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 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases top 94K with over 4K deaths; some Chicago churches reopen, defying governor’s order
https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-coronavirus-how-many-new-cases-of-in-by-day-update/6191308/
— Illinois stay at home order: Businesses that defy could to face misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $2,500 – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/businesses-that-defy-stay-at-home-order-to-face-misdemeanor-fine/6191401/


NBC5
— Trump Calls Out Pritzker’s Handling of Coronavirus Response Efforts President Trump and the Illinois governor have previously traded attacks on how their respective governments have handled the pandemic – Becca Wood
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/trump-calls-out-pritzkers-handling-of-coronavirus-response-efforts/2273582/
— Illinois Reports 1,734 Additional Coronavirus Cases, 51 Deaths Related to Virus The state also reported conducting more than 20,000 tests over the last 24 hours
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-reports-1734-additional-coronavirus-cases-51-deaths-related-to-virus/2273503/
— Pritzker Order Reportedly Authorizes New Punishment for Businesses Violating Restrictions Business owners could face misdemeanor charges if they open in violation of the order
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pritzker-order-reportedly-authorizes-new-punishment-for-businesses-violating-restrictions/2273474/

— Illinois Coronavirus Updates: State Looks to New Ways to Enforce Stay-at-Home Order
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-coronavirus-updates-state-looks-to-new-ways-to-enforce-stay-at-home-order/2273489/

CBS2
— Neighbors Protest Metro Praise International Church For Holding Services During Pandemic – Vi Nguyen
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/17/stay-at-home-order-pandemic-protest-metro-praise-international-church/

— Coronavirus In Illinois: 1,734 New COVID-19 Cases, 51 Additional Deaths
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/17/coronavirus-in-illinois-1734-new-covid-19-cases-51-additional-deaths/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois daily COVID-19 death toll drops to lows not seen in a couple weeks
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-daily-covid-19-death-toll-drops-to-lows-not-seen-in-a-couple-weeks
— Adler Planetarium lays off 120 employees due to pandemic
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/adler-planetarium-lays-off-120-employees-due-to-pandemic
— Office Depot closing stores, laying off 13,000 workers – Audrey Conklin
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/office-depot-closing-stores-laying-off-13000-workers

WGN TV
— Officials report 1,734 new cases of coronavirus disease, 51 related deaths in Illinois – AP
https://wgntv.com/chicago-news/officials-report-1734-new-cases-of-coronavirus-disease-51-related-deaths-in-illinois/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Fifty-one more coronavirus deaths announced in Illinois, with positive tests continuing to come in below 20% The positivity rate in the northeast part of the state was 18.3% Sunday, the fourth straight day below 20%. In Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan, a region could move to the third phase after 14 consecutive days of hitting that mark. – Ben Pope
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/17/21261686/illinois-coronavirus-pritzker-cases-deaths-testing-may-17-deaths
— Illinois’ latest 1-day statewide COVID-19 positivity rate dips below 9%
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/17/21261282/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020
— Keeping it safe for legislators and democracy in Springfield this week Every protester should leave their guns at home. And any lawmaker who can’t be bothered to wear a face mask should stay out of town. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/17/21260565/coronavirus-covid-guns-legislature-michigan-domestic-terrorism-illinois-general-assembly-springfield
— How to crack down on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes The first step is to evacuate coronavirus-infected residents from the lowest-rated facilities until the virus is contained or they recover. – Brandon Johnson, Cook County Commissioner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/17/21260205/covid-nursing-home-deaths-personal-liberties-illinois-lockdown-first-amendment-letters-s-e-cupp
— While state remains shut down, Illinois residents head to neighboring states to shop, eat out In the first weekend that bordering states Indiana and Wisconsin largely were open for business, Illinoisans traveled across state lines, confident they won’t get sick. – Bob Chiarito
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/17/21261537/illinois-wisconsin-indiana-stay-at-home-order-open-coronavirus-covid-19
— Prognosis for COVID-19’s hit on Cook County finances plagued by ‘unknown unknowns’ “It’s worse than a hurricane, it’s worse than 9/11, it’s worse than the 2008 economic … downturn because this is a comprehensive stopping of the economy, a threat to public safety that forces total disruption of most traditional, economic activities,” said Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation. – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/17/21256486/cook-county-budget-shortfall-covid-19-finances-millions-coronavirus-revenues-hole

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois officials report 51 more fatalities from coronavirus, the lowest number of daily deaths in nearly two weeks
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200516-ildqrn4e4bhorexpljpc7dur7u-story.html
— We can’t wait for a COVID-19 vaccine to reopen, Britain, Italy tell citizens – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-world-updates-20200517-sckhmqobaveb7otzv6h7m6xdza-story.html
— Federal judge moves up petitions deadline for third-party and independent candidates but rejects call to require more signatures – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-third-party-candidates-ruling-20200517-2aunxlybungvlhqlpwvwa3ydcq-story.html
— Dozens defy stay-at-home order to attend Belmont-Cragin church while protesters warn of endangering the community – LAURA RODRÍGUEZ PRESA and JESSICA VILLAGOMEZ
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-churches-20200517-hawt4sd76jcmdorqquwytpqvx4-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— State reports 1,734 new COVID-19 cases, 51 additional deaths – Steve Zalusky
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200517/state-reports-1734-new-covid-19-cases-51-additional-deaths

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Out of the virus frying pan, into the financial fire – Sheila A. Weinberg
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/guest-commentary/guest-commentary-out-of-the-virus-frying-pan-into-the-financial-fire/article_c034dce3-7516-53f7-b5f5-f306fc13a4a3.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Biden’s VP search puts spotlight on how long he’ll serve – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/bidens-vp-search-puts-spotlight-on-how-long-hell-serve

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump says back to normal in golf means big crowds, no masks – AP
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/sports/trump-says-back-to-normal-in-golf-means-big-crowds-no-masks/

BURR RIDGE PATCH
— Burr Ridge Mayor Updates Residents On Flattening Coronavirus Curve “Burr Ridge continues to do its part to bring the curve down.”
https://patch.com/illinois/burrridge/burr-ridge-mayor-updates-residents-flattening-coronavirus-curve

ILLINOIS ACTION
— Illinois – URGENT call to action! – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/illinois-urgent-call-to-action/

THE HILL
— Biden hits Trump, Pence on LGBTQ+ rights – JUSTINE COLEMAN (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs get rid of you if you do not promote LGBTQ+ activity.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/498197-biden-hits-trump-pence-on-lgbtq-rights

ABC NEWS
— How apps could change the workplace after coronavirus crisis Several apps could hold the future to a safe office after reopening. – Leighton Schneider and Michael Dobuski
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/apps-change-workplace-coronavirus-crisis/story?id=70726355

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Trump adviser Peter Navarro says stay-at-home measures kill more people ‘indirectly’ than coronavirus – DAVE GOLDINER
https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-peter-navarro-indirectly-20200517-wy45r77utjh2xc35bxwfmcgom4-story.html

DENVER POST
— Dealing with discrimination in the workplace – Iris Halpern and Ellen K. Giarratana (DIERSEN: How strongly will employers use coronavirus to get rid of their employees who are older, who are obese, who have diabetes, etc.?)
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/05/17/workers-rights-qa-dealing-with-discrimination-in-the-workplace/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Why Stadiums Are Incubators for Coronavirus Spread Sports fans are longing to return to the stands, but health experts say stadiums are one of the highest-risk areas for coronavirus transmission. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist, walks us through how easily the virus could spread among the crowd.
https://www.wsj.com/video/why-stadiums-are-incubators-for-coronavirus-spread/16EEBD9D-DCF5-40D9-9628-7E8351E414D8.html

FORTUNE
— The class of 2020 is getting a crash course in job market uncertainty New grads are unsure and anxious about their professional prospects in a labor market ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. – MCKENNA MOORE (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://fortune.com/longform/coronavirus-job-market-class-of-2020-entry-level-hiring-covid-19/

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 14 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases top 87K with over 3.9K deaths; All Illinois regions poised to move to next phase of reopening, Pritzker says Illinois reports 3,239 new COVID-19 cases, 138 deaths on May 14 – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/society/all-illinois-regions-poised-to-move-to-next-phase-of-reopening-pritzker-says/6181604/
— Coronavirus Chicago: Willie Wilson voices support for 100 churches to reopen Sunday in defiance of stay-at-home order – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/health/willie-wilson-voices-support-for-100-churches-to-reopen-sunday-in-defiance-of-stay-at-home-order/6181687/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/14/2020
— Coronavirus drives sharp rise in food prices at grocery stores in April
https://abc7chicago.com/food/grocery-store-prices-rose-sharply-in-april-from-covid-19-pandemic/6183211/

NBC5
— 3,239 New Coronavirus Cases, 138 Additional Deaths Reported in Illinois The numbers lift statewide totals to 87,937 cases and 3,928 deaths
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/3239-new-coronavirus-cases-in-illinois/2272151/
— All Regions in Illinois Now on Track to Move to Phase 3 at End of May, Pritzker Says No region can officially move forward until May 29, under the parameters of the governor’s plan
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/all-regions-in-illinois-now-on-track-to-move-to-phase-3-at-end-of-may-pritzker-says/2272206/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois nearing 4,000 coronavirus deaths
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-nearing-4000-coronavirus-deaths

