September 28 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Rauner signs bill expanding public financing for abortions in IL
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/rauner-signs-bill-expanding-public-financing-for-abortions-in-il/2464519/
— Nationwide ICE busts target “sanctuaries” including Chicago – Chuck Goudie and Ross Weidner, Christine Tressel and Barb Markoff
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/nationwide-ice-busts-target-sanctuaries-including-chicago/2465521/

 

WGN TV
— Illinois Gov. Rauner signs bill allowing Medicaid for abortions – TOM NEGOVAN
http://wgntv.com/2017/09/28/rauner-controversial-abortion-bill/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner signs controversial abortion bill, angering conservatives – Kim Geiger and Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-abortion-hb40-met-0929-20170928-story.html
— Bruce Rauner loses last shred of integrity by signing Abortion funding bill HB40 – Scott Stantis
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/stantis/ct-bruce-rauner-loses-last-shred-of-integrity-by-signing-abortion-funding-bill-hb40-20170928-story.html
— Does Rauner’s abortion decision mean he won’t run again? – Eric Zorn  (DIERSEN: Whose advice is Rauner taking? Obviously, it is from someone who wants him and Sanguinetti to lose the March 20, 2018 Illinois Republican primary. Or is Rauner counting on millions of Democrats to cross over and to vote for him and Sanguinetti in that primary?  Ever-increasingly, in my precinct, those who vote for Democrats in general elections cast Republican primary ballots to do whatever damage that they can.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-rauner-abortion-20170928-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Whether base Republican voters in Illinois are as riled and hungry for disruption of the political order as voters in Alabama is uncertain, but hostile responses from the right during and after Rauner’s announcement suggests that they might well be. “Bruce Rauner is a failed governor who lied to the people of Illinois,” seethed state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills. “I have given Bruce Rauner every benefit of the doubt,” said a statement from House Republican floor leader Peter Breen. “ I can no longer support him. And whether or not they are able to agree publicly, I know hundreds of elected Republicans, along with hundreds of thousands of Republican voters, who feel the same way I do.” I get that. Opposition to abortion runs strong among Republican voters, and Rauner’s decision to sign a bill that expands Medicaid funding of the procedure and includes abortion services in the health insurance plans for state employees disappoints them profoundly. . .Rauner is a wealthy man who doesn’t need this job and has learned, even if he won’t say so publicly, that he’s not very good at it. Attorney General Lisa Madigan shocked the Illinois political establishment with her recent announcement that she would not seek re-election to a fifth term. A similar announcement from Rauner, while more consequential, would be far less shocking under the circumstances. I didn’t hear back when I queried his campaign about this possibility Thursday. But the haggard man dully answering reporters’ questions that afternoon while bracing for the howls of betrayal from his former supporters didn’t look like someone braced for the political fight of his life. He looked like he was done.)
— U.S. Supreme Court to take up union fee case first sparked by Rauner – Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-illinois-supreme-court-met-0929-20170928-story.html
— Bears, Packers players and coaches link arms during national anthem – Rich Campbell
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-bears-packers-national-anthem-20170928-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner broke his promise by signing abortion bill, Cardinal Cupich says – Manya Brachear Pashman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-cupich-abortion-bill-react-met-20170928-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: Who supports Rauner’s signing HB40? ANSWER: Those who are anti-Rauner, anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors. QUESTION: If Rauner wins the March 20, 2018 Republican primary, how many of the aforesaid will vote for him in the November 6, 2018 general election? ANSWER: Zero
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/steinberg-gov-rauner-not-only-acts-but-does-the-right-thing/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who would never vote for Rauner a) are overjoyed that he signed HB40 and b) hope/expect that his signing HB40 will destroy the Illinois Republican Party.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/rauner-to-announce-decision-thursday-on-abortion-trigger-bill/
— Ex-U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds guilty on four misdemeanor tax counts – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ex-u-s-mel-reynolds-guilty-on-four-misdemeanor-tax-counts/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump promotes hatred of Trump.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/the-vietnam-war-donald-trump-and-racism-101/
— Football, demogogues and racial fault lines – Mona Charen
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/charen-football-demogogues-and-racial-fault-lines/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Rauner signs bill allowing Medicaid for abortions – AP (DIERSEN: Democrats promote abortion. Republicans discourage abortion.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170928/rauner-signs-bill-allowing-medicaid-for-abortions
— U-46 board member: ‘The flag means nothing more than toilet paper to me’ – Madhu Krishnamurthy  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps promote hatred of America.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170928/u-46-board-member-the-flag-means-nothing-more-than-toilet-paper-to-me
— Roskam: New tax code will help families ‘lost in the shuffle’ – Kerry Lester
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170928/roskam-new-tax-code-will-help-families-lost-in-the-shuffle

