May 20 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Lisa Madigan, Illinois’ incomplete attorney general – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-madigan-corruption-lisa-michael-attorney-general-edit-jm-20170518-story.html
— Media fair to Trump? Harvard says no. – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-trump-media-coverage-harvard-kass-0521-20170519-column.html
— Pritzker, Rauner spar after Democrat pledges $1 million to black-owned bank – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-jb-pritzker-bank-deposit-met-0520-20170521-story.html
— Helping the ‘most broken’ of Southland’s homeless – Donna Vickroy
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-vickroy-homeless-bridges-st-0522-20170515-story.html
— College prep courses not preparing kids for college – Diane Rado
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-illinois-high-school-courses-met-20170519-story.html
— Don’t underestimate Donald Trump – Ronald A. Klain
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-donald-trump-impeachment-survive-20170519-story.html
— Former public works director suing Evanston, city officials, alleging racial discrimination – Genevieve Bookwalter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/news/ct-evr-evanston-racial-discrimination-lawsuit-tl-0504-20170519-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A former Evanston public works director Suzette Robinson is suing the city and several city officials for what the lawsuit alleges was “discrimination on the basis of race, harassment and [a] racially hostile work environment, and for retaliation.” However, Evanston’s city manager, who was named as one of the defendants in the suit, said Suzette Robinson’s race played no part in the decision to eliminate her job. “I deny Ms. Robinson’s claims in this lawsuit that race or retaliation had any role in my decision-making,” said Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz. In the complaint, filed May 27, 2016, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Robinson asks for $75,000 in compensation, plus attorney’s fees and punitive damages. She names Bobkiewicz, the City of Evanston, city attorney W. Grant Farrar and human resources manager Jennifer Lin as defendants. According to the lawsuit, Robinson was public works director for Evanston from March 2010 until August 2015. The suit said that she was one of “three African-American employees at the department director level reporting directly to Bobkiewicz.” The complaint reads that Robinson’s position was eliminated, “effective immediately,” in August 2015 after Bobkiewicz stated “that the city planned to combine public works and utilities into one department named the public works agency.” But the lawsuit says the City Council did not approve the “proposed reorganization” until September 2015. Robinson alleges that Bobkiewicz “discriminated against her on the basis of race” and “retaliated against her” “for filing complaints about racial discrimination,” according to court documents.)
— TRAGIC: Third gambling cafe OK’d in Oswego – Linda Girardi
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-oswego-gambling-st-0521-20170519-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Police superintendent defends use of secret watch list – Mick Dumke, Frank Main, and Fran Spielman
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/police-superintendent-defends-use-of-secret-watch-list/
— Opponents stand firm against Rauner’s ‘flexible’ options for elderly – Mark Brown
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/opponents-stand-firm-against-rauners-flexible-options-for-elderly/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Illinois punished by market as budget deadline nears – Bloomberg
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20170520/illinois-punished-by-market-as-budget-deadline-nears

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— What Illinois should learn from California – FRITZ KAEGI
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170519/OPINION/170519836/illinois-could-learn-from-california-re-taxes-and-workers-comp

 

WSIL TV
— Rauner, Democrats accuse each other of peddling fake news – Brandon Richard  (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have accused me of “spreading fake news.” Needless-to-say, I should sue my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes.)
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35473849/rauner-democrats-accuse-each-other-of-peddling-fake-news

 

FOX ILLINOIS & NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Lawmakers and Rauner Accuse Each Other of Spreading Fake News – Rachel Droze  (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have accused me of “spreading fake news.” Needless-to-say, I should sue my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes.)
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/lawmakers-rauner-accuse-each-other-of-spreading-fake-news-05-20-2017
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/lawmakers-rauner-accuse-each-other-of-spreading-fake-news

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner administration denies it planted false info about school funding reform – Doug Finke  (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have accused me of planting false information. Needless-to-say, I should sue my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170519/rauner-administration-denies-it-planted-false-info-about-school-funding-reform
— Bill to honor Barack Obama’s birthday headed to governor – Brian Robbins  (DIERSEN: What are your demographics?  From what I see, Obama and his supporters what to get rid of those who share my demographics.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170519/bill-to-honor-barack-obamas-birthday-headed-to-governor
— State of Illinois’ unpaid CWLP bills piling up again – Mary Hansen
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170519/state-of-illinois-unpaid-cwlp-bills-piling-up-again

 

SOUTHERN
— Despite setback, Illinois still planning to roll out Secure Choice retirement savings plan – STEPHANIE ESTERS
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/despite-setback-illinois-still-planning-to-roll-out-secure-choice/article_80927ada-de87-5996-a6e7-d6cbbe0bb1dc.html

 

