October 16 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner, Pritzker each report income of more than $50 million in newly released tax returns – Mike Riopell, Todd Lighty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-jb-pritzker-tax-returns-20181016-story.html
— SUV driven by Preckwinkle security chief was improperly used to move political materials – Gregory Pratt (DIERSEN: How much political material has your Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain delivered in your precinct? Last week, I hand-delivered 2,100 pieces of political material to the 175 homes in my precinct that have at least one Republican or one Independent registered voter. The 175 envelopes had 377 labels on them for all the registered Republican and/or Independent voters in each home. The 2,100 pieces were the sample ballot for the precinct (with the ovals for ALL the Republican candidates filled in) and literature for all those Republican candidates on that ballot who provided the Milton Township GOP with campaign literature – Roskam, Senger, Connelly, Grant, Mendrick, Hinds, Eckhoff, Zaruba, Cantore, Wilson, and MacKay.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-preckwinkle-security-chief-vehicle-inspector-general-20181015-story.html
— J.B. Pritzker spent almost twice as much campaign cash as Gov. Bruce Rauner last quarter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-jb-pritzker-governor-spending-20181015-story.html
— Donald Trump goes low, and Elizabeth Warren joins him – Dahleen Glanton (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? One of my worst demographics is that I am 100% German national origin. In my defense, I stress that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans in WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans in WWII, and my father would have fought the Germans in WWII if he had not been 4-F. According to http://dna.ancestry.com, my ancestry is 33% Europe West, 28% Scandinavia, 24% Great Britain, 11% Ireland, 2% Europe East, 1% Finland/Northwest Russia, and 1% Italy/Greece. What if I had pretended to be Swedish? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes demonize, denigrate, and condemn people of German national origin. I should write a book about those of the aforesaid who are of German national origin themselves, but who demonize, denigrate, and condemn people of German national origin to curry favor with those who are anti-German American.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-dahleen-glanton-warren-trump-20181015-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Democrats Underwood, Casten outraise GOP rivals Roskam, Hultgren last quarter – Lynn Sweet (DIERSEN: To those who blast me for not giving money to Republican candidates, in my defense, I stress that I offer all Republican candidates GOPUSA ILLINOIS email subscriptions free of charge and without any advertising. GOPUSA ILLINOIS email subscriptions are worth at least $1,000 a year. I spend thousands of dollars each year for newspaper subscriptions, website expenses, and internet expenses. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning since 2004 and each and every evening since 2015. Those emails have included links to more than 315,000 articles and information on many upcoming events. It takes me about an hour for each 6 links. That means that since 2004, I have spent about 52,500 hours of what is left of my life putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out free of charge and without any advertising. The main reason why I have a) less money to give Republican candidates, b) more time to use GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails to help elect those candidates, and c) more motivation to help elect those candidates is the success that my Democrat superiors in the Republican can)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/democrats-underwood-casten-outraise-gop-rivals-roskam-hultgren-last-quarter/
— At $234 million, rich-guy rumble hasn’t broken U.S. record — yet – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/234-million-rich-guy-rumble-campaign-reports-governors-race/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— There’s money in our addictions Ben Klein, who once ran one of Chicago’s largest nursing home operators, is making a big financial bet that Americans are going to need even more help with their addiction problems. – TED JACKSON (DIERSEN: What do say to politicians who promote addictive vices including booze, gambling, and pot? I say that they should not be elected or reelected.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/theres-money-our-addictions
— To end gun violence in Chicago, should we focus on quick fixes or root causes? Yes. The debate often is whether it’s more important to focus on immediate solutions or to take a longer view and address its root causes. A new survey shows that this is a false choice. – NINA VINIK (DIERSEN: As everyone knows, the biggest cause of gun violence in Chicago is the breakdown of the African-American family. Democrats do everything that they can to destroy the traditional family.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/end-gun-violence-chicago-should-we-focus-quick-fixes-or-root-causes-yes

 

DAILY HERALD
— Endorsement: Daily Herald backs Morrison over Trevor in Illinois House District 54
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181016/endorsement-daily-herald-backs-morrison-over-trevor-in-illinois-house-district-54

 

WGN RADIO
— The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/15/18): Kanye West is devoured by liberals, Chris Robling on Rauner’s chances in Nov., and a flag on the moon – JEFF CARLIN
https://wgnradio.com/2018/10/15/the-chicago-way-w-john-kass-10-15-18-kanye-west-is-devoured-by-liberals-chris-robling-on-jbs-toilets-and-a-flag-on-the-moon/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— J.B. Pritzker spent almost twice as much campaign cash as Gov. Bruce Rauner last quarter
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20181016/jb-pritzker-spent-almost-twice-as-much-campaign-cash-as-gov-bruce-rauner-last-quarter

