April 17 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois schools to remain closed for rest of school year; state sees highest daily spike in COVID-19 cases Illinois suffers highest spike in COVID-19 cases in 1 day – Sarah Schulte and Liz Nagy
https://abc7chicago.com/health/illinois-schools-closed-for-rest-of-academic-year-pritzker-says/6110838/

NBC5
— 1,842 New Coronavirus Cases Reported in Illinois- State’s Largest Single-Day Spike With the state preparing to enter its fourth week of a stay-at-home order, the total number of cases reached 27,575
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/1842-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-illinois-states-largest-single-day-total/2257659/
— Pritzker Announces Illinois Schools Will Remain Closed for Rest of School Year “My decisions are hard ones, but they will follow the science and the science says they can’t go back to their normal,” Pritzker said – Lauren Stone 
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pritzker-to-announce-illinois-schools-will-remain-closed-for-rest-of-school-year-sources/2257533/
— Illinois Hasn’t Hit Its Peak Yet, Health Officials Say “We haven’t peaked yet,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Friday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-hasnt-hit-its-peak-yet-health-officials-say/2257757/
— Senator Tells VP Failed Virus Testing Is ‘dereliction’ The Senate is away from Washington through May 4, but it convenes twice each week for pro forma sessions that could be used to pass more coronavirus aid – Lisa Mascaro and Andrew Taylor
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/new-pressure-on-lawmakers-as-virus-aid-for-firms-hits-limit/2257484/
— Coronavirus Could Complicate Trump’s Path to Reelection The pandemic, which has killed more than 30,000 Americans and left millions out of work, has eviscerated Trump’s hope to run for reelection on a strong economy – Jonathan Lemire, Nicholas Riccardi and Thomas Beaumont 
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/coronavirus-complicate-trump-reelection-path/2257388/

WGN TV
— Illinois schools to be closed for remainder of academic school year as state sees 1,842 new COVID-19 cases
https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-schools-expected-to-be-closed-for-remainder-of-academic-school-year/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker shuts down schools for rest of academic year as state reports new single-day high in coronavirus cases – JAMIE MUNKS, GREGORY PRATT and JOHN BYRNE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-schools-pritzker-20200417-uxpkcai7ejcyhazlhii3kwuflq-story.html
— Wall Street agency downgrades Illinois debt after Gov. J.B. Pritzker says coronavirus will blow multibillion hole in state budget – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illlinois-finances-ratings-20200417-cv6w6xft5zbgzdqzehfkea7m6y-story.html
— Illinois National Guard activated for COVID-19 response at Park Forest developmental center with more than 100 cases – ZAK KOESKE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-illinois-national-guard-ludeman-center-st-0419-20200417-evmpvn4bfbegtia2njinmdbf54-story.html
— Some states take nation’s first, small steps toward loosening coronavirus restrictions, some seek help from Washington to expand testing – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-in-united-states-updates-20200417-qlhaumw7xvc6dpll4wgczuerxy-story.html
— Eight more coronavirus-related deaths reported in DuPage County, highest single day yet – Robert McCoppin
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-dupage-8-deaths-20200417-hfbef7rh5vdg7c5e7whjk2wpgy-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Record spike of 1,842 new Illinois coronavirus cases: ‘The curve is bending. But it isn’t flat yet’ Get the latest news on how COVID-19 is impacting Chicago and Illinois.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/17/21224770/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker will keep schools closed – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-will-keep-schools-closed

DAILY HERALD
— Illinois records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases, largely as a result of more tests – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200417/illinois-records-highest-single-day-spike-in-covid-19-cases-largely-as-a-result-of-more-tests
— Scant testing in US migration system risks spreading virus – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200417/news/304179930/
— Sean Morrison reelected Cook County GOP chair
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200417/sean-morrison-reelected-cook-county-gop-chair
— Link, Shaw to keep political posts in Lake County
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200417/link-shaw-to-keep-political-posts-in-lake-county
— Madison County officials fired for alleged dirt-digging – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200417/news/304179937/
— Some states more ready for mail-in voting than others – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200417/news/304179980/
— DuPage schools concerned about impact of potential property tax delays – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200417/dupage-schools-concerned-about-impact-of-potential-property-tax-delays