ALTON NEWS
— Bill Sponsor Mad At Support – Cole Lauterbach
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=244388#.WSBA5WjyuM8

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Manar Says Gov’s Office Dialed Up The Wrong Numbers – DUSTY RHODES
http://nprillinois.org/post/manar-says-govs-office-dialed-wrong-numbers#stream/0

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Twenty-two Will County schools lose, seven win in state Senate funding revamp
http://willcountygazette.com/stories/511096862-twenty-two-will-county-schools-lose-seven-win-in-state-senate-funding-revamp

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Thirty-nine DuPage County school districts lose, three win in state Senate funding revamp
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511096864-thirty-nine-dupage-county-school-districts-lose-three-win-in-state-senate-funding-revamp

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Democratic lawmaker says politics behind Republican’s support of his tax fraud bill – Cole Lauterbach and Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/democratic-lawmaker-says-politics-behind-republican-s-support-of-his/article_1ca4ee24-3cc0-11e7-a753-a72bab15f9cc.html
— Rauner says tax credit program expiring another sign of inaction at statehouse – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/rauner-says-tax-credit-program-expiring-another-sign-of-inaction/article_a4377b4a-3cd9-11e7-9169-9b7b9be6f4af.html
— Democrats seek investigation into ‘leak’ of information Rauner says has been public for a year – Greg Bishop  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) focus on keeping me in the dark and b) falsely and slanderously accused me of leaking information.  I should sue my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes for slander.)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/democrats-seek-investigation-into-leak-of-information-rauner-says-has/article_55eb1608-3cc6-11e7-aa5e-47dde0a11292.html

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— CULLERTON BILL TAKES WRONG APPROACH TO ILLINOIS PENSION REFORM – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/cullerton-bill-takes-wrong-approach-to-illinois-pension-reform/

 

FOX NEWS
— Gingrich Slams NYT, WaPo Reports as ‘Garbage’ Intended to ‘Smear’ Trump
http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/05/19/newt-gingrich-slams-nyt-wapo-reports-garbage-intended-smear-trump
— Minnesota yearbook: Behead Trump – Todd Starnes
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/05/19/minnesota-yearbook-behead-trump.html

 

BREITBART
— Former NBA Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Hints That He Thinks Donald Trump Would Have Approved of Slavery – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2017/05/19/former-nba-star-kareem-abdul-jabbar-hints-thinks-donald-trump-approved-slavery/

 

TOWNHALL
— Trump Is Not the Real Target; You Are – Timothy Daughtry
https://townhall.com/columnists/timothydaughtry/2017/05/19/trump-is-not-the-real-target-you-are-n2329201

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Rahm’s latest plan to stave off Chicago financial collapse under fire – from Dems – Thomas Lifson
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/05/rahms_latest_plan_to_stave_off_chicago_financial_collapse_under_fire__from_dems.html

 

OPPOSING VIEWS
— Church Sign Blames 9/11 On ’19 Muslim Immigrants’ – Michael Allen
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/church-sign-blames-9/11-19-muslim-immigrants

 

CHURCH MILITANT
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: DEPAUL UNIVERSITY MAKES STUDENTS PAY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS’ EDUCATIONS – Rodney Pelletier
https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/catholic-university-makes-students-pay-for-illegal-aliens-educations