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Pritzker spent almost twice as much campaign cash as Rauner last quarter
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/pritzker-spent-almost-twice-as-much-campaign-cash-as-rauner/article_6e27ab20-2325-595c-ba99-fedcc19f2e4f.html

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Is the ‘B’ word in Illinois’ future? – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-10-16/editorial-the-b-word-illinois-future.html

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Democrats shame Kanye West to protect themselves – John Kass
https://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/democrats-shame-kanye-west-to-protect-themselves/article_720901d1-6363-5411-8cb9-ed677e020346.html

 

RIVER BENDER
— Second Amendment Rally to be held at Madison County Courthouse on Oct. 25
https://www.riverbender.com/articles/details/second-amendment-rally-to-be-held-at-madison-county-courthouse-on-oct-25-31318.cfm

 

TIMES
— Long describes ‘contentious’ relationship with GOP Rep. explains disagreement with Gov. on latest Ottawa visit – Brent Bader
https://www.mywebtimes.com/2018/10/15/long-describes-contentious-relationship-with-gop/aivalfc/

 

ILLINOIS PATCH
— Illinois’ Fiscal Situation Worst In Nation A new study by researchers at George Mason University ranked every state’s ability to pay its bills. Here’s how Illinois fared. – Shannon Antinori
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/illinois-fiscal-situation-worst-nation-study

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Ken Griffin, one of Chicago’s most notable political donors is also among the nation‘s most philanthropic, according to Forbes. The Citadel CEO, who just recently donated $500,000 to Republican Erika Harold’s campaign for attorney general, is ranked 26th for donating $98 million to the Field Museum, Robin Hood Foundation, Chicago Lakefront Trail and the U.S. Soccer Foundation. – Shia Kapos
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/10/16/q3-money-race-chance-the-rapper-zeros-in-on-cps-next-mayor-vallas-details-econ-plan-summers-out-327684

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Chicago mayoral petitions being circulated for Democratic comptroller candidate – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: Who is circulating petitions for what offices in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/chicago-mayoral-petitions-being-circulated-for-democratic-comptroller-candidate/article_5410e934-d09a-11e8-a4fb-0ba2a684c89e.html

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— PRITZKER PRICE TAG: CANDIDATE’S SPENDING PROMISES REQUIRE DOUBLING STATE INCOME TAX – Adam Schuster, Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/pritzker-price-tag-candidates-spending-promises-require-doubling-state-income-tax/

 

CHICAGO NOW
— Berkowitz with IL Treasurer Candidate Jim Dodge on safe investments & low taxes
http://www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2018/10/berkowitz-w-il-treasurer-candidate-jim-dodge-on-safe-investments-low-taxes-cable-web/

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— NALN event Monday evening, October 15, 2018, at Aurelio’s in Naperville drew 45 guests including Evelyn Sanguinetti, Patty Smith, Janice Anderson, Patty Gustin, Kevin Coyne, Steve Chirico, Jim McCluskey, Grant Wehrli, Mark Rising, Bruce Hanson, Suzanne Hart, Rebecca Obarski, David Wentz, Carl Schultz, James Groat, Brad Miller, Kenn Miller, Kamala Martinez, and Josh McBroom. – Kevin Coyne
http://www.gopillinois.com

 

ILLINOIS NEWS RADIO
— Illinois’ highest-paid school boss under investigation days before retirement, $762,000 payout – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/schools/illinois-highest-paid-school-boss-under-investigation-days-before-retirement/article_7e24c572-ce5d-11e8-b4d7-2b2bc63903e1.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Illinois State Rifle Association endorses Rauner today
https://capitolfax.com/2018/10/16/illinois-state-rifle-association-endorses-rauner-today/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner and Pritzker release 2017 federal income tax returns
https://capitolfax.com/2018/10/16/rauner-releases-tax-return-calls-on-pritzker-to-do-the-same/
— Raoul outspending Harold
https://capitolfax.com/2018/10/16/raoul-outspending-harold/
— A look at fundraising reports for Pritzker and Rauner
https://capitolfax.com/2018/10/16/a-look-at-fundraising-reports-for-pritzker-and-rauner/
— Dems crow about congressional fundraising
https://capitolfax.com/2018/10/16/dems-crow-about-congressional-fundraising/

 

DAILY CALLER
— IF SEN. WARREN IS NATIVE AMERICAN, EVERYONE CAN CLAIM THEY’RE A MINORITY – Mike Brest (DIERSEN: What are your demographics? In what ways are you a minority in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, in America, and in the world? In one or more of aforesaid, I am a minority because I am a Trump supporter, Protestant (baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, old (70), non-poor, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and my ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/15/gutfeld-native-american-warren/

 

