Month: May 2020

ABC7
— Cook County Board resolution instructs county health officials to give COVID-19 patient addresses to first responders – Chuck Goudie and Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel, and Ross Weidner (DIERSEN: How soon will addresses of those who are older, obese, and/or have health problems, including diabetes, be given to first responders?)
https://abc7chicago.com/health/cook-co-covid-19-patient-addresses-to-be-given-to-first-responders-after-county-board-vote/6205478/

NBC

— 2,758 New Coronavirus Cases Reported in Illinois, With State 1 Week Away From Potential Phase 3 All four state healthcare regions remain within the limits outlined by the governor’s phased reopening plan, meaning that they will likely be eligible to move to phase three of the plan by month’s end
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/2758-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-illinois-with-state-1-week-away-from-phase-3/2276819/?amp
— Chicago Pastor Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Call Churches ‘Essential’ The president on Friday threatened to “override” governors who defy him in blocking religious services – Regina Waldroup
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-pastor-applauds-president-trumps-decision-to-call-churches-essential/2277058/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois construction workers traveling to Wisconsin to work on Pritzker’s farm amid stay-at-home order – Dane Placko
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-construction-workers-traveling-to-wisconsin-to-work-on-pritzkers-farm-amid-stay-at-home-order#new_tab

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Springfield springs into action: Lawmakers pass mail voting, property tax, jobless, borrowing bills — and plan to return Saturday The wheels were rolling on Friday — all day — on several key issues, including measures to delay property tax payments during the pandemic and allow a ”bridge loan” from the federal government — up to $5 billion — to help fill a revenue gap caused by COVID-19. – Tina Sfondeles and Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/22/21267824/springfield-lawmakers-mail-voting-property-tax-unemployment-federal-loan-saturday

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kane sheriff’s office sets up COVID-19 online ‘needs form’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-aurora-community-briefs-st-0525-20200523-i6zpuufmlvd3rjby46mfnsfdje-story.html

— With growing anger over shutdown, Republicans saw opportunity to send a message in special pandemic session – RICK PEARSON, JAMIE MUNKS and DAN PETRELLA
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-special-session-roundup-20200523-twl7cgkeknefpp2bf44g2aof4e-story.html

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Illinois House extends special session, will meet Saturday – Jim Hagerty
http://rockrivertimes.com/2020/05/22/illinois-house-extends-special-session-will-meet-saturday/

LINCOLN COURIER
— Senate Republicans want legislature to stay longer to discuss economic reopening – Kade Heather
https://www.lincolncourier.com/news/20200522/senate-republicans-want-legislature-to-stay-longer-to-discuss-economic-reopening

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Lawmaker gains U.S. attorney general’s office as an ally in case against Pritzker – REBECCA ANZEL (DIERSEN: In Diersen v. GAO, the Republican-appointed U.S. Attorney sided with the Democrat GAO, that is, the U.S. Attorney approved of GAO’s policy of getting rid of its employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $101,176) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $119,559) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $140,634) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $170,800) by age 40, that is, the U.S. Attorney approved of GAO’s political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation policies.)
https://www.capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/lawmaker-gains-us-attorney-generals-office-as-an-ally-in-case-against-pritzker

WIREPOINTS
— Pritzker doubles down on linking critics and Republicans to Nazism, anti-Semitism or whatever – Quicktake
https://wirepoints.org/pritzker-doubles-down-on-linking-critics-and-republicans-to-nazism-anti-semetism-or-whatever-quicktake/

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— State House candidate Breen says governor’s COVID-19 mandates are ‘desperate’ acts of a ‘failed despot’ – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/537452245-state-house-candidate-breen-says-governor-s-covid-19-mandates-are-desperate-acts-of-a-failed-despot

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Sean Casten Voted to Give Nancy Pelosi Your Vote
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/537859524-sean-casten-voted-to-give-nancy-pelosi-your-vote
— GOP House candidate Ives says governor’s response to COVID-19 is full of hypocrisy – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/537452236-gop-house-candidate-ives-says-governor-s-response-to-covid-19-is-full-of-hypocrisy

