November 7 Evening Edition

ABC7
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Legal pot referendum could end up on March ballot
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/legal-pot-referendum-could-end-up-on-march-ballot-/2614934/
— IL lawmakers tackle sexual harassment bills during veto session – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/il-lawmakers-tackle-sexual-harassment-bills-during-veto-session/2613412/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump repeats falsehoods about Chicago gun laws, calls city a disaster.”
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-repeats-falsehoods-about-chicago-gun-laws-calls-city-a-disaster/2612697/

NBC5
— Journalist Danielle Young Accuses Rev. Jesse Jackson of Sexual Harassment
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Journalist-Accuses-Rev-Jackson-of-Sexual-Harassment-455879813.html
— Illinois Lawmakers Focus on Sex Harassment in Veto Session – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/ira-silverstein-springfield-sex-harassment-veto-session-455948943.html

CBS2
— Illinois Senate Acts On Sexual Harassment: Too Little, Too Late? – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/11/07/illinois-senate-acts-on-sexual-harassment-too-little-too-late/
— Trump: ‘Hundreds More’ Would Have Died In Texas Church With Gun Laws Like Chicago’s President Claims Chicago ‘A Total Disaster’ Despite ‘Strongest Gun Laws In Our Nation’
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/11/07/trump-texas-church-shooting-chicago-gun-laws/
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cook County Commissioners Want Voters To Have A Say On Legalizing Marijuana – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/11/07/cook-county-recreational-marijuana-referendum/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump blasts gun control during Asia trip: ‘Chicago is a disaster’
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/trump-blasts-gun-control-during-asia-trip-chicago-is-a-disaster

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump, pressed on gun control, says Chicago a ‘total disaster’ despite tough laws
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-trump-chicago-gun-laws-disaster-20171107-story.html
— Illinois lawmakers start passing bills to deal with sexual harassment scandal – Kim Geiger and Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-sexual-harassment-20171107-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A nasty anti-Trump says “On gun control, Mr. President, keep our city’s name out of your mouth.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/huppke/ct-met-trump-gun-control-chicago-texas-huppke-20171107-story.html
— Conservatives seek changes to tax bill – Mike Debonis and Ed O’Keefe
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-conservatives-changes-tax-bill-20171107-story.html
— How a former U. of I. athletic director earns nearly $500,000 in annual taxpayer-funded pension – Joe Mahr
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-ron-guenther-pension-20171106-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Preckwinkle backs putting marijuana legalization question to voters – Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-cook-county-marijuana-legalization-referendum-20171107-story.html
— Was it ‘harassment’? Messages between Silverstein and Rotheimer read more like adolescent flirtation – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-silverstein-rotheim-papers-1108-20171107-story.htm
— Beware the long reach of #MeToo – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-metoo-weinstein-harass-20171102-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Orland Park officials seeking public input on gambling issue – Mike Nolan
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-orland-park-video-gambling-st-1108-20171107-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Fritchey plans legal pot referendum on March ballot – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/fritchey-plans-legal-pot-referendum-on-march-ballot/
— Three Dem gov hopefuls tell accused Sen. Silverstein it’s time to go – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/three-dem-gov-hopefuls-tell-accused-sen-silverstein-its-time-to-go/
— Mayor Emanuel happy to unload on Trump but won’t blast Ald. Burke – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rahm-emanuel-criticizes-donald-trump-wont-blast-ed-burke/
— Trump again points to Chicago in arguing against tougher gun laws – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/texas-church-shooting-trump-gun-laws-restrictions/
— House can’t work up override of Rauner’s veto of ‘right-to-work’ bill – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/house-cant-work-up-override-of-rauners-veto-of-right-to-work-bill/