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Tollway collections down $52 million in April due to pandemic – Mary Wisniewski
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-tollway-52-million-loss-20200513-s7kcoueacjhrpm4w74cpn4y4sq-story.html
— Chicago-area transit may look different this summer, with social distancing and the end of rush hour – Mary Wisniewski
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-transit-future-cta-metra-pace-masks-crowds-20200514-of35kwsm7vazjiga4356mzl72y-story.html
— As House readies vote on coronavirus package with second stimulus checks, some lawmakers push for guaranteed income programs – CATIE EDMONDSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-nyt-congress-coronavirus-stimulus-checks-20200514-pmdses3xljgevfbywbmharveoq-story.html
— Preckwinkle unveils COVID-19 recovery plan for Cook County focusing on racial equity – ALICE YIN (DIERSEN: To promote racial and gender equity, my Democrat superiors in the federal government a) gave preference to their Democrat employees who were minority, female, and/or younger and b) got rid of their Republican employees who were White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-cook-county-preckwinkle-recovery-plan-coronavirus-20200514-x2vahslxbbdzhmgopiegxq2k4u-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Illinois GOP agitates for chance to negotiate COVID-19 re-opening – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200514/news/305149944/
— Chicago, suburbs hit testing milestone, on track to ease stay-at-home restrictions – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200514/chicago-suburbs-hit-testing-milestone-on-track-to-ease-stay-at-home-restrictions-
— Suburban pastors expect excitement, caution with reopenings – Bob Susnjara
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200514/suburban-pastors-expect-excitement-caution-with-reopenings
— Kane sheriff: Deputies need judge’s order to enforce governor’s orders – Harry Hitzeman
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200514/kane-sheriff-deputies-need-judgess-order-to-enforce-governors-orders
— Batavia preparing for anticipated revenue shortfall due to coronavirus pandemic – Lauren Rohr
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200514/batavia-preparing-for-anticipated-revenue-shortfall-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic
— Elmhurst Park District facing furloughs, lost revenue from pandemic – Bob Smith
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200514/elmhurst-park-district-facing-furloughs-lost-revenue-from-pandemic
— Trump: Virus shows supply chains should be moved from China – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200514/trump-virus-shows-supply-chains-should-be-moved-from-china

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Chicago’s on track to move to next phase of recovery on May 29, Pritzker says Limited reopening of stores, offices, gyms and hair salons will occur if health numbers hold up—and if Lightfoot doesn’t impose tougher rules for the city. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/chicagos-track-move-next-phase-recovery-may-29-pritzker-says
— The cap on SALT deductions is back on the agenda in D.C. Tucked into Pelosi’s big $3 trillion COVID-relief bill is a clause to drop the $10,000 federal cap on deductions for state and local taxes for the next two years, a hot topic ever since the GOP passed it in a previous Congress. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/cap-salt-deductions-back-agenda-dc

WBEZ
— Chicago Teachers Union Calls On State To Force CPS To Bargain Over Remote Learning The union says state rules require the school district to bargain about instruction from home. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has already said no. – Sarah Karp
https://www.wbez.org/stories/chicago-teachers-union-calls-on-state-to-force-cps-to-bargain-over-remote-learning/2b25266f-1b23-46d8-93f3-7db3bee26711

SOUTHERN
— Republicans push for revisions to ‘Restore Illinois’ plan – PETER HANCOCK
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/republicans-push-for-revisions-to-restore-illinois-plan/article_bf14d217-2488-53d4-bfb8-6d7e0a1f24d2.html

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— County action on reopening brings political responses – Scott Cousins
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/County-action-on-reopening-brings-political-15271216.php

NPR ILLINOIS
— With School Buildings Closed, Children’s Mental Health Is Suffering – ANYA KAMENETZ
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/school-buildings-closed-childrens-mental-health-suffering#stream/0

CHICAGO READER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: White-haters use coronavirus to promote hatred against Whites.
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/covid-death-racial-disparity/Content?oid=79884746&mc_cid=c588c4801b&mc_eid=c968c7978e

WILL COUNTY NEWS
— Federal Lawsuit filed against Governor Jay Robert Pritzker in his official capacity and the State of Illinois – Steve Balich
https://thewillcountynews.com/install/index.php/2020/05/13/federal-lawsuit-filed-against-governor-jay-robert-pritzker-in-his-official-capacity-and-the-state-of-illinois/

CENTER SQUARE
— Lawmakers expect pandemic special session to be a ‘rodeo’ Aside from state budget, Illinois lawmakers expected to take up expanded to take up mail-in voting possible but not check on executive authority – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/lawmakers-expect-pandemic-special-session-to-be-a-rodeo/article_bfd419fc-9547-11ea-bc5e-af4c3238930d.html

WIREPOINTS
— Facing Growing Defiance, Pritzker Thumbs Nose at AG Opinion, Insults and Threatens Dissidents – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/facing-growing-defiance-pritzker-thumbs-nose-at-ag-opinion-insults-and-threatens-dissidents-wirepoints/
— COVID-19 deaths and pre-existing conditions. What Illinois’ data says about who’s at risk. – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/covid-19-deaths-and-pre-existing-conditions-what-illinois-data-says-about-whos-at-risk-wirepoints/

CAPITOL FAX
— Another 3 million Americans, 73,000 Illinoisans apply for unemployment insurance
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/14/another-3-million-americans-73000-illinoisans-apply-for-unemployment-insurance/
— Bailey files new lawsuit based on informal 2001 AG opinion
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/14/bailey-files-new-lawsuit-based-on-informal-2001-ag-opinion/
— Illinois Sheriffs’ Association: “It is outrageous that the Governor is threatening retaliation”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/14/illinois-sheriffs%e2%80%99-association-it-is-outrageous-that-the-governor-is-threatening-retaliation/
— Pritzker talks unemployment insurance – As of right now, all regions are meeting guidelines to move forward to Phase 3 – Explains regionalization approach – Restates possible licensure and legal consequences – Says Leader Brady demand “sounds like grandstanding” – Brady responds – Answers “loaded” question – Explains rolling averages – Business guidance coming in next two weeks or so – Dr. Ezike comments on 12-year-old boy who died – Dr. Ezike says she has no info on reopen protesters catching virus – Dr. Ezike says people can refuse hospital admission – Asked about hospital rumor – Pritzker says he’d like to go to Springfield, but waiting on medical sign-off – Dr. Ezike explains that increased testing will result in increased cases – Dr. Ezike says woman who gave birth and died after being sent home a “significant tragedy” and vows probe – Dr. Ezike comments on WHO official claim that virus may never go away – Dr. Ezike explains mental health treatment options – Governor talks budget process moving forward – Revenue projections have not changed “a whole lot” – Could be population shift, but maybe not because of virus – Believes EO is on solid legal footing – Explains why Illinois has 28-day metric – Praises Catholic Church reopening plan, is working with other denominations – “It’s just the very loud voices of people who are being defiant and ignoring science and data”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/14/pritzker-talks-unemployment-insurance-as-of-right-now-all-regions-are-meeting-guidelines-to-move-forward-to-phase-3/
— 3,239 new cases, 138 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/14/3239-new-cases-138-additional-deaths/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/14/covid-19-roundup-38/

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— There’s No Proof Killing The Economy Saves Lives
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/32513

NEWSMAX
— Total Virus Layoffs Hit 36.5M as About 3M More Workers Seek Jobless Aid
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/jobless-claims-pandemic-virus/2020/05/14/id/967370/

THE HILL
— Trump says testing may be ‘frankly overrated’ – BRETT SAMUELS AND JESSIE HELLMANN
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/497846-trump-says-testing-may-be-frankly-overrated


— Ousted health official warns US needs national plan to beat coronavirus – NATHANIEL WEIXEL
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/497766-ousted-health-official-warns-us-needs-national-strategy-to-combat

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “‘They are angry:’ Pandemic and economic collapse slam Trump across Rust Belt. Coronavirus infections and unemployment filings are spiraling in parts of the industrial Midwest where Donald Trump cleaned up in 2016.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/14/coronavirus-economic-collapse-rust-belt-trump-259657

BLOOMBERG
— U.S. Jobless Claims in Millions Again, Higher Than Expected – Katia Dmitrieva
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-14/u-s-jobless-claims-remain-in-millions-for-eighth-straight-week

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— 23% of Republicans Think GOP Should Nominate Someone Other Than Trump (DIERSEN: What do you say to Republican candidates who hint/imply/argue/shout that they are one or more of the following: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, 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.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2020/23_of_republicans_think_gop_should_nominate_someone_other_than_trump

May 12 Morning Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Activists call on CHA to provide adequate COVID-19 testing, PPE for seniors
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/11/21254338/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020

DAILY HERALD
— Bring manufacturing back to the U.S. – Kevin Coyne, Naperville
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20200512/bring-manufacturing-back-to-the-us

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker sticks with reopening timetable As business groups press for a quicker timeline, the governor says a return won’t happen before May 29. And the projected COVID infection peak is pushed to June. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-sticks-reopening-timetable
— Chicago is building a COVID contact tracing workforce “We recognize, with an eye towards reopening, that we need to substantially beef up the infrastructure for that, and that means bringing more people online,” says Mayor Lightfoot. – A.D. QUIG
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/chicago-building-covid-contact-tracing-workforce
— Property tax reprieve picks up Springfield steam Chances are rising that when the state Legislature meets it will consider helping out homeowners amid the COVID-19 pandemic. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/property-tax-reprieve-picks-springfield-steam
— Hotel group takes aim at Pritzker’s reopening plan The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association says the governor needs to “offer some hope” to a huge and reeling industry. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/hotel-group-takes-aim-pritzkers-reopening-plan
— When a 20% salary cut isn’t a 20% salary cut Insurance giant Aon says workers who quit over the hefty pay reduction won’t get severance. – STEVE DANIELS (DIERSEN: Have you suffered a pay cut? GAO audits IRS. I took a 21% pay cut in 1980 to transfer from IRS to GAO. In today’s dollars, that was $20,157/year pay cut. In today’s dollars, my GS-12 Step 5 IRS salary was $96,431/year and my GS-9 Step 10 GAO salary was only $76,274/year. Of course, ever since then, my critics/opponents have used that against me. They hint/imply/argue/shout a) that IRS had overpaid me and b) that GAO viewed me and my almost 9 years of IRS work experience, that last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels (currently $85,084-$96,431/year) was worthless. Much of what GAO Analysts do is similar to what IRS Revenue Officers do. If I had been a Democrat, minority, female, and/or veteran, GAO would not have required me to suffer a pay cut to transfer. I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/insurance/when-20-salary-cut-isnt-20-salary-cut

