May 2 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Gov. Pritzker says major plan to trace COVID-19 cases needed before re-opening – Chuck Goudie and Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner
https://abc7chicago.com/health/pritzker-says-major-plan-to-trace-covid-19-cases-needed-before-re-opening/6143684/
— Michigan militia calling for coronavirus-related restrictions to be lifted puts armed protest in the spotlight – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/michigan-militia-puts-armed-protest-in-the-spotlight/6144652/

NBC5
— NBC 5 Investigates: 44 Percent of IL Coronavirus Deaths Tied to Nursing Homes – Katie Kim and Lisa Capitanini
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/nbc-5-investigates-44-percent-of-il-coronavirus-deaths-tied-to-nursing-homes/2265342/
— Michigan Militia Puts Armed Protest in the Spotlight – Sara Burnett
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/michigan-militia-puts-armed-protest-in-the-spotlight/2265455/
— Chicago Police Issued More Than 4,600 Dispersal Orders, Arrested 17 in Enforcing Stay-at-Home Order in April
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-police-issued-more-than-4600-dispersal-orders-arrested-17-in-enforcing-stay-at-home-order-in-april/2265076/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Protesters statewide demand Governor Pritzker reopen Illinois – Dane Placko
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/protesters-statewide-demand-governor-pritzker-reopen-illinois
— Was Illinois prepared when pandemic hit? Let’s get fired up! – Mike Flannery
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/680155

WGN TV
— Message remains the same as state reports over 3k cases Friday, eases restrictions
https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-health-officials-announce-over-3k-new-covid-19-cases-state-total-at-56k/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Time for states to reopen their economies? Political divisions emerge as Midwest governors weigh coronavirus cases vs. unemployment. – BILL RUTHHART
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-midwest-governors-pandemic-reopen-businesses-20200501-wagokkrburbkzfbkaopwasyfpi-htmlstory.html
— Why it matters when Gov. J.B. Pritzker wears a mask – ETHAN BUENO DE MESQUITA AND MEHDI SHADMEHR (DIERSEN: If you had to wear a mask to attend an event, how much would that discourage you from attending that event?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-masks-social-norms-leadership-20200501-xmxrtw6pmjapzavku5q2cyeeei-story.html
— Ravinia cancellation will cost Highland Park $1 million in lost taxes, but mayor says it was correct decision – JOHN KEILMAN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-ravinia-cancellation-impact-20200501-tqvg26bayzhsfljbuw6q27ywmu-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s incompetent crowd shows who the real nonessential workers are. It’s the people whose work can’t be done sitting home in front of a computer, and who can’t afford not to show up, whose contributions we forget to acknowledge.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/30/21242220/gene-lyons-coronavirus-covid-19-donald-trump-incompetence-blue-state-bailouts

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Amid the clamor for reopening, a wary voice for workers This state rep has been putting public and private pressure on manufacturers to literally clean up their acts. – RICH MILLER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/rich-miller-springfield/amid-clamor-reopening-wary-voice-workers

WTTW
— Pritzker Hopes Contact Tracing ‘Army’ Can Help Slow Spread of COVID-19 New statewide totals: 56,055 cases, 2,457 deaths – Matt Masterson
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/01/pritzker-hopes-contact-tracing-army-can-help-slow-spread-covid-19

WBEZ
— Angry People Have Shown Up At Closed Illinois Unemployment Offices, Prompting Police Protection For Workers State unemployment offices are closed to the public, but some people angry about not being able to file for benefits are showing up anyway. – Dan Mihalopoulos
https://www.wbez.org/stories/angry-people-have-shown-up-at-closed-illinois-unemployment-offices-prompting-police-protection-for-workers/aa9a1f7a-2cdb-4ce5-a527-2fa83bb7eb79

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois preparing for massive contact-tracing project; Protests held in Springfield, Chicago as new stay-home order takes effect – PETER HANCOCK
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/watch-now-illinois-preparing-for-massive-contact-tracing-project-protests-held-in-springfield-chicago-as/article_ae846707-11da-5dce-b0b0-d315a07a1253.html
— 4 new coronavirus cases confirmed; McLean County total, 99 – Kevin Barlow
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/4-new-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-mclean-county-total-99/article_e6c0b164-a180-5c9c-98d0-a0b214f2e0f4.html
— Libertarian Party draws top ballot slot for McLean County November election – Maria Nagle (DIERSEN: What do you say to Libertarians who falsely claim to be Republican?)
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/libertarian-party-draws-top-ballot-slot-for-mclean-county-november-election/article_91c48fff-1924-505a-9116-d1b493ece95f.html

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Gun Ranges Consider Suing State Over Shutdown – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=303298#.Xq1zjCN_OM8

EFFINGHAM NEWS LEADER
— Shelby County State’s Attorney Addresses Wearing Masks While Carrying Firearm – Greg Sapp
http://www.thexradio.com/news/78-local-news/44448-shelby-county-state-s-attorney-addresses-wearing-masks-while-carrying-firearm