DAILY HERALD
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cook County commissioner wants legal pot referendum on March ballot
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171107/report-cook-county-commissioner-wants-legal-pot-referendum-on-march-ballot
— Breuder, Hamilton come face to face in court over COD contract – Kerry Lester and Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171107/breuder-hamilton-come-face-to-face-in-court-over-cod-contract
— Repeal of medical deduction prompts tax bill pushback – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171107/news/311079891/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The medical expense deduction targeted for repeal by GOP tax writers has helped to offset costs including nursing home care and fertility treatments, laser eye surgery and travel out-of-state for a second opinion on a rare cancer. Several million people unlucky enough to face big medical bills not covered by their insurance would lose a valuable deduction under the House GOP bill. Groups representing older people and patients are trying to save it. “Anybody who is paying for the cost of nursing home care is paying a great deal of money, and they are going to lose that deduction, and their taxes are going to go up,” said Thomas DeCoursey, a retired lawyer from Kansas, in his 70s. He relies on the deduction to help offset costs associated with nursing home care for his wife, who has Alzheimer’s. Some of his own medical expenses also factor in. DeCoursey estimates that in a couple of years their annual costs will pass $100,000. “There are a lot of people in my shoes,” said DeCoursey, who lives in Leawood, a well-to-do Kansas City suburb that voted for President Donald Trump last year. About 9 million households – 6 percent of tax filers – claim the medical expense deduction, said Gordon Mermin, a senior researcher at the nonpartisan Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. The annual cost to the U.S. Treasury is about $10 billion, which ranks it as a modest tax break. Those who benefit tend to be middle-income and upper-middle-income people. “For the people who claim it, it is not a trivial benefit,” said Mermin. The medical expense deduction is also versatile. In addition to nursing home care, not generally covered by medical insurance plans, it can be used for: -Transportation expenses to a top hospital, like a comprehensive cancer center. -Some long-term care insurance premiums. -Installing specialized medical equipment in a patient’s home or vehicle. -Dental procedures. -Bills from out-of-network doctors. “When you are faced with large medical costs and don’t have a lot of options, this is one that helps people,” said Barbara Collura, president of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Most insurance plans do not cover fertility treatments, which can cost from $15,000 to $30,000. The deduction can offset some of that cost. Advocacy groups pushing back against repeal may get help from the Senate.)
— Glenbard students gain career insights through Mentor Day – Peg Mannion (DIERSEN: What happened to your mentors? My Democrat IRS superiors got rid of the IRS manager who promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. My Democrat GAO superiors got rid of the GAO manager who hired me in 1980, who got me assigned to audits of IRS in 1986, and who promoted me in 1986.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20171107/glenbard-students-gain-career-insights-through-mentor-day

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey pushes for vote on legal pot here – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: If you push pot, you push destruction.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171107/BLOGS02/171109899/lawmaker-pushes-for-vote-on-legal-pot-here
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171107/BLOGS02/171109899/legal-pot-in-cook-county-lawmaker-says-lets-vote

CHICAGO BUSINESS JOURNAL
— Why the demise of DNAinfo and Gothamist did not surprise this reporter – Lewis Lazare
https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2017/11/06/why-the-demise-of-dnainfo-and-gothamist-did-not.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— House fails again to override veto of bill prohibiting right-to-work zones – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171107/house-fails-again-to-override-veto-of-bill-prohibiting-right-to-work-zones

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Illinois lawmakers engulfed by fixing sex-harassment mess – AP
http://rockrivertimes.com/2017/11/07/illinois-lawmakers-engulfed-by-fixing-sex-harassment-mess/

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Illinois judge accused of offering to cut legal fees for sex
http://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article183270896.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Democrat launches campaign to unseat Olsen in 81st District – BOB RAKOW
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/11/07/democrat-launches-campaign-to-unseat-olsen-in-81st-district/aduuk6z/

WTTW
— Proposed Legislation Targets Illinois Gun Retailers – Paris Schutz
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/11/07/proposed-legislation-targets-illinois-gun-retailers
— New Watchdog to Investigate Ethics Complaints in Springfield – Evan Garcia
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/11/06/new-watchdog-investigate-ethics-complaints-springfield

WBEZ
— Chicago’s New FBI Chief: ‘Honest Government Is Not Optional – Mariah Woelfel
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/chicagos-new-fbi-chief-honest-government-is-not-optional/38d669e9-1191-4d94-90b0-dbfb4ff9abdb

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— GOP tax bill would end stadium subsidies
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/sports/nfl/gop-tax-bill-may-affect-raiders-stadium/852971973
— Poll: Views of Democratic Party hit lowest mark in 25 years GOP isn’t doing any better – RYAN STRUYK (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats shout at everyone that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/poll-views-of-democratic-party-hit-lowest-mark-in-25-years/852874677

WILLIAM J KELLY
— Don’t Re-Elect Rauner and his Swamp
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-dont-re-elect-rauner-and-his-swamp

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois ranks 49th in fiscal health in new study – Scot Bertram
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-ranks-th-in-fiscal-health-in-new-study/article_f5927c58-c332-11e7-b806-ef78360a0eef.html
— Over-regulation blamed for teacher shortage in Illinois – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/schools/over-regulation-blamed-for-teacher-shortage-in-illinois/article_3db5f086-c0b9-11e7-ac51-bb1c9cb69be3.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Proft papers asking Republican candidates about Ives vs. Rauner primary
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/07/proft-papers-asking-republican-candidates-about-ives-vs-rauner-primary/
— Silverstein refuses to talk to reporters
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/07/silverstein-refuses-to-talk-to-reporters/
— Local right to work zone ban override motion comes up short for second time
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/07/local-right-to-work-zone-ban-override-motion-comes-up-short-for-second-time/
— Rotheimer: “Of course it wasn’t mutual”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/07/rotheimer-of-course-it-wasnt-mutual/
— Kennedy, Pritzker, Biss say Sen. Silverstein should resign
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/07/kennedy-pritzker-biss-say-sen-silverstein-should-resign/

