October 20, 2025

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Federal immigration agents attacked while trying to arrest man in Bolingbrook
https://abc7chicago.com/post/federal-immigration-agents-attacked-trying-arrest-man-100-block-williamsburg-lane-bolingbrook-illinois-police/18040229/

CBS2
— 4 killed, 14 wounded in weekend shootings across Chicago
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/weekend-shootings-oct-17-to-20-2025/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE WITH PICTURE: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly protect their illegals.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/immigration-raid-mount-prospect-neighbors/
— CTU’s Stacy Davis Gates elected head of Illinois teachers union
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/stacy-davis-gates-illinois-teachers-union/

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH PHOTOS: Race to succeed U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is attracting millions in campaign cash
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251019/us-congress-politics/race-to-succeed-u-s-rep-jan-schakowsky-is-attracting-millions-in-campaign-cash-records-show/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republicans Rocio Cleveland of Island Lake and Mark Su of Chicago also are running. . .Polan entered the race in late August. His campaign subsequently received $343,412, which included a $275,000 loan from the candidate and $5,000 from former Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s Country First PAC.)

WQAD
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ in Moline.
https://www.wqad.com/video/news/local/atlas-collective-hosts-queer-spooky-blood-drive-in-moline-empowering-lgbtq-donors/526-cfe686e0-1b3b-43ef-99c4-b11789fe54b5

ILLINOIS PATCH
— ISU Teaching Assistant Tips Turning Point USA Table, Faces Charges
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/isu-teaching-assistant-tips-turning-point-usa-table-faces-charges-police

BOLINGBROOK PATCH
— Immigration Agents Attacked By 2 Females During Arrest In Bolingbrook. The females and the man being arrested all fled into a nearby home.
https://patch.com/illinois/bolingbrook/amp/33094155/immigration-agents-attacked-by-2-females-during-arrest-in-bolingbrook-police

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Stacy Davis Gates framing of standardized testing as “junk science rooted in white supremacy” fueled a national backlash, while her comment comparing a former schools CEO to a special education student triggered bipartisan outrage. She later apologized. DD: How have standardized tests impacted you? If I had not passed standardized tests, a) UIC would not have accepted me in 1966, NIU in 1969, Loyola in 1972, DePaul in 1976, or IIT in 1992, b) the Post Office would not have hired me in 1966, Firestone Stores in 1970, IRS in 1971, or GAO in 1980, c) I would not have become a CPA in 1979 or a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, or Forensic Accountant in 1997, and d) I would not have become a licensed CPA in 1981.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/10/20/stacy-davis-gates-power-move-00615110

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/10/20/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-614/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Two at Crystal Lake No Kings Demonstration Hope for Trump’s Death
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/10/20/two-at-crystal-lake-no-kings-demonstration-hope-for-trumps-death/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Illegal immigrant cop sparks debate about migrants’ access to guns
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/19/illegal-immigrant-cop-sparks-debate-migrants-access-guns/

NEW YORK POST
— Illegal migrant on TikTok offers $10K for every ICE agent killed
https://nypost.com/2025/10/19/us-news/illegal-migrant-on-tiktok-offers-10k-for-every-ice-agent-killed-feds/
— DD: How have standardized tests impacted you? If I had not passed standardized tests, a) UIC would not have accepted me in 1966, NIU in 1969, Loyola in 1972, DePaul in 1976, or IIT in 1992, b) the Post Office would not have hired me in 1966, Firestone Stores in 1970, IRS in 1971, or GAO in 1980, c) I would not have become a CPA in 1979 or a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, or Forensic Accountant in 1997, and d) I would not have become a licensed CPA in 1981.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/14/opinion/princeton-reinstates-sat-requirement-making-stubborn-columbia-the-last-test-optional-ivy/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Sanctuary Cities, Drug Cartels, and No Kings
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/10/sanctuary_cities_drug_cartels_and_no_kings.html

AMERICAN THINKER
— Democrats Are Mad Kings
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/10/democrats_are_mad_kings.html

CAMPUS REFORM
— Yale prof hired under DEI remains in her post, teaches ‘Socialist, Anti-Imperialist Lens’
https://www.campusreform.org/article/yale-prof-hired-dei-remains-post-teaches-socialist-anti-imperialist-lens/28796

COLLEGE FIX
— DD: How have standardized tests impacted you? If I had not passed standardized tests, a) UIC would not have accepted me in 1966, NIU in 1969, Loyola in 1972, DePaul in 1976, or IIT in 1992, b) the Post Office would not have hired me in 1966, Firestone Stores in 1970, IRS in 1971, or GAO in 1980, c) I would not have become a CPA in 1979 or a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, or Forensic Accountant in 1997, and d) I would not have become a licensed CPA in 1981.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/princeton-brings-back-standardized-test-requirement-after-five-year-review/