WEEK
— Don’t punish downstate, LaHood tells Pritzker
https://week.com/2020/05/02/dont-punish-downstate-lahood-tells-pritzker/
— Hundreds join Capitol protest to Reopen Illinois – Mike Miletich
https://week.com/2020/05/01/hundreds-join-capitol-protest-to-reopen-illinois/
— Delta looks to suspend Peoria airport service, citing coronavirus pandemic – Howard Packowitz
https://week.com/2020/05/02/delta-looks-to-suspend-peoria-airport-service-citing-coronavirus-pandemic/

WGLT
— Sen. Brady: Return To Springfield Could De-Escalate Stay-At-Home Order Tensions – RYAN DENHAM
https://www.wglt.org/post/sen-brady-return-springfield-could-de-escalate-stay-home-order-tensions#stream/0

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— With quirks and restrictions, many states lift lockdowns – AP
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/like-i-just-got-out-of-jail-states-ease-their-lockdowns

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
— COVID-19 pandemic brings Flash Index crashing down from February high Last two months mark sharpest decline in the index’s history – J. Fred Giertz
https://igpa.uillinois.edu/Report/flash-index-march-april2020

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Chicago Nurses Show Up To Denounce Open Illinois Protesters: ‘We Are Tired Of Seeing People Die’ About 200 protesters gathered outside the Thompson Center Friday to call for an end to the state’s stay at home order. But nurses weren’t having it. – Bob Chiarito
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/05/01/chicago-nurses-show-up-to-denounce-open-illinois-protesters-we-are-tired-of-seeing-people-die/

WHEATON PATCH
— DuPage County Coronavirus Update: 3,245 Cases, 174 Deaths This article includes a breakdown of coronavirus cases by municipality. – Lisa Marie Farver,
https://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/dupage-county-coronavirus-update-3-245-cases-174-deaths

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Of 88 Chicago public health professionals, only 1 voted Republican in 2018 primaries – April Bamburg
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/534091589-analysis-of-88-chicago-public-health-professionals-only-1-voted-republican-in-2018-primaries

WIREPOINTS
— Open Illinois’ economy: Recessions and depressions kill – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/recessions-and-depressions-kill-opponents-of-opening-the-economy-refuse-to-acknowledge-that-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Days after scoffing at the suggestion, Gov Pritzker hints opening Illinois by regions – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/days-after-scoffing-at-the-suggestion-gov-pritzker-hints-opening-illinios-by-regions/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— PRITZKER SHOULD LOOK TO OTHER STATES TO DEVELOP A RESPONSIBLE REOPENING PLAN – Amy Korte
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzker-should-look-to-other-states-to-develop-a-responsible-reopening-plan/
— ILLINOIS POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN BANKING ON A BAILOUT FOR YEARS. DON’T GIVE IT TO THEM. – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-politicians-have-been-banking-on-a-bailout-for-years-dont-give-it-to-them/

FOX NEWS
— NY Times, MSNBC journalist warns fascism could come to US if coronavirus shutdowns wreck economy – Joseph A. Wulfsohn
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ny-times-msnbc-journalist-warns-fascism-could-come-to-us-if-coronavirus-shutdowns-wreck-economy
— Tucker: Totalitarianism doesn’t shock us any more
https://6do.news/article/2598229-41

GOPUSA
— California Rebels: Protesters Face Off With Cops At Capitol As They Demand Freedom
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88332
— Grisham Locks Down Gallup, NM, Blocks Roads Into City Under Riot Control Act
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88330
— Massachusetts Officials Demand: Masks On, Or Else
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88338

TOWNHALL
— Profiling the Democrats – Marvin Folkertsma (DIERSEN: From what I see, overwhelmingly, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs 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, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://townhall.com/columnists/marvinfolkertsma/2020/05/02/profiling-the-democrats-a-summary-n2567784

PJ MEDIA
— Illinois Governor Relents on Religious Gatherings—But There’s a Catch – RICK MORAN
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/rick-moran/2020/05/01/il-governor-adds-exercise-of-religion-to-essential-activities-in-stay-at-home-order-n387492

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Planned Parenthood cheers spike in webcam abortions as COVID-19 ‘silver lining’ One telemed provider claims that requests for chemical abortions doubled in March and April over the previous two months. – Calvin Freiburger
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/planned-parenthood-cheers-covid-19-silver-lining-spike-in-webcam-abortions

HOT AIR
— Coming Soon From The Trump Campaign: Red MAGA Face Masks
https://hotair.com/archives/allahpundit/2020/05/01/coming-soon-trump-campaign-red-maga-face-masks/

THE HILL
— Democrats accused of double standard on Biden, Kavanaugh – JONATHAN EASLEY
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/495757-democrats-accused-of-double-standard-on-biden-kavanaugh
— Trump on course for reelection, even if he loses the popular vote – JOSHUA H. SANDMAN
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/494804-trump-on-course-for-reelection-even-if-he-loses-the-popular-vote
— Five ways the coronavirus could change American politics – NIALL STANAGE
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/495761-five-ways-the-coronavirus-could-change-american-politics

