CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ives files fundraising papers for governor – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-toni-preckwinkle-sexual-harassment-20171116-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Three-term Wheaton state Rep. Jeanne Ives filed papers Wednesday to create her campaign fund for a Republican primary challenge to Gov. Bruce Rauner. But as with her first round of candidacy petitions that had to be tossed after a typo was found, there may be some issues with the Ives for Illinois campaign fund. State Board of Elections officials said they were in contact with the Ives campaign over its initial reporting of $267,725 in cash available in the new fund — without disclosing the source of the money. There also was the question about the Friends of Jeanne Ives fund, which had been used for her legislative campaigns. That fund ended September with $8,488 and has since raised an additional $15,000, including $10,000 last month from a political action committee with ties to political organizations associated with talk show host and failed 2010 Republican governor primary candidate Dan Proft. State law, however, limits a candidate to one main political committee. The Friends of Jeanne Ives legislative campaign fund is still listed as active.)
— Cook County commissioners don’t want to be left off sexual harassment training plan – Hal Dardick (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the more that anti-Trumps paint you as being a sexual harasser and even worse things: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time. Ever-increasingly, the more of the aforesaid that you are, the harder that anti-Trumps work to get rid of you.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-toni-preckwinkle-sexual-harassment-20171116-story.html
— Chris Kennedy’s troubled Cleveland deal: Taxes raised, company collected millions – David Heinzmann and Todd Lighty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chris-kennedy-cleveland-20171115-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— The House is voting on its tax bill today. Here’s what is in it. – Heather Long
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171116/the-house-is-voting-on-its-tax-bill-today-heres-what-is-in-it
— Dist. 62 superintendent Floyd Williams will get $127,000 to leave amid allegations – Chacour Koop
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171115/dist-62-superintendent-will-get-127000-to-leave-amid-allegations
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Beyond tragically, ever-increasingly, poverty increases in DuPage County.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171115/dupage-officials-do-good-to-launch-new-giving-campaign
— Series lets candidates for governor introduce themselves – Jim Slusher
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171116/slusher-series-lets-candidates-for-governor-introduce-themselves
WLS AM
— Kinzinger: Tax Change To Retain Businesses – Nick Gale (DIERSEN: Cutting the deduction for mortgage interest and real estate taxes discourages homeownership. Cutting the deduction for major medical and dental expenses pushes taxpayers onto welfare. Cutting the deduction for job-related education discourages employees from taking job-related graduate courses.)
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/11/15/kinzinger-tax-change-to-retain-businesses/
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— If the tax bill is so great, why does the GOP keep lying about it? – Catherine Rampell
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171114/catherine-rampell-if-tax-bill-is-so-great-why-does-gop-keep-lying-about-it
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The biggest benefits go to higher-income Americans, both in raw dollar terms and as a percentage of income, as New York University School of Law tax professor David C. Kamin has illustrated. To give you a sense of scale: Under the Senate bill, households making more than $1 million receive an average tax cut of nearly $50,000 in 2027; those making $40,000 to $50,000 get an average cut of $480. Averages also disguise a lot. Lots of lower- and middle-income families won’t benefit at all. Many will be worse off. Under both the Senate and House bills, nearly half of households making less than $100,000 will see either a negligible tax change or even a tax hike in 2019, according to calculations from Martin Sullivan, chief economist at Tax Analysts. By 2027, that share rises to 61 percent under the House bill, which phases down some of the provisions that help middle-class families.)
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— So-far-peaceful Democratic primary bound to get rough – Jim Dey
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-11-16/jim-dey-so-far-peaceful-democratic-primary-bound-get-rough.html
SPRINGFIELD NEWS LEADER
— Anti-abortion rally in Springfield criticizes McCaskill’s support for Planned Parenthood – Will Schmitt
http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/15/anti-abortion-rally-springfield-criticizes-mccaskills-support-planned-parenthood/867865001/
TIMES
— What do voters do when we’re stymied? – Jim Nowlan (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which voters in Illinois have had great success in styming other voters? ANSWER: Voters in Group A have had great success in styming voters in Group B. Voters in Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, 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 and voters in Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/editorial/state-affairs-what-do-voters-do-when-we-re-stymied/article_780beade-9137-580f-a9fc-aee537186fc8.html
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— GOP governors fear wipeout after Virginia loss Democrats’ easy victory spooks GOP – ERIC BRADNER
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/gop-governors-fear-wipeout-after-virginia-loss/858382007
— Roy Moore’s lawyer casts doubt on accuser’s story, yearbook inscription Moore denies writing yearbook inscription – ELI WATKINS
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/roy-moores-lawyer-casts-doubt-on-accusers-story-yearbook-inscription/858215749
CHICAGO READER
— Downstate hate: A history of the bitter, nearly 200-year rivalry between Chicago and the rest of Illinois The animosity between Illinois’s largest city and its smaller towns is almost as old as the state itself. – Edward McClelland (DIERSEN: After working in brick factory in Chicago for 10 years, my ancestors on my father’s side left Chicago in 1854 to homestead a farm in Crete.)
