May 7 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Pritzker’s plan to reopen Illinois leaves convention industry in limbo. ‘We’re in no man’s land right now.’ – ALLY MAROTTI, MARY WISNIEWSKI and LORI RACKL (DIERSEN: What is the status of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-convention-industry-20200506-p5ryl5zthnapbojrezmjoexnz4-story.html
— How will Illinois reopen? Three charts breaking down Pritzker’s plan – NAUSHEEN HUSAIN, CHAD YODER and JONATHON BERLIN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-cb-pritzker-plan-reopen-illinois-20200506-erfvitdovffmzd7ativx4hj57q-htmlstory.html
— Aurora planning for possible $35M financial hit from pandemic – STEVE LORD
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-aurora-coronavirus-economics-st-0506-20200505-7g7qm5kg7vg3ndmmi5fqzql23q-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump wants ‘warrior’ Americans to face COVID-19 and reopen the country. You first, Mr. President.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/rex-huppke/ct-coronavirus-trump-warrior-economy-reopen-businesses-huppke-20200506-dmg7iwujc5fovdeurnv2xjjp4q-story.html
— These groups build healthier neighborhoods across Chicago. – Darcel Rockett (DIERSEN: To build healthier neighbors, precincts, municipal districts, municipalities, townships, counties, states, and countries, you discourage the promotion of a) booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, b) dependency on foreign countries, c) dependency on government, d) dependency on charity, e) LGBTQ activity, f) abortion, g) mass/illegal immigration, h) diminishment of First and Second Amendment rights, i) patronage, j) political affiliation discrimination, k) reverse discrimination, l) age discrimination, m) retaliation for opposing the aforesaid, n) etc.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/real-estate/ct-re-chicago-neighborhood-development-awards-202000506-20200506-c5o3e3lxinhdnpwehdl7flaqau-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Republicans: Let Legislature convene to end government by ‘decree’ House GOP Leader Jim Durkin and fellow Republicans also called the governor’s plan to reopen the state in phases “arbitrary” and denounced demonstrators who used Nazi slogans and symbols to protest Pritzker as “despicable.” – Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/6/21249971/republicans-legislature-durkin-pritzker-decree-restore-illinois-covid-19-coronavirus

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE: Naperville chamber survey: 58% of businesses can survive only 5 months or less during pandemic – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200507/naperville-chamber-survey-58-of-businesses-can-survive-only-5-months-or-less-during-pandemic
— GOP wants ‘local’ say in Pritzker’s COVID-19 reopening plan – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200506/gop-wants-local-say-in-pritzkers-covid-19-reopening-plan
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: Schaumburg residents pack stadium parking lot for free mask giveaway – Mark Welsh
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200506/schaumburg-residents-pack-stadium-parking-lot-for-free-mask-giveaway

ABC7
— Chicago gun violence across the city Wednesday leaves 9 shot, 3 killed
https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-violence-wednesday-leaves-9-shot-3-killed/6159673/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/7/2020

CBS2
— Illinois To Receive Less CARES Act Funding Per Positive COVID-19 Case Than Neighboring States – Christopher Hacker
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/illinois-to-receive-less-funding-per-positive-covid-19-case-than-neighboring-states/
— Career Coach: Polishing Your Resume During The Pandemic – Audrina Bigos (DIERSEN: To make a statement against age discrimination, I purposely stressed dates in the resume ( https://gopillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DavidDiersenResume2019.pdf ) that I submitted last year to Wheaton to be selected to fill its West District City Counsel vacancy. Those dates included a) 1970 when I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU, b) 1971-1980 when I worked for IRS, c) 1976 when I earned an MBA from Loyola, d) 1978 when my wife and I moved to Wheaton, e) 1979 when I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt, f) 1980-1997 when I worked for GAO, g) 1980 when I earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul, h) 1981 when I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt and became a licensed CPA, and i) 1984 when my wife and I had our home built in Wheaton’s West District.)
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/07/career-coach-polishing-your-resume-during-the-pandemic/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “One thing people ask me about is how many years of experience should I put on my resume,” Alves said. “I really don’t want to have age discrimination but, the rule of thumb is that you really don’t list much more than 20-to-25 years of experience with dates attached.” For jobs you have to leave off, she said it’s okay to simply list other skills you gained in those jobs. When listing education, she said you can put the name of the college, city and state and the degree you earned. She said to leave out when you attended.)

