May 19 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Illinois gun sales surge amid coronavirus pandemic, shop owners say; upswing echoed nationwide – Chuck Goudie and Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel, and Ross Weidner
https://abc7chicago.com/covid-19-fuels-gun-sales-surge-in-illinois-and-nationwide-shop-owners-say/6194802/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Talk of the County: Government assistance allows people to ‘spend all of the extra money on marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes and gambling’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-talk-of-county-st-0520-20200518-qwdw56almzdejdqboy4dnjysue-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Southland colleges offer courses for cannabis industry job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs – FRANCINE KNOWLES
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-knowles-column-st-0519-20200518-lnpxugzjnngefbn47l44lk2s6a-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Rushing to reopen the economy won’t help American workers — it will kill them.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/ct-nyt-opinion-coronavirus-reopen-economy-workers-20200518-va75vbwvx5gkddihk5tfqv7zou-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rep. Garcia urges Gov. J.B. Pritzker to ensure Illinois Hispanics are hired as contact tracers Garcia said, “Keep in mind, Governor, there is a body of these folks who are experienced, who people trust and they know how to knock on doors when it is safe to do so.”- Lynn Sweet (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/18/21263129/rep-jesus-chuy-garcia-urges-gov-j-b-pritzker-to-hire-illinois-hispanic-contact-tracers
— Mike Ditka’s restaurant in Gold Coast is closing COVID-19 and a short-term lease are blamed for “the extremely difficult decision.” – Darel Jevens
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/18/21263210/ditkas-closes-restaurant-chicago-gold-coast-chestnut-mike

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— It’s time for Illinois to start rethinking ‘normal’ We cannot afford to hide from this virus forever. Living with it is our best hope, most likely for many months to come. And so, it is time for a new approach and, in some cases, to recalibrate our thinking. – Editorial
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/its-time-illinois-start-rethinking-normal

WBBM
— Top Mayoral Aide Says COVID-19 Pandemic To Cost Chicago ‘Probably In Excess Of $500 Million’ – KEITH JOHNSON
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/top-mayoral-aid-covid-19-to-cost-chicago-in-excess-of-500m

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— What to expect when legislature returns Wednesday – Kade Heather
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200518/what-to-expect-when-legislature-returns-wednesday

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Plummer accuses Pritzker of creating ‘autocracy’ – MIKE KOZIATEK AND HANA MUSLIC
https://www.bnd.com/news/coronavirus/article242803566.html

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Census outreach ‘incredibly stymied’ by COVID-19 pandemic – Jerry Nowicki
https://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/census-outreach-incredibly-stymied-by-covid-19-pandemic/article_05f91d08-98ed-11ea-86c6-13c6256917ec.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Pritzker to critics of emergency rule: Defying IDPH rules was already a misdemeanor IDPH: 59 more COVID-19 deaths, 2,294 new confirmed cases – SEAN HAMMOND
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/05/18/pritzker-to-critics-of-emergency-rule-defying-idph-rules-was-already-a-misdemeanor/am46rmh/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Businesses violating stay-at-home order could be cited, fined
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/businesses-violating-stay-at-home-order-could-be-cited-fined

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Illinois Republicans upset with Gov. Pritzker’s power – Matt Roy (DIERSEN: If Rauner had done what Pritzker has done, the Democrats would have removed him from office by now.)
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/illinois-republicans-upset-with-gov-pritzkers-power

WSPY
— Illinois GOP Again Push to Remove Graduated Income Tax Amendment From November Ballot; Legislators Send Letter on Mental Health
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/illinois-gop-again-push-to-remove-graduated-income-tax-amendment-from-november-ballot-legislators-send/article_fa1ae5c2-99d0-11ea-bb9f-23c3e0bae433.html

WEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters promote hatred against those who do not hate Trump.
https://week.com/2020/05/19/theres-no-place-for-hatred-in-our-state-addressing-the-trend-at-reopen-illinois-rallies/

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS INDEPENDENT
— Four Illinois counties to vote on secession from Chicago. What if they succeed? – Matthew Rago (DIERSEN: Do the leaders of your county want secession from Chicago or do they want to get rid of the county’s residents, organizations, companies, and governments that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non- poor, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://neiuindependent.org/16823/opinions/four-illinois-counties-to-vote-on-secession-from-chicago-what-if-they-succeed/

WISCONSIN EXAMINER
— Trump’s defamation suits pose a chilling prospect for the press The eyes of the nation turn to Rhinelander, WI — population 7,632 – Bob Lewis (DIERSEN: In your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, and in your county, who takes the lead in defaming people? I should write a book about those in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, and DuPage County who take the lead in defaming people. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. I would focus on those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican to give themselves standing to defame those who are religious, conservatives, and/or Republican. Of course, they have their operatives and their dupes do their dirty work, so I would focus on them too.)
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2020/04/27/trumps-defamation-suits-pose-a-chilling-prospect-for-the-press/

CHICAGO LAW BULLETIN
— FROM THE ARTICLE: 38 out of 177 lawmakers in the 101st Illinois General Assembly as attorneys.
https://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/getdoc/58ee96b1-7f43-4a61-afa5-e8b007b1f0d0/introducing-lawyers-in-the-legislature-20200515

ROBERT FEDER
— WIND’s Amy Jacobson barred from governor’s media briefings (DIERSEN: I do not claim to be impartial. I am conservative and I state that I am conservative. I am Republican and I state that I am Republican. It is called full disclosure. According to Democrats and to according RINOs, only those who claim to be impartial can be journalists or reporters. I should write a book about mainstream journalists and mainstream reporters who falsely claim to be impartial. They talk, act, and/or write like they are not only liberal and/or Democrat, but like they are anti-conservative and/or anti-Republican. Further, I should write a book about pot pushers who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in DuPage County who sided with other pot pushers against me when I spoke out against pot at a DuPage County Board meeting last year. They said that lobbyists cannot be journalists or reporters. They said that I was a lobbyist, and that therefore, I was not a journalist or a reporter, that is, they charged me with failing to register as a lobbyist with the State of Illinois. They know that by definition, lobbyists are paid to lobby and that I have never been paid to lobby. I should have sued them.)
https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/05/19/winds-amy-jacobson-barred-governors-media-briefings/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Jacobson’s participation prompted others in the media to question whether she had forfeited her standing as a journalist by becoming an advocate and activist. Capitol Fax editor Rich Miller wrote: “Give a speech at a rally and then expect to be treated like a reporter? Nope.” Chicago Tribune chief political reporter Rick Pearson tweeted: “And we are the ones accused of being ‘fake news.’” On Monday Pritzker’s press secretary, Jordan Abudayyeh, notified Jacobson that she was persona non grata. “This weekend you attended and spoke at a political rally to fire up the crowd opposing the Governor’s policies to combat COVID-19,” Abudayyeh wrote in an email Jacobson made public. “That rally was attended by people holding hateful Nazi imagery. An impartial journalist would not have attended that rally in that capacity and therefore you will no longer be invited to participate as an impartial journalist.” Jeff Reisman, regional vice president and general manager of AM 560 The Answer, questioned the decision and said he hoped Jacobson would be readmitted. “I am disappointed that the governor has decided to limit the scope of questions he receives from the media,” Reisman said. “Amy Jacobson has had a long career as a journalist in Chicago, and she has routinely been asking questions that AM 560’s listeners want to have answered. “In this time of uncertainty, I would hope that Gov. Pritzker and his staff would be more transparent and accountable to the people of Illinois. Picking and choosing which media outlets are allowed to ask questions creates the impression that Gov. Pritzker isn’t willing to answer difficult questions. I hope this decision would be reversed immediately and that Amy would be given access once again.” Muller also defended Jacobson, saying: “Why is it we have to agree with Governor Pritzker to ask him questions? . . . Regular people are hurting. That is who Amy and I speak with on our different radio shows. Pritzker allows no followup questions and no real questions from anyone but sycophants.” Jacobson has harshly criticized Pritzker’s handling of the shutdown and challenged the governor on why his family recently traveled from a home in Florida to one in Wisconsin in apparent violation of his statewide order. She said she plans to talk about the ban on Tuesday’s show. Before she joined the news/talk station in 2010, Jacobson worked for more than 10 years as a general assignment reporter at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.)

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Pritzker bans AM 560’s Jacobson from daily press conferences, claims she isn’t “impartial” (DIERSEN: I do not claim to be impartial. I am conservative and I state that I am conservative. I am Republican and I state that I am Republican. It is called full disclosure. According to Democrats and to according RINOs, only those who claim to be impartial can be journalists or reporters. I should write a book about mainstream journalists and mainstream reporters who falsely claim to be impartial. They talk, act, and/or write like they are not only liberal and/or Democrat, but like they are anti-conservative and/or anti-Republican. Further, I should write a book about pot pushers who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in DuPage County who sided with other pot pushers against me when I spoke out against pot at a DuPage County Board meeting last year. They said that lobbyists cannot be journalists or reporters. They said that I was a lobbyist and that therefore, I was not a journalist or a reporter, that is, they charged me with failing to register as a lobbyist with the State of Illinois. They know that by definition, lobbyists are paid to lobby and that I have never been paid to lobby. I should have sued them.)
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/537599785-pritzker-bans-am-560-s-jacobson-from-daily-press-conferences-claims-she-isn-t-impartial
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Abudayyeh criticized Jacobson for her attendance at a downtown Chicago rally of Pritzker critics on Saturday. “This weekend you attended and spoke at a political rally to fire up the crowd in opposing the Governor’s policies to combat COVID-19,” Abudayyeh said. “An impartial journalist would not have attended that rally in that capacity and therefore you will no longer be invited to participate as an impartial journalist.”)

WIREPOINTS
— Trading at junk levels: Illinois borrowing costs 5 times higher than AAA-rated states – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/trading-at-junk-levels-illinois-borrowing-costs-5-times-higher-than-aaa-rated-states-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Pritzker bans AM 560’s Jacobson from daily press conferences, claims she isn’t “impartial” – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/pritzker-bans-am-560s-jacobson-from-daily-press-conferences-claims-she-isnt-impartial/

CAPITOL FAX
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Republican-haters side with Republican-haters.
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/18/politicizing-grandstanding-and-twisting-the-facts/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Nancy Pelosi: ‘Morbidly obese’ Trump shouldn’t be taking hydroxychloroquine – Victor Morton (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will laws be enacted that bar those who are older, those who are overweight, those who have health problems including diabetes, etc. from seeking or holding government or political offices?)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/18/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-morbidly-obese-shouldnt-/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Top White House staffers are working from home as West Wing coronavirus fears build – Katherine Doyle
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/top-white-house-staffers-are-working-from-home-as-west-wing-coronavirus-fears-build
— Polls Show Trump Holds Enthusiasm Edge Over Biden – Kimberly Ross
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/polls-show-one-huge-problem-for-the-biden-campaign

BREITBART
— Migration Advocates: Open the Borders to Asylum Seekers with Coronavirus – NEIL MUNRO
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/05/18/migration-advocates-open-the-borders-to-asylum-seekers-with-coronavirus/

CNS NEWS
— HEROES Act Would Benefit Murderers and Illegal Aliens – Hans Bader
https://cnsnews.com/commentary/hans-bader/heroes-act-would-benefit-murderers-and-illegal-aliens

DAILY SIGNAL
— A Proposed ‘Health Defense Operations’ Slush Fund Won’t Protect US From Future Pandemics – Romina Boccia
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/05/18/a-proposed-health-defense-operations-slush-fund-wont-protect-us-from-future-pandemics/

PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY
— Feminists Use COVID-19 To Abolish The Family – Ed Martin
https://www.phyllisschlafly.com/family/feminists-use-covid-19-to-abolish-the-family/
— Restart Sports Without Gambling – John & Andy Schlafly
https://www.phyllisschlafly.com/featured-top/restart-sports-without-gambling/

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Facebook announces progress in developing AI to silence ‘hate speech’ The social media platform says it now detects and removes 88.8 percent of what it considers ‘hate speech.’ (DIERSEN: According to Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, everything is hate speech except for what they say, write, or bless.)
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/facebook-announces-progress-in-developing-ai-to-silence-hate-speech
— Chicago Catholic group: Cupich’s plan to re-open churches is ‘betrayal of Christ’ Cardinal Cupich’s plan has ‘yielded the authority of the Church and subjugated the primacy of her worship to laws of man,’ they say. – Stephen Kokx
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/chicago-catholic-group-blasts-cupichs-plan-to-re-open-churches-monstrous-betrayal-of-christ

NEWSGUARD
— Major Republican and Democratic campaign organizations are using shady “news” sites to spread political propaganda (DIERSEN: As everyone knows, he who pays the piper calls the tunes. As everyone knows, 100% of the time and the money needed to put GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and to send them out comes from me. Not one penny comes from the Republican National Committee, Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Organization, or any Republican candidate. I should write a book about efforts by the aforesaid and others a) to stop me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out and b) to stop everyone from reading the emails.)
https://www.newsguardtech.com/misinformation-monitor-may-2020/

THE HILL
— Biden: Trump’s coronavirus response has been ‘nakedly xenophobic’ – JONATHAN EASLEY (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats use coronavirus to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/498350-biden-trumps-coronavirus-response-has-been-nakedly-xenophobic

HUFFINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters promote hatred against Trump.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lincoln-project-ad-trump-lie-die-covid-19_n_5ec34bebc5b6e7a7cb8fcf3c

MCCLATCHY NEWS DC
— Underfunded pensions make GOP leaders reluctant to send federal aid to states like California – DAVID LIGHTMAN
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article242761156.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— If Democrats Hold a Big Convention, Will Anybody Come? The Times interviewed 59 delegates who will help nominate Joe Biden. Most said they don’t want to risk their own health, or the health of others, by attending a full-scale convention in Milwaukee. – Reid J. Epstein (DIERSEN: What is the status of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention? How many delegates are there in total and from each county, township, and Chicago ward?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/politics/democratic-convention-virus.html
— Trump Threatens to Leave W.H.O. and Permanently End Funding The president said the organization had made missteps during the pandemic that “have been extremely costly for the world.” A claim he takes hydroxychloroquine was criticized by doctors.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/coronavirus-updates.html
— Virus Forces Conference Planners to Go Back to Go “No one really had this in their playbook,” one planner said. At the moment, there are more questions than answers on what business meetings will look like. – Martha C. White
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/business/coronavirus-business-travel-conferences.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters use coronavirus to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Trump supporters.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/opinion/coronavirus-reopen-workers.html
— FRONT PAGE: Freed by Court Ruling, Republicans Step Up Effort to Patrol Voting Officials seek to recruit 50,000 poll watchers and spend millions to fight voter fraud. Democrats say the real goal is to stop them from voting. – Michael Wines
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/Voting-republicans-trump.html
— Germany’s Coronavirus Protests: Anti-Vaxxers, Anticapitalists, Neo-Nazis The pandemic marginalized the far right, as Germans rallied behind Angela Merkel. But the reopening has brought them back, and they are preparing to seize new opportunities. – Katrin Bennhold
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/world/europe/coronavirus-germany-far-right.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Facing Adulthood With an Economic Disaster’s Lasting Scars Those entering the job market in a downturn may never catch up in pay, opportunities or confidence. – Eduardo Porter and David Yaffe-Bellany (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. Will the federal government extend its promotion deadlines? If you are a federal employee who is Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran, the federal government gets rid of you if you do not make 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. Extremely few federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines. It is called Affirmative Action, Diversity, Inclusion, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and up-or-out.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/business/economy/coronavirus-young-old.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Why Does Reopening Polarize Us? The divide over lockdowns reflects deeper differences in attitudes about risk, liberty and morality. – Dan Crenshaw
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-does-reopening-polarize-us-11589842995
— Why Coronavirus Increasingly Exacerbates the Red-Blue Divide Democratic states feel they aren’t getting the help they need from GOP senators, while Republican ones think they bear an unfair economic burden – Gerald F. Seib
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-coronavirus-increasingly-exacerbates-the-red-blue-divide-11589810871
— Will a Face Mask Protect You? Maybe a little, but washing your hands and social distancing are far more effective. – Marc Siegel
https://www.wsj.com/articles/will-a-face-mask-protect-you-11589842953

FORBES
— COVID-19 Recession Projected To Cost Jobs For 22% Middle Income Older Workers, 15% Higher Income – Ted Knutson (DIERSEN: From what I see, ever-increasingly, businesses and organizations will use coronavirus to get rid of their employees and members who are older, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedknutson/2020/05/18/covid-19-recession-projected-to-cost-jobs-for-22-middle-income-older-workers-15-higher-income/#404273316206
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ghilarducci says this recession is likely to hit older workers harder than economic downturns of the past because the widely publicized larger vulnerability of the aged to COVID-19 is going to increase age discrimination in hiring. She adds older workers are usually the first to get laid off and the last to be re-hired.)