FOX NEWS
— Texas shooting: Gun laws aren’t the problem, government incompetence is – Stephen L. Miller
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/11/07/texas-shooting-gun-laws-arent-problem-government-incompetence-is.html

GOPUSA
— Democrat Congressman walks out of moment of silence for Texas victims
http://www.gopusa.com/democrat-congressman-walks-out-of-moment-of-silence-for-texas-victims/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Rauner Will Face a Second Republican Challenger in the 2018 Primary – Philip DeVoe
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/453484/bruce-rauner-re-election-path-narrowed-republican-challenger

DAILY SIGNAL
— New Bill Would Make It Easier to Fire Federal Employees – Rachel Greszler (DIERSEN: This article outrageously ignores the fact that Democrats run the federal government and that they use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to get of federal employees who are Republican and especially those who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://dailysignal.com/2017/11/07/new-bill-make-easier-fire-federal-employees/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: This is good news for taxpayers and federal employees alike. For taxpayers, it will mean a more productive federal workforce that will translate into lower federal personnel costs. And for federal employees, it will help weed out the bad actors that have given federal employees as a whole a bad rap. Federal employees are unfortunately often characterized as lazy, unproductive, or even defiant—but that’s not true of the overwhelming majority of federal workers. By reducing this negative stigma, the federal government would become more competitive with the private sector and could attract more skilled and productive employees. Federal personnel and compensation policies are uncompetitive, and in many ways, counterproductive. The Heritage Foundation has proposed a comprehensive set of reforms to bring federal compensation and employment more in line with the private sector. Increasing the probationary period for new federal hires is one step in the right direction toward a more competitive and productive federal workforce.) 

COLLEGE FIX
— ‘It’s okay to be white’ signs spark outrage on campuses – MICHAEL JONES
https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/38641/

POLITICO
— Think Mass Shootings Are Terrorism? Careful What You Wish For. Those arguing America needs a new domestic terrorism law haven’t thought things through. – BRIAN MICHAEL JENKINS and RICHARD C. DADDARIO (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted patronage. Democrats consider the Republican Party to be a “subversive organization.” 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.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/11/07/think-mass-shootings-are-terrorism-careful-what-you-wish-for-215797
(FROM THE ARTICLE: When applied to a nation’s own people, a list of banned domestic terrorists strongly tends to becomes a tool of state control. It works to suppress speech, association, and political action because any idea advanced by a proscribed group becomes anathematized. In the middle of the 20th century the federal government published a list of subversive organizations as part of a Federal Employee Loyalty Program, ostensibly to keep communists out of government and socialist ideology by denying or terminating their employment. The desired effect was not only to protect the infiltration of government by soviet agents and Marxist revolutionaries, but to suppress throughout American society lawful and non-violent political speech and action in support of political goals influenced by communist and socialist ideas. The Federal Employee Loyalty Program did not reach as far as material support regimes do. The federal government did not attempt to make it a crime to support the proscribed organizations. It deprived those who did of employment in government or of security clearances requisite to work in certain government jobs. It also led to “blacklists” that deprived people of working in certain industries.)

CNN
— Only one-third of marijuana extracts accurately labeled, researchers say – Ben Tinker (DIERSEN: If you want to destroy an individual, an organization, a company, a government, and/or a country, you push pot on that individual, organization, company, government, and/or a country.)
http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/07/health/marijuana-cbd-buy-online-study/index.html

NBC NEWS
— Trump Says Chicago Is Proof Stronger Gun Laws Don’t Work. Researchers Disagree. – ERIK ORTIZ
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/texas-church-shooting/trump-says-chicago-proof-stronger-gun-laws-don-t-work-n818266

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump, diminished at home, is feted abroad, as Asian leaders employ flattery to stay on America’s good side.”
http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-trump-stature-20171106-story.html

NEW YORK POST
— Businesses fear Amazon way more than they fear Trump – Emma Court (DIERSEN: Who do businesses fear the most in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois? My critics/opponents a) have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and b) hint/imply/argue/shout that they can destroy any individual, any organization, any company, and any government that they want to in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois.)
http://nypost.com/2017/11/07/businesses-fear-amazon-way-more-than-they-fear-trump/

USA TODAY
— Trump has tweeted 2,461 times since the election. Here’s a breakdown of his Twitter use – Jessica Estepa
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/11/07/trump-has-tweeted-2-461-times-since-election-heres-breakdown-his-twitter-use/822312001/

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP CAN’T BLOCK HIS HOSTILE TWITTER FOLLOWERS. IT’S AGAINST THE 1ST AMENDMENT – JOSHUA GELTZER AND AMY MARSHAK
http://www.newsweek.com/trump-cant-block-his-hostile-twitter-followers-its-against-1st-amendment-704191

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.