WTTW
— Restaurants Warn of Mass Closures Under Pritzker’s Plan to Reopen – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/06/restaurants-warn-mass-closures-under-pritzker-s-plan-reopen

WBEZ
— The State Needs Thousands Of Coronavirus Contact Tracers. This Community College Stepped Up. – Kate McGee
https://www.wbez.org/stories/the-state-needs-thousands-of-coronavirus-contact-tracers-this-community-college-stepped-up/bc6867b1-c9f2-4df8-8198-bb887697f431

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— What’s next for central Illinois under the reopening plan? – Doug Finke (DIERSEN: Who exactly determines when regions can move to Phase 3?)
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200506/whats-next-for-central-illinois-under-reopening-plan
(FROM THE ARTICLE: That region, like all of Illinois, is now considered to be in Phase 2 of the five phase plan. Under the plan, that means the spread of the virus is considered “flattening.” That’s an improvement over the initial stage of the virus which was considered “rapid spread.” The next several weeks will be critical in determining if the central region can move on to the next phase, which the plan calls “recovery.” In order to move on, the region must show no more than a 20 percent positivity rate on COVID-19 tests conducted in the region. They must also not increase by more than 10 percentage points. Along with that, there can be no overall increase in hospital admissions for COVID-19 for 28 days and at least 14 percent of intensive care unit beds, medical and surgical beds and ventilators must be available in case there is a surge. Testing must be available for all patients, health care workers, first responders, people with underlying conditions and residents and staff in congregate living facilities. Finally, the region has to begin contact tracing to track people who have been in contact with coronavirus patients. If a region can meet all of those criteria some additional restriction will be removed. People will still have to wear facing coverings in places where social distancing can’t be maintained. However, manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops can reopen, as long as capacity limits and other safety precautions are observed. If additional progress if made for another 28 days, additional restrictions can be removed, including allowing larger gatherings and allowing restaurants and bars to reopen.)

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— House GOP says Pritzker reopening plan won’t work – Doug Finke
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20200506/house-gop-says-pritzker-reopening-plan-wont-work

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— State Sen. Bill Brady visits COVID-19 testing site in Bloomington – David Proeber
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/public_safety/photos-state-sen-bill-brady-visits-covid-19-testing-site-in-bloomington/collection_468829e3-8cd9-57f3-a565-332fa3c846a3.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Cities and states continue to disagree on reopening – SCOTT THUMAN
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/cities-and-states-continue-to-disagree-on-reopening
— Some senators now want lawmakers tested for coronavirus – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/connect-to-congress/some-senators-now-want-lawmakers-tested-for-coronavirus

WREX
— IL Republicans demand return to Capitol, call for changes to ‘Restore Illinois’ plan – Mike Miletich
https://wrex.com/2020/05/07/il-republicans-demand-return-to-capitol-call-for-changes-to-restore-illinois-plan/

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Event, conference cancellations hurting Springfield economy – Matt Roy
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/event-and-conference-cancellations-hurting-springfield-economy

NPR ILLINOIS
— Pritzker Highlights COVID Disparities, Demands “Bad Actor” Employers Be Reported – MIKE SMITH
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/pritzker-highlights-covid-disparities-demands-bad-actor-employers-be-reported#stream/0

JOLIET PATCH
— Joliet City Employees Face Temporary Salary Cuts Interim city of Joliet manager Steve Jones told Joliet Patch on Wednesday afternoon he hopes to have the pay cuts in place by June. – John Ferak
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/joliet-city-employees-face-temporary-salary-cuts

CHALKBEAT
— Even before federal COVID-19 rescue checks arrive, Illinois schools spend tens of millions on technology – Mila Koumpilova, Alejandra Cancino, and Katie Drews
https://chicago.chalkbeat.org/2020/5/6/21249500/before-federal-covid-19-rescue-checks-arrive-illinois-schools-spend-tens-of-millions-on-technology

