October 28 Evening Edition

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives mounts challenge to Rauner in Republican primary
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511256258-ives-mounts-challenge-to-rauner-in-republican-primary
(FROM THE ARTICLE: After weeks of speculation, State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) has decided to take a concrete step towards challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Ives stopped short of announcing her candidacy but said she will circulate petitions in pursuit of the required signatures to appear on the March 20 primary ballot while she continues contemplating the decision to run. “Today my team and I are taking the first step toward restoring common sense in Illinois,” Ives said. “I have started circulating petitions to get on the ballot as governor of Illinois.” Ives’ announcement comes in the wake of withering support of Rauner, who has lost a growing list of allies in the conservative community after signing into law HB40, which forces Illinois taxpayers to fund abortions during all nine months of pregnancy. Rauner had earlier he would veto the bill, and his reversal led to an open revolt within the Illinois Republican Party leading many local party organizations to withdraw invitation by Rauner to speak and refuse to circulate his petitions. “There is little trust between most Illinoisans and their government at many levels — and for good reasons,“ Ives said. “Top political leaders have lied to the people about who they are and what they are going to do, and they continue to make promises we cannot keep.” In addition, Rauner has been roundly criticized for signing a so called “sanctuary state” bill that limits cooperation between the state and federal authorities in matters involving the deportation of illegal immigrants, signing legislation that allows persons to change their listed gender on their birth certificates and for authorizing a 15 percent premium increase on Obamacare silver health insurance plans in order to prop up Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. As a member of the General Assembly, Ives has focused much of her efforts on government transparency. “Public corruption is an everyday event across the state,” she said. “Many Illinoisans have simply decided to leave for better opportunities elsewhere.” Ives’ tenure has also been marked by her pursuit of tax reform, term limits and school choice. Rock Island-based former state representative and community college Prof. Rich Morthland will be Ives’ running mate. “Rich and I know, however, that if you change out the politicians and tell people the truth, then the reform can begin,” Ives said. “And Illinois can recover. Our promise to you is to be honest about the problems we face and the path we must take to make Illinois a place where businesses and families can thrive. We will confront and expose public corruption at every level of government until it stops.” Ives, the mother of five, is a West Point graduate and former Army officer who has represented the 42nd House District since 2013. She formerly served on the Wheaton City Council and was an ROTC instructor at Wheaton College. Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland will serve as the chairman of the Ives for Illinois campaign. Petitions for Ives’ candidacy are available here (https://jnswire.s3.amazonaws.com/jns-media/cc/64/715668/ivescirculation.pdf). Candidates for state office in Illinois must file their candidacy paperwork by December 4.)

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— State Representative Ives circulating petitions for Governor – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/10/state-representative-ives-circulating-petitions-for-governor/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “Today my team and I are taking the first step toward restoring common sense in Illinois,” Ives said. “I have started circulating petitions to get on the ballot as governor of Illinois.” (Prairie State Wire) Although a formal announcement that she is running has not been made, the first step of getting on the ballot and identifying future support has begun with the circulation of petitions. Full coverage appears to be the first shared by the Prairie State Wire that includes links to download petitions for circulation. (Prairie State Wire) We suspect this is not the Shake Up Governor Rauner was looking for.)
— Auditor General Frank Mautino – Will the people ever see justice in Illinois? – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/10/auditor-general-frank-mautino-will-the-people-every-see-justice-in-illinois/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IVES ANNOUNCES VIA EMAIL
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/10/ives-announces-via-email.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: State Rep. Jeanne Ives is in to challenge incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner, according to an email sent out Saturday afternoon … From: Jeanne Ives <jeanneives@yahoo.com> Date: Sat, Oct 28, 2017 at 1:21 PM Subject: Ives for Illinois To: Dear Friends, Today my team and I are taking the first step towards restoring commonsense in Illinois. I have started circulating petitions to place my name on the ballot for Governor of Illinois. I have selected as my Lt. Governor Rich Morthland, a farmer, former state representative and community college professor from the Rock Island area. There is little trust between most Illinoisans and their government at many levels – and for good reasons. Top political leaders have lied to the people about who they are and what they are going to do – and they continue to make promises we cannot keep. Public corruption is an everyday event across the state. Many Illinoisans have simply decided to leave for better opportunities elsewhere. Rich and I know, however, that if you change out the politicians, replacing them with public servants, and tell people the truth, then reform can begin. Illinois can and must recover. Our promise to you is to be honest about the problems we face and the path we must take to make Illinois a place where businesses and families can thrive again. We will confront and expose public corruption at every level of government until it stops. I am most thankful that my team includes Chris Cleveland. He will serve as the Chairman of the Ives for Illinois campaign. Chris was among the first to encourage me to enter this race and has been a key advisor to me on a daily basis. His position as the current Chicago GOP chairman shows the broad base of support this campaign already has. We need your help to get on the ballot. Our petition is attached along with the instructions. Please read through the instructions prior to circulating. In advance, I give my sincere thanks to all for your support and work that is ahead of us. Best Regards, Jeanne)
— ILLINOIS CHANNEL INTERVIEWS GOP LAWMAKER JEANNE IVES ABOUT POSSIBLE GUBERNATORIAL RUN
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/10/illinois-channel-interviews-gop-lawmaker-jeanne-ives-about-possible-gubernatorial-run.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Apparently, Ives has picked former State Rep. Rich Morthland as her LG. The petitions are now online. Radio talk show host and Illinois Opportunity Project head Dan Proft’s Prairie State Wire exclusively revealed the petitions Saturday morning. SPRINGFIELD – Who is State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)? Why is her name in a buzz about challenging Republican Governor Bruce Rauner in next March’s IL GOP Primary? Illinois Channel’s Terry Martin offers this first in-depth interview from a non-Rauner funded news source that provides a one on one insight into Ives’ thinking about the need for a viable conservative candidate in 2018. While reports say she’s out fundraising to reach a $1 million goal to launch the campaign, she’s also picking her running mate as Illinois law requires gubernatorial candidates to run as a team with their lieutenants. UPDATE: The Ives petitions are now online (https://jnswire.s3.amazonaws.com/jns-media/cc/64/715668/ivescirculation.pdf) and her running mate is former State Rep. Rich Morthland. Before today, we were hearing the top two choices for her LG are Quincy state rep Randy Frese and Chicago businessman and the city’s GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland.)