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— AG to Judge: Governor can extend disaster until everyone is vaccinated – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/ag-to-judge-governor-can-extend-disaster-until-everyone-is-vaccinated/#new_tab

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— PRITZKER FAMILY FIRM HAS TIES TO COVID-19 TESTING COMPANIES – Joe Barnas
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzker-family-firm-has-ties-to-covid-19-testing-companies/

FOX NEWS
— Cook county slammed for vote to disclose coronavirus patient data: ‘Terrible decision’ – Adam Shaw
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/illinois-county-disclose-coronavirus-patient-data

CNN
— CDC estimates that 35% of coronavirus patients don’t have symptoms – Arman Azad
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/05/22/health/cdc-coronavirus-estimates-symptoms-deaths/index.html
— Election watchdog regains policing powers with new member – Fredreka Schouten (DIERSEN: Of course, candidates resist disclosure of anything that their critics/opponents might use against them. What have your critics/opponents used against you? My critics/opponents have used the following against me: I am a Trump supporter, Protestant (baptized, raised and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, old (born in 1948), non-poor, gun owner, draft avoider, 100% German American, Crete resident 1948-1972, my ancestors have been in America since 1844, federal employee for almost 30 years, federal retiree for almost 23 years, no children, and non-dog owner. I oppose promoting LGTBQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for opposing the aforesaid. I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc. The adverse actions that my Democrat superiors in the federal government took against me. The lawsuits that I have filed. The Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and MTRO do not encourage Republicans to read my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.wicz.com/story/42149605/election-watchdog-regains-policing-powers-with-new-member

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: What Role Should Employers Play in Testing Workers? – Steve Eder, Ellen Gabler, Sarah Kliff and Heather Murphy (DIERSEN: What role should organizations play in testing their members? Of course, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs want the Republican National Committee, Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Organization, etc. to bar Republican candidates, bar Republican elected officials, bar Republican party leaders, bar Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains, bar etc. who are old, obese, and/or have health problems from attending Republican events unless they are tested and pass. How soon, if not already, will the aforesaid organizations officially dump all those who are old, obese, and/or have health problems?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/business/employers-coronavirus-testing.html
— Hertz, Car Rental Pioneer, Files for Bankruptcy Protection – Niraj Chokshi
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/business/hertz-bankruptcy-coronavirus-car-rental.html
— Will the Coronavirus Kill What’s Left of Americans’ Faith in Washington? In 2019, just 17 percent of Americans said they trusted the federal government to do the right thing. The pandemic appears to be eroding their faith even more. – Sabrina Tavernise (DIERSEN: I should write a book about the ever-increasing hatred of federal employees and the ever-increasing hatred of federal retirees.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/us/coronavirus-government-trust.html
— Pandemic Has Increased Money Anxiety. Therapists Hope to Cure That. Interest in financial therapy rose after the 2008 recession, as Americans confronted their fears about money. The field has become relevant again, professionals say. – Paul Sullivan (DIERSEN: Investing money in the stock market is ever-increasingly stressful. But seeing the purchasing power of money invested in fixed income decrease is also stressful.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/your-money/coronavirus-money-fears-financial-therapy.html
— Another Casualty of the Coronavirus: Summer Internships Like so much else, summer internships have been upended by the pandemic, with hundreds of companies canceling their programs and rescinding offers. – David Yaffe-Bellany (DIERSEN: Did you have any summer internships? I did not. I washed dishes during the summer of 1965 in Chicago Heights. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline during the summer of 1966 in Flossmoor and Chicago Heights. I delivered mail during the summers of 1967, 1968, and 1969 in Park Forest.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/business/coronavirus-summer-internships.html
— How the Trump Effect Could Lift Democratic Senate Candidates Republican incumbents in swing states have struggled to disentangle themselves from President Trump, whose voters are loyal but represent a minority of the electorate. (DIERSEN: What do you say to Republican candidates who hint/imply/argue/shout that they are anti-Trump? Such candidates certainly do not want me to help elect them. They discourage me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They discourage everyone from reading those emails.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/us/politics/polling-senate-races.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats demonize, denigrate, and condemn Blacks who do not vote for Democrats.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/opinion/stacey-abrams-coronavirus-black-voters-2020.html
— Biden’s Online Campaign Is Still Loading As Trump hogs the cameras, the homebound presumptive nominee’s video presence is a limbo of “virtual rallies,” glitches and … birds. – James Poniewozik
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/arts/television/biden-campaign.html