CENTER SQUARE
— Pritzker says businesses that open early without approval could lose state licenses – Brett Rowland (DIERSEN: What approvals do you need to do what you do? My critics/opponents want me to need the approval of the following to send out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails: a) my critics/opponents, b) the Milton Township Republican Organization officers, c) the DuPage County Republican Central Committee officers, c) my representative on the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee, d) the IRP officers, e) Wheaton’s West District City Council member, f) Wheaton’s Mayor and City Council members, g) Milton Township’s officers and trustees, h) DuPage County elected officials, i) Illinois elected officials, j) federal elected officials, k) Illinois Review, l) Illinois conservative leaders, m) etc.)
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/pritzker-says-businesses-that-open-early-without-approval-could-lose-state-licenses/article_36124820-8fd3-11ea-807d-2f94efdf7c29.html
— Rising state unemployment rates test government solvency – Michael Lucci
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/analysis-rising-state-unemployment-rates-test-government-solvency/article_ae274824-8ecf-11ea-89cf-9f9581b731ea.html

ILLINOIS NEWS ROOM
— Locally ‘Essential,’ Federally Illegal: How Cannabis Dispensaries Are Handling The Pandemic – Dana Cronin
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/locally-essential-federally-illegal-how-cannabis-dispensaries-are-handling-the-pandemic/

WIREPOINTS
— Governor Pritzker’s Plan to Reopen Illinois Makes No Sense – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/governor-pritzkers-plan-to-reopen-illinois-makes-no-sense-wirepoints/

CAPITOL FAX
— 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, 74,476 Illinoisans
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/32-million-americans-filed-for-unemployment-benefits-last-week-74476-illinoisans/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— How Do You Solve a Problem Like Illinois? The corona-crisis puts the Prairie State at the center of a bailout debate – Charles Fain Lehman
https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-illinois/

GOPUSA
— What Are We Trying To Accomplish With Coronavirus Policy? – Ben Shapiro
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88475

BREITBART
— Federal Judges Help Free Nearly 200 Illegal Aliens: Murderers, Rapists, Sex Offenders – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/05/06/federal-judges-help-free-nearly-200-illegal-aliens-murderers-rapists-sex-offenders/

DAILY SIGNAL
— Media Barely Try to Hide Bias in Covering Sexual Assault Accusations – Jarrett Stepman
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/05/06/media-barely-try-to-hide-bias-in-covering-sexual-assault-accusations/

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Over Half of U.S. Counties Have Had No COVID-19 Deaths – Norbert J. Michel, Ph.D.
https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/over-half-us-counties-have-had-no-covid-19-deaths

EPOCH TIMES
— Congress Gave $801 Million to 25 Colleges with $350 Billion in Endowments Via CARES Act – MARK TAPSCOTT
https://www.theepochtimes.com/congress-gave-801-million-to-25-colleges-with-350-billion-in-endowments-via-cares-act_3341325.html

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Big Tech Is Not Engaging in Coronavirus Censorship – MATTHEW FEENEY
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/05/coronavirus-big-tech-content-moderation-not-censorship/

THE HILL
— Social distancing and the epidemic of prejudice – LINDA C. MCCLAIN (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? From what I see, ever-increasingly, under the Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, the following are bad demographics: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time. Ever-increasingly, the more of the aforesaid that you are, the more unpopular, unwelcome, unacceptable, persona non grata, etc. that you are.)
https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/496407-social-distancing-and-the-epidemic-of-prejudice
— 3.2 million more Americans file new jobless claims amid coronavirus downturn – SYLVAN LANE
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/496537-31-million-americans-file-new-jobless-claims-amid-coronavirus-downturn

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters blame conservatives for coronavirus.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/07/trump-death-toll-coronavirus-241819
— ‘Not a perfect messenger’: Trump campaign goes all-in on Biden sexual assault allegations The campaign is vigorously attacking Biden as a hypocrite, even as Trump appears to sympathize with his likely Democratic opponent. – ANITA KUMAR and MERIDITH MCGRAW
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/06/trump-allies-attack-biden-on-assault-allegations-but-trump-doesnt-236939

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— More than 20 million jobs vanished in April – JOSH BOAK
https://apnews.com/e15c0d5c75b2079bb25847eeb4ca317f

CNN
— One of Trump’s personal valets has tested positive for coronavirus – Kaitlan Collins and Peter Morris
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/07/politics/trump-valet-tests-positive-covid-19/index.html