ILLINOIS CHANNEL
— Rep Jeanne Ives (R) Makes it Official — She’s Taking on Gov Rauner in a Fight for the Republican Nomination
http://www.illinoischannel.org/2017/10/28/rep-jeanne-ives-r-makes-it-official-shes-taking-on-gov-rauner-in-a-fight-for-the-republican-nomination/

CAPITOL FAX
— It’s an Ives-Morthland ticket
https://capitolfax.com/2017/10/28/its-an-ives-morthland-ticket/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Numerous folks I’ve talked to today have seen Rep. Jeanne Ives’ nominating petitions for governor. Her running mate is former Rep. Rich Morthland (R-Cordova), who lost to Democrat Mike Smiddy in 2012. …Adding… The petition is here (https://jnswire.s3.amazonaws.com/jns-media/cc/64/715668/ivescirculation.pdf). And this is from one of Dan Proft’s outlets… After weeks of speculation, State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) has decided to take a concrete step towards challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Ives stopped short of announcing her candidacy but said she will circulate petitions in pursuit of the required signatures to appear on the March 20 primary ballot while she continues contemplating the decision to run. […] Rock Island-based former state representative and community college Prof. Rich Morthland will be Ives’ running mate. “Rich and I know, however, that if you change out the politicians and tell people the truth, then the reform can begin,” Ives said. “And Illinois can recover. Our promise to you is to be honest about the problems we face and the path we must take to make Illinois a place where businesses and families can thrive. We will confront and expose public corruption at every level of government until it stops.” […] Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland will serve as the chairman of the Ives for Illinois campaign.)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— State Rep. Ives collecting signatures for possible Rauner primary challenge – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jeanne-ives-bruce-rauner-primary-20171028-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ives said she does not plan on making a formal candidacy announcement until securing the signatures needed to appear on the March 20 primary ballot. Candidates for governor need a minimum of 5,000 valid signatures by Dec. 4 to qualify. “We are doing everything possible to get on the ballot. I would say nobody’s running until they’re on the ballot. We’ve got catch-up work to do here so we’ve got to put out the petitions and get the signatures. When we’ve got that done, we can officially announce,” Ives said. “We know that we’re behind the curveball here to some degree in that we’ve only got about a month to put it all together,” she said. Responding to the move, Rauner’s campaign issued a statement that did not mention Ives and focused on the governor’s favorite political target, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. . .She said the commitments she has received so far are enough to get started with a campaign. “Obviously that’s a big issue. To get your message out, you’ve got to have the money behind you,” she said. “Unless you can self-fund like the other billionaires in the race, (raising money is) an ongoing process for any candidate. We’re not intimidated by it either.” Ives said she selected Morthland, an associate professor at Black Hawk College, as her lieutenant governor candidate because he “also represents Illinois.” “He’s a farmer. He comes from an area that’s outside the suburban area. He’s somebody who is recognized for having been elected before and he’s a professional also as a community college teacher,” she said.)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Communities in Illinois can take lead against climate change – Howard A. Learner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/communities-in-illinois-can-take-lead-against-climate-change/
— 500 years later, Luther’s split from church teaches lessons – Neil Steinberg
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/luther-reformation-protestant-95-theses-500th-anniversary-luther-steinberg/

DAILY HERALD
— Campaign advice for Gov. Bruce Rauner – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171028/editorial-campaign-advice-for-gov-bruce-rauner
— A boon if suburbs land ‘Amazon HQ2’ but mass challenges follow success – Kerry Lester and Eric Peterson (DIERSEN: From what I see, those who Amazon might hire woud be anti-Trump. Sophispicated home buyers that they would be, they would only buy homes in precincts, municipalities, township/wards, and counties in which Trump lost big time. Trump lost big time in my precinct. He got only 137 votes while Clinton got 211.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171028/a-boon-if-suburbs-land-amazon-hq2-but-mass-challenges-follow-success
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Should Amazon choose Schaumburg or Oak Brook for its second headquarters, it would be a huge boon to the suburbs, bringing an estimated 50,000 jobs with salaries averaging close to $100,000 — creating a giant ripple effect on the local economy.)