ABC NEWS
— Estimated 57 million Americans job vulnerable under COVID-19 Hispanic and black people are more likely to hold vulnerable jobs.
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/estimated-57-million-americans-job-vulnerable-covid-19/story?id=70461148

NEW YORK TIMES
— Fearing Political Peril, Republicans Edge Away From Trump on Pandemic Response Moderate Republicans in competitive districts are navigating a careful balance in addressing the coronavirus crisis, eager to put some distance between themselves and a president whose response has been criticized. – Catie Edmondson and Rebecca R. Ruiz (DIERSEN: What do moderate Republican Party activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, etc. think of you? The aforesaid work with Democrat plants, Libertarian pants, Green plants, and RINOs to a) discourage me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, b) discourage everyone from reading those emails, c) drive conservatives out of the Republican Party, that is, drive the base of the Republican Party out of the Republican Party, and d) destroy the Republican Party..)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-republicans.html
— Trump Moves to Replace Watchdog Who Identified Critical Medical Shortages The president announced the nomination of an inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services, who, if confirmed, would replace an acting official whose report embarrassed Mr. Trump. – Peter Baker
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/us/politics/trump-health-department-watchdog.html
— Capitol Lacks Tests for Returning Senators While White House Tests Many in Trump’s Circle As senators prepare to return on Monday, Congress’s doctor warned that he does not have the capacity to test all 100 for coronavirus. At the White House, the president and many of his aides are tested repeatedly. – Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Nicholas Fandos and Katie Rogers
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/us/politics/coronavirus-testing-senate-white-house.html
— As More States Reopen, Protesters Chafe at — Restrictions The F.D.A. issued emergency approval for an antiviral drug. High school seniors appear reluctant to commit to a college for the fall.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/us/coronavirus-updates.html
— TRAGIC: Big Government? For Now, Most Americans Say Bring It On Battered by the coronavirus, the American public is increasingly looking to the federal government to provide an economic lifeline, polls suggest. – Giovanni Russonello
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/us/politics/coronavirus-spending-polls.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Technology once used to combat ISIS propaganda is enlisted by Democratic group to counter Trump’s coronavirus messaging – Isaac Stanley-Becker (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all government and political news and commentary is propaganda except for the government and political news and commentary that they put out or bless. I should write a book about my critics/opponents. I would focus on a) those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois; b) those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican; and c) those who have their operatives and their dupes do their dirty work for them.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/technology-once-used-to-combat-isis-propaganda-is-enlisted-by-democratic-group-to-counter-trumps-coronavirus-messaging/2020/05/01/6bed5f70-8a5b-11ea-ac8a-fe9b8088e101_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The group, Defeat Disinfo, will use artificial intelligence and network analysis to map discussion of the president’s claims on social media. It will seek to intervene by identifying the most popular counter-narratives and boosting them through a network of more than 3.4 million influencers across the country — in some cases paying users with large followings to take sides against the president. The initiative reflects fears within the Democratic Party that Trump’s unwavering digital army may help sustain him through the pandemic, as it has through past controversies, even as the economy craters, tens of thousands have died, and Trump suffers in the polls.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Need something to love about Trump? Watch him humiliate his most loyal hacks. The joys of political schadenfreude.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/30/need-something-love-about-trump-watch-him-humiliate-his-most-loyal-hacks/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— The pandemic has amplified ageism. ‘It’s open season for discrimination’ against older adults – LAURA NEWBERRY (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who promote age discrimination? They focus on promoting age discrimination against those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. I should write a book about those who promote age discrimination in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.)
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-01/coronavirus-pandemic-has-amplified-ageism
— Coronavirus energizes the labor movement. Can it last? – MARGOT ROOSEVELT
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-05-01/coronavirus-labor-unions-mobilize-california

USA TODAY
— Masks, temperature checks, empty rows: Post-coronavirus concerts could look very different – Gary Dinges (DIERSEN: If you had to wear a mask to attend an event, how much would that discourage you from attending that event?)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/05/01/coronavirus-when-concerts-return-expect-much-different-experience/3055806001/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Makes Push for Seniors as Coronavirus Crisis Erodes Support President trails Joe Biden in polls among older voters, who are paying close attention to his handling of the pandemic—and watching his press briefings – Michael C. Bender and Ken Thomas
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-makes-push-for-seniors-as-coronavirus-crisis-erodes-support-11588340018

MARKET WATCH
— Why millions of older workers will pay a big financial price—forever—from the coronavirus Even in good times, age discrimination is rampant – Paul Brandus (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who promote age discrimination? They focus on promoting age decimation against those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. I should write a book about those who promote age discrimination in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.)
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-millions-of-older-workers-will-pay-a-big-financial-priceforeverfrom-the-coronavirus-2020-05-01

TECH REPUBLIC
— Majority of Americans would feel uncomfortable returning to work now Faith solid with medical and scientific experts: 63% of Americans polled by Qualtrics want the CDC to officially give the “all clear.” – N.F. Mendoza (DIERSEN: If you had to wear a mask to attend an event, how much would that discourage you from attending that event?)
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/majority-of-americans-would-feel-uncomfortable-returning-to-work-now/

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.