DAILY SIGNAL
— Three Fundamental Differences That Are Dividing Americans
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/10/19/why-we-cant-resolve-debates-that-divide-america/

FOX NEWS
— Des Moines school district sues firm behind hiring of illegal alien superintendent
https://www.aol.com/articles/des-moines-school-district-sues-203624273.html
— Turning Point leader demands repercussions for University of Chicago professor arrested at anti-ICE rally. DD: Who is leading Turing Point USA in Illinois, your county, your township, your municipality, and your school district?
https://www.aol.com/articles/turning-point-leader-demands-repercussions-161608797.html

FOUNDATION FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & BRITANNICA
— DD: Democrat leaders reject equal opportunity because equal opportunity does not produce equal outcome, that is, Democrat leaders reject equal opportunity because with equal opportunity, in many ways, if not in most ways, Republicans do better than Democrats, conservatives do better than liberals and moderates, Whites do better than minorities, men do better than women, older people do better than younger people, Protestants do better than non-Protestants, German Americans do better than non-German Americans, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time do better than those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time. According to my critics/opponents, I owe my successes in life not to equal opportunity, but to my benefitting from discrimination against those who are Democrat, liberal, moderate, minority, female, younger, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for less time than my ancestors. For example, they stress that while I passed the CPA and Certified Internal Auditor examinations on my first attempt, those who took the examinations with me who did not pass were overwhelming one or more of the aforesaid.
https://thefga.org/video/gov-mike-braun-on-how-merit-excellence-and-innovation-replaced-dei-in-indiana/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Equal-Rights-Amendment

HUMOR
— The Age Gap in Equity: Why Toddlers Deserve a Seat on the School Board (Obviously)  If representation is the ultimate moral good, then surely the diaper demographic deserves a voice at the table, too. DD: All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats who a) had less work experience than I had, had less education than I had, had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had and/or b) were minority, female, younger, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time.
https://vocal.media/humor/the-age-gap-in-equity-why-toddlers-deserve-a-seat-on-the-school-board-obviously
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There is a glaring underrepresentation of infants, toddlers, and young children on school boards and in government. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies are clearly ageist, discriminating against these groups and preventing them from representing themselves. Millions of children are affected by decisions made without anyone who “looks or sounds like them” at the decision-making table. If DEI logic is taken seriously, that representation should mirror population percentages rather than qualifications or experience, then toddlers have every right to demand inclusion. After all, they make up a sizable demographic, they are directly affected by policy, and they have very strong opinions on juice boxes, nap schedules, and the universal injustice of bedtime. Imagine a two-year-old on the school board. Meetings might begin with finger painting and end in tears, but at least they would be authentic. Lunch breaks would feature an assortment of animal crackers and pouches of applesauce. Committee debates would be passionate and loud, though perhaps less hypocritical than those of some adults. When discussions stall, one member could dramatically throw their sippy cup to the floor, signaling that it is time for a recess, a literal one. The irony, of course, is that this absurd scenario perfectly illustrates the flaw in the ideology of enforced representational equity. When equal outcomes become the standard of justice, logic ceases to matter. There is no limit to the number of categories one can divide humanity into, nor to the demands that each be represented proportionally in every institution. But representation alone does not create justice or competence. A government made up of every possible demographic box in perfect statistical alignment would still fail if it lacked wisdom, discipline, and moral integrity. The best ideas are not born of diversity quotas; they are born of reason, virtue, and experience, things toddlers, despite their charm, have not yet developed. Equality of opportunity means that anyone, regardless of background, has the chance to pursue a role if they earn it. Equality of outcome means everyone must end up in the same place, regardless of effort or capability. The former encourages excellence, while the latter destroys it. It replaces earned achievement with administrative engineering, a moral sleight of hand that values appearance over substance. Equity, as often practiced, treats disparities as evidence of discrimination rather than as a reflection of natural variation in interest, skill, or choice. Not every imbalance is an injustice. There are more male mechanics and more female nurses not because of oppression, but because of differing inclinations and strengths. Demanding identical results in every field requires denying human diversity itself, the very diversity DEI claims to celebrate. When every outcome must be equal, merit becomes secondary. The question shifts from “Who is most capable of leading?” to “Who checks which box?” And when identity takes precedence over ability, the system inevitably drifts toward incompetence masked as virtue. That is how institutions that once prized excellence become bureaucracies obsessed with optics. In that light, appointing toddlers to school boards is not as far-fetched as it sounds. It is simply the logical endpoint of representation without restraint. If lived experience is the highest credential, who could possibly understand the kindergarten experience better than a preschooler? If empathy and visibility are the keys to justice, should not those directly affected by nap policies have a seat at the table? Of course, we all know why that is ridiculous. Children are not developmentally ready to make such decisions. Yet this simple truth, that some people are not yet equipped for certain responsibilities, applies beyond age. Competence matters. Readiness matters. Pretending otherwise in the name of representation undermines the very institutions that keep society functional. The goal of a just system should not be to guarantee identical results, but to ensure open doors and the freedom to walk through them when one is ready. Anything beyond that, no matter how well-intentioned, veers into moral absurdity. Governance should prioritize wisdom, expertise, and the pursuit of the common good, not a demographic checklist. And if that means the toddlers must wait a few years before joining the school board, I suspect the republic will survive.)