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner signs controversial abortion legislation – GREG HINZ  (DIERSEN: Democrats promote abortion. Republicans discourage abortion.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170928/NEWS02/170929857/rauner-expected-to-sign-controversial-abortion-bill
— Tillman and Proft deny jobs deal with Rauner – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170928/BLOGS02/170929856/tillman-proft-deny-jobs-deal-with-rauner

 

WTTW
— Rauner Signs Controversial ‘Abortion Bill’ – Amanda Vinicky
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/09/28/rauner-signs-controversial-abortion-bill

 

CHEROKEE TRIBUNE & LEDGER
— Republican lawmakers blast Gov. Rauner after abortion decision – Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb
http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/republican-lawmakers-blast-gov-rauner-after-abortion-decision/article_4e18ace5-06c5-53ee-b77f-d553f8f80753.html

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Congressional Black Caucus chair slams Trump’s response to NFL protests  Letter decries ‘shocking lack of knowledge’ – HANNAH LANG
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/congressional-black-caucus-chair-slams-trumps-response-to-nfl-protests/820317930

 

LOYOLA PHOENIX
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Loyola acts as an arm of the Democrat Party.
http://loyolaphoenix.com/2017/09/daca-decision-displays-governments-disconnect/

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Franks’ Patronage Push Loses in First County Board Committee
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/28/franks-patronage-push-loses-in-first-county-board-committee/
— Jack Franks Seems to Be Saying that If He Can’t Have a Pension as County Board Chairman, No Countywide Officials Should Get One
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/27/jack-franks-seems-to-be-saying-that-if-he-cant-have-a-pension-as-county-board-chairman-no-countywide-officials-should-get-one/
— Comparing Property Tax Relief Mandated in the 1973 State Aid to Ed Law with How This Year’s Law Addressed Real Estate Taxes
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/27/comparing-property-tax-relief-mandated-in-the-1973-state-aid-to-ed-law-with-how-this-years-law-addressed-real-estate-taxes/
— Governor Rauner Reveals Political Death Wish in Signing Pro-Abortion Bill  (DIERSEN: Democrats promote abortion. Republicans discourage abortion.)
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/28/governor-rauner-reveals-political-death-wish-in-signing-pro-abortion-bill/
— McConchie Severely Disappointed at Rauner’s Signing of Taxpayer Funding Abortion Bill  (DIERSEN: Democrats promote abortion. Republicans discourage abortion.)
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/28/mcconchie-severely-disappointed-at-rauners-signing-of-taxpayer-funding-abortion-bill/
— Skillicorn Predicts Rauner Will Not Win Re-Election
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/28/skillicorn-predicts-rauner-will-not-win-re-election/
— Illinois Family Institute Believes Rauner Betrayed Voters by Forcing Taxpayers to Pay for Abortions
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/28/illinois-family-institute-believes-rauner-betrayed-voters-by-forcing-taxpayers-to-pay-for-abortions/
— New Republican House Floor Leader Peter Breen Breaks with Rauner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/09/28/new-republican-house-floor-leader-breaks-with-rauner/

 

CATHOLIC VOTE
— CatholicVote.org Calls on Governor Rauner to Resign – Joshua Mercer
https://www.catholicvote.org/catholicvote-org-calls-on-governor-rauner-to-resign/

 

WILLIAM J KELLY
— Kelly blasts Rauner for signing taxpayer-funded abortion bill  William J. Kelly, Bruce Rauner’s only GOP opponent in the 2018 primary, has issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s signing of HB40 into law today: Bruce Rauner is a serial liar. He lied on the issue of illegal immigration and turned Illinois into a sanctuary state. He lied to Republicans on the 32% income tax increase. He lied to us again on life and, today, he broke his promise to veto HB40, which makes taxpayer-funded abortion law. For the sake of the people of Illinois and the Party, I am calling on Governor Rauner and the GOP leadership to resign immediately. Illinois citizens deserve better.
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-blasts-rauner-for-signing-taxpayer-funded-abortion-bill

 

FAMILY PAC
— A Statement from Paul Caprio Regarding Rauner Signing House Bill 40: Paul Caprio, Director of Family-Pac, today stated: “Bruce Rauner today declared war on the pro-family movement, Illinois taxpayers, and the most basic values of the Republican party.” Caprio concluded, “No serious conservative of any type can consider ever voting for Bruce Rauner again.”
http://mailchi.mp/0d8723e75826/2011-family-pac-boat-cruise

 