BLOOMBERG
— Pritzker Finds Running Most-Troubled U.S. State Only Gets Harder – Shruti Singh
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-18/billionaire-s-fight-to-keep-illinois-from-junk-just-got-harder
— Investors Don’t Share Trump’s Scorn for Blue States Republican-dominated states lag in growth and debt performance. – Matthew A. Winkler (DIERSEN: What percent of investor money in America is controlled by the following: Foreigners, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, RINOs, and Republicans?)
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-05-18/coronavirus-economy-investors-don-t-share-trump-blue-state-scorn

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “U.S. lockdown protests may have spread virus widely.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/18/lockdown-protests-spread-coronavirus-cellphone-data

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Coronavirus and career – Mike Causey (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who demonize, denigrate, and condemn federal employees and federal retires. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for almost 23 years. Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/mike-causey-federal-report/2020/05/coronavirus-and-career-the-a-rod-j-lo-rule/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: They say that the coronavirus is a threat, a deadly threat, to all of us regardless of who we are and where we live. That regardless of who we are, where we live and what we do, we are all in the same boat. And that’s true — up to a point. Then it isn’t anymore. And while we can’t pick our parents, decide our birth date or where we grow up — Bangladesh or Brooklyn — the career path we followed is very important. Especially when times get tough — like now — when having more money, which is almost always a good thing, is better than having little or none. Which is also true when times are good — having a good job or steady income is a good thing, now more than ever! And even if you believe that all of us are created equal, life teaches us that that doesn’t last long. While they face many of the same challenges we all do, some people are in a slightly better place at times like now.)

FED SMITH
— DISGUSTING, OUTRAGEOUS: No COLA in 2021? – Ralph R. Smith (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the purchasing power of the following is dramatically reduced: my Civil Service Retirement System pension, my Social Security, and my retirement savings.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2020/05/18/no-cola-2021/

(FROM THE ARTICLE: COLA Does Not Match Retiree Expense Increases Since 2000, Social Security COLAs have increased benefits by 53% but the prices of what retirees typically buy have increased by about 99.3%. Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs, housing costs, and homeowner’s insurance costs—have been the most rapidly-rising costs in the past year. So far in 2020, there has been a decrease of 0.27% in the third quarter of 2019 over the relevant Consumer Price Index used to calculate any COLA increase. As discussed in previous FedSmith articles, the Social Security COLA is based on the consumer-price index (CPI) for urban workers. Another CPI, known as CPI-E, tracks the spending of older Americans. The difference in these CPI measurements is largely in the cost of health care and housing. Medicare premiums and homeowners’ insurance often grow rapidly from year over year. The COLA adjustments do not take into account the larger percentage spent by older Americans on these expenses.)

May 17 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Churches to reopen for Sunday service in defiance of Illinois’ stay-at-home order – Jesse Kirsch
https://abc7chicago.com/religion/churches-reopen-for-services-in-defiance-of-illinois-stay-at-home-order-/6190541/
— Obama criticizes US coronavirus response in online commencement speech for HBCU graduates He also addressed the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/obama-criticizes-covid-19-response-in-online-graduation-speech/6189204/
— Chicago Ford assembly plant employees return to work with new COVID-19 safety measures in place; ‘I think they’re rushing it’ – John Garcia
https://abc7chicago.com/business/i-think-theyre-rushing-it-chicago-ford-assembly-plant-employees-return-to-work/6189771/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/17/2020

NBC5
— Experts Warn of 2020 ‘Meltdown’ as Election Funding Faces Rocky Path Through Congress “There is a real significant risk to the integrity of the election if we don’t invest now in our election infrastructure.”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/experts-warn-of-2020-meltdown-as-election-funding-faces-rocky-path-through-congress/2273343/

CBS2
— Chicago Heights Ford Plant Reopens Monday As Workers Wear COVID-19 ‘Distance’ Watches – Chris Tye
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/15/chicago-heights-ford-plant-reopens-monday-as-workers-wear-covid-19-distance-watches/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— ‘Reopen Illinois’ rallies held as Anti-Defamation League condemns Nazi imagery on signs – Michele Fiore
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/reopen-illinois-rallies-held-as-anti-defamation-league-condemns-nazi-imagery-on-signs

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Federal appeals court says Pritzker’s executive order limiting gatherings will almost certainly withstand legal challenge
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200516-ildqrn4e4bhorexpljpc7dur7u-story.html
— Putting ‘me’ first in age of coronavirus not only selfish but dangerous to all of us – DAVID MCGRATH (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters demonize you, denigrate you, and condemn you if you do not promote Pritzker.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/opinion/ct-nvs-mcgrath-column-st-0515-20200515-ilntoackcvcm3jhapo7yqaftqy-story.html
— Find the right person for a job means hunting for ‘unique’ candidates, Naperville recruiter says – STEVE METSCH (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-down-to-business-st-0517-20200515-4pm6sog3arh53fvs47tipx4qwi-story.html
— DuPage PADS unlikely to return to old homeless system in wake of pandemic, outgoing agency CEO says – HILARY DECENT (DIERSEN: What do you say to Democrats and RINOs who have for many decades steered homeless people to DuPage County, and especially to Milton Township and to Wheaton?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/opinion/ct-nvs-decent-column-st-0517-20200515-gesmcta5wneoblllyzhlgazwgq-story.html
— We need reasonable, sensible plans from the governor in response to the pandemic – ELIZABETH BAUER
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-commentary-elizabeth-bauer-pritzker-stay-home-order-20200515-5rtaay64njcl3jbhgwvtnmdt6a-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Coronavirus live blog, May 16, 2020: Obama criticizes U.S. leaders’ virus response in online graduation speech – Harry Hitzeman (DIERSEN: Those who are sued retaliate against those who sue them. I should write a book about those who I have sued and their retaliation against me.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/16/21260717/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020

DAILY HERALD
— Minorities, elderly represent higher rates of COVID-19 infections, deaths – Madhu Krishnamurthy (DIERSEN: Of course, Democrats blame Trump for that.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200517/minorities-elderly-represent-higher-rates-of-covid-19-infections-deaths
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In DuPage County, home to communities hardest-hit by the pandemic, Latinos comprise 27.5% of confirmed cases and 14.5% of the county’s population. African Americans make up 5.4% of confirmed cases and 5.3% of the population. Asians represent 6.4% of cases and 12.6% of the population, and whites account for 27.3% of confirmed cases and 79.7% of the population. Mortality rates per 100,000 population are: African Americans, 47.2%, whites, 29.4%, Latinos, 19.8%, and Asians, 16.3%.)
— Elgin church won’t reopen Sunday, threatens suit over COVID-19 shutdown
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200516/elgin-church-wont-reopen-sunday-threatens-suit-over-covid-19-shutdown

WTTW
— Pritzker Creates New Tier of Punishment for Businesses Ignoring COVID-19 Order – Amanda Vinicky (DIERSEN: In Illinois, because of Pritzker and the Democrats, how many businesses are going out of business a) every day and b) every hour?)
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/16/pritzker-creates-new-tier-punishment-businesses-ignoring-covid-19-order
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Bars, restaurants and other businesses that open to customers in defiance of Illinois’ stay-at-home order now risk being charged with a misdemeanor. The new penalty level has been in effect since Friday afternoon when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration quietly filed the emergency rule. While Pritzker’s executive order requires restaurants, salons and gyms to remain closed to on-site patrons due to COVID-19, the rule change codifies it under Illinois Department of Public Health regulations – violators of which can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. As of Saturday afternoon there’s no indication it has yet been enforced. A Class A misdemeanor in Illinois is punishable by a fine between $75 and $2500.)

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— It’s not the first time the House has taken a hike It is rare, but not unprecedented, for the General Assembly to meet somewhere other than the Capitol. – Doug Finke
https://www.pjstar.com/opinion/20200516/its-not-first-time-house-has-taken-hike

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
— No masks. No gloves. No problem. As coronavirus cases soar, carefree day-trippers from Illinois pour in – Elliot Hughes, Talis Shelbourne and Natalie Brophy
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/05/16/covid-19-cases-spike-but-wisconsin-crowds-kind-done-all/5207558002/

HOMEWOOD FLOSSMOOR CHRONICLE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cannabis-infusion business gets green light in Homewood – David P. Funk
https://hfchronicle.com/article/2020/may/15/cannabis-infusion-business-gets-green-light-homewood

FOX ILLINOIS
— Fourth stay at home order protest draws hundreds to Springfield – Jakob Emerson
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/fourth-protest-of-stay-at-home-order-held-at-state-capitol

WGEM
— Protesters rally outside Illinois Capitol, compare Gov. Pritzker to Hitler
https://wgem.com/2020/05/16/protesters-rally-outside-illinois-capitol-compare-gov-pritzker-to-hitler/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Anti-Defamation League Regional Director calls Pritzker comparisons to Hitler antisemitic, vile – Matt Sheehan
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/anti-defamation-league-regional-director-calls-pritzker-comparisons-to-hitler-antisemitic-vile/
— Lawmakers debate on Heroes Act; Republicans and some Democrats go against bill – Basil John
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/washington/washington-dc/lawmakers-debate-on-heroes-act-republicans-and-some-democrats-go-against-bill/

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Fourth stay at home order protest draws hundreds to Springfield – Jakob Emerson
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/fourth-protest-of-stay-at-home-order-held-at-state-capitol
— Champaign County sees negative impact on tourism and economy – Taylor Deckert
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/champaign-county-sees-negative-impact-on-tourism-and-economy

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Illinois Governor Pritzker’s emergency rule change locks down the state for 150 days, makes criminals out of those who violated new rules – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/illinois-governor-pritzkers-emergency-rule-change-locks-down-the-state-for-150-days-makes-criminals-out-of-those-who-violated-new-rules/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Chinese State Media Warn Country Will Interfere in U.S. Election – Adam Kredo (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who hint/imply/argue/shout that GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails interfere with elections in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, and in Wheaton’s West District. According to them, all government and political news and commentary is false except for the government and political news and commentary that they put out or bless.)
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/chinese-state-media-warn-country-will-interfere-in-u-s-election/

FOX NEWS
— Lawmakers can protect the elderly and reopen the economy – Bobby Jindal
https://finance.yahoo.com/video/lawmakers-protect-elderly-reopen-economy-232246055.html

BREITBART
— Pelosi Coronavirus Plan Bails Out the Rich with Tax Breaks, Cheap Labor – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/05/16/pelosi-coronavirus-plan-bails-out-the-rich-with-tax-breaks-cheap-labor/
— Congress Needs to Wake Up About State and Local Government Layoffs – JOEL B. POLLAK
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2020/05/15/pollak-congress-needs-to-wake-up-about-state-and-local-government-layoffs/

THE HILL
— Trump and Biden signal bitter general election with latest attack ads – TAL AXELROD (DIERSEN: Expect that ever-increasingly, Biden will call Republicans White supremacists, Nazis, KKK member, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things who should be gotten rid of once and for all. Expect that ever-increasingly, Biden will promise to use the federal government to get rid of the following once and for all: 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://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/497885-trump-biden-signal-bitter-general-election-latest-attack-ads

NBC NEWS
— NYC tourist who posted pics at the beach in Hawaii arrested for violating quarantine rule – Minyvonne Burke
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/2020-05-16-coronavirus-news-n1208496/ncrd1208636#blogHeader

NEW YORK TIMES
— Dealing With the Dark Side of Low Interest Rates When you borrow, low interest rates are fabulous. But if you need to live on your savings, you will be receiving far less income. – Jeff Sommer (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, interest rates are less than inflation.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/business/strategies-investing-interest-rates.html
— I’m Sick of Asking Children to Be Resilient It’s time for reparations and resources and to not expect kids to “rise above.” – Mona Hanna-Attisha (DIERSEN: In what municipality were you raised? I was raised in Crete 1948-1972. I should write a book about Crete-haters who demonize, denigrate, and condemn a) Crete and b) those like me who were raised in Crete who are White, male, German American, Missouri Synod Lutheran, and/or non-veteran. I would focus on Crete-haters in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. I would focus on Crete-haters who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. I would focus on Crete-haters who continue to demonize, denigrate, and condemn me as being a newcomer even though I have lived in Wheaton since 1978.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/opinion/sunday/flint-inequality-race-coronavirus.html
— FRONT PAGE: How Washington Learned to Embrace the Budget Deficit Many economists who once warned of mounting debt are now urging lawmakers to spend more to combat economic pain from coronavirus. – Jim Tankersley (DIERSEN: Until last year, my wife and I had never spent more than our income. According to my critics/opponents, we were able to do that only because a) we gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents, b) the federal government grossly overpaid me, c) my federal retirement benefits are much too generous, d) my wife had good jobs, e) I avoided the draft, and f) I have had good health.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/16/business/deficits-virus-economists-trump.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Crisis exposes how America has hollowed out its government. – Dan Balz (DIERSEN: I should write a book about a) how Republicans used budget cuts to hollow out GAO and b) how the Democrats who ran GAO used those budget cuts to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran and who they had not promoted to 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.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/politics/government-hollowed-out-weaknesses/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Chronic weaknesses are well known Gene Dodaro, the comptroller general, leads the Government Accountability Office, the agency that is tasked with being a watchdog for government performance. He sees structural weaknesses that constantly impede performance. “The hardest part of my job is getting people to focus on things before they become a crisis,” he said. The GAO regularly produces a list of areas of high risk in government performance. The most recent, issued in 2019, began with this assessment: “The ratings for more than half of the 35 areas on the 2019 High Risk List remain largely unchanged. Since GAO’s last update in 2017, seven areas improved, three regressed, and two showed mixed progress.”)