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Virus forced schools online, but many students didn’t follow – AP
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/virus-forced-schools-online-but-many-students-didnt-follow

WIREPOINTS
— Illinois Senate Democrats Seek Massive Federal Bailout for State, Going Far Beyond Coronavirus Impact – Mark Glennon and Ted Dabrowski
https://wirepoints.org/illinois-senate-democrats-seek-massive-federal-bailout-for-state-going-far-beyond-coronavirus-impact-wirepoints/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Trump: From Hamilton to Jefferson in Three Days: How Trump Positioned Governors to Take the Blame for Cocid-19 Deaths after Economy Re-Opened
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/17/trump-from-hamilton-to-jefferson-in-less-than-one-week-how-trump-positioned-governors-to-take-the-blame-for-deaths-after-economy-re-opened/ 
— Tyler Wilke Elected to Head McHenry County Republican Party
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/17/tyler-wilke-elected-to-head-mchenry-county-republican-party/ 
— Ness Pulls in BIG Bucks for Challenge to Skillicorn, Mainly from Mike Madigan and His Allies
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/17/ness-pulls-in-big-bucks-for-challenge-to-skillicorn/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IVES BLASTS CASTEN FOR WITHHOLDING SUPPORT FOR DISTRICT SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 AID
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/ives-blasts-casten-for-withholding-support-for-district-small-business-covid-19-aid.html
— WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS RESTRICT ALCOHOL SALES DURING COVID CRISIS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/world-health-organization-says-restrict-alcohol-sales-during-covid-crisis.html
— SCHOOL NOT TO RESUME FOR 2019-20 YEAR, SAYS ILLINOIS GOV
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/school-not-to-resume-for-2019-20-year-says-illinois-gov.html
— IL ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES THREATENED WITH WORKERS COMP LAWSUITS IF EMPLOYEES ACQUIRE COVID-19
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/workers-comp-.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Pritzker closes schools for rest of the academic year – “This was not a decision that I made lightly” – New EO to modify teacher licensing requirement – Outlines federal aid – Asks for understanding on grades – Has messages for teachers and students – Superintendent Ayala: “Closing the digital divide will be pivotal” – IDPH is tracking cases of healthcare workers, hasn’t made them public yet, but will – McCormick Place has five patients – Leaves door open for summer school – Hasn’t contemplated allowing parents to redo school year – Dr. Ezike: “I don’t think we’ve peaked” – Pritzker: “We have not peaked” – No specific action available to force a downward curve – Shies away from a mask requirement: “We don’t live in a dictatorial society” – Asked about large state facilities in southern Illinois
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/17/pritzker-closes-schools-for-rest-of-the-academic-year-this-was-not-a-decision-that-i-made-lightly/
— 1,842 new cases, 62 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/17/1842-new-cases-62-additional-deaths/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/17/covid-19-roundup-20/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Coronavirus case and death counts in U.S. ridiculously low – Cheryl K. Chumley
https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/14/coronavirus-case-and-death-counts-in-us-ridiculous/
— Joe Biden: Some Trump supporters back notion that ‘all Mexicans are rapists and all Muslims are bad’ – David Sherfinski (DIERSEN: Are you a Trump supporter? How do the following treat Trump supporters: a) the leaders of your Republican township/ward/county party organizations; b) the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party; c) the Republican leaders of your municipality; d) the Republican leaders of your township; e) the Republican leaders of your county; f) your Republican state representative and senator; g) your Republican U.S. Representative; and h) the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2020 ballot in your precinct?)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/16/joe-biden-some-trump-supporters-back-notion-all-me/
— Coronavirus ‘much more widespread’ than previously thought, Stanford antibody study finds – Valerie Richardson
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/17/coronavirus-much-more-widespread-previously-though/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— ‘Full steam ahead’: RNC chairwoman says GOP plans to stage August convention despite coronavirus – David M. Drucker
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/full-steam-ahead-rnc-chairwoman-says-gop-plans-to-stage-august-convention-despite-coronavirus
— Congressional scorekeeper estimates enacted pandemic relief bill will cost $1.8 trillion – Jay Heflin
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congressional-scorekeeper-estimates-enacted-pandemic-relief-bill-will-cost-1-8t
— Republicans move away from their corporate allies and toward Trump on China – W. James Antle III (DIERSEN: From what I see, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are going to stay with Communist China.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/republicans-move-away-from-their-corporate-allies-and-toward-trump-on-china