NEW YORK POST
— Fauci warns overextending coronavirus lockdowns could cause ‘irreparable damage’ – Vincent Barone
https://nypost.com/2020/05/22/what-overextended-coronavirus-lockdowns-could-cause-fauci/amp/

WASHINGTON POST
— Women 55 and older who lose their jobs in the pandemic face greater risk of long-term unemployment – Michelle Singletary
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/personal-finance/women-55-and-older-who-lose-their-jobs-in-the-pandemic-face-greater-risk-of-long-term-unemployment/2020/05/22/7df768ea-9c3b-11ea-ac72-3841fcc9b35f_story.html
— Study estimates 24 states still have uncontrolled coronavirus spread – Joel Achenbach, Rachel Weiner and Isaac Stanley-Becker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/study-estimates-24-states-still-have-uncontrolled-coronavirus-spread/2020/05/22/d3032470-9c43-11ea-ac72-3841fcc9b35f_story.html
— The lockdown is very hard for small businesses, including mine – Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, Springfield (DIERSEN: My Civil Service Retirement System pension is only 41% of what my GAO salary was in 1997 in today’s dollars.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-lockdown-is-very-hard-for-small-businesses-including-mine/2020/05/22/02f572b2-9ab1-11ea-ad79-eef7cd734641_story.html
(FROM THE LETTER: I have sympathy all around and worry for the most vulnerable people (health-wise). I am also increasingly concerned for the people who are not federal employees, public officials, teachers or private-sector employees continuing to work remotely. . .Even with significant financial losses, I am fortunate that my husband is a federal employee. We have many friends in the county who do not have this privilege.)

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Businesses are reopening. If you’re older or sick, what happens to your job? – LAURENCE DARMIENTO (DIERSEN: From what I see, ever-increasingly, governments, businesses, and organizations will use coronavirus to get rid of their employees and members who are older, who are obese, and/or who have health problems. They will use budget cuts and “up-or-out” policies as pretexts to accomplish the aforesaid. Expect that the Democrat and Republican parties will officially dump their precinct committeemen who are White and/or male who fail to make township/ward party chairman by age 30, county party chairman by age 35, state central committee member by age 40, state party officer by age 45, and state party chairman by age 50.)
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-05-22/coronavirus-reopening-preexisting-conditions-seniors-older-workers
(FROM THE ARTICLE: With some 39 million Americans filing jobless claims since the pandemic broke out and fears growing of another Great Depression, getting workplaces open has become a priority. That’s a tricky proposition as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths mount, even if the rate of transmission slows in some places. But for workers especially vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, a return to work can feel like a death sentence. That’s not a small group. Some 41 million Americans ages 18 to 64 are at risk for serious complications from COVID-19 due to underlying conditions such as diabetes, uncontrolled asthma and heart disease, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. Also at risk are Americans 65 and older, about 10.4 million of whom remain in the workforce — an age group that accounts for 80% of U.S. COVID deaths. . .While federal law provides special protections for workers who have disabilities or are older, ultimately they can be recalled to the workplace, even if it can’t be made 100% safe. And should employers try to prevent certain employees from returning to their jobs, they could face discrimination claims from older workers and disabled workers. . .Workers who are diabetic or asthmatic or have other conditions that are considered disabilities are offered special protections by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires employers to provide so-called “reasonable accommodations” as needed. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act offers workers older than 40 protections against discrimination on the basis of their age. Questions linger about whether and how such protections will shield workers who are older or have medical conditions in the time of the coronavirus. “It’s definitely a minefield for employers,” said Walter Stella, a labor and employment attorney at Cozen O’Connor, which represents employers. “The traditional reasonable accommodation analysis requires employers to accommodate disabled employees so that they can continue to perform the essential functions of their jobs. The focus of the law is not to give employees a reasonable accommodation so that they don’t get the coronavirus.” That legal analysis rubs up against the demands of employee advocates who say that providing a safe workplace is the fundamental duty of employers amid the pandemic.)