FORBES
— Republicans ‘Appalled’ By $3 Trillion Heroes Act, As Democrats Urge Its Passing – Sergei Klebnikov
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2020/05/16/republicans-appalled-by-3-trillion-heroes-act-as-democrats-urge-its-passing/#40f808ec7599

TIME
— Welcome to the First Global Economic Depression of Our Lifetimes – IAN BREMMER
https://time.com/5837442/first-global-depression-our-lifetimes/

DAILY BEAST
— It’s Not Just Sheriffs—Now Prosecutors Refuse to Enforce Illinois Lockdown – Tracy Connor
https://www.thedailybeast.com/prosecutors-refuse-to-enforce-illinois-gov-jb-pritzkers-lockdown

SUN
— ‘OPEN ILLINOIS’ Protesters calling for end to coronavirus lockdown have tense standoff with Chicago cops despite gov’s vow to open state – Erica Davies
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11641674/illinois-coronavirus-lockdown-protests-standoff-cops-chicago/

May 15 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Biden says he would not pardon Trump, block investigations; ‘it’s a dereliction of duty’ – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/biden-says-he-would-not-pardon-trump-block-investigations/6185248/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/15/2020

CBS2
— Gov. JB Pritzker Seeks Change Of Venue For Rep. Darren Bailey’s Lawsuit Challenging Stay-At-Home Order
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/15/gov-jb-pritzker-seeks-change-of-venue-for-rep-darren-baileys-lawsuit-challenging-stay-at-home-order/
— Working For Chicago: Northwestern University Experts Launching Effort To Help Struggling Evanston Businesses – Lauren Victory (DIERSEN: Who do your critics/opponents promote as being experts? I should write a book about my critics/opponents and who they promote as being experts. I would focus on my critics/opponents who promote themselves, promote my critics/opponents, promote their operatives, and promote their dupes as being experts in deciding what articles should be brought to the attention of Illinois Republicans, and more specifically, to the attention of Illinois Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains. I would focus on my critics/opponents who hold leadership positions in the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization who do not want me to include links to articles in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails that promote Trump or promote the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, illegal drugs, or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks in the Republican Party platform.)
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/15/working-for-chicago-northwestern-university-experts-launching-effort-to-help-struggling-evanston-businesses/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ‘Grandstanding’ by Grand Old Party? Or is Pritzker masking his decisions? GOP lawmakers said they will wear face coverings and follow other safety measures when they return to Springfield, but they want to put Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan under the microscope. – Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/14/21259401/grandstanding-republican-pritzker-brady-springfield-hearing-covid-19-coronavirus-restore-illinois
— COVID-19 test shortage forces Chicago area clinics to halt curbside testing Physicians Immediate Care centers website said because of a lack of tests, “we are currently unable to test for COVID-19 in Illinois.” – Lynn Sweet and Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/14/21259211/covid19-test-shortage-phsyicians-immediate-care-curbside-illinois-trump

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Chicago area now on track to move to next phase of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan on May 29 – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-pritzker-20200515-r7wvb5w7qvh65btlcxldwnbony-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Some want the economy flung open. Wake up. COVID-19’s no hoax.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-hoax-rauner-pritzker-greising-20200514-mis5cqnsgjgypiocrj2elqgata-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Kane County Republicans launch Community Care Package events May 16 – Jim Oberweis
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20200515/kane-county-republicans-launch-community-care-package-events-may-16
— How ‘OK, Boomer’ Is Holding You Back – Tim Jipping (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who promote age discrimination. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and hold leadership positions in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, etc. I would focus on those who are over age 40 and who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican. I would focus on those who focus on getting rid of older people who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, White, male, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200514/how-ok-boomer-is-holding-you-back

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— A record plunge for retail sales Revenue at retailers and restaurants fell 16.4% in April from the prior month, almost double the 8.3% drop in March.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/retail/record-plunge-retail-sales

WTTW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout that if Clinton had been elected, that is, if Democrats ran the Executive Branch, there would be no coronavirus problems.
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/13/federal-government-sends-cotton-baby-swabs-illinois

WBEZ
— DePaul University Students Are Suing For Tuition Refunds After COVID-19 Shutdown Students argue they’re receiving a lesser education with online classes and should get a partial tuition refund. – Kate McGee
https://www.wbez.org/stories/depaul-university-students-are-suing-for-tuition-refunds-after-covid-19-shutdown/80240207-fcc3-4133-a700-a812aa080550

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— House Republicans say they’re not being given virus information – Doug Finke
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200514/house-republicans-say-theyrsquore-not-being-given-virus-information
— FROM THE LETTER: “Corruption was so egregious the Tribune had to reveal that in order to get a job in county government applicants had to complete a form provided by the county GOP, not the county government.” DIERSEN: My critics/opponents promote patronage. GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.
https://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20200515/letter-corruption-not-limited-to-chicago

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— What’s fraud, and what’s not? – Editorial (DIERSEN: I became a) CPA in 1979 when I was 30 years old, b) Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, c) licensed CPA in 1981, d) Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, e) Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, f) Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and g) Forensic Accountant in 1997. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels currently $85,084-$96,431 and for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $101,176-$131,532.)
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-what-s-fraud-and-what-s-not/article_d341ed48-d364-5e9a-9ef6-7f0366aca148.html

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— County encourages reopening despite Illinois rules. Edwardsville businesses take a pass. – TERI MADDOX
https://www.bnd.com/news/coronavirus/article242717036.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Webinar to focus on COVID-19’s impact on DuPage County
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/05/14/webinar-to-focus-on-covid-19s-impact-on-dupage-county/a5vi4k6/

FOX NEWS ILLINOIS
— Pelosi, GOP exchange barbs over new economic relief package – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/coronavirus/pelosi-gop-exchange-barbs-over-new-economic-relief-package
— 36 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/millions-more-people-likely-sought-us-jobless-aid-last-week

NPR ILLINOIS
— Contact Tracing Apps May Soon Be Coming To A Phone Near You. What’s At Stake For Illinoisans? – SAM DUNKLAU
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/contact-tracing-apps-may-soon-be-coming-phone-near-you-whats-stake-illinoisans#stream/0

WAND
— Gov. Pritzker asks for change of venue in Darren Bailey lawsuit
https://www.wandtv.com/news/gov-pritzker-asks-for-change-of-venue-in-darren-bailey-lawsuit/article_069c4622-9659-11ea-96ae-7fae8f2b0daf.html

AURORA PATCH
— Oberweis calls for lawmaker input into Governor’s re-opening plan The Governor’s plan to re-open Illinois needs the input of all of the state’s diverse regions, says Senator Oberweis
https://patch.com/illinois/aurora/oberweis-calls-lawmaker-input-governors-re-opening-plan

BOLINGBROOK PATCH
— Cannabis DUI’s Present Problems for Illinois Motorists The methods to identify and test drivers who are impaired from cannabis use makes cannabis DUI’s more problematic than alcohol DUI’s. – Nicholas Carrescia,
https://patch.com/illinois/bolingbrook/cannabis-duis-present-problems-illinois-motorists

BURR RIDGE PATCH
— Burr Ridge Mayor Says Pritzker Being ‘Unfair’ Mayor Gary Grasso is taking high-profile role in push to reopen suburbs quicker than Chicago. – David Giuliani
https://patch.com/illinois/burrridge/burr-ridge-mayor-says-pritzker-being-unfair

GENEVA PATCH
— Kane County Republicans Launch Community Care Package Community Care Package will be Saturday, May 16 – Travis Akin
https://patch.com/illinois/geneva/kane-county-republicans-launch-community-care-package

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— OPPOSITION TO PRITZKER’S LOCKDOWN SPREADING RAPIDLY – Brad Weisenstein
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/opposition-to-pritzkers-lockdown-spreading-rapidly/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ‘THE 1619 PROJECT’ TELLS A FALSE STORY ABOUT CAPITALISM, TOO
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/the-1619-project-tells-a-false-story-about-capitalism-too.html
— FREE SPEECH ALLIANCE: FACEBOOK OVERSIGHT BOARD IS PACKED WITH LIBERALS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/free-speech-alliance-facebook-oversight-board-is-packed-with-liberals.html
— HOW PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS BENEFITING FROM COVID-19 PANDEMIC
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/how-planned-parenthood-is-benefiting-from-covid-19-pandemic.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Illinois Republican delegation launches another broadside against Pritzker
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/15/illinois-republican-delegation-launches-another-broadside-against-pritzker/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Tammy Duckworth’s unique political profile may not be enough to earn Biden vice presidential slot – Naomi Lim (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Duckworth uses her “unique political profile” to promote hatred against individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and counties that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, Republican, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time, etc.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/tammy-duckworths-unique-political-profile-may-not-be-enough-to-earn-biden-vice-presidential-slot

CNS NEWS
— Biden’s First Day As President? Pathway to Citizenship (and Jobs) for All Illegal Aliens – Susan Jones (DIERSEN: Democrats want immigrants because they vote for Democrats. RINOs want immigrants because RINOs want cheap labor.)
https://www.cnsnews.com/article/national/susan-jones/bidens-first-day-president-pathway-citizenship-and-jobs-all-illegal

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Washington gov: Those who don’t cooperate with ‘contact tracers’ and tests not allowed to leave home – Doug Mainwaring
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/washington-gov-those-who-dont-cooperate-with-contact-tracers-and-tests-not-allowed-to-leave-home

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Despite Lockdown, Planned Parenthood Opens New Illinois Clinic – ALEXANDRA DESANCTIS
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/despite-lockdown-planned-parenthood-opens-new-illinois-clinic/

POLITICO
— State, local governments slash services as demand rises – ELEANOR MUELLER and KELLIE MEJDRICH
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/13/state-local-governments-slash-services-256212

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Coronavirus Pandemic Has Grounded Presidential Campaigns, Political Operatives Turns To The Internet The coronavirus has ground the presidential campaigns of Joe Biden and Donald Trump to a near halt. For many years, political operatives have been perfecting their use of the internet’s vast array of social media platforms. (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes. I would focus on those who focus on a) discouraging me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and b) discouraging everyone from reading those emails.)
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/us-news/amid-pandemic-campaigning-turns-to-the-internet.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— As Pandemic Wrecks Budgets, States Cut and Borrow to Balance Books The White House threatens to veto a $3 trillion pandemic relief bill, and a study suggests that even talking can propel the droplets that spread the virus.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/14/us/coronavirus-news-updates.html
— U.S. Retail Sales Plunge 16 Percent Retail sales in the U.S. fell 16.4 percent in April, for the biggest two-month decline on record.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/business/stock-market-today-coronavirus.html
— The Pandemic Will Permanently Change the Auto Industry – Jack Ewing (DIERSEN: Will there be less hatred of Ford and GM?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/business/auto-industry-pandemic.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Q&A: What is ‘unmasking,’ who does it and why – Shane Harris (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government who focused on unmasking me as being a Republican, Missouri Synod Lutheran, 100% German American, draft avoider, conservative, Corvette owner since 1971, real estate owner since 1972, Crete resident 1948-1972, Wheaton resident since 1978, gun owner, someone who had retirement savings, someone whose ancestors have been in America since 1844, someone who had claimed partial day per diem, someone who had deducted educational expenses, etc. Of course, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates used the aforesaid against me.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/qanda-what-is-unmasking-who-does-it-and-why/2020/05/14/ae254782-95ea-11ea-91d7-cf4423d47683_story.html
— A majority of Americans going to work fear exposing their household to the coronavirus – Tim Craig and Emily Guskin (DIERSEN: Everyone should expect that Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs will use fear of coronavirus to destroy Republican organizations.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/a-majority-of-americans-going-to-work-fear-exposing-their-household-to-the-coronavirus/2020/05/15/d316f1e8-9578-11ea-9f5e-56d8239bf9ad_story.html

USA TODAY
— Don’t sugarcoat news. Tell the truth. Don’t over-reassure. Lessons for those leading during coronavirus. – Nicole Carroll
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/05/15/coronavirus-expert-michael-osterholm-urges-leaders-tell-truth-pandemic-far-from-over/3120635001/

STAR HERALD
— Worrisome Trends Affecting Representative Democracy – LEE H. HAMILTON (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Republican-haters use democracy to get rid of individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.starherald.com/opinion/columnists/syndicated/lee-h-hamilton-worrisome-trends-affecting-representative-democracy/article_32b6706d-e2c7-5bf9-9513-c746aef79341.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Coronavirus Lockdowns Trigger Record Spending Drops on Shopping, Eating Out April U.S. retail sales are expected to show biggest monthly drop on record – Harriet Torry
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-lockdowns-trigger-record-spending-drops-on-shopping-eating-out-11589535000
— Economic Shock of Virus Hit Lower-Income Households Harder, Fed Finds About a third of those who had lost a job or had their hours cut said they couldn’t cover their expenses for the month – David Harrison
https://www.wsj.com/articles/economic-shock-of-virus-hit-lower-income-households-harder-fed-finds-11589472735
— Coronavirus Employment Shock Hits Women Harder Than Men Women are more likely to work in vulnerable sectors like retailing and personal care – Sarah Chaney and Lauren Weber (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years (as a part-time carrier/clerk for the Post Office 1966-1969, as a Revenue Officer for IRS 1971-1980, and as an Analyst for GAO 1980-1997), my superiors were frustrated in their tremendous efforts to hire and to retain qualified women because qualified women a) viewed federal employment as being bad, b) viewed the aforesaid jobs as being bad, and c) could get better paying jobs in the private sector.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-employment-shock-hits-women-harder-than-men-11589535002
— McDonald’s Sets Conditions for Restaurant Reopenings To ease coronavirus concerns, fast-food chain suggests closing public soda fountains and issues cleaning instructions in 59-page guide – Heather Haddon
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-sets-conditions-for-restaurant-reopenings-11589466556
— Don’t Stand So Close to Me: AI Cameras Police Social Distancing at Work Coronavirus concerns lead companies to repurpose sensors that monitor office space, but privacy experts worry about mission creep – Parmy Olson
https://www.wsj.com/articles/dont-stand-so-close-to-me-ai-cameras-police-social-distancing-at-work-11589452202
— Doctors Fret as Coronavirus Keeps Heart, Stroke Patients Away From ER Fewer patients seeking help for emergency treatments and regular conditions raises concerns about long-term health – Denise Roland, Ian Lovett and Sarah Toy
https://www.wsj.com/articles/doctors-fret-over-lower-er-attendance-during-pandemic-11589454002
— Coronavirus Finishes the Retail Reckoning That Amazon Started Thousands of stores will close permanently as the Covid-19 pandemic turbocharges a shift to e-commerce – Suzanne Kapner and Sarah Nassauer
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-finishes-the-retail-reckoning-that-amazon-started-11589459920

FORBES
— Back To The Office: How To Keep Anxious Workers Safe And Happy After Coronavirus – Josie Cox (DIERSEN: Everyone should expect that Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs will use fear of coronavirus to destroy Republican organizations.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/josiecox/2020/05/15/back-to-the-work-workers-safe-happy-after-coronavirus-covid/#757c0a401a4d

AMERICAN INDEPENDENT
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasing, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs make it clear that they use governments, political organizations, chambers of commerce, etc. to destroy you if you do not promote LGBTQ activity. I should write a book about Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who ever-increasingly focus on destroying individuals, organizations, companies, and governments that do not promote LGBTQ activity.
https://americanindependent.com/greg-gianforte-family-research-council-endorsement-hate-group-lgbtq-house-gop-montana/

WINDY CITY TIMES
— Biden camp gears up for ‘unprecedented’ campaign – Matt Simonette (DIERSEN: Of course, to elect Biden, LGBTQ activists will focus on destroying those individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that do not promote LGBTQ activity.)
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Biden-camp-gears-up-for-unprecedented-campaign-/68540.html

JD SUPRA
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cannabis Industry Keeps Hiring Amid COVID-19
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/cannabis-industry-keeps-hiring-amid-26145/
— Returning to Work (While Social Distancing): Top Considerations for US Employers (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations use coronavirus to get rid of their employees and members once and for all who are a) older, b) obese, c) have underlying conditions including diabetes, d) etc.?)
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/returning-to-work-while-social-68475/

ECONOMIC TIMES
— How organizations communicate with employees becomes more important during a crisis – Abhishek Tyagi and Dr Prachi Bhatt (DIERSEN: Are you a Republican Precinct Committeeman/Captain? If so, what emails have you received during the last week and month from the following: a) the chairman of your Republican township/ward party organization, b) the chairman of your Republican county party organization, c) your representative on the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee, and d) the chairman of the IRP? What do the aforesaid want you to know? Which of your fellow Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains do the aforesaid promote?)
https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace-4-0/employee-engagement/how-organizations-communicate-with-employees-becomes-more-important-during-a-crisis/75750507

SUN
— STAY SAFE Coronavirus high risk groups – from diabetes to obesity, the people most vulnerable to Covid-19 – Hana Carter (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations use coronavirus to get rid of their employees and members once and for all who are a) older, b) obese, c) have underlying conditions including diabetes, d) etc.?)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11259120/coronavirus-high-risk-obesity-old-diabetes-who-vulnerable/

(FROM THE ARTICLE: According to the Government website, people aged 70 or older, regardless of their health, are deemed as high risk. Those with chronic respiratory diseases, chronic heart disease, or people who are severely overweight or with a weakened immune system from conditions such as HIV and Aids are also on the list. Obesity has become a major issue as the fight against coronavirus has worn on as it exacerbates symptoms, making fighting the infection ten times harder for those with a BMI over 30 like the PM. New research has found that being obese doubles the risk of needing hospital treatment for coronavirus. It is also known to exacerbate other risk factors like diabetes and heart disease as well as putting excess weight on the diaphragm which makes breathing harder too. There is also a category deemed as extremely vulnerable. Those listed include people who have recently had an organ transplant, people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy and people with cancer of the bone. Using the Government website, we have pulled together both high risk and extremely vulnerable lists.)