WTTW
— State Lawmakers at Odds Over Gov. Pritzker’s Recovery Plan – Paul Caine
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/11/state-lawmakers-odds-over-gov-pritzker-s-recovery-plan

WBEZ
— Coronavirus In Illinois: Peak Not Expected Until Mid-June, Governor Says
https://www.wbez.org/stories/coronavirus-in-illinois-peak-not-expected-until-mid-june-governor-says/b9d4bbde-4bde-48e1-810b-5cc7df506ca0
— He Gained National Attention For Fighting Illinois’ Stay-At-Home Orders. But Who Is Darren Bailey? – Dan Mihalopoulos
https://www.wbez.org/stories/he-gained-national-attention-for-fighting-illinois-stay-at-home-orders-but-who-is-darren-bailey/a9610f4b-9219-4612-81a5-bcdd9c6d2110

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Three businesses sue Illinois Gov. Pritzker, challenge his power to shutter services – REBECCA ANZEL
https://qctimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/three-businesses-sue-illinois-gov-pritzker-challenge-his-power-to-shutter-services/article_24702e5c-2a00-5002-9375-4c07c9cc945d.html

WGEM & WEEK
— Illinois Republican leaders join Municipal League in call to ease ‘Restore Illinois’ restrictions – Mike Miletich
https://wgem.com/2020/05/11/illinois-republican-leaders-join-municipal-league-in-call-to-ease-restore-illinois-restrictions/
https://week.com/2020/05/12/illinois-republican-leaders-join-municipal-league-in-call-to-ease-restore-illinois-restrictions/

WSPY NEWS
— Local Republican Reps. to Back Proposed ‘Fair Business Treatment Act’
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/local-republican-reps-to-back-proposed-fair-business-treatment-act/article_1560e6fc-9458-11ea-ba33-6366ba87b76d.html

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Democrats Developing Contingency Plans For Remote Convention – ASMA KHALID
https://www.peoriapublicradio.org/post/democrats-developing-contingency-plans-remote-convention#stream/0

KHQA
— Quincy City Council unanimously adopts Restore Illinois modification request
https://khqa.com/news/local/quincy-city-council-unanimously-adopts-restore-illinois-modification-request

NPR ILLINOIS
— Democrats Developing Contingency Plans For Remote Convention – ASMA KHALID
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/democrats-developing-contingency-plans-remote-convention#stream/0


— Why The Crisis May Make Powerful Corporations Even More Powerful – GREG ROSALSKY
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/why-crisis-may-make-powerful-corporations-even-more-powerful#stream/0

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Millions in federal funding headed to Illinois – Devin Trubey
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/millions-in-federal-funding-headed-to-illinois

FOX ILLINOIS
— Pelosi urges Congress to ‘go big’ on next virus aid package – AP (DIERSEN: Will governments ask those in their jurisdictions to submit forms in which they declare the amount of money that they have lost so far because coronavirus?)
https://foxillinois.com/news/coronavirus/pelosi-urges-congress-to-go-big-on-next-virus-aid-package
— Democrats set to take next steps toward virtual convention – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/democrats-set-to-take-next-steps-toward-virtual-convention-05-12-2020

ELMHURST PATCH
— Burr Ridge Mayor’s ‘Respectful Pushback’ Mayor Gary Grasso and other DuPage mayors want quicker reopening of the economy. – David Giuliani
https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/burr-ridge-mayors-respectful-pushback

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Is This Chicago’s Back-to-the-Burbs Moment? As COVID-19 spreads through cities, many Chicagoans are eyeing the collar counties. But is density the issue? – RYAN SMITH
http://www.chicagomag.com/real-estate/May-2020/Chicago-Moving-to-the-Suburbs/

WIREPOINTS
— Half of Illinois’ COVID-19 deaths come from retirement homes. Five key facts you should know. – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/half-of-illinois-covid-19-deaths-come-from-retirement-homes-five-key-facts-you-should-know-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Gov Pritzker runs to Federal Courts seeking approval of Executive Orders – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/gov-pritzker-runs-to-federal-courts-seeking-approval-of-executive-orders/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— ILLINOIS UNEMPLOYMENT HITS AN ESTIMATED 1 IN 5 WORKERS – Bryce Hill
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-unemployment-hits-an-estimated-1-in-5-workers/

CAPITOL FAX
— Poll: 70 percent support stay at home order, but 75 percent want small retailers opened immediately with social distancing requirements
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/12/poll-70-percent-support-stay-at-home-order-but-75-percent-want-small-retailers-opened-immediately-with-social-distancing-requirements/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘Threatening’ shutdown tactics turn everyday business owners into outlaws – James Varney
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/11/business-owners-become-outlaws-face-shutdown-tacti/
— Testing blitz: Trump vows dramatic ramp up to meet governors’ demands President downplays White House infections: ‘It can happen; it’s the hidden enemy – Tom Howell Jr.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/11/trump-vows-coronavirus-testing-blitz-meet-demands-/

GOPUSA
— Colorado County GOP Chair Files Fraud Complaints Against Members Of His Own Party
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88770

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Is Obama’s Long History of Playing Dirty Finally Catching Up With Him? – Julie Kelly
https://amgreatness.com/2020/05/11/is-obamas-long-history-of-playing-dirty-finally-catching-up-with-him/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Obama’s pathway to winning the Illinois U.S. Senate seat in 2004 was cleared after divorce records of his Democratic primary opponent, who had been in the lead, were made public just weeks before the election. After Obama won the primary, the Chicago Tribune sued to get the divorce settlement of Jack Ryan, Obama’s Republican opponent, unsealed. (Many suspect at the behest of Obama advisor and longtime Tribune columnist David Axelrod.) Embarrassing details sank Ryan’s candidacy and he dropped out of the race. Obama won the seat with 70 percent of the vote.)

NEWSMAX
— Trump Defends Supreme Court Decision on Encouraging Illegal Immigration – Marisa Herman (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Illinois who have focused on encouraging illegal immigration. I would focus of those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican. Needless-to-say, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.)
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/borders-immigration-felony/2020/05/12/id/967033/

BLAZE
— President Trump abruptly ends media briefing after reporter accuses him of giving a racist response Democrats are pouncing – Carlos Garcia (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, being called a racist in America today is like being called a Jew in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, past or present federal employee, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.theblaze.com/news/trump-ends-briefing-after-nasty-question

LIFE SITE NEWS
— U.S. Democrats propose ominous ‘6666’ bill for coronavirus tracing The shortened title of the bill is, ‘COVID–19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act.’
https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/house-dems-propose-ominous-6666-bill-for-coronavirus-tracing

ROLL CALL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Republican-hater asks “Will 2020 be the year the RNC’s ‘autopsy’ was right?” and says “Seven years later, the GOP’s analysis of the electorate is still a must-read.”
https://www.rollcall.com/2020/05/11/will-2020-be-the-year-the-rncs-autopsy-was-right/

REUTERS
— U.S. government officials worry about return of dual citizens if Mexico’s pandemic worsens – Ted Hesson, Jonathan Landay, Mica Rosenberg (DIERSEN: No one can be loyal to more than one country at the same time. All countries always have major conflicting interests with each other.)
https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-mexico/exclusive-us-government-officials-worry-about-return-of-dual-citizens-if-mexicos-pandemic-worsens-idUSL1N2CT0V9

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Amid coronavirus news, many need to step away – AP
https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/following-the-coronavirus/2020/05/amid-coronavirus-news-many-need-to-step-away/
— Chinese Direct Investment in US Fell Last Year to Lowest Level Since 2009 – Paul Wiseman
https://www.equities.com/news/chinese-direct-investment-in-us-fell-last-year-to-lowest-level-since-2009

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Trump Is Using the Pandemic to Flout Immigration Laws.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/opinion/trump-coronavirus-immigration.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: G.O.P. Split Over State Aid That Could Mostly Go to Democratic Strongholds With governors and mayors pressing for more federal help to deal with the effects of the pandemic, a divide among Republicans is being driven by the political bent of the states that stand to benefit. – Emily Cochrane (DIERSEN: Of course, Trump-haters hint/imply/argue/shout that the more of the following that you are, the more that you have suffered from the pandemic: 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.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/us/politics/state-aid-coronavirus-congress.html
— ‘Full Steam Ahead’ for Trump’s Convention? North Carolina Has Doubts The president craves a nationally televised coronation with cheering supporters, but even Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are expressing doubts it can take place as planned. – Trip Gabriel
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/us/politics/republican-convention-charlotte-nc.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Chicago’s Union Pickpockets Big Labor confiscates dues money from members who resigned. – Editorial (DIERSEN: Joseph A. Morris is one of the counsels for the plaintiffs.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chicagos-union-pickpockets-11589238393
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Do public unions feel obliged to follow the law? Apparently the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) doesn’t, according to a new lawsuit filed by teachers who say they’ve been forced to make compulsory dues payments though they’ve left the union. When the CTU went on strike last fall, Joanne Troesch and Ifeoma Nkemdi didn’t want to stop teaching. Ms. Nkemdi says her second graders are “incredible, highly intelligent young people” but “already disenfranchised,” so “I didn’t feel they needed to be away from school, period. . . . Time away was going to be detrimental.”)
— Congress Weighs Coronavirus Aid for Local Newspapers, Broadcasters House provision would allow currently ineligible local news outlets apply for PPP loans – Keach Hagey and Lindsay Wise (DIERSEN: What do local news outlets think of you and think of what you do? I should write a book about what local news outlets a) think of me, b) think of my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and c) think my www.gopillinois.com website. I would focus on local news outlets that a) think poorly of me, b) think poorly of my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and c) think poorly my www.gopillinois.com website. They think poorly of my decisions to include and to not include links to articles in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They think poorly or my comments on those articles and they think poorly of the articles that I write. They think poorly of those who read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They think poorly of a) my stressing the sources and authors of articles in the emails and on the website, b) my not hiding the hyperlinks for those articles, and c) my not including a pictures in the emails or the website. They hint/imply/argue/shout that my emails are worthless because I send them out for free of charge, because my website does not have a paywall, because the emails and website do not have any advertising, because no one pays me for what I do, and because I do not have a degree in journalism. They stress how the following treat me and treat my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails: the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Organization, Illinois Review, Capitol Fax, etc.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/congress-weighs-coronavirus-aid-for-local-newspapers-broadcasters-11589238146
— Why the Economic Recovery Will Be More of a ‘Swoosh’ Than V-Shaped Some policy makers predict a large drop followed by a painfully slow recovery, similar in shape to the Nike logo – Paul Hannon and Saabira Chaudhuri
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-the-economic-recovery-will-be-more-of-a-swoosh-than-v-shaped-11589203608
— Twitter to Add Labels to Disputed Coronavirus Posts, as Misinformation Proliferates New survey says 78% of Americans believe that false claims about the virus are a major problem – Georgia Wells (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all government and political news and commentary is misinformation except for the government and political news and commentary that they put out or bless.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/twitter-to-add-labels-to-disputed-coronavirus-posts-as-misinformation-proliferates-11589226911
— Public Pension-Fund Losses Set Record in First Quarter State and local pension funds just endured their worst quarter on record – Heather Gillers
https://www.wsj.com/articles/public-pension-fund-losses-set-record-in-first-quarter-11589240175