GOPUSA
— U.S. Has 3.5 Million More Registered Voters Than Live Adults — A Red Flag For Electoral Fraud (DIERSEN: How much deadwood is there on the voter rolls in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois? What are the elected officials in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois doing to get rid of deadwood?)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=56885
— Fake News Matched Only By The Fake Indian’s Fake Math
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=56910
— Short Memory: Trump critic Mitt Romney denies leading ‘Never Trump’ Republicans
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=56842
— Europe is beginning to pay a fair share for its own defense (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps side with foreign countries against America.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=56901

 

NEWSMAX
— Pew: Little Partisan Consensus on Major Problems Facing Nation – Brian Freeman
https://www.newsmax.com/us/pew-problems-issues-gap/2018/10/15/id/886407/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Seventy-one percent of Democratic voters say the way racial and ethnic minorities are treated by the criminal justice system is a very big problem for the country, while only 10 percent of Republicans agree. Climate change has a similarly large partisan gap, as 72 percent of Democrats say it is a major problem, but only 11 percent of Republicans think so. Gun violence is viewed as a major concern by 81 percent of Democrats, but by only 25 percent of GOP supporters. Seventy-seven percent of Democrats see the gap between rich and poor as a very big problem, but only 22 percent of Republicans agree. Sixty-three percent of Democrats say racism is a big concern, but only 19 percent of Republicans say so. Similarly, 50 percent of Democrats say sexism is a major problem, with only 12 percent of Republicans agreeing. While 75 percent of Republicans say illegal immigration is a major concern, only 19 percent of Democrats agree.)
— We Can’t Afford Not to Build the Border Wall – Steve Levy
https://www.newsmax.com/stevelevy/custody-dhs-fair-illegal/2018/10/15/id/886372/

 

BREITBART
— Democrats Gain Huge Fundraising Advantage in 2018 Elections – Neil Munro
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2018/10/15/democrats-gain-huge-fundraising-advantage-in-2018-elections/

 

TOWNHALL
— A Republican Red Tide Is Pushing Back Against the Dems’ Blue Wave – Salena Zito
https://townhall.com/columnists/salenazito/2018/10/16/a-republican-red-tide-is-pushing-back-against-the-dems-blue-wave-n2528759
— Black Conservatives Aren’t Sellouts, Black Liberals Are Just Duped – Carl Jackson
https://townhall.com/columnists/carljackson/2018/10/15/black-conservatives-arent-sellouts-black-liberals-have-just-been-duped-n2528558

 

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Media, Democrats Question Warren’s Native American Announcement: ‘Really Poor Timing’ Durbin: ‘I don’t know why she picked today’ – David Rutz
https://freebeacon.com/politics/media-democrats-question-warrens-native-american-announcement-really-poor-timing/

 

CANADA FREE PRESS
— Democrats Advised Not to Speak About Unpopular Open Borders Policies
https://canadafreepress.com/article/democrats-advised-not-to-speak-about-unpopular-open-borders-policies

 

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Democrat Mayor Requires Cops To Instruct Illegals on How To Thwart Prosecutors – BRYAN CHAI
https://www.westernjournal.com/ct/dem-mayor-requires-cops-instruct-illegals-thwart-prosecutors/

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Will Elizabeth Warren’s ‘Woman of Color’ Sham Come Back to Haunt Her? – JIM GERAGHTY
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/will-elizabeth-warrens-woman-of-color-sham-come-back-to-haunt-her/

 

COLLEGE FIX
— A professor from the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois, has defended her decision to show up to a pro-life event – Sara George
https://www.thecollegefix.com/i-wanted-to-have-a-conversation/

 

THE HILL
— Trump threatens to cut off aid to Honduras over immigrant ‘caravan’ – JORDAN FABIAN (DIERSEN: What do you say to the many countries that have constructively declared war on America a) by illegally sending their citizens into America illegally, b) by illegally keeping their citizens in America illegally, and c) by illegally sending mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally? Ever-increasingly, treasonous Democrats and treasonous Democrat plants, treasonous Libertarians and treasonous Libertarian plants, treasonous Greens and treasonous Green plants, and treasonous RINOs treasonously encourage the aforesaid acts of war.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/411575-trump-threatens-to-cut-off-aid-to-honduras-over-immigrant-caravan
— Cherokee Nation: Warren’s use of DNA test ‘inappropriate,’ ‘wrong’ – ALEXANDER BOLTON (DIERSEN: If I sought a government office or a political office, would Germany object to my saying that I am 100% German national origin because according to http://dna.ancestry.com, my ancestry is 33% Europe West, 28% Scandinavia, 24% Great Britain, 11% Ireland, 2% Europe East, 1% Finland/Northwest Russia, and 1% Italy/Greece?)
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/411521-cherokee-nation-warrens-use-of-dna-test-inappropriate-wrong
— Democrats in swing districts advised to avoid talking about immigration – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/411522-democrats-in-swing-districts-states-advised-to-avoid-talking-about-immigration