May 12 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Gov. JB Pritzker gives COVID-19 update on new cases, deaths; IL cases top 79K with over 3.4K deaths Remdesivir distributed to 14 hospitals across Illinois – Eric Horng, Craig Wall and Liz Nagy
https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-coronavirus-how-many-new-cases-of-in-remdesivir-tests-today/6176126/
— Dr. Anthony Fauci warns of serious consequences if US reopens too soon – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/fauci-warns-of-serious-consequences-if-us-reopens-too-soon/6175091/
— Pelosi unveils $3T coronavirus aid package with $1,200 direct cash aid to individuals – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/pelosi-unveils-$3t-coronavirus-aid-package-with-2nd-stimulus-check/6175806/
— Reopening Illinois: DuPage County mayors anxious to reopen faster than Restore Illinois plan – John Garcia
https://abc7chicago.com/business/dupage-county-mayors-anxious-to-reopen-economy-early/6176447/

NBC5
— Illinois Sees Record Number of Coronavirus Cases in a Single Day as Total Tops 80,000 Still, the state may not reach a coronavirus peak until mid-June, according to new projections
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-sees-record-number-of-coronavirus-cases-in-a-single-day-as-total-tops-80000/2270762/
— COVID-19 Deaths Count in Cook County Tops 2,500: Medical Examiner Cook County Medical Examiner has confirmed another 86 deaths related to COVID-19
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/covid-19-deaths-count-in-cook-county-tops-2500-medical-examiner/2270675/
— Chicago Will Now Require Food Delivery Apps to Disclose Itemized Cost Breakdown The new rules are the first of their kind in the U.S., Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in announcing them – Christian Farr
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-will-now-require-food-delivery-apps-to-disclose-itemized-cost-breakdown/2270630/
— Chicago Police Department Coronavirus Cases Surpass 500
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-police-department-coronavirus-cases-surpass-500/2270455/
— Dr. Ngozi Ezike Refutes Notion That Illinois is Over-counting COVID-19 Deaths
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/dr-ngozi-ezike-refutes-notion-that-illinois-is-over-counting-covid-19-deaths/2270810/
— Fauci Testifies Outbreak Is ‘Not Under Control’ in U.S.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/us-virus-updates-inmates-virus-release-officials-warn-virus-fraud/2270409/

CBS2
— Aldermen Advance Measure Protecting Workers From COVID-19 Retaliation – Todd Feurer
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/11/aldermen-advance-measure-protecting-workers-from-covid-19-retaliation/
— Shootings Up Citywide Despite Pandemic And Stay-At-Home Order; Humboldt Park In Particular Struggles – Megan Hickey
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/12/shootings-up-citywide-despite-pandemic-and-stay-at-home-order-humboldt-park-in-particular-struggles/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois tests nearly 30,000 for COVID-19 in last 24 hours; reports 4,014 new cases
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-tests-nearly-30000-for-covid-19-in-last-24-hours-reports-4014-new-cases
— Report finds COVID-19 is costing Illinois $183M every day Chief Economist at the Illinois Policy Institute Orphe Divounguy talks about the financial toll of the coronavirus outbreak on the Land of Lincoln.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/683356

WGN TV
— Unemployed Illinois residents can’t get through to IDES, despite 100 new phone operators – Meghan Dwyer
https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/unemployed-illinois-residents-cant-get-through-to-ides-despite-100-new-phone-operators/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Officials report record-high 4,014 new known cases as state conducts largest number of tests in 24-hour period with nearly 30,000
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200512-2fxtlpdazrhcxb3x3542i5wfxy-story.html
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot says city will ‘take action’ if defiant churches hold in-person services despite stay-at-home orders – Gregory Pratt
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-church-lightfoot-20200512-jehrucsm7jbvzbfnes4jzm4uru-story.html
— As families denied stimulus checks because of mixed immigration status turn to federal courts, Rep. Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia asks Congress to change the provision – Abdel Jimenez
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-mixed-status-families-stimulus-denied-lawsuit-20200512-66n6pw5kvvgj5pnkavsidbqvye-story.html
— Waukegan plans to distribute nearly $300,000 to aid coronavirus relief efforts – EMILY K. COLEMAN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-coronavirus-relief-waukegan-st-0512-20200512-fbfntazk6vctvambqkvpx5l54i-story.html
— Outbreak of opportunism is already infecting our post-pandemic click-bait culture – JERRY DAVICH
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-davich-pandemic-prompted-opportunism-contagion-st-0513-20200512-iwfxx5f67bgzllyvvb2xgzf2u4-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— 144 more die in Illinois from COVID-19 as fatalities top 3,600 and state hits record for new cases Tuesday marked a record-high number of new cases — 4,014 — although Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said that positive count came from 29,266 tests results. That’s the most the state has ever received back in a day and could include some results from the weekend. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/12/21256301/illinois-coronavirus-pritzker-covid-cases-deaths-may-12
— Lawmakers warn ‘unscrupulous businesses’ are using social equity candidates as fronts in bid to get new pot licenses in Illinois One social equity applicant said a venture capital firm wanted him to be “like a front for them … but I wouldn’t have any real control over it.” – Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/5/12/21256290/chicago-dispensaries-marijuana-social-equity-michael-malcolm
— $2.5M in coronavirus stimulus to Navy Pier Inc., clout-heavy nonprofit run by $500K exec Facing losses of $10 million from COVID-19 shutdown, Navy Pier Inc. says Payroll Protection Program loan will cover salaries of 147 employees, including CEO Marilyn Kelly Gardner. – Tim Novak and Robert Herguth
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/12/21256429/navy-pier-coronavirus-stimulus-ppp-payroll-protection-program-marilyn-gardner-sba
— From meh to ‘must?’ With budget deadline looming, Pritkzer now says General Assembly needs to get back to work But House Speaker Mike Madigan, dubbed “the Velvet Hammer” for his tight control over his chamber, didn’t sound in any great hurry to call his members into session. Spokesman Steve Brown said Pritzker’s “thoughts and his ideas are always welcome and appreciated at this point.” – Tina Sfondeles and Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/12/21256474/pritzker-budget-deadline-general-assembly-session-madigan-springfield-durkin-harmon-brady
— Chinese Americans in Chicago donate 1 million surgical masks to city’s first-responders The donation organized by Citadel Securities CEO Peng Zhao and his wife Cherry Chen follows months of President Donald Trump vilifying China for causing the pandemic. – Frank Main
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/12/21256422/coronavirus-mask-donation-citadel-securities-peng-zhao-cherry-chen-chicago-first-responders
— The false promise of ‘herd immunity’ to beat COVID-19 If the United States were to throw open the economy and bet on creating herd immunity without a vaccine, the death toll could run into the hundreds of thousands. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/12/21250721/herd-immunity-anthony-fauci-covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-senate-committee-hearing-editorial

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Echoing GOP, Pritzker calls on Legislature to reconvene The governor says lawmakers need to act on a variety of tax and aid provisions to help small business, apartment renters and others deal with COVID-19. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/echoing-gop-pritzker-calls-legislature-reconvene-0
— University of Chicago braces for $220 million deficit The Hyde Park university says the pandemic has taken a toll on all its major sources of revenue, and it has frozen salaries and hiring in response. – LYNNE MAREK (DIERSEN: During almost all of the almost 18 years that worked for GAO 1980-1997, the agency was under hiring and/or promotion freezes.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/university-chicago-braces-220-million-deficit

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage, Kane, McHenry leaders: We shouldn’t be on same reopening timeline as Cook County, Chicago – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200512/dupage-kane-mchenry-leaders-we-shouldnt-be-on-same-reopening-timeline-as-cook-county-chicago
— COVID-19 cases surge by 4,014 Tuesday; Pritzker says no to changing regional recovery plan – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200512/covid-19-cases-surge-by-4014-tuesday-pritzker-says-no-to-changing-regional-recovery-plan
— Lake County Board approves pay freezes for some officials — and one pay cut – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200512/lake-county-board-approves-pay-freezes-for-some-officials-x2014-and-one-pay-cut
— Indiana Republicans call off in-person state convention – AP (DIERSEN: What is the status of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention?)
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200512/news/305129923/
— Lake County board creates COVID-19 recovery group
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200512/lake-county-board-creates-covid-19-recovery-group
— DuPage County launches forgivable loan program to help small businesses – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200512/dupage-county-launches-forgivable-loan-program-to-help-small-businesses

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Pritzker responds to Rauner criticism; State sets single-day high for new cases: 4,014 – Jeff D’Alessio
https://www.news-gazette.com/coronavirus/tuesdays-coronavirus-updates-pritzker-responds-to-rauner-criticism-state-sets-single-day-high-for-new/article_167e2b7a-9463-11ea-90e8-4329adb5c36c.html
— Coronavirus response: Arcola mayor: ‘We can’t survive down here’ – Deb Pressey
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/coronavirus-response-arcola-mayor-we-can-t-survive-down-here/article_63b928f1-affc-5462-8315-2c80d3117735.html

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Southwest Illinois Democrats say Pritzker is too slow on removing COVID-19 limits – KELSEY LANDIS
https://www.bnd.com/news/politics-government/article242676151.html

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Pritzker says session needed, would consider withholding funds from counties reopening early – JERRY NOWICKI
https://qctimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pritzker-says-session-needed-would-consider-withholding-funds-from-counties-reopening-early/article_a5ba807f-aa67-5407-8bbf-14eb5bfe49c8.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “As Trump urges reopening, thousands getting sick on the job.”
https://foxillinois.com/news/coronavirus/as-trump-urges-reopening-thousands-getting-sick-on-the-job

WIREPONTS
— Wirepoints analysis reveals 92 percent of Cook County COVID-19 victims had pre-existing conditions – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/wirepoints-analysis-reveals-92-percent-of-cook-county-covid-19-victims-had-pre-existing-conditions-wirepoints/

CAPITOL FAX
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/12/covid-19-roundup-36/
— IDPH releases regional scorecard
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/12/idph-releases-regional-scorecard/
— Is there a future for casino gaming?
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/12/is-there-a-future-for-casino-gaming/
— Metro East Dems break with governor, want region moved to Phase 3 on May 15, want 28-day period abandoned
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/12/metro-east-dems-break-with-governor-want-region-moved-to-phase-3-on-may-15-wants-28-day-period-abandoned/
— Pritzker: “The legislature must convene” – “Pass a comprehensive plan to support families, small businesses and small towns” – Explains why suburbs are lumped in with Chicago – “We might not open the state if we were following the President’s plan” – Says he’s concerned about people traveling to neighboring states – Talks about childcare – Explains impact of mitigation efforts to a talk show host – Wants GA to increase relief programs – Dr. Ezike explains process for classifying coronavirus deaths – Brushes off Rauner – Claims state is testing all nursing home residents and staff – Says it’s possible the peak could extend further – Says legislative package should be passed in “next two or three weeks” – Talks bonding and budgeting – Says locals opening up are “not relying on science in any way whatsoever” – Says he would consider withholding state funds for municipalities that open early – Talks about how to bring state workers back – Will test more prisoners when state has more tests – Says again he wants GA to reconvene and act before end of May – Explains why Bloomington test facility closed – EO changed substantially on May 1, so that’s why clock started then, state needed a “solid baseline” – Talks challenges of increasing testing – New rules for dentists – Explains why some businesses are open and some are not – New case high – Wants MLB players to be reasonable in negotiations
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/12/pritzker-the-legislature-must-convene/
— 4,014 new cases, 144 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/12/4014-new-cases-144-additional-deaths/

FOX NEWS
— Illinois churches defy Gov. Pritzker’s ‘absurd’ restrictions on in-person services – Caleb Parke
https://www.foxnews.com/us/coronavirus-order-reopen-illinois-church-defy

BREITBART
— Pelosi Coronavirus Plan Allows Business to Hire Illegal Aliens Over 33M Unemployed Americans – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/05/12/pelosi-coronavirus-plan-allows-business-to-hire-illegal-aliens-over-33m-unemployed-americans/

ONE NEWS NOW
— Dem stimulus bill one-ups GOP on cash for everybody – Chris Woodward, Billy Davis
https://onenewsnow.com/business/2020/05/12/dem-stimulus-bill-one-ups-gop-on-cash-for-everybody

THE HILL
— Fauci warns of ‘really serious’ consequences if nation reopens too quickly – JESSIE HELLMANN
https://thehill.com/homenews/coronavirus-report/497322-fauci-warns-of-really-serious-consequences-if-nation-reopens-too
— House Democrats unveil $3 trillion coronavirus relief package – CRISTINA MARCOS
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/497351-house-democrats-unveil-3-trillion-coronavirus-relief-package

CNN
— Antibody tests could lead to job discrimination and encourage workers to play ‘Russian roulette’ – Amy Woodyatt
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/12/business/coronavirus-antibody-test-discrimination-intl-gbr-scli/index.html

ABC NEWS
— President Trump ‘delusional’ to think COVID-19 will just go away: Sen. Tammy Duckworth The senator was also critical of the White House task force she’s a part of. – Quinn Scanlan
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trump-delusional-covid-19-sen-tammy-duckworth/story?id=70627440

NBC NEWS
— LGBTQ people face higher unemployment amid coronavirus pandemic, survey finds Seventeen percent of LGBTQ people polled lost their jobs because of COVID-19, compared to 13 percent of the general population, a survey found. – Julie Moreau
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-people-face-higher-unemployment-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-survey-finds-n1205296

NEW YORK TIMES
— Top health experts testify that the U.S. is not ‘out of the woods’ and warn against reopening too fast.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/us/coronavirus-updates.html

USA TODAY
— Rich hospitals, poor safety plans leading up to coronavirus: Should rules change for them now? – Jayne O’Donnell
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/05/10/coronavirus-should-rich-hospitals-bankroll-better-pandemic-plans/3048437001/

BUSINESS INSIDER
— More Americans than ever are expected to vote by mail this year, which means we probably won’t know who won the 2020 presidential race until days after election night – Grace Panetta
https://www.businessinsider.com/america-likely-wont-know-presidential-race-winner-on-election-night-2020-5

JD SUPRA
— Coronavirus Lawsuits on the Horizon: Termination and Discrimination
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/coronavirus-lawsuits-on-the-horizon-50973/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Only 54% of Democrats Want Biden As Nominee
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2020/only_54_of_democrats_want_biden_as_nominee

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters side with an Asian Trump-hater.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/12/trump-weijia-jiang-china-attack-racism-accusations

May 9 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: IL COVID-19 cases top 76K with over 3K deaths; Protesters push back against stay-at-home order – Eric Horng
https://abc7chicago.com/society/illinois-covid-19-cases-top-76k/6167111/
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Chicago chef hosts cannabis dinner parties – Yukare Nakayama
https://abc7chicago.com/localish/chicago-chef-hosts-cannabis-dinner-parties/6163517/

NBC5
— More Than 2,300 New Coronavirus Cases Reported, With 111 Additional Deaths
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/more-than-2300-new-coronavirus-tests-reported-with-111-additional-deaths/2269355/
— A Distinct Possibility: ‘Temporary’ Layoffs May Be Permanent Call it realism or pessimism, but more employers are coming to a reluctant conclusion: Many of the employees they’ve had to lay off in the face of the pandemic might not be returning to their old jobs anytime soon – Christopher Rugaber
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/a-distinct-possibility-temporary-layoffs-may-be-permanent/2269377/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Obama calls Trump’s coronavirus response an ‘absolute chaotic disaster’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/obama-calls-trumps-coronavirus-response-an-absolute-chaotic-disaster