FORBES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use Ahmaud Arbery to promote hatred against Trump.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sethcohen/2020/05/10/what-a-lynching-in-georgia-says-about-american-leadership-in-2020/

USA TODAY
— TRAGIC: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Many drinking more amid pandemic – Jennifer Jolly
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2020/05/10/alcohol-intake-increases-need-sobriety-tech-tools/3081935001/
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Virus will infect 70% of population, expert warns Coronavirus will rage ‘until it infects everybody it possibly can’ – Ken Alltucker (DIERSEN: What are the demographics and lifestyles of those who will not be infected?)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/05/11/coronavirus-expert-michael-osterholm-warns-virus-spread-far-from-over/3108333001/

NEWSWEEK
— CHINA THREATENS RETALIATION OVER NEW U.S. VISA RESTRICTIONS FOR CHINESE REPORTERS – DAVID BRENNAN
https://www.newsweek.com/china-threatens-retaliation-new-us-visa-restrictions-chinese-reporters-1503060

MEDIA MATTERS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “While a pandemic rages, political journalists are still grading Trump on a curve.”
https://www.mediamatters.org/coronavirus-covid-19/while-pandemic-rages-political-journalists-are-still-grading-trump-curve

MEDIA ETHICS NEWS & INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS
— Top 5 Plagiarism & Attribution cases of 2019 – Sydney Smith (DIERSEN: Diersen stresses that GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails a) stress the sources of articles, b) stress the titles of articles, c) stress the authors of articles, and d) stress the unhidden hyperlinks of articles which often contain the titles of the articles. What do you say to my critics/opponents who do everything that they can to make the original work of others to look like it is their original work?)
https://www.imediaethics.org/top-5-plagiarism-attribution-cases-of-2019/

ASSOCIATION FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT
— Managing Performance Evaluations During a Pandemic – Hannah Wilken (DIERSEN: Who has evaluated your performance? I should write a book about those who have evaluated my performance as a Republican Precinct Committeeman, GOPUSA Illinois Editor, Wheaton West District City Council candidate, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Organization webmaster and Treasurer candidate, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, IRS employee, etc. I would focus on those who have given me low ratings. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois and who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican. I would focus on those who reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, illegal drugs, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks in the Republican Party platform. I would focus on those who promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, abolition of the First and/or Second Amendments, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and/or retaliation for opposing the aforesaid. I would focus on those who talk and/or act like they 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. I would focus on those who blame me and blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for their problems, for your problems, my for problems, and for everyone’s problems. I would focus on those who I have sued. I would focus on those who destroy those like me who they cannot manipulate or dominate. I would focus on those who a) discourage me from sending GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails out and b) discourage everyone from reading those emails.)
https://www.td.org/insights/managing-performance-evaluations-during-a-pandemic

May 11, 2020 Morning Edition

ABC7
— 23 shot, 4 fatally, in Chicago weekend shootings
https://abc7chicago.com/23-shot-4-fatally-in-chicago-weekend-shootings/6171610/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/11/2020
— Families frustrated after Chicago-area cemeteries close to visitors on Mother’s Day – Cate Cauguiran
https://abc7chicago.com/society/families-locked-out-of-chicago-area-cemeteries-on-mothers-day/6170622/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/11/2020

CBS2
— Some Industries That Might Have Career Opportunities During The Pandemic And Beyond – Tim McNicholas
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/11/some-industries-that-might-have-career-opportunities-during-the-pandemic-and-beyond/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— President Trump, frequent critic of Chicago, congratulates new local police union chief on Twitter – Jeremy Gorner
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-police-union-new-president-trump-tweet-20200510-u5z34k3pzfherajih3wn7lpziq-story.html
— Teachers in face masks? Staggered attendance? Lunch in classrooms? How and when Chicago-area schools will reopen remains elusive, despite ‘Restore Illinois’ phase-in plan. – KAREN ANN CULLOTTA and HANNAH LEONE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-schools-phase-in-reopen-20200511-27jyc3gcgbgnnbdp6pgtg4ku7y-story.html
— During pandemic, swanky Gold Coast hotel has become a haven for people living on the street and others at risk. ‘Housing is health care.’ – ALICE YIN and CECILIA REYES
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-hotels-166-chicago-homeless-20200511-q3rxmmzarvbwbdkprhxjhsfwjm-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: White-haters use Ahmaud Arbery to promote hatred against Whites.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/dahleen-glanton/ct-ahmaud-arbery-racism-health-20200511-l53n5uf5ybdddmmzgnxbs2cjxi-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— In emotional Mother’s Day message, health chief says more than 1,000 Illinois moms lost to COVID-19 Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the head of the Illinois Department of Public Health, detailed in a Mother’s Day sermon that more than 1,000 mothers have died from COVID-19 in Illinois. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/10/21254068/emotional-mothers-day-message-health-chief-says-more-than-1000-illinois-moms-lost-covid-19

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: Forced to start over again? Pandemic adds to challenges for refugees in the suburbs – Katlyn Smith
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200511/forced-to-start-over-again-pandemic-adds-to-challenges-for-refugees-in-the-suburbs–
— Duckworth reflects on prejudice, perseverance in PBS’ ‘Asian Americans’ – AP (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters use Duckworth to promote hatred not only against Trump, but against individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20200511/duckworth-reflects-on-prejudice-perseverance-in-pbs-asian-americans

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— This sector’s best-case scenario is the steepest drop since the 1980s A veteran retail industry-watcher forecasts a 10 percent plunge in sales this year, the biggest annual decline since the firm began tracking this data. And even that may be optimistic. – ALBY GALLUN
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/sectors-best-case-scenario-steepest-drop-1980s

WBBM
— For The Fifth Day In A Row, The State of Illinois Is Reporting A Rise Of More Than 100 In The Number Of COVID-19 Deaths
https://wbbm780.radio.com/media/audio-channel/for-the-fifth-day-in-a-row-the-state-of-illinois-is-reporting-a-rise-of-more

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Let’s choose freedom – Allen Skillicorn, R-East Dundee
https://www.nwherald.com/2020/05/08/skillicorn-lets-choose-freedom/agyb79i/

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— FROM THE ARTICLE: EXPECT A SURVEY FROM THE CENSUS BUREAU
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Americans could see an email from the U.S. Census Bureau in the next three months. The bureau’s Household Pulse Survey program seeks to collect information on how people’s lives have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The emails will come from COVID.survey@census.gov, NPR reported, and the survey will ask about food security, housing, physical and mental health, access to health care and education. Policymakers will use the information to guide decisions on how to best help citizens whose lives have been disrupted by COVID-19.)

https://www.bnd.com/news/coronavirus/article242586341.html

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Restaurants On the Backburner For Reopenings – Kevin Bessler
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=303794#.Xrk2JWhKiM8

SUBURBAN LIFE
— IDPH takes contact tracing privacy ‘very seriously’ Illinois announces 130 more COVID-19 deaths, 2,887 cases – SEAN HAMMOND
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/05/08/idph-takes-contact-tracing-privacy-very-seriously/acqft1v/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Economy likely to get worse before it gets better – KRISTINE FRAZAO
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/economy-likely-to-get-worse-before-it-gets-better
— Public health expert warns coronavirus is not going away – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/coronavirus/public-health-expert-warns-coronavirus-is-not-going-away
— Pandemic creates electoral uncertainty for Trump, Democrats – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/pandemic-creates-electoral-uncertainty-for-trump-democrats

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Mike Pence, task force members isolate after virus exposure – AP
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/fauci-2-other-members-of-coronavirus-task-force-in-quarantine-05-10-2020

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Durbin calls Harmon’s pension pitch “unrealistic”
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/illinois-capitol-news/durbin-calls-harmons-pension-pitch-unrealistic/

NPR ILLINOIS
— Unemployment Numbers ‘Will Get Worse Before They Get Better’ Mnuchin Says – HANNAH HAGEMANN
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/unemployment-numbers-will-get-worse-they-get-better-mnuchin-says#stream/0
— Trump Says More Testing Makes U.S. ‘Look Bad,’ But Its Availability Remains A Concern – DOMENICO MONTANARO
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/trump-says-more-testing-makes-us-look-bad-its-availability-remains-concern#stream/0