  1. GOVERNOR EVELYN SANGUINETTI
    — Lt. Governor Sanguinetti’s statement on Governor’s decision to sign HB 40  CHICAGO – The following statement can be attributed to Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti in response to Governor Rauner’s decision to sign HB 40. “As a pro-life Republican, I disagree with the Governor’s decision to sign HB 40. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for a 15-year-old refugee who chose to have me and keep me. “I realize this bill is a political ploy to divide the people of Illinois. While I disagree with the Governor on this, we must focus on our areas of agreement – enacting real reforms we need to turn Illinois around.”
    https://www.illinois.gov/ltg/news/Pages/PressReleases.aspx

 

ERIKA HAROLD
— Harold Statement on Governor Rauner Signing HB 40: Attorney General candidate Erika Harold released the following statement after Governor Rauner announced he would sign HB 40: “The Governor personally reached out to me about his decision, and I know he did not reach it easily. While we disagree on this issue, there remains much on which we agree – and that is what unites us as Republicans. We both agree on the need to make Illinois more competitive, we agree on the need to lift up the less fortunate and we agree on the need to crack down on corruption and wrongdoing. As I have stated several times in the past, as Attorney General, I will enforce all of the laws of the state.”
http://mailchi.mp/erikaharold/harold-statement-on-governor-rauner-signing-hb-40

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Maine Township- Fire the attorneys, demand resignation from Supervisor – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/09/maine-township-fire-the-attorneys-demand-resignation-from-supervisor/

 

ILLINOIS TIMES
— The politics of pretty  An election is just another beauty pageant – James Krohe Jr.
http://illinoistimes.com/article-19188-the-politics-of-pretty.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Rauner Signs Democrat Bill Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Abortion – Laurie Higgins (DIERSEN: Democrats promote abortion. Republicans discourage abortion.)
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2017/09/rauner-signs-democrat-bill-forcing-taxpayers-to-fund-abortion/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IL REPUBLICAN PARTY TRIES TO COVER THEIR A** AND SAVE THE BASE IN PREP FOR 2018 ELECTION
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/il-republican-party-tries-to-cover-their-a-and-save-the-base-in-prep-for-2018-election-cycle.html
— GOV. RAUNER SIGNS HB40 TO ALLOW TAXPAYER FUNDING OF ABORTION
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/gov-rauner-announces-he-will-sign-hb40.html
— STATE REP. SOSNOWSKI DIPLOMATICALLY “DISAPPOINTED” IN RAUNER’S ACTIONS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/state-rep-sosnowski-diplomatically-disappointed-in-rauners-actions.html
— STATE REP. SKILLICORN: RAUNER HAS ENSURED HE’S A “ONE-TERM GOVERNOR”
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/state-rep-skillicorn-rauner-has-ensured-he-is-a-one-term-governor.html
— CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? LT. GOVERNOR SANGUINETTI ASKS REPUBLICANS TO FOCUS ELSEWHERE.
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/cant-we-all-just-get-along-lt-governor-asks-republicans-to-focus-elsewhere.html
— STATE REP. BREEN REACTION TO RAUNER’S SIGNING HB40: “I CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT HIM”
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/state-rep-breen-reaction-to-rauners-signing-hb40-i-can-no-longer-support-him.html
— REP. IVES: RAUNER DECISION “PROFOUND AND UNPRECEDENTED BETRAYAL”
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/rep-ives-rauner-decision-profound-and-unprecedented-betrayal.html
— MCSWEENEY: RAUNER IS A FAILED GOVERNOR
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/mcsweeney-rauner-is-a-failed-governor.html
— WALSH ASKS: “WHO HAS THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT?”
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/walsh-asks-who-has-the-courage-to-do-what-is-right.html
— FAMILY PAC’S CAPRIO TURNS HIS BACK ON RAUNER OVER HB 40
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/family-pacs-caprio-turns-his-back-on-rauner-over-hb-40.html
— REP. TOM MORRISON CONDEMNS GOVERNOR’S SIGNING OF ABORTION FUNDING BILL
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/rep-tom-morrison-condemns-governors-signing-of-abortion-funding-bill.html
— MCCONCHIE ONLY “DISAPPOINTED” IN RAUNER’S DECISION TO SIGN BILL FOR TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTIONS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/mcconchie-rauners-decision-to-sign-taxpayer-funded-abortions-is-disappointing.html
— STATE SEN. REZIN SIMPLY “DISAPPOINTED” IN RAUNER’S DECISION TO FORCE TAXPAYERS TO FUND ABORTION
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/state-sen-rezen-disappointed-in-rauners-decision-to-force-taxpayers-to-fund-abortion.html
— CATHOLICVOTE.ORG CALLS ON GOVERNOR RAUNER TO RESIGN
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/catholicvoteorg-calls-on-governor-rauner-to-resign.html
— CATHOLIC CONFERENCE MERELY “DISTURBED” BY RAUNER’S BROKEN PROMISE ON TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTION
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/catholic-conference-merely-disturbed-by-rauners-broken-promise-on-taxpayer-funded-abortion.html
— KIRKWOOD: “BOWING AT THE ALTAR OF EXPEDIENCY” GOT ILLINOIS THIS FAR LEFT ON SOCIAL ISSUES
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/09/kirkwood-bowing-at-the-altar-of-expediency-got-illinois-this-far-left-on-social-issues-.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— ILGOP chairman says he’s “disappointed” in Rauner, but blames Madigan
https://capitolfax.com/2017/09/28/ilgop-chairman-says-hes-disappointed-in-rauner-but-blames-madigan/
— House GOP Floor leader Peter Breen: “I can no longer support” Rauner
https://capitolfax.com/2017/09/28/house-gop-floor-leader-i-can-no-longer-support-rauner/
— Rep. Breen: “Inevitable” that Rauner will get primaried
https://capitolfax.com/2017/09/28/rep-breen-inevitable-that-rauner-will-get-primaried/
— 2014 Flashback: “I’d describe (Rauner) as a guy who is a morally right-to-life guy”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/09/28/2014-flashback-id-describe-rauner-as-a-guy-who-is-a-morally-right-to-life-guy/
— A sampling of more HB40 react
https://capitolfax.com/2017/09/28/a-sampling-of-more-hb40-react/