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: State now above 75,000 known COVID-19 cases as 111 new deaths are reported by health officials
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200509-umkbk7q5xbdplkgzazoaymq33q-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Latest Illinois coronavirus numbers: 111 additional deaths, 2,325 new cases The new data brings the state’s death toll to 3,349 and the state’s total case count to 76,085. – Ben Pope
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/9/21253156/illinois-coronavirus-pritzker-cases-deaths-testing-may-9
— Obama slams Trump’s COVID-19 response Former President Barack Obama has harshly criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic as an “absolute chaotic disaster.” – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/9/21253342/obama-slams-donald-trumps-coronavirus

DAILY HERALD
— COVID-19 deaths top 100 for fifth consecutive day – Barbara Vitello
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200509/covid-19-deaths-top-100-for-fifth-consecutive-day
— A distinct possibility: ‘Temporary’ layoffs may be permanent – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200509/business/305099957/
— 3,000 families show up for drive-through food giveaway at Great America – Brian Hill (DIERSEN: How soon, because of efforts to fight coronavirus, will everyone in the world be a) giving out welfare and/or b) getting welfare? How soon, because of efforts to fight coronavirus, will all individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries in the world be bankrupt?)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200509/3000-families-show-up-for-drive-through-food-giveaway-at-great-america

WTTW
— Historic Unemployment Rate Upends Trump’s Reelection Bid – AP
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/09/historic-unemployment-rate-upends-trumps-reelection-bid

WBBM
— Protesters Opposing Pritzker’s Stay-At-Home Order Met By Counter Protestors Who Support Governor’s Measures – JIM GUDAS
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/protesters-oppose-pritzkers-stay-at-home-order

WBEZ
— Pandemic Forces Candidates To Find New Ways To Campaign The coronavirus outbreak has put conventional campaigning on hold, but candidates are finding new ways to connect with voters. – AP
https://www.wbez.org/stories/pandemic-forces-candidates-to-find-new-ways-to-campaign/e4166d91-463e-4924-b60d-677cfdb47d4b

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Davis makes list of 10 most vulnerable U.S. representatives – Bernard Schoenburg
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200509/bernard-schoenburg-davis-makes-list-of-10-most-vulnerable-us-representatives

FOX ILLINOIS
— JC Penney to file for bankruptcy, close about 200 stores – ELIZABETH TYREE
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/jc-penney-to-file-for-bankruptcy-close-about-200-stores-report

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— More than 76,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Illinois
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/more-than-76000-covid-19-cases-reported-in-illinois

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Illinois Governor Pritzker – Cannabis over safety of most vulnerable? The ‘pot’ thickens….. – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/illinois-governor-pritzker-cannabis-over-safety-of-most-vulnerable-the-pot-thickens/

BREITBART
— 60 Conservative Organizations Call on Facebook to Scrap ‘Oversight Board’ – ALLUM BOKHARI
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/05/08/60-conservative-organizations-call-on-facebook-to-scrap-oversight-board/
— Tech Investor Jeffrey Wernick Blasts Facebook’s Oversight Board as ‘Technofascism’ – DAVID NG
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/05/09/tech-investor-jeffrey-wernick-blasts-facebooks-oversight-board-as-technofascism/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Tech investor Jeffrey Wernick is the latest prominent voice to speak out against Facebook’s new “oversight board” that will have the power to control speech on the social media platform. Wernick has described the board as a form of “technofascism” and an affront to the First Amendment. “Shame on Facebook. Shame on anyone who embraces this concept,” Wernick said in a statement released on Friday. “And shame on anyone who would agree to serve on this Committee. They are free speech frauds who want to control language and thought.” . . . Facebook’s oversight board — also known as its “Supreme Court” — is expected to wield significant power over what can and cannot be said on the platform. But the 20-person group, which will operate semi-independently of Facebook, has already come under fire for being compromised largely of left-wing and anti-Trump figures. The board includes Stanford University law professor Pamela Karlan, who earlier this year joked about President Trump’s then-13-year-old son Barron while she testified at the House impeachment hearings. Another member is Australian law professor Nicolas Suzor, who once tweeted that he “loved” an article comparing President Trump to Adolf Hitler. Other members include a former aide to Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and three people who have documented ties to leftist billionaire George Soros. A coalition of 60 conservative organizations and publishers recently called on Facebook to do away with its politically skewed oversight board. The coalition also warned that the board is stacked with individuals from other countries who may not uphold America’s First Amendment principles.)

NEWS BUSTERS
— Free Speech Alliance: Facebook Oversight Board Is Packed With Liberals
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nb-staff/2020/05/07/free-speech-alliance-facebook-oversight-board-packed-liberals
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Free Speech Alliance (FSA), a coalition of more than 60 conservative organizations, released the following statement Thursday about Facebook’s new Oversight Board and efforts to decide what content should be taken down from the site. The FSA declared, “Conservatives warned from the start that any new oversight mechanism was fraught with danger. Our fears were well founded. This new board will damage Facebook more than it can imagine.”)

POLITICO
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cannabis employees are in high demand during economic crash The industry is looking for thousands of workers across the country. – PAUL DEMKO, MONA ZHANG and AREK SARKISSIAN
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/09/cannabis-employees-in-high-demand-245535

NEW YORK TIMES
— Will We Face Depression-Era Job Losses? Let’s Not Find Out Congress should enact a federal jobs guarantee. – Angela Glover Blackwell and Darrick Hamilton
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/09/opinion/federal-jobs-guarantee-coronavirus.html

WASHINGTON POST
— As workplaces reopen, coronavirus could unleash an ‘avalanche’ of lawsuits over family leave, discrimination Legal experts expect more companies could face discrimination lawsuits from parents struggling to cope with household and child-care duties while working from home. – Jena McGregor
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/05/mother-discrimination-childcare-lawsuit/
— This is how economic pain is distributed in America Job losses due to the coronavirus shutdown have fallen unequally on Americans according to age, gender, educational attainment and race – Tracy Jan (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will Trump-haters propose a coronavirus tax on individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/09/jobs-report-demographics/
— Trump flouts coronavirus protocols as security experts warn of need to protect president from a lethal threat – David Nakamura, Carol D. Leonnig and Josh Dawsey
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-flouts-coronavirus-protocols-as-security-experts-warn-of-need-to-protect-president-from-a-lethal-threat/2020/05/08/3a6a9cec-9136-11ea-a9c0-73b93422d691_story.html
— One chart shows how the stock market is completely decoupled from the labor market In the past decade, the S&P 500 and the unemployment rate moved nearly in lockstep, but that all changed last month. – Christopher Ingraham
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/09/one-chart-shows-how-stock-market-is-completely-decoupled-labor-market/

24/7 WALL STREET
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters are overjoyed that “Black and Hispanic Unemployment Soar.”
https://247wallst.com/jobs/2020/05/09/black-and-hispanic-unemployment-soar/

CONSUMER REPORTS
— Going Back to Work While COVID-19 Is Still Spreading 5 questions to ask your employer before you head into the office – Laura Entis
https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/going-back-to-work-while-covid-19-is-still-spreading/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Will Social Distancing Be Practiced? . . . What Other Precautions Will Be in Place? . . . Will Protective Equipment Be Provided? . . . What Happens If an Employee Has COVID-19 or Shows Symptoms? . . . Can I Continue Teleworking?)

WILLISTON HERALD
— How women can make their way in male-dominated fields (DIERSEN: Did you work in a bad male-dominated field? I did. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my superiors were always under tremendous pressure from Democrat politicians to hire and to retain young Democrat women. It was extremely difficult for them to do that because most women viewed the jobs as being bad and the jobs were male-dominated.)
https://www.willistonherald.com/news/business/how-women-can-make-their-way-in-male-dominated-fields/article_0848d43e-9070-11ea-a814-bfebe12f58e8.html

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/

May 5 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: Gov. Pritzker reveals ‘Restore Illinois’ plan to reopen state as total COVID-19 cases near 66K with 2.8K fatalities Illinois reports highest daily COVID-19 death toll since crisis began – Diane Pathieu
https://abc7chicago.com/society/live-gov-pritzker-reveals-restore-illinois-plan-to-reopen-state-/6152300/

NBC5
— Pritzker Reveals Five-Phased Plan to Reopen Illinois The earliest any location can begin entering the next phase will be May 29, the governor said
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pritzker-reveals-five-phases-of-reopening-for-illinois/2266932/
— Pritzker Details Reopening Plan, State Sees Deadliest Day Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus crisis today
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-coronavirus-updates-possible-new-treatment-future-of-restaurants/2266715/
— Pritzker’s Full Announcement On Illinois’ Phased Reopening Plan Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday announced a plan that would reopen Illinois in five phases amid the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/read-pritzkers-full-announcement-on-illinois-phased-reopening-plan/2266949/
— In Clamor to Reopen, Many Blacks Feel Their Safety Ignored To many, it seems that the people protesting — who have been predominantly white — are agitating for reopening because they won’t be the ones to suffer the consequences. So far, the facts are proving them right: The consequences of keeping some businesses open have been falling disproportionately on the shoulders of black people and other marginalized groups – Jay Reeves
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/in-clamor-to-reopen-many-blacks-feel-their-safety-ignored/2266757/
— Trump Says Only Blue States Have Budget Woes; He Couldn’t Be More Wrong Numerous Republican-led states are facing coronavirus-caused financial crises
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/trump-says-only-blue-states-have-budget-woes-he-couldnt-be-more-wrong/2267109/
— Pritzker Warns Major Events, Conventions Won’t Resume Until Improved Coronavirus Treatments Emerge Pritzker said that those types of large-scale events can’t resume until the final phase of the state’s reopening plan
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/pritzker-warns-major-events-conventions-wont-resume-until-improved-coronavirus-treatments-emerge/2267004/
— What Businesses Can Reopen in Each Phase of Illinois’ New Plan?
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/what-businesses-can-reopen-in-each-phase-of-illinois-new-plan/2267108/
— How Illinois Will Enforce Its Phased Reopening Plan, According to Pritzker The earliest any location can begin entering the next phase will be May 29, the governor said
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/how-illinois-will-enforce-its-phased-reopening-plan-according-to-pritzker/2267085/

CBS2
— Gov. JB Pritzker Unveils ‘Restore Illinois’ Plan To Gradually Reopen Economy On Regional Basis – Todd Feurer
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/05/gov-jb-pritzker-unveils-restore-illinois-plan-to-gradually-reopen-illinois-on-regional-basis/
— Gov. Pritzker Says There’s No Unemployment Backlog, But Source Says More Than 12,000 Illinoisans Still Waiting To Be Processed – Dana Kozlov
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/04/gov-pritzker-says-theres-no-unemploymentbacklog-but-source-says-more-than-12000-illinoisans-still-waiting-to-be-processed/
— In Rush To Reopen, Many Blacks Feel Their Safety Ignored
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/05/in-rush-to-reopen-many-blacks-feel-their-safety-ignored/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— ‘Restore Illinois’: Pritzker reveals 5-phase plan to reopen state amid COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/restore-illinois-pritzker-reveals-5-phase-plan-to-reopen-state-amid-covid-19-pandemic
— Illinois reports largest number of deaths from COVID-19 in a single day: 176
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-reports-largest-number-of-deaths-from-covid-19-in-a-single-day-176

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker lays out five-phase, regional plan for reopening Illinois – JAMIE MUNKS and DAN PETRELLA
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-pritzker-20200505-fu3dorsec5hkphtq7gzvzwv2y4-story.html
— Meatpackers reopening pork plants amid coronavirus fears – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-meatpacking-slaughterhouse-meat-supply-20200504-am6u2kqv4fhqvgshz6jqoim7wa-story.html
— Tracking Illinois coronavirus: 2,838 deaths, 65,962 confirmed cases, 346,286 tests, 24% ICU beds, 68% ventilators open
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-viz-coronavirus-cases-in-illinois-20200304-wz44mgw6wrd5zmzngx4kc3z6a4-htmlstory.html
— GOP congressmen ask Pritzker to seek federal aid for pork producers to help dispose of euthanized hog carcasses – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-pork-industry-20200505-mei6nxlwjrhwzbiqqsagj5624e-story.html
— DuPage sheriff criticized for holding parade at the same time people are being told to avoid large groups – SUZANNE BAKER
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-coronavirus-dupage-sheriff-parade-st-0506-20200505-kofep6id3bhqbj2vciudlk2vha-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Mendrick said his department expected about 250 vehicles for the parade, but 400 showed up in a parking lot at Route 59 and North Avenue in West Chicago. “It shocked me when I saw it,” Mendrick said. “The first thing I said was this is not a good thing.” The sheriff said people spontaneously showed up after information about the parade and the route was posted on social media. He said his department underestimated the public’s desire to be outdoors and participate in “something overwhelmingly positive. ”We didn’t really know how much society needed to get out,” Mendrick said. He said the people he observed wore masks or maintained the proper distance from each other. To prevent social distancing issues, Mendrick said within five minutes of his arrival he told drivers to get in their vehicles, and the lot was emptied within 30 minutes. Seeing the hundreds of people lining the streets, socially distanced in their own yards, to watch the parade was very positive. “It was a heart-warming thing to see,” Mendrick said.)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Here’s how Gov. Pritzker plans to reopen Illinois
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/5/21247748/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020
— Vote-by-mail debate raises fears of election disinformation Justice Department officials are concerned foreign adversaries could exploit any vulnerabilities in the vote-by-mail process, especially since even minor tampering could trigger widespread doubts about the integrity of the vote. – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/5/21248300/vote-by-mail-debate-election-disinformation-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-trump-2020
— A ‘fair map’ plan to redraw legislative districts in Illinois would have been a boon to Latinos To suggest that having politicians draw maps privately better protects Latinos and other people of color is to defy the evidence. – Liliana Scales and Deborah Harrington (DIERSEN: Democrats want maps to be drawn that favor groups that vote for Democrats including groups that 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 anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/5/21248252/fair-map-illinois-gerrymandering-latinos-change-liliana-scales-deborah-harrington-legislature
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use the pandemic to promote hares against individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Christian, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/5/21248296/anti-semitism-anti-immigrant-racism-bigotry-pandemic-holocaust-museum-edna-friedberg

DAILY HERALD
— Pritzker outlines regional reopening as state records 176 new COVID-19 deaths – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200505/pritzker-outlines-regional-reopening-as-state-records-176-new-covid-19-deaths
— Pot stores compete for prime spot near Woodfield – Eric Peterson
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200505/pot-stores-compete-for-prime-spot-near-woodfield
— Trump heads for Arizona; trip aims to show revival underway – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200505/news/305059951/
— DuPage forest preserve revenue declining due to COVID-19 – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200505/dupage-forest-preserve-revenue-declining-due-to-covid-19

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker announces phased plan to reopen Illinois by region The plan establishes four health regions are established, each with the ability to independently move through a phased approach: Northeast Illinois; North-Central Illinois; Central Illinois; and Southern Illinois. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-announces-phased-plan-reopen-illinois-region
— Illinois delays $1.2 billion debt sale after yield penalty soars The offering would have marked a major test of whether struggling American governments will be able to borrow easily as tax revenue dries up during the pandemic.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/illinois-delays-12-billion-debt-sale-after-yield-penalty-soars
— Sam Zell: ‘We’re all going to be permanently scarred’ The billionaire known for buying up troubled real estate said the coronavirus pandemic will leave the same kind of impact on the economy and society as the Great Depression.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/sam-zell-were-all-going-be-permanently-scarred

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Transit systems face plunging ridership amid virus fears – AP
https://qctimes.com/business/transit-systems-face-plunging-ridership-amid-virus-fears/article_6636fc31-d271-58a5-b771-1e3a45d982b4.html

LINCOLN COURIER
— Macoupin County fair canceled; legal cannabis sales surge
https://www.lincolncourier.com/news/20200505/covid-19-updates-macoupin-county-fair-canceled-legal-cannabis-sales-surge

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump tours, touts mask factory — but no mask for him – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-tours-touts-mask-factory-but-no-mask-for-him