WIREPOINTS
— 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/
— Who’s most at risk for COVID-19 and why isn’t Illinois publishing that data? – Ted Dabrowski
https://wirepoints.org/whos-most-at-risk-for-covid-19-and-why-isnt-illinois-publishing-that-data-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— The scandal that haunts Kankakee – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/the-scandal-that-haunts-kankakee/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Obama Democrats Take a Page from Watergate Playbook – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2020/05/obama-democrats-take-a-page-from-watergate-playbook/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ELGIN CHURCH PUSHING BACK AGAINST ILLINOIS STAY-AT-HOME ORDER
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/elgin-church-pushing-back-against-illinois-stay-at-home-order.html
— WOODSTOCK OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/woodstock-occurred-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic.html
— COVID-19 NURSING HOME DEATHS CLIMB TO 1,553 ­– 48% OF STATE TOTAL
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/covid-19-nursing-home-deaths-climb-to-1553-48-of-state-total.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Weekend IDPH reports
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/11/weekend-idph-reports/
— If you don’t fear the governor, then fear lawsuits, no liability insurance and losing your business license
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/11/if-you-dont-fear-the-governor-then-fear-lawsuits-no-liability-insurance-and-losing-your-business-license/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Republicans more willing to risk coronavirus cases, deaths to reopen economy, poll finds – Valerie Richardson
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/10/republicans-more-willing-risk-coronavirus-cases-de/

THE HILL
— A glimpse of our post-pandemic politics – ALBERT HUNT
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/496993-a-glimpse-of-our-post-pandemic-politics

POLITICO
— ‘Abusive, dictatorial, tyrannical’: Republicans ramp up attacks on lockdowns Hard-liners are embracing the protests against stay-at-home orders, with some hoping to spark a sequel to the tea party. – MELANIE ZANONA
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/11/conservative-protest-lockdown-243638
— Trump sticks with positive messaging as coronavirus misery piles up With deaths mounting and unemployment at a record high, the president is focused on reopening the country. – NANCY COOK
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/11/trump-positive-messaging-coronavirus-misery-piles-248418

CNN
— The CDC hasn’t advised cruise lines yet about when they can resume travel – Mallika Kallingal
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/no-sail-order-cruise-ships-cetron-trnd/index.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE” Cruise ships pose risks because they are closed space environments with three distinct demographics prone to illness — elderly guests whose average age is in the 70s, people with underlying medical conditions, and the ship’s crew.)

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater asks “Has Trump Decided We Will Follow Sweden and Just Not Told Us?” and says “The president brings instability and confusion to a crisis.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/opinion/trump-sweden-coronavirus.html
— A Fight Over the Future of the Mail Breaks Down Along Familiar Lines With the coronavirus pandemic threatening the Postal Service’s financial viability, a rescue for America’s favorite agency has become a political battle. – Nicholas Fandos and Reid J. Epstein
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/us/politics/postal-service-trump-coronavirus.html
— ‘S.N.L.’ Salutes Mothers as Baldwin’s Trump Gives Advice to Graduates – Dave Itzkoff
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/arts/television/snl-season-finale-tina-fey-kristen-wiig.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Trump Is Using the Pandemic to Flout Immigration Laws. Refugees and unaccompanied children are the targets of summary border expulsions.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/opinion/trump-coronavirus-immigration.html
— Big Tech Has Crushed the News Business. That’s About to Change. News organizations have long hoped that tech platforms would pay them for news. Now regulators abroad are moving to make that happen. – Ben Smith (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who operate the websites that I include links to in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. I would focus on how they a) have treated me, b) have treated my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and c) have treated my www.gopillinois.com website. I would focus on those who have focused on a) discouraging me from sending out the emails, b) discouraging everyone from reading the emails, and/or c) discouraging everyone from visiting www.gopillinois.com .)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/business/media/big-tech-has-crushed-the-news-business-thats-about-to-change.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Facebook and Google have approached new regulatory aggressiveness differently. Facebook, after taking a huge public beating for its role amplifying misinformation and disseminating user data in the 2016 election, has moved to give publishers what they want: money, mostly. The company began its news tab last October writing checks in the seven figures to publishers in exchange for three-year licensing deals. Facebook’s attempts to make amends culminated with Mark Zuckerberg submitting to an onstage interview with a triumphant News Corp C.E.O., Robert Thomson, who began by asking drolly, “What took you so long?” And publishers believed that Facebook had legitimately begun to address an important issue by compensating news organizations for their work.)
— How to Stay Optimistic When Everything Seems Wrong – Kristin Wong (DIERSEN: From what see, because RINO leaders ever-increasingly dump them, it is ever-increasingly difficult for the following to be optimistic: those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/smarter-living/coronavirus-how-to-stay-optimistic-.html
— Repeat After Me: The Markets Are Not the Economy The two have been intertwined in the American psyche since the 1929 stock crash and the onset of the Great Depression. But stocks are not a reliable gauge of overall economic health. – Matt Phillips
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/business/stock-market-economy-coronavirus.html
— Gap Year? – William Deresiewicz (DIERSEN: Because of the pandemic, will the federal government give its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran more time to make promotion deadlines? Currently, they are 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.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/opinion/college-gap-year-coronavirus.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater promotes hatred against the Trump Administration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/opinion/trump-cabinet-coronavirus.html
— HARDCOPY EDITORIAL TITLE: Leave Contact Tracing to the Pros. (DIERSEN: Who is doing contact tracing in your county, township, municipality, and municipal district?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/opinion/coronavirus-contact-tracing-nyc.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Confronted with horrendous jobs report, White House and congressional Democrats aren’t even talking Proposed relief bill in House unlikely to win GOP support – Erica Werner, Jeff Stein and
Heather Long
https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/05/09/confronted-with-horrendous-jobs-report-white-house-congressional-democrats-arent-even-talking/
— ‘It is scary to go to work,’ White House adviser Kevin Hassett says as coronavirus outbreak fears spread – Antonia Noori Farzan, Allyson Chiu, Jennifer Hassan, Adam Taylor and John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/11/coronavirus-update-us/
— After the pandemic, visiting the doctor will never be the same. And that’s fine. – Michael L. Barnett
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/11/after-pandemic-visiting-doctor-will-never-be-same-thats-fine/

USA TODAY
— Recent grads hit with layoffs, furloughs worry returning home is ‘the image of failure’ – Jay Cannon (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, recent hires who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or veteran were members of a protected class. Everything negative that the agency suffered had to be suffered by its employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $101,176) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $119,559) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $140,634) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $170,800) by age 40.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/05/10/graduates-hit-unemployment-amid-covid-19-feel-failure-back-home/5176581002/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Factories Close for Good as Coronavirus Cuts Demand Some manufacturers that furloughed employees during lockdowns say plants won’t reopen – Austen Hufford and Bob Tita
https://www.wsj.com/articles/factories-close-for-good-as-coronavirus-cuts-demand-11589122800
— U.S. Falling Short on Needed Contact Tracers, Experts Say Officials say they don’t know who will fund or provide needed resources and worry they will lose government workers temporarily assigned to fill shortage – Joshua Jamerson
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-needs-tens-of-thousands-of-contact-tracers-to-reopen-safely-experts-say-11589130000
— Democrats Push Ahead With Coronavirus Plan Amid Break in Talks White House and top Republicans say discussions should wait until impact of previous relief is clearer – Natalie Andrews
https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-push-ahead-with-coronavirus-plan-amid-break-in-talks-11589112001
— Older Europeans Reject Calls to Remain in Isolation as Lockdowns Ease Policy makers are backtracking on guidelines aimed at reducing the chance of another wave of coronavirus infections – Stacy Meichtry
https://www.wsj.com/articles/older-europeans-reject-calls-to-remain-in-isolation-as-lockdowns-ease-11589112002
— How Coronavirus-Tracking Apps Work Welcome to Covid Trail, A Game About Contact Tracing – Joanna Stern
https://www.wsj.com/video/series/joanna-stern-personal-technology/how-coronavirus-tracking-apps-work/F71DE24D-24A0-42F1-9288-75F1217948F3

FORBES
— Anthony Fauci Is Facing Online Attacks And COVID-19 Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories – Bruce Y. Lee
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/05/10/anthony-fauci-is-facing-online-attacks-and-covid-19-coronavirus-conspiracy-theories/

BLOOMBERG LAW
— What’s Legal in Pandemic Pay Cuts Isn’t Necessarily Fair
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/whats-legal-in-pandemic-pay-cuts-isnt-necessarily-fair

LEXOLOGY
— Recalled Workers Don’t Want to Return Because of Health Risks or Child Care – Now What? – Shawe Rosenthal
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=bbce3ce2-6f03-4e4e-a2c3-60930f474462

ZUCKERMAN LAW
— What are some methods to prove pretext – Jason Zuckerman (DIERSEN: I should write a book about pretext. I would provide examples of how individuals, organizations, companies, and governments use false justifications to take adverse actions. I would provide examples in which the real reasons why adverse actions were taken against me were a) political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and/or national origin discrimination; b) rejection of the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, illegal drugs, equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving), and/or other planks in the Republican Party platform; c) a policy of destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate or dominate; and d) a policy of destroying those like me who I have sued. I would cite adverse actions taken against me by leaders of the Post Office, IRS, GAO, Department of Justice, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, Illinois Center Right Coalition, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, and those who I have sued.)
https://www.zuckermanlaw.com/sp_faq/methods-prove-pretext-retaliation-discrimination-cases/

DAILY TIMES
— Being ostracized: Virus leaves its mark for UK’s elderly
https://dailytimes.com.pk/610282/being-ostracized-virus-leaves-its-mark-for-uks-elderly/