CNBC
— So much money, so little oversight: Coronavirus bailout cash is a big target for fraud The Government Accountability Office has established its own effort to run down fraud claims by setting up a webpage for leads. But with few controls on money going out at a record pace, it’s a case of “pay and chase,” according to GAO investigators. – Kayla Tausche
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/07/coronavirus-relief-cash-is-a-big-target-for-fraud.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— 3.2 million more filed jobless claims last week, pushing the seven-week total over 33 million.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/business/stock-market-today-coronavirus.html
— Biden Leads Trump in First Poll to Address Sexual Assault Allegation In the first national survey asking voters about the allegations, Joe Biden widened his lead over President Trump in a head-to-head matchup that has continued to grow in the last couple of months. – Giovanni Russonello and Maggie Astor
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/us/politics/joe-biden-tara-reade-monmouth-poll.html
— The New York Times Tops 6 Million Subscribers as Ad Revenue Plummets Widespread interest in coronavirus coverage drew nearly 600,000 digital subscribers during three months of 2020. But the chief executive, Mark Thompson, gave a bleak forecast for ads. – Marc Tracy
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/business/media/new-york-times-earnings-subscriptions-coronavirus.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: According to Trump-haters, their using coronavirus to defeat Trumop is succeeding.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/opinion/coronavirus-us.html
— Protesters Say the Police Use Social Distancing to Justify Crackdown After the police broke up a demonstration in New York City on Sunday, activists expressed concern that safety orders were being used to curtail free speech. – Azi Paybarah
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/nyregion/nypd-coronavirus.html
— Neiman Marcus, a Symbol of Luxury, Files for Bankruptcy The high-end retailer is the first department store to file for bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic. – Vanessa Friedman and Sapna Maheshwari
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/business/neiman-marcus-bankruptcy.html
— White House Rejected C.D.C. Reopening Guidelines, Asking for Revisions
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/us/coronavirus-updates.html

WASHINGTON POST
— As 3.2 million filed U.S. jobless claims last week, Post-Ipsos poll finds 77 percent of laid-off workers believe they’ll get jobs back Optimism is high among workers that they can return to their pre-pandemic jobs, but economists warn over 40 percent of job losses could become permanent. – Heather Long and Emily Guskin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/07/nearly-80-percent-laid-off-workers-believe-they-will-return-their-old-job-post-ipsos-poll-finds/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Law Firms Gear Up for Expected Jump in Bankruptcies Triggered by Coronavirus Nation’s restructuring practices have been thinned by a decade of economic growth – Katy Stech Ferek (DIERSEN: How long will it take for the fight against coronavirus to bankrupt every individual, organization, company, government, and country in the world?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/law-firms-gear-up-for-expected-jump-in-bankruptcies-triggered-by-coronavirus-11588766411

JACKSONVILLE BAR BULLETIN
— Age Discrimination: What it takes to prove a case Supreme Court eases burden of proof for federal employees. – G. Thomas Harper (DIERSEN: I should write a book about age discrimination in the federal government.)
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/age-discrimination-what-it-takes-to-prove-a-case

NPR
— Understanding Nancy Pelosi: She ‘Knows Exactly What Her Leverage Is’ – DAVE DAVIES (DIERSEN: What leverage do the following have over you: the leaders of your municipal district, municipality, township, county, Illinois, and America? If you are a Republican Precinct Committeeman, what leverage do the following have over you: the leaders of your Republican township party organization, the leaders of your Republican county party organization, your representative on the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee, and the leaders of the IRP. If you are a conservative, what leverage do the following have over you: those who paint themselves as being conservative leaders in Illinois, in your country, in your township, in your municipality, and in your municipal district. Who are the conservative leaders in Illinois, in your country, in your township, in your municipality, and in your municipal district? What do you say to those who paint themselves as being conservative leaders, but who work against me and work against my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails?)
https://www.npr.org/2020/05/06/851343192/understanding-nancy-pelosi-she-knows-exactly-what-her-leverage-is

LAW
— State Bankruptcies May Still Be a Long Shot, but Big Law Is Ready Law firm bankruptcy and restructuring practices are taking Mitch McConnell’s controversial proposal seriously enough to plan ahead. – Samantha Stokes (DIERSEN: If Illinois declared bankruptcy, how would that impact you? Do you get a salary or a pension from Illinois? Is Illinois subsidizing your health insurance? Does Illinois owe you money?)
https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2020/05/04/state-bankruptcies-may-still-be-a-long-shot-but-big-law-is-ready/

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.