CAPITOL FAX
— 13,139 new cases, 176 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/13139-new-cases-176-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker unveils regionalized reopening plan
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/pritzker-unveils-regionalized-reopening-plan/
— React to Pritzker’s new plan
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/react-to-pritzkers-new-plan/
— Pritzker takes questions – Says he can’t predict when regions will move to next phase – Schools can open in phase 4 – Asked twice about Lolla – Repeats that you should look at averages, not one day – Not instructing IDOC to withhold masks from guards – Repeats he isn’t asking for law enforcement actions – All state is looking for is replacement of lost revenues, not pension money – Saddened by Rep. Buckner mask story – Hints that GA could return in May – Says he sees progress away from plateau – IDPH working on a school reopening plan – Explains IDPH regions – Again hints that GA may reconvene before end of May – Repeats he will not restrict in-state movement – Not involved in nursing home union talks – Dr. Ezike: “We’re not looking to create a police state” – Pritzker says local officials reopening prematurely are “encouraging people to get sick”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/pritzker-takes-questions/
— House Speaker’s office was billed $606,000 for sexual harassment report
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/house-speakers-office-was-billed-606000-for-sexual-harassment-report/
— Roll Call moves Rodney Davis onto ten most vulnerable list
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/roll-call-moves-rodney-davis-onto-ten-most-vulnerable-list/
— Mask-haters causing problems at retail establishments
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/mask-haters-causing-problems-at-retail-establishments/
— New, more contagious strain identified
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/new-more-contagious-strain-identified/
— The consequences of reopening too soon
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/the-consequences-of-reopening-too-soon/
— State delays $1.2 billion bond sale
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/state-delays-12-billion-bond-sale/
— COGFA: “Perfect storm” slams April revenues
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/cogfa-perfect-storm-slams-april-revenues/
— House starts slowly bringing back staff
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/05/house-starts-slowly-bringing-back-staff/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— ‘Most responsible’: Indiana governor to lift gathering restrictions on churches – Nicholas Rowan
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/most-responsible-indiana-governor-to-lift-gathering-restrictions-on-churches
— #MAGA is back: Coronavirus devastation forces Trump to revive ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan – David M. Drucker
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/maga-is-back-coronavirus-devastation-forces-trump-to-revive-make-america-great-again-slogan
— Trump supporters throw Florida boat parade for president – Emma Colton
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-supporters-throw-florida-boat-parade-for-president

GOPUSA
— Bush 43 Platitudes Ring Hollow
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88354
— Coronavirus Pandemic + Trump Derangement Syndrome = Bad Math
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88379

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— Will A New Great Depression Dictate Trump’s Fate? The cold political interests of the Democratic Party today are what they were in Hoover’s time. – Patrick J. Buchanan
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/buchanan/will-a-new-great-depression-dictate-trumps-fate/
— Lockdown Wars: Debating Pandemic Measures In A Failed State If you thought COVID-19 wouldn’t get political, think again. – PETER VAN BUREN
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/lockdown-wars-debating-pandemic-measures-in-a-failed-state/

NEWSMAX
— Judicial Watch Sues to Stop California Plan to Give $75M to Illegal Aliens – Tom Fitton
https://www.newsmax.com/tomfitton/california-illegal-immigration/2020/05/05/id/966153/

PJ MEDIA
— If Academia Gets a Bailout, It Should Come With These Conditions – DAVID RANDALL
https://pjmedia.com/blog/david-randall/2020/05/05/if-academia-gets-a-bailout-it-has-to-come-with-these-conditions-n388224

THE HILL
— Trump ready to turn page on COVID-19, despite crisis-level cases – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/496262-trump-ready-to-turn-page-on-covid-19-despite-crisis-level-cases
— Trump won’t allow Fauci to testify before House because it’s ‘a bunch of Trump haters’ – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/496133-trump-wont-allow-fauci-to-testify-before-house-because-its-a-bunch-of
— Openings may put black workers at disproportionate COVID-19 risk – JESSIE HELLMANN (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, all the jobs that I had a) were bad jobs and b) were jobs that Blacks should have had instead of me. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a Black in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a Black in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted Blacks in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a Black in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a Black in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/496190-opening-may-put-black-workers-at-disproportionate-risk

CNN
— FBI gun background checks remained high in April during coronavirus pandemic – Josh Campbell
https://www.kmov.com/fbi-gun-background-checks-remained-high-in-april-during-coronavirus-pandemic/article_bd6e9933-2f3d-5b30-8c2a-ea03e1369dae.html
— Coronavirus, face masks and America’s new fault line – Brandon Tensley
http://www.wicz.com/story/42088158/coronavirus-face-masks-and-americas-new-fault-line

WASHINGTON POST
— A man wore a KKK hood at a grocery store after San Diego County required face masks – Michael Brice-Saddler
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/04/kkk-hood-coronavirus-mask/

FORBES
— What If Biden Declared His Running Mate Would Be A Man? The Downside Of Selecting Based On Sex – Kim Elsesser
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/05/05/what-if-biden-declared-his-running-mate-would-be-a-man-the-downside-of-selecting-based-on-sex/
— America’s Colleges & Universities Awarded $12.5 Billion In Coronavirus Bailout – Who Can Get It And How Much – Adam Andrzejewski
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2020/05/05/americas-colleges–universities-awarded-125-billion-in-coronavirus-bailout–who-can-get-it-and-how-much/

JD SUPRA
— A Checklist for Employers Planning to Reopen or Return to the Workplace
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/a-checklist-for-employers-planning-to-53638/

NEWSWEEK
— CORONAVIRUS IS MAKING THE CASE FOR BLACK REPARATIONS CLEARER THAN EVER – WILLIAM A. DARITY JR. AND A. KIRSTEN MULLEN (DIERSEN: Members of the following groups believe that because they are members of the following groups, they will have to pay less reparations: 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-draft avoiders, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-making-case-black-reparations-clearer-ever-opinion-1501887

LGBTQ NATION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: The more of the following that you are, the more that LGBTQ-promoters condemn you: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/05/theres-reason-mostly-white-men-protesting-coronavirus-protection-measures/

May 4 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases surpass 63K with 2.6K deaths; Gov. Pritzker threatens ‘more stringent lockdown’ if people continue to defy stay-at-home order Illinois reports lowest daily COVID-19 death toll in weeks – Craig Wall and Eric Horng
https://abc7chicago.com/society/illinois-reports-lowest-daily-covid-19-death-toll-in-weeks-/6149954/

NBC5
— Illinois Reports 2,341 New Coronavirus Cases, Lifting State Total to 63,840 Pritzker has urged residents to focus on the state’s positivity rate
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-reports-2341-new-coronavirus-cases-lifting-state-total-to-63840/2266256/
— Illinois May Reopen Region-by-Region, But Not in a Typical Way Pritzker previously stated that regions could reopen by May 30 if they see a 14-day decrease in case
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-may-reopen-region-by-region-but-not-in-a-typical-way/2266348/
— Central Illinois City to Allow Gyms, Salons to Reopen, Potentially Defying State Order It is not known whether state officials will look to stop the plan from being implemented
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/central-illinois-city-to-allow-salons-gyms-to-reopen-as-part-of-phased-reopening-plan/2266351/
— Senate Reopens Despite Risks as House Preps More Virus Aid The 100 senators are convening for the first time since March – Lisa Mascaro
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/senate-to-reopen-despite-risks-as-house-eyes-hybrid-return/2266235/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois reports lowest daily death toll from COVID-19 in 2 weeks – Elizabeth Matthews
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-reports-lowest-daily-death-toll-from-covid-19-in-2-weeks

WGN TV
— ‘It’s unsustainable’: Author of Forbes article on Illinois pension liabilities Adam Andrzejewski talks to WGN – Elyse Russo
https://wgntv.com/news/its-unsustainable-author-of-forbes-article-on-illinois-pension-liabilities-talks-to-wgn/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— 46 more Illinois deaths reported as daily COVID-19 case count hits 2,341 The state received 13,834 tests results Sunday. Monday’s new case count of 2,341 brings the state tally to 63,840 positive cases. The state now has lost 2,664 people to COVID-19. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/4/21246930/coronavirus-deaths-illinois-pritzker-covid-19-confirmed-cases
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Illinois’ high times keep rolling amid coronavirus pandemic as recreational pot sales top $37 million in April The total trails only the $39.2 million worth of adult-use cannabis unloaded by dispensaries in January, the first month the drug was legalized for recreational use. – Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/5/4/21247259/chicago-dispensaries-illinois-marijuana-cannabis-sales-recreational
— America’s road back from COVID-19 must begin with an end to the politics of division We suppose the thinking of ideologues on both sides, right and left, is that the pandemic offers them a unique opportunity to finally make headway on longstanding aims. But now, more than ever, we need unity, not discord. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/4/21246553/coronavirus-j-b-pritzker-springfield-demonstrations-protests-thompson-center-covid-19-editorial

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois reports the fewest coronavirus deaths in two weeks, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker urges longer view in fight against COVID-19 – DAN PETRELLA, LISA SCHENCKER and GREGORY PRATT
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-hospitalization-20200504-5nof62gkv5bunlb2uo6fnuyuda-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Illinois legal weed sales during the first full month of coronavirus lockdown amount to almost $37.3 million – ALLY MAROTTI
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-illinois-april-legal-weed-sales-20200504-iiky2ctxlnhqxldazoerjnqtxm-story.html
— Chicago reaches 1,000 COVID-19 deaths, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says – GREGORY PRATT
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-1000-deaths-20200504-tk2ratkf6zefthkrfj6estcby4-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Hospitalizations, ventilator use dip in Illinois; 46 more have died – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200504/hospitalizations-ventilator-use-dip-in-illinois-46-more-have-died
— Wheaton cancels Taste, Independence Day ceremonies
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200504/wheaton-cancels-taste-independence-day-ceremonies

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— United plans to cut at least 30% of white-collar staff The layoffs would take effect Oct. 1. “The severe drop in demand and resulting reductions to our schedule mean we have to do everything possible to right-size our workforce in the near-term,” a message to employees said. – JOHN PLETZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/transportation/united-plans-cut-least-30-white-collar-staff

NEW CHANNEL 20
— Local schools: 25% of students not engaging in e-learning – Matt Roy
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/local-schools-25-of-students-not-engaging-in-e-learning

NAPERVILLE PATCH
— Safe DuPage to Host Panel Discussion on COVID-19 Community Leaders to Discuss Resources for Those in Need of Help Due to Pandemic – Kevin Coyne
https://patch.com/illinois/naperville/safe-dupage-host-panel-discussion-covid-19

CENTER SQUARE
— Preliminary state budget talks include calls for federal bailout, demands economy open back up – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/preliminary-state-budget-talks-include-calls-for-federal-bailout-demands-economy-open-back-up/article_ce5a907c-8e27-11ea-9c04-bf29a2763c11.html
— COVID-19 puts damper on Illinois cannabis dispensaries – for now – Pat Morris
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/covid-19-puts-damper-on-illinois-cannabis-dispensaries—for-now/article_9028121e-8e24-11ea-8c7d-c398274f6e36.html

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— McHenry County Chairman Jack Franks asked to explain his actions by the Attorney General Public Access Counselor – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/mchenry-county-chairman-jack-franks-asked-to-explain-his-actions-by-the-attorney-general-pac/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ILLINOIS COVID SHUT DOWN PROTESTERS TO GOV PRITZKER: RE-OPEN ILLINOIS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/illinois-covid-shut-down-protesters-to-gov-pritzker-re-open-illinois.html
— WE WRECKED OUR ECONOMY FOR NOTHING
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/we-wrecked-our-economy-for-nothing.html
— PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN COSTS FAR MORE THAN BENEFITS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/pandemic-shutdown-costs-far-more-than-benefits.html
— THORNER/INGOLD: PRITZKER SCRUBS HANDS AND CRUCIAL COVID TESTING DATA
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/thorneringold-pritzker-scrubs-hands-and-crucial-covid-testing-data.html
— SEN. CRUZ SEEKS TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON HOLLYWOOD’S KOWTOWING TO CHINESE CENSORS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/sen-cruz-seeks-to-flip-the-script-on-hollywoods-kowtowing-to-chinese-censors.html
— DI LEO: PLAYING THE CORONAVIRUS LOTTERY IN 2020
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/playing-the-coronavirus-lottery-in-2020.html

CAPITOL FAX
— 2,341 new cases, 46 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/04/2341-new-cases-46-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker defers to local law enforcement, mayors about policing EO – Promises more IDES details later this week – Discourages people from traveling to Indiana, but “people are free to to do what they want” – Explains regionalization approach – “As things are coming down more things can be opened up” – Repeats need for federal aid to local governments – Talks McCormick Place – Dr. Ezike had “a family matter” and couldn’t make it – “We’re headed in the right direction” – Hasn’t seen rent control bill – Could be civil liability for businesses defying EO – Businesses could risk insurance coverage for defying EO – Has privacy questions about Apple and Google contact tracing – Avoids question on special session – Need a lot more testing capacity to test all prisoners – One-day total isn’t a pattern – Hopes they won’t have to send in teams to test defiant parishioners – Chicago casino maybe this year – No data on store occupancy, mask wearing
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/04/pritzker-defers-to-local-law-enforcement-mayors-about-policing-eo/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/04/covid-19-roundup-31/

GOPUSA
— Why Democrats Love Voting By Mail: It’s Easier To Cheat
https://www.gopusa.com/why-democrats-love-voting-by-mail-its-easier-to-cheat/

BREITBART
— Conservative Jeanne Ives Takes a Shot at Illinois’ 6th District – JOEL B. POLLAK
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/05/04/conservative-jeanne-ives-takes-a-shot-at-illinois-6th-district/

NEWSMAX
— Amb. Ron Gidwitz to Replace Sondland as Acting Rep to EU – Solange Reyner
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/ronald-gidwitz-gordon-sondland-european-union-ambassador/2020/05/04/id/966058/

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Civil Disobedience Against Unconstitutional Lockdowns Spreading – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/32441

THE HILL
— Trump administration projecting 3K daily coronavirus deaths by June
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/495971-trump-administration-projecting-3k-daily-coronavirus-deaths-by-june

CNN
— Key coronavirus model will revise projections to nearly 135,000 US deaths – Arman Azad
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/us-coronavirus-update-05-04-20/h_18a3fa30e62fa417f6402308aaf3c55b

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Administration Models Predict Near Doubling of Daily Death Toll by June
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/04/us/coronavirus-updates.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Treasury plans to borrow $3 trillion from April through June as enormous coronavirus costs pile up Low interest rates make the borrowing cheaper, but the new debt shows how much new spending outpaces falling revenue – Rachel Siegel
https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/05/04/treasury-coronavirus-debt-borrowing/

FORBES
— We’re Not All Going To Get COVID-19, But We Are All Going To Pay For It – Leon LaBrecque
https://www.forbes.com/sites/leonlabrecque/2020/05/04/were-not-all-going-to-get-covid-19-but-we-are-all-going-to-pay-for-it/
— The Truth About Post-Corona Retirement: We Simply Don’t Know – Elizabeth Bauer
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ebauer/2020/05/04/the-truth-about-post-corona-retirement-we-simply-dont-know/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— More Are Ready to Return to Work, Less Fearful of COVID-19 Risk
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/disease/more_are_ready_to_return_to_work_less_fearful_of_covid_19_risk

April 29 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois COVID-19 cases surpass 50K; 2nd lawmaker files stay-at-home lawsuit 2nd stay-at-home lawsuit seeks to lift order for IL residents – Craig Wall, Eric Horng and Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/health/2nd-lawmaker-files-stay-at-home-lawsuit-as-il-covid-19-cases-surpass-50k-/6136958/
— Coronavirus in the US: Trump says he won’t extend social distancing guidelines – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/trump-says-he-wont-extend-social-distancing-guidelines/6138398/
— Coronavirus in US: Illinois, Indiana residents leaving homes more than before, cell phone data shows
https://abc7chicago.com/health/cell-phone-data-shows-illinois-indiana-residents-leaving-home-more/6138468/