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/downstate-illinois-secession-history/Content?oid=34519694
WILLIAM J KELLY
— Ask Rauner about his taxpayer grants to Planned Parenthood
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-ask-rauner-about-his-taxpayer-grants-to-planned-parenthood
DOUG BENNETT
— Doug Bennett Wins Overwhelming Victory and Earns Coveted Fremont Township GOP Endorsement
https://www.il10.org/single-post/2017/11/15/Doug-Bennett-Wins-Overwhelming-Victory-and-Earns-Coveted-Fremont-Township-GOP-Endorsement-in-11-1-0-Vote
EAST CENTRAL REPORTER
— House District 101 hopeful Dan Caulkins describes Springfield as the ‘wild West’
https://eastcentralreporter.com/stories/511262621-house-district-101-hopeful-describes-springfield-as-the-wild-west
ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Lawmakers give Rauner massive rebuke with a record 18 veto overrides
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-lawmakers-give-rauner-massive-rebuke-with-a-record-18-veto-overrides/
ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Lawmakers break into song and dance when real fix is needed – Dan McCaleb
https://www.ilnews.org/opinion/mccaleb-lawmakers-break-into-song-and-dance-when-real-fix/article_3925583e-c97b-11e7-aa49-8f9420fd9378.html
ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Let’s Go Illinoisans! Send Jeanne Ives to the Governor’s Mansion! – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2017/11/lets-go-illinoisans-send-jeanne-ives-to-the-governors-mansion/
CAPITOL FAX
— IBHE chairman, executive director object to DC tax proposals
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/16/ibhe-chairman-executive-diretor-object-to-dc-tax-proposals/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Meanwhile, from the DGA…In Washington, Congressional Republicans are attempting to force through a tax overhaul skewed to benefit the wealthiest while many middle-class Illinois families could see an average tax increase of $1,267. And once again, Governor Bruce Rauner is doing nothing to protect them. In an interview with the Pantagraph, Rauner apparently “lauded” the Republican tax reform effort and talked about cutting the federal tax rate. However, the Republican plans would actually raise taxes on many Illinois middle-class families while exploding the deficit as the wealthiest enjoy a disproportionate share of the benefits. According to a recent study, the Senate version would mean higher taxes for about 15% of middle-class Illinois households – raising taxes by an average of $1,267. The House version would mean higher taxes for 27% of middle-class American households – raising taxes by an average of $1,360. Rauner last month said he has “no obligation” to comment on federal matters. Will Rauner really sit quietly as middle-class taxes go up? “Bruce Rauner loses all credibility if he stays silent while his own party plans to raise middle-class taxes,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner refusal to stand up to his party and President in Washington shows he’s fighting for himself and not for Illinois families. Now, Republicans want to raise middle-class taxes, and Rauner is going to let it happen.”)
GOPUSA
— Why is Creepy Uncle Joe Biden so popular among Democrats?
http://www.gopusa.com/why-is-creepy-uncle-joe-so-popular-among-democrats/
— The Poor Are Not Poor Because the Rich Are Rich – Star Parker (DIERSEN: What did you do to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a poor person in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a poor person in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted a poor people in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a poor person in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a poor person in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
http://www.gopusa.com/the-poor-are-not-poor-because-the-rich-are-rich/
NEWSMAX
— Study: Chicago One of Worst Gender Pay Gap Offenders – Mark Swanson (DIERSEN: Democrats run Chicago.)
https://www.newsmax.com/us/rahm-emanuel-chicago-gender-pay-gap/2017/11/15/id/826369/
LIFEZETTE NEWS
— Michael Reagan: Better a Democrat Than Moore Son of Republican president tells Laura Ingraham he thinks charges against Alabama candidate are true – Jim Stinson (DIERSEN: What if you were charged with being a sex predator? What if Michael Reagan believed the charges?)
http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/michael-reagan-better-democrat-moore/
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
— State of whistleblower protection laws after one year of the trump administration (DIERSEN: Because I was a whistleblower, a) my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968. I blew the whistle on political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/events/labor_law/2017/11/conference/papers/2017%20ABA%20CLE%20WB%20Presentation.authcheckdam.pdf
THE HILL
— House GOP set for big tax win – SCOTT WONG (DIERSEN: Which taxpayers do the Republicans want to be winners or losers? Are you going to be a winner or a loser? From what I see, the proposed “tax reform” is being done to let members of Group A be winners and pay less federal income tax and to make members of Group B losers and pay more federal income tax. Members of Group A typically take the standard deduction and are renters, younger, do not have major medical or dental expenses, and are Democrats. Members of Group B typically itemize their deductions and are homeowners, older, have major medical and/or dental expenses, and are Republicans.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/360611-house-gop-set-for-big-tax-win
— Time for America to wake up and take care our retirement system – ROBERT STAMMERS (DIERSEN: As people get older, their medical and dental expenses skyrocket. Cutting the medical and dental itemized deduction will put older people on welfare all the sooner.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/360590-time-for-america-to-wake-up-and-take-care-our-retirement-system
CNN
— Republicans optimistic they’ll pass their tax plan GOP mat not have enough votes to pass in the House – LAUREN FOX AND DEIRDRE WALSH (DIERSEN: Which taxpayers do the Republicans want to be winners or losers? Are you going to be a winner or a loser? From what I see, the proposed “tax reform” is being done to let members of Group A be winners and pay less federal income tax and to make members of Group B losers and pay more federal income tax. Members of Group A typically take the standard deduction and are renters, younger, do not have major medical or dental expenses, and are Democrats. Members of Group B typically itemize their deductions and are homeowners, older, have major medical and/or dental expenses, and are Republicans.)