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Conservative Force Behind Speeches Roiling College Campuses – STEPHANIE SAUL  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, schools crank out hate-filled “good little Democrats” who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/20/us/college-conservative-speeches.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE:  “Let’s give it up for the racists that are hosting this event!” someone yelled, and the crowd roared, foot-stomping in unison, then breaking into song: Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.” One member of the audience held up a sign, “Queers Against Islamaphobia.” Another unfurled a banner: “Muslims Welcome. Fascists Get Out.” Close to 200 students kept up the noise for more than an hour in a University at Buffalo lecture hall on May 1, mostly drowning out the evening’s featured speaker, Robert Spencer, a conservative author and blogger who espouses a dark view of Islam. The event appeared to follow a familiar script, in which a large contingent of liberals muzzles a provocative speaker invited by a small conservative student club. But the propelling force behind the event — and a number of recent heat-seeking speeches on college campuses — was a national conservative group that is well funded, highly organized and on a mission, in its words, to “restore sanity at your school.” The group, the Young America’s Foundation, had paid Mr. Spencer’s $2,000 fee, trained the student leader who organized the event and provided literature for distribution. Other than the possibility of outside interference, little had been left to chance. The speeches are a part of the group’s mission of grooming future conservative leaders — Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Stephen Miller, a White House adviser, are among its alumni — and its long list of donors has included the television game show host Pat Sajak, the novelist Tom Clancy, the billionaire brothers David H. and Charles G. Koch, and the Amway billionaires Richard and Helen Devos, who gave $10 million to endow the Reagan Ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif., which the foundation runs as a preserve. (Their daughter-in-law, Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education, is not a donor, the group says.) Over the past two years, armed with a $16 million infusion from the estate of an orthodontist in California, Robert Ruhe, the organization has doubled its programming, including campus speeches. In 2016 that meant 111 speakers on 77 campuses. On the group’s website, it boasted of “dispatching” 31 speakers to colleges last month alone. In that time, the speakers have gotten edgier, more in-your-face and sometimes even meanspirited. Among them is Ann Coulter, whose canceled speech last month at the University of California, Berkeley, led the foundation, which was covering most of her $20,000 fee, to sue the college, arguing that it had violated the First Amendment in its failure to provide a suitable time and place for the event. The resulting clashes on university campuses, including protests and efforts to block speeches, have raised free speech questions. And at Berkeley, even liberals who oppose Ms. Coulter’s viewpoints said her speech should have been allowed to proceed. In the meantime, protesters have questioned whether such events are cynically intended to provoke reactions. “It’s part of a larger systematic and extremely well-funded effort to disrupt public universities and create tension among student groups on campus,” said Alexandra Prince, a doctoral student at Buffalo who circulated a petition to block Mr. Spencer.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Ailes blasts Ailes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/opinion/roger-ailes-fox-news-wrecked-conservatism.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Blind Spot in a Sharing Economy: Tax Collection  Some gig-economy workers are using a loophole to cheat Uncle Sam; others are bewildered by tax requirements – Laura Saunders
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-blind-spot-in-a-sharing-economy-tax-collection-1495186206

 

NEW YORK POST
— Times Square maniac told cops he was high on pot, PCP during rampage – Rebecca Rosenberg, Tina Moore and Stephanie Pagones
http://nypost.com/2017/05/19/times-square-maniac-told-cops-he-was-high-on-pot-pcp-during-rampage/

 

DENVER POST
— Trump’s budget calls for hits on federal employee retirement programs – JOE DAVIDSON  (DIERSEN: One reason why federal pay, benefits, and pensions should be more generous is compensate federal employees and federal retirees for being viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned for being federal employees and for being federal retirees.  I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who are filled with hatred of federal employees and of federal retirees.)
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/05/18/donald-trump-budget-federal-employee-retirement-programs/

 

REASON
— New ‘Social Justice’ Math Class Teaches Kids That Math Is Evil, Dehumanizing  “Mathematics… have been used to trick indigenous peoples out of land and property.” – Robby Soave
http://reason.com/blog/2017/05/16/new-social-justice-math-class-teaches-ki

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Trump’s 2018 Budget Reportedly Targets Federal Retirement Programs – Erich Wagne  (DIERSEN: One reason why federal pay, benefits, and pensions should be more generous is compensate federal employees and federal retirees for being viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned for being federal employees and for being federal retirees.  I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who are filled with hatred of federal employees and of federal retirees.)
http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2017/05/trumps-2018-budget-reportedly-targets-federal-retirement-programs/138014/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The proposed cuts to retirement benefits sparked swift condemnation by Democrats and groups representing federal workers and retirees. Richard Thissen, national president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, called the proposal an “egregious attack on federal service and seniors” and “unconscionable.”  “The president purports to defend government annuities like Social Security and then proposes to eliminate cost-of-living adjustments for some and limit COLAs for those already retired and living on fixed incomes,” Thissen said. “It is beyond insulting. It is downright mean. Simultaneously promoting tax cuts and forcing a tax on just federal employees, through an increase in retirement contributions, is the height of hypocrisy.” J. David Cox, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees blasted the plan as something that “defies reason.” “The American people knows what’s fair, and raiding the already-modest retirement benefits of the people who inspect our food and lock up dangerous criminals is beyond the pale,” Cox said. “These proposals portray an astounding misplacement of priorities that the American public should not soon forget.” And Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said cuts to federal retirement benefits will hurt the government’s ability to attract workers capable of fulfilling the missions of various federal agencies. “The biggest losers from President Trump’s draconian cuts to federal employee pay and benefits will be the American people who count on dedicated federal employees to care for our veterans, maintain our national parks, and process Social Security checks each and every day,” Connolly said. “Cuts of this magnitude will make it impossible to recruit and retain the qualified workforce we need to meet our nation’s challenges.”)

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Congress should be more aggressive in tracking down agency inefficiencies, GAO says – Nicole Ogrysko  (DIERSEN: The Democrats who run GAO wasted my GAO career and forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.  They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, a minority, a female, or a veteran.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/management/2017/05/congress-should-be-more-aggressive-in-tracking-down-agency-inefficiencies-gao-says/

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.