NBC5
— Illinois’ Coronavirus Count Tops 50,000 After 2,253 New Cases Reported The additional cases and deaths come as officials believe Illinois is near a peak
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-coronavirus-count-tops-50000-after-2253-new-cases-reported/2263865/
— Illinois AG Files Appeal to Overturn Judge’s Ruling on Stay-at-Home Order Extension A judge on Monday granted a temporary restraining order to a state lawmaker regarding the statewide stay-at-home order extension
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-ag-files-appeal-to-overturn-judges-ruling-on-stay-at-home-order-extension/2263969/
— Pritzker Details How Illinois Plans to Deal With Coronavirus Outbreaks at Nursing Homes
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pritzker-details-how-illinois-plans-to-deal-with-coronavirus-outbreaks-at-nursing-homes/2264046/

— Second Illinois Lawmaker Sues Pritzker Over Stay-at-Home Order
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/second-illinois-lawmaker-sues-pritzker-over-stay-at-home-order/2263724/

CBS2
— Another Republican Lawmaker Files Lawsuit Against Gov. JB Pritzker’s Extended Stay-At-Home Order
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/29/second-lawsuit-stay-at-home-order-governor-jb-pritzker-rep-john-cabello-coronavirus-covid-19/
— Hundreds Of Students Refusing To Pay At University Of Chicago
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4532218-hundreds-of-students-refusing-to-pay-at-university-of-chicago/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— 2nd Illinois lawmaker files suit over stay-at-home order: Pritzker ‘is an out-of-touch multibillionaire’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/2nd-illinois-lawmaker-files-suit-over-stay-at-home-order-pritzker-is-an-out-of-touch-multibillionaire
— Illinois health officials report ‘unfortunate’ milestone: More than 50,000 COVID-19 cases statewide
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-health-officials-report-unfortunate-milestone-more-than-50000-covid-19-cases-statewide

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Pritzker says state has distributed 20 million PPE items as new known cases of COVID-19 push Illinois’ count above 50,000
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200429-jwsjclnzkbcu3mxxt6aoxgcayq-story.html
— A second GOP state representative files lawsuit challenging Pritzker’s stay-at-home-order – JAMIE MUNKS
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-stay-at-home-order-lawsuit-20200429-4k4uxyakqrcxjfhkp465usbrcu-story.html
— In ‘Daily Show’ appearance, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth says President Trump’s task force to reopen economy has met once for a roughly hourlong call – Lisa Donovan
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-duckworth-trump-daily-show-20200429-lptymhdvijgr3npyaftumovwby-story.html
— Trump order keeps meatpacking plants open, but effect on Illinois facilities is uncertain – ALEXIA ELEJALDE-RUIZ
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-trump-slaughterhouse-meatpacking-20200429-pyfkyv4f2vh7racx2vadmqt7ei-story.html
— Reopen Illinois rally planned for Loop this Friday – JOHN BYRNE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-reopen-protesters-thompson-center-20200429-w5jta6h7mzfzvbdnr3vaxvruma-story.html
— Illinois AG files appeal in state Rep. Darren Bailey’s lawsuit over Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-lawsuit-appeal-20200429-v56ysutgkneidlij6ltxmh6npe-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— 92 more coronavirus deaths as Illinois tops 50K cases Between midnight on Monday and midnight on Tuesday, an additional 45 COVID-19 patients entered ICU rooms in the state’s hospitals. During that same period, an additional 298 people entered hospitals with suspected COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed cases, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/29/21241683/illinois-coronavirus-pritzker-cases-deaths-april-29
— Republican lawmaker launches new legal attack against Pritzker’s stay-at-home order State Rep. John Cabello’s lawsuit is aimed at freeing more Illinoisans from the governor’s order. – Jon Seidel and Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/29/21241189/republican-lawmaker-launches-new-legal-attack-illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-stay-at-home-order
— Making public transit safe next hurdle in easing lockdowns In Europe in particular, public transportation is shaping up as a new front line in the battle to tame the outbreak that has killed over 120,000 of its citizens. – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/29/21241149/public-transit-safe-next-hurdle-in-easing-lockdowns-stay-at-home-orders-coronavirus-covid-19
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers say “State postpones approvals for next 75 pot shops: ‘A dream delayed’ for social equity candidates. Officials were expected to announce the winners of the 75 coveted recreational dispensary licenses on Friday.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/4/29/21241857/illinois-dispensary-marijuana-cannabis-j-b-pritzker-social-equity-applicants
— 9 more Chicago Police Department employees test positive for COVID-19 Of the confirmed cases, 410 are officers and 20 are civilian employees, police said.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/29/21242101/coronavirus-chicago-police-department-covid-19

DAILY HERALD
— Debate flares over legal protections as businesses open up
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200429/news/304299910/
— Why two counties (DuPage and Will) are providing COVID-19 info to first responders — and others aren’t – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200429/why-two-counties-are-providing-covid-19-info-to-first-responders-x2014-and-others-arent
— GOP legislators question Pritzker’s authority to extend stay-at-home order – Eric Peterson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200429/gop-legislators-question-pritzkers-authority-to-extend-stay-at-home-order
— Kane County Court building requiring face coverings
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200429/kane-county-court-building-requiring-face-coverings

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker answers challenge to his COVID stay-home order In its appeal, the state says any personal harm to the lawmaker who sued is overshadowed by “the immense public health crisis that will occur should Bailey and others cease compliance with the governor’s orders.” – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-answers-challenge-his-covid-stay-home-order

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— GOP lawmakers call for vote on stay at home extension – Doug Finke
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200429/gop-lawmakers-call-for-vote-on-stay-at-home-extension

SOUTHERN
— Republicans call for reopening Illinois legislative session – PETER HANCOCK
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/republicans-call-for-reopening-illinois-legislative-session/article_8d142486-18f1-545b-aaac-f5019ffe5766.html

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Can small Illinois restaurants survive 10 weeks of being closed because of coronavirus? – TERI MADDOX
https://www.bnd.com/living/food-drink/article242273621.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Mazzochi, GOP legislators call on Priztker to put legislature back to work
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/04/29/mazzochi-gop-legislators-call-on-priztker-to-put-legislature-back-to-work/adfi034/

STATELINE
— Illinois has released almost 4,000 prisoners, including 64 murderers
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illilnois-has-released-almost-4000-prisoners-including-64-murderers/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump says he won’t extend social distancing guidelines
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/federal-social-distancing-guidelines-to-expire
— Economists agree: No quick rebound from recession is likely – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/economists-agree-no-quick-rebound-from-recession-is-likely

WGLT
— Illinois Deaths Above Average – Not in McLean County – CHARLIE SCHLENKER
https://www.wglt.org/post/illinois-deaths-above-average-not-mclean-county#stream/0

CHICAGO PATCH
— Does ‘All-In Illinois’ Slogan Apply To Billionaire Gov’s Family? KONKOL COLUMN: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ‘All In Illinois’ coronavirus slogan doesn’t apply to the state’s first lady living at Florida estate. – Mark Konkol
https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/does-all-illinois-slogan-apply-billionaire-govs-family
— Illinois Coronavirus: Airlines Want To Ax Flights To Chicago Delta, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines on Tuesday asked for approval to suspend flights to more than two dozen U.S. airports. – Shannon Antinori
https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/illinois-coronavirus-airlines-want-ax-flights-ohare

ELMHURST PATCH
— Mazzochi, GOP Women Reps Call on Governor to Convene Legislature Pritzker Shouldn’t Continue Excluding General Assembly During COVID-19 Crisis – Lori Solyom
https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/mazzochi-gop-women-reps-call-governor-convene-legislature

AURORA PATCH
— 35 Businesses Pocket Coronavirus Relief From Aurora Downtown Aurora Downtown, a group of business and property owners, awarded more than $12,000 in funding Tuesday from its COVID-19 Response Fund. – Jason Addy
https://patch.com/illinois/aurora/35-businesses-pocket-coronavirus-relief-aurora-downtown

GENEVA PATCH
— Kane County Coronavirus Cases Double In 9 Days, Top 1,400 Mark Kane County officials have confirmed more than 250 new cases since Sunday. – Jason Addy
https://patch.com/illinois/geneva/kane-county-coronavirus-cases-double-9-days-top-1-400-mark

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Illinois – Who is flying the plane? – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/04/illinois-who-is-flying-the-plane/
— Gov Pritzker sued again over Executive Orders, exceeding powers granted – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/04/gov-pritzker-sued-again-over-executive-orders-exceeding-powers-granted/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Calling Conservative Volunteers For Ives Campaign
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2020/04/calling-conservative-volunteers-for-ives-campaign/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— WOMEN GOP HOUSE MEMBERS ASK PRITZKER TO CALL LEGISLATURE BACK INTO SESSION
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/women-gop-house-members-ask-pritzker-to-call-legislature-back-into-session.html
— IL SENATOR SAYS “FEDERAL DOLLARS SHOULD NOT PROP UP ILLINOIS’ FAILED SYSTEM”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/il-senator-says-federal-dollars-should-not-prop-up-illinois-failed-system-.html
— SECOND STATE REP FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST GOV PRITZKER “ON BEHALF OF ALL IL CITIZENS SIMILARLY SITUATED”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/second-state-rep-files-lawsuit-against-gov-pritzker-on-behalf-of-all-citizens-similarly-situated.html
— THORNER/INGOLD: WILL COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING ENDANGER MORE PRECIOUS LIBERTIES?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/thorneringold-will-covid-19-contact-tracing-endanger-more-precious-liberties.html

CAPITOL FAX
— 2,253 new cases, 92 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/29/2253-new-cases-92-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker unveils new decontamination system – Announces recent additions to nursing home assistance – Ezike: 14,478 tests in past 24 hours – Pritzker says Cabello lawsuit “grandstanding” – Explains current stance on small businesses – “There’s nothing barring the legislature meeting” – Says will offer guidance to GA on how to convene – Says (again) that virtual GA meetings are not allowed – “That’s up to the legislature” – Says AG has filed for leave to appeal Bailey suit to IL Supreme Court – Concealed carry permit holders can wear masks – Workers “should be provided PPE by their hospital” – Dr. Ezike urges “stay the course” – More questions on regionalization – Updates on McCormick Place – Wants to help frontline workers with some sort of aid – Will look into firing range question – Explains what can happen to businesses that reopen without permission – Addresses “excess deaths” issue – Says he has listened to Downstaters – Property tax deadlines are local matters – Says (again) that he isn’t closing borders – Biz should refuse service to those who don’t wear masks – Would like to see hair salons opened “sooner rather than later” – Says not enough worker protection in new DPA order on food processors – Not involved in SEIU strike talks – Says IDOC release number includes prisoners who have completed sentences – Says EO is not indefinite – Talks about hospitalization – Says letters from mayors “extremely instructive”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/29/pritzker-unveils-new-decontamination-system-announces-recent-additions-to-nursing-home-assistance/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/29/covid-19-roundup-29/
— Officials on alert in Rep. Darren Bailey’s district after COVID-positive resident violates local self-isolation order
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/29/officials-on-alert-in-rep-darren-baileys-district-after-resident-violates-local-self-isolation-order/

GOPUSA
— Massachusetts Cities Threaten Hefty Fines To Enforce Mask Orders
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88184

FOX NEWS
— Rep. Matt Gaetz unveils legislation to deport all illegal immigrants during a pandemic – Adam Shaw
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gaetz-legislation-deport-illegal-immigrants-pandemic

FOX BUSINESS
— States ramp up coronavirus contact tracer hiring to reopen the country COVID-19 contact tracers in NY are offered $57,000 with benefits – Cortney Moore
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/states-coronavirus-contact-tracer-hiring

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— The New Class War Comes For The Economy Class, more than partisanship, drives our response to coronavirus. – John A. Burtka IV
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-new-class-war-comes-for-the-economy/

CNS NEWS
— Rep. Gaetz Introduces Bill to Deport Illegal Aliens During Pandemic – Michael W. Chapman
https://www.cnsnews.com/article/washington/michael-w-chapman/rep-gaetz-introduces-bill-deport-illegal-aliens-during

PJ MEDIA
— Next Coronavirus Relief Bill Should Prioritize at-Risk Pensions for Elderly Americans Over More Nonsense – CHRISTIAN JOSI
https://pjmedia.com/columns/christian-josi/2020/04/28/next-coronavirus-relief-bill-should-prioritize-at-risk-pensions-for-elderly-americans-over-more-nonsense-n384865

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “White House risks backlash with coronavirus optimism.” Do Trump-haters risk backlash with coronavirus pessimism?
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/495343-white-house-risks-backlash-with-coronavirus-optimism
— Trump says he plans to resume travel next week with trip to Arizona – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/495350-trump-says-he-plans-to-resume-travel-next-week-with-trip-to-arizona

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Pro-Trump group plans ‘MAGA May Day’ rallies in New York despite coronavirus stay-at-home order – CHRIS SOMMERFELDT
https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-trump-maga-rallies-new-york-20200429-nzc366wupndmjgh2ibt7fv5rpq-story.html

FORBES
— Cities Need Direct Funding To Fight COVID – Richard McGahey
https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardmcgahey/2020/04/29/cities-need-direct-funding-to-fight-covid/#2beb8e8237bd

PROPUBLICA
— The Trump Administration Has Put Federal Workers at Coronavirus Risk, Senators Say Citing ProPublica’s reporting, 22 Senate Democrats have asked the White House to explain its management of federal employee safety. – Maryam Jameel
https://www.propublica.org/article/the-trump-administration-has-pu-federal-workers-at-coronavirus-risk-senators-say

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Trump-Biden Matchup Fires Voter Enthusiasm, Especially for Republicans (DIERSEN: How strongly will Biden promise to use the federal government to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Christian, 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. Both Biden and Trump are Christian, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, draft avoiders, and both have ancestors have been in America for a long time. I should write a book about candidates, elected officials, and party leaders in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who disgustingly demonize, denigrate, and condemn those who share their demographics to curry favor with those who do not share their demographics.)
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2020/trump_biden_matchup_fires_voter_enthusiasm_especially_for_republicans

April 29 Morning Edition

ABC7
— 2nd lawmaker files stay-at-home lawsuit as record-high COVID-19 deaths over 24 hours reported Gov. Pritzker calls stay-at-home order lawsuit a ‘cheap political stunt’ – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/health/2nd-lawmaker-files-stay-at-home-lawsuit-as-il-covid-19-death-toll-surpasses-2k/6136958/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-4/29/2020
— Trump signs executive order to keep meat processing plants open during COVID-19 outbreak – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-signs-order-for-meat-processing-plants-to-remain-open/6136916/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-4/29/2020
— Quest Diagnostics allowing residents to order COVID-19 antibody tests online – Beccah Hendrickson
https://abc7chicago.com/health/quest-diagnostics-rolls-out-online-antibody-tests/6135516/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-4/29/2020

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois police chief questions Governor Pritzker’s powers, stay-at-home orders
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-police-chief-questions-governor-pritzkers-powers-stay-at-home-orders

WGN TV
— ‘He’s acting like a dictator, not a governor.” Restless Republicans turn on Pritzker
https://wgntv.com/chicago-news/hes-acting-like-a-dictator-not-a-governor-restless-republicans-turn-on-pritzker/
— Trump order keeping meat packing plants open worries unions – AP
https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/trump-order-keeping-meat-packing-plants-open-worries-unions/

