’s labor’s friend – Matt Dietrich
http://illinoistimes.com/article-18846-other-unions-dealt-with-rauner-why-not-afscme.html

 

NORTH COOK NEWS
— Radogno sends shockwave with sudden resignation from Senate – Hoang Tran
http://northcooknews.com/stories/511134828-radogno-sends-shockwave-with-sudden-resignation-from-senate
— North Cook County fire, police pension funds paid $195 million, lost $5 million on investments in 2016 – Kyle Wahe
http://northcooknews.com/stories/511134068-analysis-north-cook-county-fire-police-pension-funds-paid-195-million-lost-5-million-on-investments-in-2016#new_tab

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Batinick: Timing of Radogno’s resignation ‘brings uncertainty’
http://willcountygazette.com/stories/511134858-batinick-timing-of-radogno-s-resignation-brings-uncertainty

 

SAGAMON SUN
— Time to pass a budget, GOP tells Madigan with countdown clock – Caitlin Nordahl
http://sangamonsun.com/stories/511133272-time-to-pass-a-budget-gop-tells-madigan-with-countdown-clock

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SUBURBAN PROJECTS – John Kristof
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-republican-spending-plan-includes-millions-of-dollars-for-suburban-projects/
— TAX HIKE BUDGET IS POLITICALLY RISKY FOR RAUNER, ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS  A new poll shows Gov. Bruce Rauner’s political base opposes the tax hike budget proposal the governor has supported. And Illinoisans who favor the tax hike budget proposal do not support Rauner. – Kristina Rasmussen
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/tax-hike-budget-is-politically-risky-for-rauner-illinois-republicans/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Republicans release new ad about special session, send more attack mailers
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/29/republicans-release-new-ad-about-special-session-send-more-attack-mailers/
— Do Your Job, Inc. slams Rauner in robocall as a “bully with an extreme agenda”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/29/do-your-job-inc-slams-rauner-in-robocall-as-a-bully-with-an-extreme-agenda/
— Brady, Cullerton, Emanuel, Durkin, Rauner respond *** Radogno to resign Saturday
https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/29/radogno-to-resign-saturday/

 

THE BLAZE
— Explanation for new ‘artwork’ outside Trump hotel in Chicago doesn’t pass the smell test – Jon Street
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/06/29/explanation-for-new-artwork-outside-trump-hotel-in-chicago-doesnt-pass-the-smell-test/

 

GOPUSA
— The Cost of Medicaid – Star Parker
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=26382
— ‘No Sanctuary for Criminals Act’ will cost sanctuary cities federal dollars  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps side with foreign countries and with their citizens against America and against its citizens.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=26445
— Media Still Shilling for Obama
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=26448
— Congressman: Let U.S. citizens decide House seats
http://www.gopusa.com/congressman-let-u-s-citizens-decide-house-seats/
— Obama-appointed judges continue to reject Trump’s immigration plans
http://www.gopusa.com/obama-appointed-judges-continue-to-reject-trumps-immigration-plans/
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: DC begins issuing gender-neutral driver’s licenses
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=26461

 

FOX BUSINESS
— Illinois is in deep trouble: What investors need to know – Heather Gillers
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/06/29/illinois-is-in-deep-trouble-what-investors-need-to-know.html

 

THE HILL
— House passes ‘Kate’s Law’ and bill targeting sanctuary cities – CRISTINA MARCOS
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/340137-house-passes-kates-law-and-crackdown-on-sanctuary-cities

 

POLITICO
— Illinois GOP leader resigns amid budget crisis – NATASHA KORECKI
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/29/christine-radogno-illinois-budget-resigns-240109
— Ryan calls Trump tweet attacking ‘Morning Joe’ host inappropriate – KYLE CHENEY
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/29/ryan-calls-trump-tweet-attacking-morning-joe-host-inappropriate-240092

 

CNN
— How Illinois became America’s most messed-up state – Matt Egan
http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/29/investing/illinois-budget-crisis-downgrade/index.html

 

COLUMBUS LEDGER INQUIRER
— GAO: Thousands of fake or dead people enrolled in government phone program – LINDSAY WISE
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/politics-government/article158697449.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.