 

GOPUSA
— NFL Players are Violating League Rules with Blessings of Leaders
http://www.gopusa.com/nfl-players-are-violating-league-rules-with-blessings-of-leaders/

 

WESTERN JOURNALISM
— Illegal Immigrants Cost US Over $100 Billion Annually  “The cost of doing nothing to stop illegal immigration is far too high.” – Martin Walsh
https://www.westernjournalism.com/illegal-immigrants-cost-us-over-100-billion-annually/

 

BREITBART
— Spike Lee: Trump Acting Like NFL Owners Are ‘Plantation Owners’ – PAM KEY  (DIERSEN: 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.)
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/09/27/spike-lee-trump-acting-like-nfl-owners-plantation-owners/
— Fans Enraged By Packer’s Request to Join Anthem Demonstration, Let Team Know They Want No Part of It – DYLAN GWINN
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2017/09/28/packlash-fans-enraged-packers-request-join-anthem-demonstration-team-know-want-part-it/

 

DAILY CALLER
— The Total Fiscal Cost Of Illegal Immigration Is A Staggering $135 Billion, Report Says – Will Racke
http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/28/the-total-fiscal-cost-of-illegal-immigration-is-a-staggering-135-billion-report-says/?utm_medium=email

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— BREAK UP THE NFL’S CORRUPT DEM MONOPOLY  Why it’s high time for the NFL to take a knee. – Daniel Greenfield
http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/267970/break-nfls-corrupt-dem-monopoly-daniel-greenfield

 

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Liberal protestors should be thankful they live in the West, not in the Islamic Middle East – Rev. George Rutler
https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/revisionists-now-going-after-national-anthem

 

POLITICO
— Rauner to sign bill expanding public funding for abortion – NATASHA KORECKI
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/28/bruce-rauner-abortion-public-funding-243270
— Trump-Russia pundit Renato Mariotti may run for Illinois AG post – JOSH GERSTEIN
http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2017/09/28/renato-mariotti-mulls-illinois-attorney-general-run-243284

 

ABC NEWS
— Illinois governor agrees to allow Medicaid for abortions – AP
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/illinois-governor-signs-bill-allowing-medicaid-abortions-50162527

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Federal employees honored at gala get Trump’s praise – Joe Davidson  (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my Democrat superiors in the federal government who did the most to waste my career and get rid of me.  My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980.  My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974.  My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/09/29/federal-employees-honored-at-gala-get-trumps-praise/
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON THE NEWS MEDIA AND EDUCATION IN AMERICA TIGHTENS: A new example of how little Americans know about their own country – Valerie Strauss
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/09/28/a-new-example-of-how-little-americans-know-about-their-own-country/

 

BOSTON GLOBE
— The marijuana war has gone local, and pot advocates are losing — badly – Dan Adams
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/09/17/the-marijuana-war-has-gone-local-and-pot-advocates-are-losing-badly/w3vmAqzmnO4qyE26qxOc4J/story.html

 

FORBES
— Can The NFL Really Fire Players For Kneeling During The National Anthem? – Marc Edelman
https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcedelman/2017/09/28/nfl-trump-kneeling-national-anthem/

 

BUSINESS INSIDER
— Here’s why millions of Americans feel left behind by the economic recovery – Pedro Nicolaci da Costa
http://www.businessinsider.com/inequality-near-historic-highs-wages-stagnant

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.