WGN RADIO
— The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Can Illinois get a financial fix from fed COVID-19 funds or is bankruptcy the only real cure?
https://wgnradio.com/wgn-plus/thechicagoway/the-chicago-way-w-john-kass-can-illinois-get-a-financial-fix-from-fed-covid-19-funds-or-is-bankruptcy-the-only-real-cure/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— U.S. economy shrank at 4.8% rate last quarter as coronavirus struck – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-us-economy-gdp-20200429-mq57at3275hjlemxldeceu6ani-story.html
— Federal bailout for Illinois and other badly run states is like giving cash to a bust-out gambler – John Kass
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/john-kass/ct-federal-state-bailout-kass-20200429-pvz6ibvnhjbkrmnnng5slhudle-story.html
— South suburban high schools plan for in-person graduation ceremonies – MIKE NOLAN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-south-suburbs-graduation-st-0429-20200428-f3tsr53ppfgppcoggcob3iruoi-story.html
— Two charities have bailed scores of felony defendants out of Cook County Jail. Some were soon charged with new crimes. – DAVID JACKSON, TODD LIGHTY and GARY MARX
https://www.chicagotribune.com/investigations/ct-charities-bail-reform-cook-county-coronavirus-20200429-wgofyh4pnrdixgps76c7ck7bhu-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— CDC now recommends social distancing for pets (scroll down to 2:40 p.m.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/28/21239547/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020

DAILY HERALD
— The rest of Casten’s response to COVID-19 – Larisa Calvanese, Downers Grove
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20200428/the-rest-of-castens-response-to-covid-19

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker is about to try the bond market to shore up the state’s liquidity The total Team Pritzker seeks to borrow: $2.2 billion. The catch: the hefty premium investors are likely to demand for taking on this kind of risk. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-about-try-bond-market-shore-states-liquidity
— Boeing cutting 10 percent of staff The company is also cutting production as it rushes to adapt to a shrinking market for jetliners after the worst downturn in aviation history.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/manufacturing/boeing-cutting-10-percent-staff

WTTW
— 700 City Employees, including 400 Police Officers, Sickened by Coronavirus – Heather Cherone
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/28/700-city-employees-including-400-police-officers-sickened-coronavirus-data
— Lightfoot Faces ‘Genuinely Divided’ City Council as Financial Toll of Pandemic Looms – Heather Cherone
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/28/lightfoot-faces-genuinely-divided-city-council-financial-toll-pandemic-looms

WBEZ
— Boeing CEO Sees Years Of Recovery From Coronavirus Ahead For Aviation Industry – David Schaper
https://www.wbez.org/stories/boeing-ceo-sees-years-of-recovery-from-coronavirus-ahead-for-aviation-industry/92d6b300-407f-44ca-af7a-b96097b01a56

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— State to borrow $1.2B to cover expenses – Doug Finke
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200428/state-to-borrow-12b-to-cover-expenses

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Protest organizer plans to bring anti-lockdown demonstration to Algonquin – KATIE SMITH
https://www.nwherald.com/2020/04/28/protest-organizer-plans-to-bring-anti-lockdown-demonstration-to-algonquin/aefvda/

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Gas prices continue drop in Central Illinois as virus, travel restrictions continue – Kevin Barlow
https://www.pantagraph.com/business/gas-prices-continue-drop-in-central-illinois-as-virus-travel-restrictions-continue/article_cf85e71b-eb90-579a-9363-5773ea70826c.html

WREX
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cannabis sales remain strong during COVID-19 pandemic – Cassandra Bretl
https://wrex.com/2020/04/28/cannabis-sales-remain-strong-during-covid-19-pandemic/

WAND
— IDOC list shows nearly 4,000 prisoners released since March 1
https://www.wandtv.com/news/idoc-list-shows-nearly-4-000-prisoners-released-since-march-1/article_c6d6381e-89b9-11ea-ad06-0b3284da6e40.html

WGLT
— Davis And Brady Call For Phased Downstate Lift Of Pritzker Order – CHARLIE SCHLENKER
https://www.wglt.org/post/davis-and-brady-call-phased-downstate-lift-pritzker-order#stream/0

WEEK
— Dissatisfaction expressed with state’s COVID-19 testing – Howard Packowitz
https://week.com/2020/04/28/dissatisfaction-expressed-with-states-covid-19-testing/

NPR ILLINOIS
— Poll: Half Of Americans Financially Affected By Coronavirus – DOMENICO MONTANARO (DIERSEN: So far, how much has coronavirus a) caused your income to decrease or increase, b) caused your expenses to increase or decrease, and c) caused your net worth to decrease or increase?)
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/poll-half-americans-financially-affected-coronavirus#stream/0

FOX ILLINOIS
— Worried about virus, US House won’t return, for now – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/worried-about-virus-us-house-wont-return-for-now
— Sanders advisers form Super PAC to back Biden, push him left – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/sanders-advisers-form-super-pac-to-back-biden-push-him-left

CENTER SQUARE
— Illinois retailer group says society must learn to ‘coexist’ with COVID-19 ahead of stay-at-home extension – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-retailer-group-says-society-must-learn-to-coexist-with-covid-19-ahead-of-stay/article_015e8bf8-8992-11ea-b056-0f748b9967e3.html

WIREPOINTS
— Will Pritzker’s Attack on State Rep Who Blocked Stay-at-Home Order Trigger Section 1983 Lawsuits? – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/will-pritzkers-attack-on-state-rep-who-blocked-stay-at-home-order-trigger-section-1983-lawsuits-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Woodford County State’s Attorney will not prosecute Gov Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/04/woodford-county-states-attorney-will-not-prosecute-gov-pritzkers-extended-stay-at-home-order/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— CHICAGO NEEDS A ‘WARTIME BUDGET’ TO FACE THE COVID-19 CRISIS – Adam Schuster and Ben Szalinski (DIERSEN: So far, how much has the COVID-19 crisis a) caused your income to decrease or increase, b) caused your expenses to increase or decrease, and c) caused your net worth to decrease or increase?)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-needs-a-wartime-budget-to-face-the-covid-19-crisis/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Demand an End to COVID-19 Tyranny – David E. Smith
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/demand-an-end-to-covid-19-tyranny/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ECONOMIC RECESSION OR SUPPRESSION?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/economic-recession-or-suppression-.html
— WHAT TO DO ABOUT CHINA?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/what-to-do-about-china-1.html
— U.S. HAS 3.5 MILLION MORE REGISTERED VOTERS THAN LIVE ADULTS — A RED FLAG FOR ELECTORAL FRAUD
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/us-has-35-million-more-registered-voters-than-live-adults-a-red-flag-for-electoral-fraud.html

WASHINGTON TIMES
— 2020 GOP convention host city accepts grant amid virus fears – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/28/2020-gop-convention-host-city-accepts-grant-amid-v/

FOX NEWS
— Coronavirus bailout – Don’t waste federal funds on my state’s bankrupt system – Illinois State Senator Jason Plummer
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/coronavirus-dont-bailout-bankrupt-illinois-senator-jason-plummer
— California faces civil-rights lawsuit after Highway Patrol bans rallies at state Capitol over coronavirus – Louis Casiano
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/california-faces-civil-rights-lawsuit-after-highway-patrol-bans-rallies-at-state-capitol-over-coronavirus

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— TODAY’S AMERICANS AND YESTERYEAR’S AMERICANS – Walter E. Williams (DIERSEN: Because of Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, ever-increasingly, today’s Americans 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://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/todays-americans-and-yesteryears-americans/

LIFE NEWS
— New York Times Celebrates One Abortion Business Killing 611 Babies in One Week – GABRIEL HAYS
https://www.lifenews.com/2020/04/29/new-york-times-celebrates-one-abortion-business-killing-611-babies-in-one-week/

DAILY WORLD
— Get ready for a new form of bias: discrimination based on coronavirus immunity – Jonathan Turley (DIERSEN: Of course, if antibody testing shows that members of protected groups have less immunity, antibody testing will be stopped immediately. Protected groups include: Trump-haters, illegals, non-citizens, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, RINOs, moderates, liberals, globalists, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, females, young people, LGBTQers, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, drinkers, gamblers, stoners, those who have criminal records, those who have less money than others, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc.)
https://www.thedailyworld.com/opinion/commentary-get-ready-for-a-new-form-of-bias-discrimination-based-on-coronavirus-immunity/

TOWNHALL
— You Already See How the Liberal Media Is Going to Attack Trump With This Op-ed About Lockdown Protests – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2020/04/28/vox-these-anti-lockdown-protests-are-grounded-in-white-privilege-n2567783

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Woman Who Blamed Trump after Giving Her Husband Fish-Tank Cleaner Now Under Investigation for Murder – TOBIAS HOONHOUT
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/woman-who-blamed-trump-after-giving-her-husband-fish-tank-cleaner-now-under-investigation-for-murder/

MCCLATCHY DC
— Why Democrats are worried about these voters of color drifting to Trump in 2020 – ALEX ROARTY
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article242358621.html

THE HILL
— Trump suggests coronavirus funding for states could be tied to sanctuary city policies – JUSTIN WISE
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/495170-trump-suggests-coronavirus-funding-for-states-could-be-tied-to
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “GOP faces pressure to get tougher with Trump.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/495154-gop-faces-pressure-to-get-tougher-with-trump
— State bankruptcy furor shakes up McConnell reelection bid – JORDAIN CARNEY AND MAX GREENWOOD
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/495169-state-bankruptcy-furor-shakes-up-mcconnell-reelection-bid
— Chinese official calls Trump demand that Beijing compensate world for coronavirus ‘preposterous’ – J. EDWARD MORENO
https://thehill.com/policy/international/495202-chinese-official-says-trump-demand-that-beijing-compensate-world-for

POLITICO
— Poll: Voters expect second wave of coronavirus cases Nearly 80 percent think a second wave is likely, even as some parts of the U.S. begin to reopen. – MYAH WARD
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/29/poll-voters-second-wave-coronavirus-216165
— ‘The Nightmare Scenario’: How Coronavirus Could Make the 2020 Vote a Disaster Trump can’t cancel the presidential election. Here’s what you should really be worrying about. – ZACK STANTON
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/04/28/2020-election-coronavirus-disaster-impact-215559
— The next pandemic: Rising inequality The coronavirus crisis will widen economic disparities. Specifically, it’s going to exasperate existing inequalities, as the privileged buffer themselves against its pernicious effects while the world’s most vulnerable struggle not to fall through the rapidly widening economic fissures. – CHARLIE COOPER (DIERSEN: Are you “privileged?” According to Trump-haters, by definition, Republicans are “privileged,” and especially Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Of course, ever-increasingly, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs will demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans. Look for me to include links to articles in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails that document such demonization, denigration, and condemnation in Wheaton’s West District, in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, in Illinois, in America, and in the world.)
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/28/the-next-pandemic-rising-inequality-219753

REUTERS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Americans losing faith in what Trump says about the coronavirus.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-poll/americans-losing-faith-in-what-trump-says-about-the-coronavirus-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKCN22A3CK?il=0
— White House official warns of negative shocks before rebound later in 2020 – David Lawder, Susan Heavey
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-economy/white-house-official-warns-of-negative-shocks-before-rebound-later-in-2020-idUSKCN22A35P

ABC NEWS
— Coronavirus deaths ‘likely to continue to rise’ in coming weeks, CDC says There are now more than 58,000 deaths in the U.S. – Morgan Winsor and Ella Torres
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/coronavirus-updates-pandemic-world-listened/story?id=70378215

NEW YORK TIMES
— The U.S. economy contracted by the most since the great recession. (DIERSEN: Of course, Trump-haters will blame this on Trump and on all Republicans, and especially on Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/business/stock-market-today-coronavirus.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20200429&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=headline®i_id=5208581&segment_id=26205&user_id=1e54eae3972c78db5392f6bc3a2f60db#link-5ced0e3a
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: QUESTION: What do divisive people do? ANSWER: They turn everyone against those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/opinion/trump-hasnt-given-up-on-divide-and-conquer.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters use coronavirus to paint Republicans as being racists.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/magazine/racial-disparities-covid-19.html
— Trump Administration’s Message on Reopening Continues to Be Contradictory The president said the coronavirus wouldn’t come back while Dr. Anthony Fauci said it would be “a bad fall” and the attorney general threatened to sue states for enforcing restrictions. – Peter Baker
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-reopening.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Take heart, progressives: When the party moves left, Biden has always followed The former vice president has moved left on everything from same-sex marriage to criminal justice to abortion rights. – Charlotte Clymer (DIERSEN: Those who are the following will vote for Biden: 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://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/28/progressives-biden-moved-left/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Ahead of National Conventions, State Party Caucuses Are Going Virtual With social distancing in place, some Democratic and Republican state parties are hosting virtual local conventions. WSJ’s Emily Glazer takes us on a cross-country tour to explore how districts are handling the change, which could be a model for national conventions.
https://www.wsj.com/video/ahead-of-national-conventions-state-party-caucuses-are-going-virtual/6F92B523-A77C-4328-9A8F-5DC97C5E0B71.html
— Coronavirus Likely Led to Biggest Quarterly GDP Decline in Decade Commerce Department report is expected to show early economic impact of business shutdowns and social distancing – Harriet Torry
https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-quarter-gdp-us-growth-coronavirus-11588123665
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Mark Zuckerberg Asserts Control of Facebook, Pushing Aside Dissenters The 35-year-old tycoon has recast the company’s board of directors and sought a high-profile role for the social-media giant in the Covid-19 pandemic – Deepa Seetharaman and Emily Glazer (DIERSEN: What does Zuckerberg think of those who share your demographics?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mark-zuckerberg-asserts-control-of-facebook-pushing-aside-dissenters-11588106984
— TRAGIC: U.S. Marriage Rate Plunges to Lowest Level on Record – Janet Adamy
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-marriage-rate-plunges-to-lowest-level-on-record-11588132860
— The Coming GOP Spending Split Trump risks dividing his party in the Senate with another $1 trillion bill. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-coming-gop-spending-split-11588115854
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Coronavirus Relief Often Pays Workers More Than Work When combined with state benefits, weekly government payouts create incentives that employers say complicate efforts to reopen businesses – Eric Morath
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-relief-often-pays-workers-more-than-work-11588066200
— You Must Wear a Mask—or You May Not Some states suspend anti-Klan laws to combat coronavirus. – Randy Maniloff
https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-must-wear-a-maskor-you-may-not-11588113606

USA TODAY
— GDP report set to show just initial wave of coronavirus damage as Fed vows continued aid – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/28/coronavirus-q-1-gdp-report-show-just-sliver-economic-damage/3037453001/
— Workers face ‘uphill battle’ proving firms liable if they catch COVID-19 as economy reopens – Paul Davidson and Nicholas Wu
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/28/coronavirus-can-you-sue-if-you-get-covid-19-work/3035422001/
— FRANT PAGE: TRAGIC: USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Support for Big Government rises to record levels amid coronavirus crisis – Susan Page
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/28/exclusive-support-big-government-coronavirus-help-recovery/3032969001/

NPR
— Poll: Half Of Americans Financially Affected By Coronavirus – Domenico Montanaro (DIERSEN: So far, how much has the coronavirus crisis a) caused your income to decrease or increase, b) caused your expenses to increase or decrease, and c) caused your net worth to decrease or increase?)
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/29/847517729/poll-half-of-americans-financially-affected-by-coronavirus

ATLANTIC
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s Immigration ‘Ban’ Has Nothing to Do With Jobs.” Employers want cheap labor. If those who hired me could have hired an immigrant instead of me, they would have. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.)
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/trump-order-immigration/610822/

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— More Than 10,000 Federal Employees Have Contracted COVID-19 The number of positive cases in the federal workforce has more than quadrupled since early April.- ERIC KATZ
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2020/04/more-10000-federal-employees-have-contracted-covid-19/164986/
— IRS Recalls 10,000 Employees to the Office, But Won’t Provide Masks or Gloves Move comes as tax filing deadline approaches and thousands have been home with pay but not working. – Eric Katz
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2020/04/irs-recalls-10000-employees-wont-provide-masks-or-gloves/164930/
— House Republicans Propose Federal Hiring, Pay Initiatives to Combat COVID-19 The Republican Study Committee said Congress should streamline the hiring process for federal workers, as well as change the pay system to allow higher compensation for “high skilled” workers. – ERICH WAGNER (DIERSEN: Job-related education, professional certifications, and professional licenses indicate the skills that employees have. I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/04/house-republicans-propose-federal-hiring-pay-initiatives-combat-covid-19/164980/