FOX NEWS
— Biden’s ‘deplorables moment’? Trump camp decries comments on president’s base – Gregg Re (DIERSEN: Are you a Trump supporter? How do the following treat Trump supporters: a) the leaders of your Republican township/ward/county party organizations; b) the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party; c) the Republican leaders of your municipality; d) the Republican leaders of your township; e) the Republican leaders of your county; f) your Republican state representative and senator; g) your Republican U.S. Representative; and h) the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2020 ballot in your precinct?)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bidens-deplorables-moment-trump-camp-decries-comments-on-presidents-base
(FROM THE ARTICLE: During a question-and-answer session, Biden responded “probably not” when someone asked if he could win over Trump supporters, and then he launched into a scathing critique. “There are people who support the president because they like the fact that he is engaged in the politics of division,” Biden said. “They really support the notion that, you know, all Mexicans are rapists and all Muslims are bad and… dividing this nation based on ethnicity, race. This is the one [sic] of the few presidents who succeeded by deliberately trying to divide the country, not unite the country.” Trump’s campaign fired back on Thursday. “Biden reveals his disdain for certain Americans burns just as hot as Hillary’s,” the Trump campaign said in a statement as Biden’s comments circulated. The campaign accused Biden of calling “working-class voters racist, xenophobic and Islamophobic.”)

GOPUSA
— Sacramento Cops Warn: Violate Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Order, You Could Be Arrested
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87675

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Are We Witnessing a Targeted Hit Against Trump Voters? If you tried to design an attack against the president’s supporters, you couldn’t do better than what the experts have done in the name of public health. – Curtis Ellis (DIERSEN: Are you a Trump supporter? How do the following treat Trump supporters: a) the leaders of your Republican township/ward/county party organizations; b) the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party; c) the Republican leaders of your municipality; d) the Republican leaders of your township; e) the Republican leaders of your county; f) your Republican state representative and senator; g) your Republican U.S. Representative; and h) the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2020 ballot in your precinct?)
https://amgreatness.com/2020/04/15/are-we-witnessing-a-targeted-hit-against-trump-voters/

BREITBART
— Joe Biden Exposes #MeToo Movement as Total BS – JOHN NOLTE
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/17/joe-biden-exposes-metoo-movement-total-bs/
— Blue State Blues: Media Would Destroy Republicans for What Nancy Pelosi Is Doing to Block Funding for PPP – JOEL B. POLLAK
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/17/blue-state-blues-media-would-destroy-republicans-for-what-nancy-pelosi-is-doing-to-block-funding-for-ppp/
— George W. Bush Center: More Globalization Is the Answer to Coronavirus Crisis – John Binder (DIERSEN: America-haters want America to be dependent on foreign countries for everything.)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/16/george-w-bush-center-globalization-answer-coronavirus-crisis/
— Goldman Sachs Predicts 36% Drop in iPhone Shipments – LUCAS NOLAN
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/04/17/goldman-sachs-predicts-36-drop-in-iphone-shipments/
— Procter & Gamble Reports Biggest US Sales Surge in Decades – JOHN CARNEY
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2020/04/17/procter-gamble-reports-biggest-us-sales-surge-in-decades/
— Coronavirus: International Flights Continue to Bring 100,000 Unchecked Travellers a Week to Britain – OLIVER JJ LANE
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/04/17/coronavirus-international-flights-bring-100000-unchecked-travellers-week-britain/

NEWSMAX
— Undocumented Aliens and the Promised Land – James Walsh (DIERSEN: America-haters see illegals as being the soldiers in their army to destroy America.)
https://www.newsmax.com/jameswalsh/illegalimmigration/2020/04/17/id/963327/

HOT AIR
— “There’s nowhere to hide,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton in Chicago. “This is the deepest, fastest, most broad-based recession we’ve ever seen.” (DIERSEN: What helps you and your spouse to hide from the recession? For us, it includes my Civil Service Retirement System pension; our Social Security; our federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidy; our having retirement savings; our owning a home; our not having debts; our not having dependents; etc.) 
https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2020/04/nowhere-hide-unemployment-permeates-economy/