May 6 Morning Edition

ABC7
— 2nd coronavirus wave: How bad will it be as lockdowns ease? – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/2nd-coronavirus-wave-how-bad-will-it-be-as-lockdowns-ease/6156117/
— Illinois state Representative Kam Buckner stopped by police after leaving store while wearing mask
https://abc7chicago.com/society/il-state-rep-wearing-mask-stopped-by-police-after-leaving-store/6156129/


CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus pandemic could cause $560 million in Illinois gas tax revenue losses this year, possibly delaying some road and rail plans: report – Mary Wisniewski
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-transportation-funding-20200506-aybzvr2n7vamlgf5a7g7xjqg6i-story.html
— The Kavanaugh-Biden double standard and an appalling lack of curiosity over Michael Flynn – John Kass
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/john-kass/ct-coronavirus-journalism-kass-20200506-ofkta4jeuff4zckhhera5xchkq-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Bitter pill: Pritzker says without vaccine, treatment or immunity ‘returning to normalcy doesn’t exist’ Tempering that message even more, the governor released his “Restore Illinois” plan on the same day the state suffered its largest number of COVID-19 deaths in single day — 176 more Illinois residents lost to the coronavirus. – Tina Sfondeles, Sam Charles, and Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/5/21248601/pritzker-reopen-restore-illinois-vaccine-treatment-immunity-normalcy-downstate-regions
— Thankfully, Pritzker’s ‘Restore Illinois’ plan relies on science, not politics The governor is using hard-and-fast metrics to determine how to reopen Illinois in a reasonably safe way. The standards won’t please everybody, but we see nothing overtly punishing or political about them. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/5/21248613/restore-illinois-j-b-pritzker-coronavirus-covid-19-recovery-plan-editorial
— Front-line face-offs: Mask rule sparks threats, rebellion, shouting at store workers: ‘And we can’t do anything about it’ “My fear is that these instances will escalate into a situation where someone will get hurt,” one anonymous store manager wrote after a series of confrontations with shoppers over the mask requirement. – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/5/21248762/illinois-grocery-store-mask-requirement-coronavirus-retailers

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Legislators from Elmhurst, Oak Brook and Western Springs eager to meet and work on state’s coronavirus response plan – KIMBERLY FORNEK and CHUCK FIELDMAN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/western-springs/ct-dws-local-legislators-coronavirus-comments-tl-0507-20200505-ghfaepghmrendbhnpyi752yvom-story.html
— Latino communities in Illinois see uptick in COVID-19 confirmed cases: ‘Physical distancing is a privilege’ – ELVIA MALAGÓN, HAL DARDICK, CECILIA REYES and JESSICA VILLAGOMEZ
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-spread-latino-neighborhoods-chicago-20200506-cq2cyli5sfhldjmpwtt2vvtmd4-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Naperville delaying $24.9 million in spending to offset pandemic losses – Marie Wilson (DIERSEN: How many millions of dollars in spending are the government entities on your real estate tax bill delaying to offset pandemic losses?)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200506/naperville-delaying-249-million-in-spending-to-offset-pandemic-losses

WTTW
— Celebrating Milestones is Different These Days, But Life Goes On – Amanda Vinicky (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, I am nowhere near as grateful as I should be for what I have. They hint/imply/argue/shout that I did not really earn what I have and that I do not disserve what I have. What days do you celebrate? Because of age discrimination, I do not celebrate my birthday. I would much rather celebrate the days when I got confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran (1962), bought my first Chevrolet (1964), bought a new Pontiac (1966), graduated from high school (1966), got hired by the Post Office (1966), bought my first new Oldsmobile (1967), bought my first new Dodge (1968), earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU (1970), got hired by Firestone Stores (1970), got hired by IRS (1971), bought my first new Corvette (1971), got promoted by IRS (1972, 1973, and 1974), bought a new town home in University Park (1972), bought a studio condo in the Outer Drive East (ODE) building in downtown Chicago (1974), earned an MBA from Loyola (1976), bought a one bedroom condo in the ODE building (1976), got married (1978), bought 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton (1978), passed the CPA examination on my first attempt (1979), got hired by GAO (1980), earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul (1980), passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt (1981), became a licensed CPA (1981), joined the Executive Committee of the Chicago Chapter of the Association Of Government Accountants (1983), had 915 Cove Court built in Wheaton (1984), got promoted by GAO (1986), bought my first new Ford (1989), earned job-related professional certifications (1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997), completed my 25th year as federal employee (1993), earned a master’s degree in finance from IIT (1997), became a Republican Precinct Committeeman (1999), became the GOPUSA Illinois Editor (2000), became a Milton Township Republican Organization Webmaster (2000 and 2008), became a director of the American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter (2001), became a member of the Steering Committee of the Illinois Center Right Coalition (2003), became a member of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee (2003), became the Chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois (2005), etc.)
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/22/celebrating-milestones-different-these-days-life-goes

PEKIN DAILY TIMES
— Peoria officials have many questions about Pritzker’s plan to reopen the state – Leslie Renken (DIERSEN: What Phase is your municipality, township, county, and region in, and who determined that?)
https://www.pekintimes.com/news/20200505/peoria-officials-have-many-questions-about-pritzkerrsquos-plan-to-reopen-state
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Pritzker has created a five-stage plan that utilizes medical metrics to determine when regions can begin to lift restrictions. Phase 2 began May 1, and the Tri-County Area is already achieving benchmarks that could potentially make it eligible to move into Phase 3, said Monica Hendrickson, administrator for the Peoria City/County Health Department. Phase 3 would allow manufacturing, retail, barbershops and salons to reopen with capacity restrictions, and gatherings of 10 or more people for any reason. . .Under the governor’s plan, the state has been divided into regions that will be considered as a whole when it comes to moving through the five phases of reopening. It appears that Peoria is in the same region as Rockford, which has been harder hit during the pandemic. The thought that Peoria’s ability to reopen could be affected by Rockford was troubling to Ardis. . . According to the governor, May 29 is the earliest any region could move into Phase 3. “If there isn’t any flexibility given for the communities that are already there, I would be very disappointed,” he said. Civic and health leaders from Peoria County and the city submitted their plan for reopening to Pritzker on Tuesday, said Ardis, who was surprised that Pritzker came out with his plan so quickly. The daily count of confirmed COVID-19 cases is at 175 for the Tri-County region, said Hendrickson. Peoria now has 112 cases, Tazewell has 50 and Woodford has 13. There has also been another death, a woman in her 90s with underlying health conditions. The Tri-County Area has now seen 8 deaths from COVID-19.)

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— What would it take to re-open DeKalb County under Gov. Pritzker’s new plan? Rep. Jeff Keicher says further details are needed regarding Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan – KELSEY RETTKE
https://www.daily-chronicle.com/2020/05/05/what-would-it-take-to-re-open-dekalb-county-under-gov-pritzkers-new-plan/a2zdqzi/

HERALD & REVIEW
— Here’s what Decatur, Macon County leaders think about Pritzker’s ‘Restore Illinois’ plan – Analisa Trofimuk
https://herald-review.com/news/local/heres-what-decatur-macon-county-leaders-think-about-pritzkers-restore-illinois-plan/article_21a63b07-1b7e-53c5-aa20-9be1e370797a.html

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— ‘Restore Illinois’ gets cautious thumbs-up from Bloomington-Normal leaders – Paul Swiech, Kelsey Watznauer, SIERRA HENRY
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/restore-illinois-gets-cautious-thumbs-up-from-bloomington-normal-leaders/article_95aff01d-9684-5bcc-afae-768ad5c7a850.html

PLATT COUNTY JOURNAL REPUBLICAN
— Rodney Davis Calls for Direct Funding for Local Governments
https://www.journal-republican.com/coronavirus/davis-calls-for-direct-funding-for-local-governments/article_4759900c-8f9c-11ea-8846-d7efd78b1d92.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Biden pressed to choose a black woman as his running mate (DIERSEN: My superiors in the federal government were pressed by Democrat politicians to hire, retain, and promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. That forced them to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran 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://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/biden-pressed-to-choose-a-black-woman-as-his-running-mate

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Reaction pours in about reopening Illinois plan
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/reaction-pours-in-about-reopening-illinois-plan
— Michigan woman arraigned in killing of Family Dollar security guard over face mask – AP
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/woman-arraigned-in-killing-of-security-guard-over-virus-mask

WEEK
— “Restore Illinois” – Local leaders react to Pritzker’s phased regional plan – Kaitlin Pearson
https://week.com/2020/05/05/restore-illinois-local-leaders-react-to-pritzkers-phased-regional-plan/

KHQA
— Law enforcement respond to more calls during COVID-19 pandemic – Lynsey Whitaker
https://khqa.com/news/coronavirus/law-enforcement-respond-to-more-calls-during-covid-19-pandemic

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Festivals, Concerts Canceled Until Coronavirus Is Defeated, But Pritzker Won’t Commit To Canceling Lolla Major events that attract big crowds won’t be allowed until a vaccine is developed or new cases stop popping up, the governor said. – Stephanie Lulay
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/05/05/festivals-concerts-and-other-big-events-canceled-until-coronavirus-is-eradicated-pritzker-says/

CHICAGO NOW
— Chicago Fed President Evans counsels patience and teamwork as we finesse a likely 20% – 40% U.S. GDP drop – Jeff Berkowitz
http://www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2020/05/chicago-fed-president-charles-evans-counsels-patience-and-teamwork-as-we-finesse-a-likely-20-to-40-u-s-gdp-drop/

CENTER SQUARE
— Pritzker says Illinois lawmakers must wear masks for when they return to Springfield – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/pritzker-says-illinois-lawmakers-must-wear-masks-for-when-they-return-to-springfield/article_ba0fd01e-8e31-11ea-8f96-e7c7f45be6b2.html