WGN TV
— Rep. Jeanne Ives circulating petitions to run for governor – TAHMAN BRADLEY
http://wgntv.com/2017/10/28/rep-jeanne-ives-circulating-petitions-to-run-for-governor/

NBC5
— Ives Begins Circulating Petitions to Challenge Rauner in GOP Primary – Carol Marin and Mary Ann Ahern
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/jeanne-ives-petitions-illinois-governor-453903723.html

ABC7
— Inaugural Obama Foundation Summit coming to Chicago
http://abc7chicago.com/community-events/inaugural-obama-foundation-summit-coming-to-chicago/2576080/
— Rauner’s social service funding cuts
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/weekend-watch-rauners-social-service-funding-cuts/2575245/

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Rauner wins some, loses more – Doug Finke
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171028/statehouse-insider-rauner-wins-some-loses-more

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Could Springfield lose money for being ‘welcoming’? – Jason Nevel (DIERSEN: As everyone knows, “welcoming” cities 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.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171028/could-springfield-lose-money-for-being-welcoming

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Illinois has wrong answers to economic questions – Dave Willis
http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20171028/my-view-illinois-has-wrong-answers-to-economic-questions

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Poll: 71% of Americans say politics at dangerous low point Washington Post, University survey US adults – MAEGAN VAZQUEZ AND JENNIFER AGIESTA
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/poll-71-of-americans-say-politics-at-dangerous-low-point/846409966

WILLIAM J. KELLY
— OCTOBER 23, 2017 FLASHBACK: Great day interviewing candidates for the open 42nd state rep seat! (DIERSEN: I live in 42nd House District. With Ives running for Governor, who will run for Ives’ 42nd House seat? When I circulate Ives/Morthland petitions in my precinct, how should I respond when asked who is running for Ives’ 42nd House seat?)
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news

NEWSMAX
— Poll: America Divided Like Vietnam Days – Jason Devaney (DIERSEN: How bad is it for Trump supporters in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and in America? One major indicator is the number of votes that Trump got compared to the number votes Clinton got in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and in America.)
https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/poll-vietnam-america-divided/2017/10/28/id/822651/

WASHINGTON POST
— Jeff Flake knew his criticism of Trump would cost him. He couldn’t stop himself. – Ed O’Keefe
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/jeff-flake-knew-his-criticism-of-trump-would-cost-him–he-couldnt-stop-himself/2017/10/27/b766655a-bb32-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html

WJLA
— Virginia race tests energy of anti-Trump resistance – AP (DIERSEN: What about Ives/Morthland v. Rauner/Sanguinetti in Illinois? What percent of those who voted for Rauner/Sanguinetti in 2014 will vote for Rauner/Sanguinetti in 2018? What percent of those who voted for Trump in 2016 will vote for Ives/Morthland OR for Rauner/Sanguinetti in 2018? Given Rauner/Sanguinetti’s low opinion of Trump, one woould expect that Trunp voters will vote for Ives/Sanguinetti.)
http://wjla.com/news/local/virginia-race-tests-energy-of-anti-trump-resistance

DAILY MAIL
— ‘You can’t have the inmates running the prison’: Texans owner Bob McNair allegedly likens NFL players to prisoners while arguing for a mandate forcing them to stand for anthem – ALEX RASKIN (DIERSEN: One could liken the federal government to a prison and liken its employees to prisoners. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years (Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997). The longer that you work for the federal government government, the more difficult it is to get a job outside of the federal government, especially if you are a Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran. The federal government writes off its Republican, White, male, and non-veteran employees as being losers if they do not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5024743/Texans-owner-allegedly-likens-NFL-players-prisoners.html

PEW RESEARCH CENTER
— OCTOBER 2, 2017 FLASHBACK: Covering President Trump in a Polarized Media Environment – AMY MITCHELL, JEFFREY GOTTFRIED, GALEN STOCKING, KATERINA EVA MATSA AND ELIZABETH GRIECO (DIERSEN: I should write a book about activists, candidates, elected offials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and Illinois a) who do not want me to know about or promote their public events or other public acivities, b) who do not want me to attend their public events, and/or c) who do not want me to report on their public events or other activities. They do not want anyone to first learn of anything by reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They focus on destroying individuals like me, organizations like TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, companies, and governments that they cannot manipulate/dominate. They reject some, most, virtually all, if not all the planks in the Republican Party platform, the Illinois Republican Party platform, and the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling. They blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems.)
http://www.journalism.org/2017/10/02/covering-president-trump-in-a-polarized-media-environment/

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.