http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/16/politics/house-tax-plan-vote/index.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It’s not that the tax bill hasn’t been without its controversies. Its rollout was delayed by a day two weeks ago after Republicans failed to meet their self-imposed deadline amid divisions over what to do about a popular deduction for state and local income, property and sales taxes. On Wednesday, a few members were still adamant they won’t back the bill over it. “I whipped no and I haven’t changed my mind,” said Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California. “I have had many people trying to call me, but nobody has a convincing argument for my district and for the state of California.” It’s anticipated that many of the Republicans who will vote no Thursday will do so over concerns that the bill hurts individuals in expensive areas like California, New Jersey and New York. But even in those cases, some members say they were able to get feedback from leadership that assuaged their concerns. California Republican Rep. Mimi Walters told CNN, “I think we learned lessons with the health care bill and we learned that we needed to work more closely together, and that’s what you are seeing right now.” Walters said she had spoken to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., of her concerns about the bill doing away with the state and local income tax deduction, but ultimately decided she’d vote “yes.” “We come from a very high-taxed state. We’re a very liberal state in California, our government is, and we have a have a very high cost of living because of the liberal policies, and I have always said as long as middle-income Americans have more money in their pocket I will be supporting the tax package,” Walter said.)
NEW YORK TIMES
— Every Tax Cut and Tax Increase in the House G.O.P. Bill and What It Would Cost – ALICIA PARLAPIANO and ADAM PEARCE (DIERSEN: According to this article, beyond outrageously, the House GOP bill a) would increase taxes by $1.8 trillion for taxpayers who take the personal exemption and b) would increase taxes $1.3 trillion for taxpayers who itemize their deductions. Overwhelmingly, those who itemize their deductions are homeowners, older, have high medical and/or dental expenses, are taking job-related graduate courses, and/or are Republican.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/11/15/us/politics/every-tax-cut-in-the-house-tax-bill.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: If a wildly creative company with an app used by 178 million people every day can still be crushed by Facebook, how is anyone else supposed to succeed? – Keven Roose (DIERSEN: Tragically, ever-increasing, activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. a) talk and act like Facebook is the internet and b) fail/refuse to publish and maintain websites, and c) fail/refuse to use email. Because Facebook can crush any activist, any candidate, any elected official, any party leader, any major donor, any political consultant, any etc. that it wants to, ever-increasingly, the aforesaid promote, glorify and praise, pander to, and serve as operatives or as dupes for Facebook. From what I see, ever-increasingly, Facebook acts like it is an arm of the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green parties, anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, 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 for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/business/snapchats-new-test-grow-like-facebook-without-the-baggage.html
USA TODAY
— Tina Brown recalls flashy ’80s days at ‘Vanity Fair’ – and an eye-popping Trump moment – Jocelyn McClurg (DIERSEN: What did you do during the 1980s? I took an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. I completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980. I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981. I became a licensed CPA in 1981. My wife and I sold 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton and had 915 Cove Court built in Wheaton in 1984. I worked for GAO on audits of IRS 1986-1988. GAO promoted me to GS-13 (currently $94,610) in 1986. With Henry Hyde’s help, I withstood tremendous efforts by my Democrat GAO superiors to get rid of me in 1989; in 1987, they got rid of the GAO manager who had hired me, got me assigned to audits of IRS in 1986, and had gotten me promoted in 1986. I bought a 1962 Chevy Impala SS collector car in 1989. All during the entire decade, my wife and took short vacations, typically, four each year, after her business trips to luxury resorts all across America. By 1989, my wife and I had given up trying to have children. We did not adopt and we did not become foster parents.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2017/11/14/tina-brown-recalls-flashy-80-s-days-vanity-fair-and-eye-popping-trump-moment/862825001/
— Raises: Survey shows 52% of workers didn’t get one in the past year – Paul Davidson (DIERSEN: Because of step increases, COLAs, and/or promotions, my salary increased every year that I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, except 1980 when I took an $18,847 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/careers/changing-jobs/2017/11/15/pay-raises-survey-indicates-52-workers-didnt-get-one-past-year/864433001/
CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS
— TVA employees get average $10,970 year-end bonus
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2017/nov/16/winning-performance/457149/