WIREPOINTS
— Illinois delays $1.2 billion bond issue. Will it tap new Federal Reserve program? – Ted Dabrowski
https://wirepoints.org/illinois-delays-1-2-billion-bond-issue-will-it-tap-new-federal-reserve-program-wirepoints/
— April State of Illinois Revenues Tank, Special Funds Raided – Quicktake
https://wirepoints.org/april-state-of-illinois-revenues-tank-special-funds-raided-quicktake/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Illinois -The truth (on isolation/closure orders) shall set you free – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/illinois-the-truth-on-isolation-closure-orders-shall-set-you-free/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Progressive Scolds Suck Up to Communist China – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2020/05/progressive-scolds-suck-up-to-communist-china/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— MORRIS: COUNTERING PRITZKER’S ENDLESS ‘EMERGENCY’ POWER GRAB IN COURT
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/morris-countering-pritzkers-endless-emergency-power-grab-in-court.html
— LOSING IT: 72% OF LOCKED-DOWN AMERICANS SAY THEY’LL REACH ‘BREAKING POINT’ BY MID-JUNE
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/losing-it-72-of-locked-down-americans-say-theyll-reach-breaking-point-by-mid-june.html
— DR. SCOTT ATLAS: THE DATA IS IN — STOP THE PANIC AND END THE TOTAL ISOLATION
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/dr-scott-atlas-the-data-is-in-stop-the-panic-and-end-the-total-isolation.html
— ROSSI: COVID 19 VS. FREEDOM
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/rossi-covid-19-vs-freedom.html

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Presidential campaigns staying virtual even as battleground states open up – David M. Drucker
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential-campaigns-staying-virtual-even-as-battleground-states-open-up

NEWSMAX
— COVID Testing — Opiate For The Masses – Milt Thomas (DIERSEN: What does the future hold for those who have tested positive COVID-19?)
https://www.newsmax.com/miltthomas/covid19-coronavirus-testing/2020/05/05/id/966098/

BREITBART
— Green New Deal, Healthcare for Illegals: Soros-Funded Groups Push Dems to Use Virus to Achieve Progressive Wish List – AARON KLEIN
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/05/05/green-new-deal-healthcare-for-illegals-soros-funded-groups-push-dems-to-use-virus-to-achieve-progressive-wish-list/

TOWNHALL
— CNN’s Cuomo Lecture on ‘Fools’ Easing on Social Distancing Showcases Bias Against Red States – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2020/05/06/cnns-cuomo-lecture-on-fools-easing-on-social-distancing-only-showcases-bias-against-red-states-n2568283

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— OUR DESTINY – Eric Wallace
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/our-destiny/

DAILY CALLER
— New Democratic Organization Pays Social Media Influencers To Disagree With Trump (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who focus on destroying “media influencers” who they cannot manipulate/dominate. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. I would focus on those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.)
https://dailycaller.com/2020/05/04/trump-influencer-isis-propaganda/
— How Beijing Grooms Journalists Globally To Do The Chinese Communist Party’s Work For Them (DIERSEN: I should write a book those who focus on destroying journalists who they cannot “groom.” I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. I would focus on those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.)
https://dailycaller.com/2020/05/04/trump-influencer-isis-propaganda/
https://dailycaller.com/2020/05/04/china-grooms-reporters-propoganda-communist-party-international-state-news/
— Here Are The Major US Industries And Corporations Most In Bed With China
https://dailycaller.com/2020/05/05/us-companies-china-coronavirus-patriots/

PATRIOT POST
— Gay Lawmakers Demand Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse Leave NYC – Todd Starnes (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who promote LGBTQ activity, that is Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, focus on destroying those who do not promote LGBTQ activity, that is, Republicans.)
https://patriotpost.us/opinion/70432-gay-lawmakers-demand-franklin-graham-samaritans-purse-leave-nyc-2020-05-05

LIFE NEWS
— David Daleiden Will Fight Ruling Forcing Him to Pay Millions for Exposing Planned Parenthood – MICAIAH BILGER
https://www.lifenews.com/2020/05/05/david-daleiden-will-fight-ruling-forcing-him-to-pay-millions-for-exposing-planned-parenthood/

EPOCH TIMES
— Democrats Gamble Everything on Dislike of Trump and Promotion of Lockdown – Conrad Black
https://www.theepochtimes.com/democrats-gamble-everything-on-dislike-of-trump-and-promotion-of-lockdown_3339825.html
— Lawmaker to Introduce Bill to Help US Manufacturers Move Out of China – CATHY HE
https://www.theepochtimes.com/lawmaker-to-introduce-bill-to-help-us-manufacturers-move-out-of-china_3339236.html

THE HILL
— Do party platforms matter for candidates? – MARK MELLMAN (DIERSEN: Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform.)
https://thehill.com/opinion/mark-mellman/496281-mellman-do-party-platforms-matter-for-candidates

NEW YORK TIMES
— With New Hot Spots Emerging, No Sign of a Respite While cities like New York have seen a hopeful drop in cases, upticks in other major cities and smaller communities have offset those decreases. – Julie Bosman, Mitch Smith and Amy Harmon
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/coronavirus-deaths-cases-united-states.html
— What Is the Real Coronavirus Toll in Each State? – Josh Katz, Denise Lu and Margot Sanger-Katz
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/05/us/coronavirus-death-toll-us.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Americans widely oppose reopening most businesses, despite easing of restrictions in some states, Post-U. Md. poll finds – Dan Balz and Emily Guskin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/americans-widely-oppose-reopening-most-businesses-despite-easing-of-restrictions-in-some-states-post-u-md-poll-finds/2020/05/04/495ddc3a-8e36-11ea-9e23-6914ee410a5f_story.html
— A massive drop in car sales sparks new push in Congress to aid the auto industry Since outbreak began, retailers have sold nearly 800,000 fewer vehicles than forecast, spurring some lawmakers to consider new federal incentives for buyers – Tony Romm
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/06/congress-auto-industry-aid/

NEW YORK POST
— Is the coronavirus antibody test a magic bullet — or false hope? – Isabel Vincent
https://nypost.com/2020/05/02/the-coronavirus-antibody-test-magic-bullet-or-false-hope/

WNCT
— North Carolina Republican Party State Convention rescheduled due to COVID-19 – Dalisa Robles
https://www.wnct.com/news/north-carolina/north-carolina-republican-party-state-convention-rescheduled-due-to-covid-19/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Disney Takes $1.4 Billion Hit to Earnings as Coronavirus Takes Hold Theme-parks division bears the brunt, but widespread lockdowns will deepen impact on company – Erich Schwartzel
https://www.wsj.com/articles/disneys-income-falls-as-coronavirus-takes-hold-11588710935
— Welcome Back to the Office. Your Every Move Will Be Watched. Employers plan new tools to measure office interactions and track workers’ health – Konrad Putzier and Chip Cutter (DIERSEN: How has your health been? While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, I had better health than virtually all my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates. They did like that at all. Many hinted that if I had not avoided the draft, I would have had health problems.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/lockdown-reopen-office-coronavirus-privacy-11588689725
— Sysco Paints Dire Picture for Restaurants Earnings from the food-service giant suggest that many coronavirus-related business closures won’t be temporary – Charley Grant
https://www.wsj.com/articles/table-for-none-sysco-paints-dire-picture-for-restaurants-11588696296
— Phase Out, Don’t Bail Out, the Post Office Nostalgia shouldn’t keep alive an agency that is obsolete. – Gary MacDougal (DIERSEN: I disagree.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/phase-out-dont-bail-out-the-post-office-11588719001

FORTUNE
— The pandemic makes the case for more transparent layoffs – MICHAL LEV-RAM
https://fortune.com/2020/05/06/coronavirus-layoffs-unemployment-covid-19/

MARKET WATCH
— Death tally tops 250,000; reports say internal projections show government expects surge in COVID-19 cases – Ciara Linnane
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/coronavirus-update-death-tally-tops-250000-reports-say-internal-government-projections-show-big-rise-in-cases-to-come-2020-05-05

USA TODAY
— 21M job losses, 16% unemployment would reflect just part of the economic damage from the coronavirus – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/05/06/coronavirus-16-unemployment-rate-would-reflect-only-part-pain/5172238002/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs work with foreign countries and their citizens to destroy individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/05/06/trump-blame-china-coronavirus-new-blame-mexico-build-wall-column/3085647001/

NEWSWEEK
— REPUBLICANS NEARLY THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN DEMOCRATS TO REFUSE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE – JEFFERY MARTIN
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-nearly-three-times-more-likely-democrats-refuse-coronavirus-vaccine-poll-1502176

FED WEEK
— GAO Finds only Partial Progress on Key Federal Workforce Issues (DIERSEN: I should write a book about how my Democrat GAO superiors wasted my career and got rid of me. They forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, gave me unfair performance expectations and appraisals, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take a $20,157 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, and/or veteran.)
https://www.fedweek.com/fedweek/gao-finds-only-partial-progress-on-key-federal-workforce-issues/

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— FEMA Is Deploying Employees Ill-Prepared for Disaster Response, Report Finds – Eric Katz (DIERSEN: What were you prepared for? In 1980, when I transferred from IRS to GAO, I was prepared to work for GAO on audits of IRS. I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, $85,084-$96,431/year. I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976. But the Democrats who ran GAO refused to assign me to audits of IRS except for 3 years (1986-1988) of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO.)
https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/05/fema-deploying-employees-ill-prepared-disaster-response-report-finds/165160/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The federal government’s disaster response workforce is often unprepared and underqualified when deployed to regions in need of immediate assistance, according to a new report, which found the employees were often designated as maintaining skills they lacked in reality. The qualification issues were exacerbated by severe staffing shortfalls at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Government Accountability Office found in a new report.)