JOHNATHAN TURLEY
— DD: How have standardized tests impacted you? If I had not passed standardized tests, a) UIC would not have accepted me in 1966, NIU in 1969, Loyola in 1972, DePaul in 1976, or IIT in 1992, b) the Post Office would not have hired me in 1966, Firestone Stores in 1970, IRS in 1971, or GAO in 1980, c) I would not have become a CPA in 1979 or a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, or Forensic Accountant in 1997, and d) I would not have become a licensed CPA in 1981.
https://jonathanturley.org/2025/10/12/princeton-joins-move-back-to-standardized-testing/

NEWS BUSTERS
— MSNBC Buries Criminal Record of Illegal Alien Arrested in Chicago
https://newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/brad-wilmouth/2025/10/19/msnbcs-soboroff-buries-criminal-record-illegal-alien-arrested

NEWSMAX
— Cartels ‘Desperate’ at Border
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/johntorres-ice-cartels/2025/10/19/id/1231001/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NBC NEWS
— DD: Anticipate/expect that Democrat leaders and their Democrat news media will ever-increasingly paint Santos as being a typical conservative Republican.
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/george-santos-speaks-out-for-first-time-since-prison-release-250197573749

CNN
— DD: Anticipate/expect that Democrat leaders and their Democrat news media will ever-increasingly paint Santos as being a typical conservative Republican.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/politics/george-santos-interview-prison-commuted-pardon

MSN
— Republican farmers says immigration raids are decimating their work force. DD: Because fewer and fewer and fewer Americans take bad jobs like the ones I took, should America give citizens of foreign countries more work permits for those who take bad jobs like the ones I took? I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivered mail 1966-1969. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. I sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1971-1972. I pumped more gasoline 1971-1972. I collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980. I audited federal agencies 1980-1997.  According to my critics/opponents, a) all the jobs that I had were bad jobs that they would never have stooped to take and b) I was grossly overpaid for those jobs and my pension and retirement benefits are much too generous.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/republican-farmer-says-immigration-raids-are-decimating-his-work-force/ar-AA1OMg8i

NEW YORK TIMES
— DD: Anticipate/expect that Democrat leaders and their Democrat news media will ever-increasingly paint Santos as being a typical conservative Republican.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/nyregion/santos-cnn-fox-prison-release.html
— Social Media, Pleas From Allies and Prison Essays: How Santos Won His Freedom
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/nyregion/george-santos-prison-trump.html
— DD: What did you do to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree. I earned three job-related master’s degrees. I earned six job-related professional certifications. I earned a job-related professional license.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/business/economic-divide-spending-inflation-jobs.html

USA TODAY
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more hatred against Trump. For Democrats, education exists to crank out good little Democrats.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2025/10/15/chicago-war-ice-national-guard-protests/86606913007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— How to Choose the Right Volunteer Work in Retirement. With thousands of choices to pick from, the trick is narrowing it down to the ones that make the most sense for you. DD: If you are retired, what are you doing? I am putting together and sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters, that is, I am promoting conservative principles, that is, I am promoting planks in the Republican Party platform.
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/retirement-volunteer-work-search-51885118
— DD: How wealthy were your parents? My critics/opponents have always painted my parents as having been filthy rich. To prove that false, I have always stressed that I had to work my way through college, that my father never earned more than $50,000/year in today’s dollars, that he almost always worked second jobs to pay the family’s bills, that my mother never worked outside of the home until after he died suddenly when he was 47 and I was 21, that neither of my parents attended college, that my father was only the first of my ancestors to earn a high school diploma, that my mother never attended high school. My critics/opponents stress that I bought a new car when I was 17. But I bought that car with money I earned washing dishes for 18 months for the minimum wage in the basement of the S.S. Kresge in Chicago Heights.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wealthy-families-are-writing-mission-statements-to-avoid-fights-lost-fortunes/ar-AA1OMeXN

FORBES
— Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. DD: Republican students should seek Republican employers.  Because I am a Republican, my Democrat superiors in the federal government wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. They flushed down their toilets what I had learned a) earning a job-related bachelor’s degree, b) earning three job-related master’s degrees, c) earning six job-related professional certifications, and d) earning a job-related professional license.
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/psychology-and-counseling/cacrep-accreditation/