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— When Media Advertising Boycotts Backfire – Mark Hemingway (DIERSEN: Which individuals, organizations, companies, and governments boycott you? I should write a book about those that boycott me and boycott my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. I would focus on those that claim to be religious, conservative, and/or Republican. I would focus on those that have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois.) 
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2020/04/10/when_media_advertising_boycotts_backfire_142918.html

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
— Why Trump supporters are protesting state lockdowns From Michigan to Ohio and Texas, both Democratic and Republican governors are being challenged by protestors who claim a forced lockdown infringes on their constitutional rights. – AP
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2020/0417/Why-Trump-supporters-are-protesting-state-lockdowns

THE HILL
— Trump appears to back those protesting social distancing measures – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/493329-trump-appears-to-back-those-protesting-social-distancing-measures
— Governors complain testing is weak spot in Trump plan – PETER SULLIVAN
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/493403-governors-complain-testing-is-weak-spot-in-trump-plan
— Trump announces $19B program to help agriculture sector – SYLVAN LANE 
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/493418-trump-announces-19b-program-to-help-agriculture-sector

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump tweets to “LIBERATE” states where people are protesting virus restrictions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/us/coronavirus-cases-news-update.html#link-12bb7c5e
— Most U.S. Firms Have No Plans to Leave China Due to Coronavirus: Survey – Reuters
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/04/17/business/17reuters-health-coronavirus-china-business.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Texas announces dates for relaxing some coronavirus-related restrictions
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/04/17/coronavirus-latest-news/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater hints/implies/argues/shouts that Trump’s cabinet members are not qualified. QUESTION: What qualifies candidates for positions? ANSWER: Their relevant work experience, their relevant education, and their relevant professional certifications and licenses. QUESTION: But what if candidates have to be minority, female, younger, etc.?) 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/17/cabinet-qualified-men-women/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— A Fed Bailout Is Wrong for States and Cities The central bank should adjust its lending methods to prevent abuse by profligate local governments. – Robert C. Pozen
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-fed-bailout-is-wrong-for-states-and-cities-11586988167

CNBC
— OCTOBER 23, 2018 FLASHBACK: ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ – Marguerite Ward and Kathryn Dill (DIERSEN: I see myself continuing to send out a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email each and every morning and each and every evening too, and continuing to serve as the DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 9 Republican Precinct Committeeman in Wheaton. Of course, my critics/opponents in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois do not want that. Of course, they want to replace me with someone who they can manipulate/dominate. Of course, they want to replace me with a RINO who is not a Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, White, male, older, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, or someone whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes.) 
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/31/how-to-answer-the-interview-question-where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years.html

LAWYERS
— Ageism At Work Prominent In The United States – Sidney L. Gold (DIERSEN: Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs use Affirmative Action, Diversity, Inclusion, up-or-out, etc., otherwise known as political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination, to not hire Republicans and to get rid of Republicans.) 
https://blogs.lawyers.com/attorney/labor-and-employment/ageism-at-work-prominent-in-the-united-states-61926/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Most Democrats Want Woman, Person of Color As VP Nominee But Have No Favorite (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponent, their operatives, and their dupes, ever-increasingly, everyone wants everyone to get rid of everyone who is a Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. 
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2020/most_democrats_want_woman_person_of_color_as_vp_nominee_but_have_no_favorite

SPLC
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: SPLC promotes hatred against individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/04/17/hate-groups-and-racist-pundits-spew-covid-19-misinformation-social-media-despite-companies

SUN
— Joe Biden says Trump supporters believe ‘all Mexicans are rapists and all Muslims are bad’ – David Boroff (DIERSEN: Are you a Trump supporter? How do the following treat Trump supporters: a) the leaders of your Republican township/ward/county party organizations; b) the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party; c) the Republican leaders of your municipality; d) the Republican leaders of your township; e) the Republican leaders of your county; f) your Republican state representative and senator; g) your Republican U.S. Representative; and h) the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2020 ballot in your precinct?)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11415811/joe-biden-donald-trump-supporters-mexicans-muslims/

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.