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Stalking the Trump Family’s Roots In search of the president’s forebears, the author embarked on a three-week journey through Europe, from Scotland to Slovenia. – Nina Burleigh
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/travel/trump-family-roots-europe.html

 

NEW YORK POST
— Warren representing herself as Native American is quite a stretch – Jonathan S. Tobin
https://nypost.com/2018/10/15/warren-representing-herself-as-native-american-is-quite-a-stretch/

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats won’t defeat Trump by becoming the Trumps of the left – Max Boot
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2018/10/15/democrats-wont-defeat-trump-by-becoming-the-trumps-of-the-left/
— Joe Biden appeals to working-class whites who defected to Trump. Is that how Democrats win again? – James Hohmann (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois look down on the working class. Are/were you a member of the working class? I was 1962-1997. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997. I should write a book about my critics/opponents.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/10/15/daily-202-joe-biden-appeals-to-working-class-whites-who-defected-to-trump-is-that-how-democrats-win-again/5bc396dc1b326b7c8a8d19a1/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Yes, Elizabeth Warren has Native ancestry. No, that won’t stop Trump’s racist attacks.” How bad are you demographics? My critics/opponents glorify and praise those who do NOT share my demographics. They glorify and praise those who 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, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2018/10/15/yes-elizabeth-warren-has-native-ancestry-no-that-wont-stop-trumps-racist-attacks/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Democrats for Big Money Whatever happened to the corrupting influence of billionaires? – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-for-big-money-1539645696

 

FORBES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Disgusting pot pushers push pot.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kriskrane/2018/10/16/these-two-states-are-poised-to-be-the-next-big-marijuana-markets/#3e17159c2476

 

INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
— Trump’s Approval Rating Is Better Than You Think – Editorial
https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/trump-approval-rating/

 

INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION
— Jury Awards Professor $1.7M in Age Bias Case – Colleen Flaherty
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/10/16/jury-awards-professor-17m-age-bias-case

 

FED SMITH
— How is the Annual COLA Different from an Annual Pay Raise? – Ian Smith (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have objected the most to a) the Post Office hiring me in 1966 and letting me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS hiring me in 1971 and letting me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS promoting me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, d) GAO hiring me in 1980 and letting me work there for almost 18 years, e) GAO promoting me in 1986, f) my getting COLAs, g) my getting step increases, and h) my getting pay raises.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2018/10/15/annual-cola-different-annual-pay-raise/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Every year around this time, we receive comments and questions from our readers about the cost of living adjustment (COLA) and the pay raise. Each is determined around the same time of the year and both take effect in the following year, assuming that there is a COLA and/or pay raise. The comments we see indicate that some federal employees and retirees do not understand the difference between the two. This is understandable; the federal pay and retirement systems are governed by a complex process with many different factors that can lead to endless variations depending on a person’s situation. . .The purpose of this article is to explain the differences in the COLA and the annual pay raise in an effort to clear up any misconceptions or confusion. The COLA The 2019 COLA was just announced. This applies to federal retirees and Social Security recipients, but not to current federal employees. In 2019, it will be 2.8%. The process for determining the COLA is automatic. You will either get one or not based solely on a formula that is put in place by law and determined based on the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The amount of the COLA has nothing to do with whether a Republican or a Democrat majority is in office, whether or not it might get vetoed, or out of the spite or benevolence reflected by the latest pet projects among politicians in Congress. If Congress decides to change the law governing how a COLA is calculated, then maybe it will become subject to politics, but as of right now, it’s not.)

 

ADVOCATE
— Trump Nominates Gay Conservative to Federal Appeals Court – TRUDY RING (DIERSEN: By definition, one cannot be both gay and conservative.)
https://www.advocate.com/politics/2018/10/15/trump-nominates-gay-conservative-federal-appeals-court

 

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Whites crow about their success in demonizing, in denigrating, and in condemning Whites as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things who should be gotten rid of.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/16/its-ok-to-be-white-is-not-a-joke-its-careless-politicians-helping-the-far-right

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform. The following are questions to ask about the websites that a) your Republican township/ward/county party organizations, b) the Illinois Republican Party (IRP), and c) the Republican National Committee (RNC) are hosting – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

  1. How strongly does the website stress the traditional family plank in the IRP platform (https://illinois.gop/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2016PlatformoftheIllinoisRepublicanParty.pdf)?
  2. How strongly does the website stress the right to life plank in the IRP platform?
  3. How strongly does the website stress the immigration plank in the IRP platform?
  4. How strongly does the website stress the Second Amendment plank in the IRP platform?
  5. How strongly does the website stress the illegal drugs plank in the RNC platform (https://prod-static-ngop-pbl.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/DRAFT_12_FINAL%5B1%5D-ben_1468872234.pdf)?
  6. How strongly does the website stress the equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) plank in the RNC platform?

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.