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Approaches 100,000 More than five million people have been infected world-wide with over 1.6 million of those cases in the U.S. – Frances Yoon
https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-05-23-2020-11590223953
— Beware of Moralistic Narratives of the Lockdown Debate The effort to reopen is not a neat fable with villains and heroes – Gerard Baker (DIERSEN: In your neighborhood, in you precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county, and in Illinois, who takes the lead in demonizing, denigrating, and condemning those who want the lockdown lifted?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/beware-of-moralistic-narratives-of-the-lockdown-debate-11590166671
— The Germs That Transformed History For eons, epidemics have caused mass deaths and social upheaval, with far-reaching effects on politics, trade, migration, colonization and conquest – Jared Diamond
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-germs-that-transformed-history-11590159271
— So You’re Getting a Pandemic Puppy. Here’s What It Will Cost. A furry quarantine buddy is often an impulse decision that can quickly add up in expenses – Amber Burton
https://www.wsj.com/articles/so-youre-getting-a-pandemic-puppy-heres-what-it-will-cost-11590139800
— The Job Market’s Long Road Back Job losses were sudden and swift. At first, workers and employers thought they would be temporary. For many, that is starting to look like wishful thinking. – Eric Morath
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-job-markets-long-road-back-11590206400
— A Vote-by-Mail Nightmare Trump or Biden by a whisker, with a million ballots thrown out. – Editorial (DIERSEN: What percent of ballots mailed in by Republicans will be “lost in the mail?”)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-vote-by-mail-nightmare-11590189749
— California’s College Testing Mistake The state university system puts racial politics above merit. – Editorial (DIERSEN: What tests have you passed? I passed a) the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 when I was 30 years old, b) the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, c) all the tests necessary to earn a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997, d) all the tests necessary to earn a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, e) all the tests necessary to earn an MBA from Loyola in 1976, f) all the tests necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970, g) the Federal Service Entrance Examination in 1970, and h) the Post Office employment examination in 1966.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/californias-college-testing-mistake-11590189601

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
— How U.S. Companies Can Support Employees of Color Through the Pandemic – Laura Morgan Roberts , Courtney L. McCluney , Erin L. Thomas and Michelle Kim (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, since the 1960s, Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion have required governments, businesses, and organizations to give preference to their employees and members who are minority and/or female, and more recently, to their employees who are LGBTQ. Consequently, ever-increasingly, governments, businesses, and organizations get rid of their employees and members who are White, male, older, heterosexual, and/or non-veteran.)
https://hbr.org/2020/05/how-u-s-companies-can-support-employees-of-color-through-the-pandemic

NEWSWEEK
— DOJ Files Brief in Federal Court Against Illinois Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order – AILA SLISCO (DIERSEN: In Diersen v. GAO, the Republican-appointed U.S. Attorney sided with GAO, that is, the U.S. Attorney approved of GAO’s policy of getting rid of its employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $101,176) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $119,559) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $140,634) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $170,800) by age 40, that is, the U.S. Attorney approved of GAO’s political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation policies.)
https://www.newsweek.com/doj-files-brief-federal-court-against-illinois-governors-stay-home-order-1506136

FIVE THIRTY EIGHT
— The Gap Between Democrats And Republicans Is Growing On The Coronavirus Crisis – Geoffrey Skelley
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/democrats-and-republicans-are-increasingly-split-on-the-coronavirus-crisis/amp/

FORD AUTHORITY
— 2020 New York Auto Show Officially Cancelled Due To COVID-19 – Brett Foote
https://fordauthority.com/2020/05/2020-new-york-auto-show-officially-cancelled-due-to-covid-19/