NEWS9
— Heavy security in place as Turning Point USA Tour stop at University of Oklahoma. DD: Who is leading Turing Point USA in Illinois, your county, your township, your municipality, and your school district?
https://www.news9.com/story/68f16b3fbaa31af84a7c2e3f/heavy-security-in-place-as-turning-point-usa-tour-stops-at-ou
https://www.oudaily.com/news/ou-statement-turning-point-usa-signs-removal-joseph-harroz-jr/article_983d0b9b-4304-4d3f-8553-01db7d184b30.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Thousands are expected to gather on the University of Oklahoma’s campus Thursday night for the “This is The Turning Point Tour.” Due to safety concerns, the event was moved to Lloyd Noble Center. The center can hold about 11,000 people, and about two-thirds of the seats are expected to be filled. Multiple law enforcement agencies are on site. The Norman Police SWAT Team, OU Police, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and Turning Point USA’s security detail are at the event to ensure safety. Thursday morning, officers conducted a K-9 sweep and also checked the roof. Everything being brought into the venue will be thoroughly screened, including bags, equipment and even water. No bags (including clear), food or drink will be allowed in the event. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and guest speakers include: Gov. Kevin Stitt, actor Russel Brand and social media influencer Savannah Chrisley. Seating is first-come, first-served.)

NEWS BREAK
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.newsbreak.com/everyday-states-316335350/4301029789075-10-key-moments-in-the-fight-for-lgbtq-rights

POLITICO
— Speaker Johnson defends Trump’s decision to commute Santos sentencing. DD: Anticipate/expect that Democrat leaders and their Democrat news media will ever-increasingly paint Santos as being a typical conservative Republican.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/19/speaker-johnson-defends-trumps-decision-to-commute-santos-sentencing-00614954

PEOPLE
— DD: Ever-increasingly, Democrat leaders use Derek Chauvin to promote more hated against Republicans. Then again, Democrats ever-increasingly use everything to promote more hatred against Republicans.
https://www.aol.com/5-years-george-floyds-murder-173241930.html

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— DHS keeps paying 70,000 law enforcement officials amid shutdown. DD: I was a law enforcement officer 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $99,069-$112,280/year. As an IRS Revenue Officer, I enforced federal tax laws.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2025/10/dhs-to-keep-paying-70000-law-enforcement-officials-amid-shutdown-using-reconciliation-law/
— Half of Americans worried about impacts of federal employee layoffs. DD: Who do you know who is/was a federal employee or a federal retiree? I was a federal employee for almost 30 years. I have been a federal retiree for more than 28 years. I should write a book about how people view and treat federal employees and federal retirees. I would focus on those a) who believe that federal employees are overpaid and their benefits are much too generous and/or b) who believe that federal pensions and retirement benefits are much too generous.  I would focus on those who would never stoop to take a federal job. I would focus on those who lack qualifications for federal jobs. I would focus on those who look down on federal employees and retirees, if not despise them, if not hate them.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2025/10/half-of-americans-worried-about-impacts-of-federal-employee-layoffs/

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

DAILY MAIL
— The Chicago mayor accused President Donald Trump of wanting a ‘Civil War’ rematch during a No Kings protest.  Mayor Brandon Johnson ignited the crowd on Saturday by telling liberals to be ‘ready to defend this democracy’ and to be ‘ready to fight fascism.’ ‘Are you prepared to destroy authoritarianism once and for all? We’ll let the world hear you, no kings!’ he said in an impassioned speech.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15204165/no-kings-protests-national-guard.html

TIMES OF INDIA
— DD: My church-going critics/opponents act like they believe that they will get into heaven by destroying those like me a) who they cannot manipulate or dominate, b) who refuse to glorify and praise them, c) who refuse to pander to them, d) who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, e) who refuse to cover up their wrong doing, and/or who f) who refuse to give them money. I should write about my church-going critics/opponents. I would focus on those who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me lately.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/explained-why-donald-trump-thinks-his-father-isnt-in-heaven-and-he-also-wont-go-there/articleshow/124685317.cms

FROM OTHER SOURCES

AUTO GUIDE
— The Price Of A New Car Has Officially Become Unthinkable. DD: Back in the good old days, that is, back when I was 17 in 1966, I was able to earn and save enough washing dishes for the minimum wage for 18 months to buy a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint. SEE: https://over-drive-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1965-12-CD-1966-Pontiac-Tempest-Sprint-Test-1-4.pdf
https://www.autoguide.com/auto/auto-news/the-price-of-a-new-car-has-officially-become-unthinkable-44626426

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.