SYP STUDIOS
— Genes will decide how coronavirus will affect you seriously – Chris Rynolds
https://sypstudios.com/genes-will-decide-how-coronavirus-will-affect-you-seriously/

GM AUTHORITY
— Coronavirus could limit 2020 Chevrolet Corvette production to 2,700 cars – Kirk Bell
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1128058_coronavirus-could-limit-2020-chevrolet-corvette-production-to-2-700-cars

May 3 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Are employers liable if workers get sick with COVID-19? As businesses prepare to reopen, worker safety is a priority. – Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz (DIERSEN: Will event organizers a) be forced to pay for expensive coronavirus insurance and b) be forced to force event attendees to wear masks, to stay at least 6 feet away from each other, etc.?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-employer-liability-workplace-exposure-20200501-dye6husnszchpnpaadiensn2ja-story.html
— Branded masks turn coronavirus protection into ad space: ‘It’s a face billboard.’ – ROBERT CHANNICK
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-branded-face-masks-20200501-7z77omzj4nca5ld2vaybt45oce-story.html
— Home Down Payment: More Attainable Than You May Think You don’t need a 20% down payment to purchase a home. With down payment assistance programs and lenders allowing as little as 3% down, big down payments don’t have to be an obstacle. – ELIZABETH RENTER (Real Estate Section 7, page 4) (DIERSEN: I bought a new town home in University Park in 1972 when I was 24 years old. The down payment came from what I had earned and saved a) working for IRS for 15 months in 1971 and 1972 and b) working for Firestone Stores full-time for 7 months 1970-1971 and part-time for 18 months 1971-1972. That money also enabled me to buy a new Corvette in 1971 and to pay tuition for graduate business courses at Loyola.)
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/home-down-payment/
— Nominate your company as a top workplace (DIERSEN: One would expect that federal employees who are Democrat, female, younger, and/or veteran would nominate the federal government because the federal government gets rid of its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who 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.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/careers/top-workplaces/ct-biz-top-workplaces-2020-nominations-20200501-bvjl4sbbjfakdp2rr5v7hj62em-story.html
— Naperville Loaves and Fishes adjusts as demand for food grows: ‘What do we need to do to get to where we need to be?’ – HILARY DECENT (DIERSEN: How fast are efforts to fight coronavirus driving into bankruptcy those individuals, organizations, companies, and governments in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county, in Illinois, in America, and in the world?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/opinion/ct-nvs-decent-column-st-0503-20200501-pmdup2o2hncynnjwm7ogt2tsue-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEAD LINE: Trump-haters say “Sidelined by pandemic, Trump campaign turns to digital shows. Hosted by top campaign officials, prominent Republicans and “Make America Great Again” luminaries, the freewheeling shows offer reality according to President Donald Trump.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/3/21245630/sidelined-by-pandemic-trump-campaign-turns-to-digital-shows

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Pandemic lays groundwork for spreading litigation virus – Jim Dey (DIERSEN: Will event organizers a) be forced to pay for expensive coronavirus insurance and b) be forced to force event attendees to wear masks, to stay at least 6 feet away from each other, etc.?)
https://www.news-gazette.com/coronavirus/jim-dey-pandemic-lays-groundwork-for-spreading-litigation-virus/article_d58fa411-c7d0-5dbd-98a6-6c46bbfed2c1.html

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Peoria County COVID-19 cases top 100 – Leslie Renken
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20200502/peoria-county-covid-19-cases-top-100

TOWNHALL
— Conservative States Should Not Be Forced to Bailout Broke Democratic States – Kelli Ward
https://townhall.com/columnists/kelliward/2020/05/03/conservative-states-should-not-be-forced-to-bailout-broke-democratic-states-n2568079
(FROM THE ARTICLE: That is why it is so infuriating to read that the President of the Illinois State Senate, a Democrat named Don Harmon, is asking for $41 billion in aid from the federal government. It is not just the amount of the requested bailout that is maddening; it is where they want to put the money. They’ve planned to use $10 billion of the potential $41 billion to bailout the Illinois state pension fund—a purpose wholly unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic. Let me be very clear: Illinois’ shortfalls in its pension fund are not the result of the coronavirus. Instead, as Republicans in the state rightly pointed out upon hearing of Harmon’s request, the pension systems’ disastrous shortfalls have been a problem decades in the making due to years of Democratic control.)

MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER TV
— Sharpton Wrongly Claims Trump Never Condemned Anti-Asian Racism – Brad Wilmouth (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters call for Trump, and for everyone else, to condemn individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.mrctv.org/videos/sharpton-wrongly-claims-trump-never-condemned-anti-asian-racism

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Laid-off US workers face foreign world of insurance shopping Mass layoffs are pushing many Americans into an unfamiliar role: shopping for health insurance that isn’t offered by an employer. – Tom Murphy (DIERSEN: Since November of 1966 when I was 18 years old and became a federal employee, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been furious that the federal government has paid 75% of my health, dental, and vision insurance. I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who would never seek or take a federal job for one or more of the following reasons: a) the pay and benefits are terrible, b) the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) they cannot pass an employment examination, e) they cannot pass a background investigation, f) they cannot pass a physical examination, g) they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
https://www.wfmj.com/story/42069314/laid-off-us-workers-face-foreign-world-of-insurance-shopping

NEW YORK TIMES
— Global Backlash Builds Against China Over Coronavirus As calls for inquiries and reparations spread, Beijing has responded aggressively, mixing threats with aid and adding to a growing mistrust of China. – Steven Erlanger
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/03/world/europe/backlash-china-coronavirus.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “The Coronavirus Becomes a Battle Cry for U.S. Extremists. White supremacists seek to stoke the fear and disruption caused by the pandemic to push their agenda and to recruit.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/03/us/coronavirus-extremists.html
— Local journalism helps tell the full story. News organizations near you are at risk. Support them today. (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails do not “produce original reporting” and do not provide “general interest news coverage.”)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/support-local-journalism.html
(FROM THE POSTING: This database is provided by The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION), the National Association of Hispanic Publishers (NAHP), the News Media Alliance (NMA) and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). These associations support and represent journalism outlets that produce original reporting. A publisher is eligible to appear in this database if it provides general interest news coverage for a community, city, state or localized region. If you do not see your news organization listed in this database, please contact INN, LION, NAHP, NMA or NNPA.)
— How Do You Run for President During a Pandemic? Joe Biden’s primary victory seemed like a vindication of the idea that in politics, the internet isn’t real life. What happens now that it is? – Jason Zengerle
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/magazine/biden-campaign-pandemic.html
— Fatigue Is Here, but the Economic Fight Is Just Beginning Precious public support will be squandered if the economic relief effort isn’t handled with full transparency and accountability, a former presidential adviser says. – Austan Goolsbee
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/business/coronavirus-economic-fatigue.html
— Laurie Garrett, the prophet of this pandemic, expects years of death and “collective rage.” – Frank Bruni
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-prediction-laurie-garrett.html
— The New Great Depression Is Coming. Will There Be a New New Deal? After the coronavirus, political transformation may be inevitable. – Michelle Goldberg (DIERSEN: Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs will use coronavirus to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries once and for all that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-new-deal-ubi.html
— Fearing Political Peril, Republicans Edge Away From Trump on Pandemic Response Moderate Republicans in competitive districts are navigating a careful balance in addressing the coronavirus crisis, eager to put some distance between themselves and a president whose response has been criticized. (DIERSEN: What do you say to Republican party leaders and the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2020 ballot in your precinct who are putting distance between themselves and Trump and between voters like me who 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.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-republicans.html
— America’s Biggest Cities Were Already Losing Their Allure. What Happens Next? The urge among some residents to leave because of the coronavirus may be temporary. But it follows a deeper, more powerful demographic trend. – Sabrina Tavernise and Sarah Mervosh
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/19/us/coronavirus-moving-city-future.html

NEW YORK POST
— Media that branded Kavanaugh a rapist now a racket to protect Biden: Goodwin – Michael Goodwin
https://nypost.com/2020/05/02/media-that-branded-kavanaugh-a-rapist-now-protecting-biden-goodwin/

DALLAS NEWS
— Forget ageism, older workers now have to survive the coronavirus economy What happens to your job prospects when the governor tells you to stay home? – Mitchell Schnurman (DIERSEN: Will coronavirus prompt all employers to be like the federal government? The federal government gets rid of its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who 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.)
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/commentary/2020/05/03/forget-ageism-older-workers-now-have-to-survive-the-coronavirus-economy/

COURIER
— Minorities bear brunt of COVID pandemic – ERIN MURPHY (DIERSEN: Of course, ever-increasingly, Trump-haters blame Trump for that.)
https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/minorities-bear-brunt-of-covid-pandemic/article_d41b08e8-f84c-5522-b5f3-4025866acdb7.html

FORBES
— Apple Data Shows Shelter-In-Place Is Ending, Whether Governments Want It To Or Not – John Koetsier
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/05/01/apple-data-shows-shelter-in-place-is-ending-whether-governments-want-it-to-or-not/

BARRON’S
— Trump Will Win the 2020 Election, Investing Experts Say. He’s Better for Stocks and the Economy. – Nicholas Jasinski (DIERSEN: To defeat Trump, Trump-haters will do everything that they can to destroy the stock market and to destroy the economy.)
https://www.barrons.com/articles/trump-will-win-the-2020-election-investing-experts-say-hes-better-for-stocks-and-the-economy-51588507201

DAILY BEAST
— Trump Attacks Fox News Reporter Kristin Fisher: ‘You Should Say Congratulations’ – Matt Wilstein (DIERSEN: I should write a book about a) those who have attacked me and b) their reasons for attacking me since 2000. I would focus on those activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, campaign managers, etc. who have lots of religious, political, government, and financial clout in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. I would focus on those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican. I would focus on those who blame me and blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for their problems, your problems, my problems, and everyone’s problems.)
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-attacks-fox-news-reporter-kristin-fisher-during-coronavirus-press-briefing

NEW YORKER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: To defeat Trump, Trump-haters want to postpone America’s reopening.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/11/the-rush-to-reopen

NPR
— Why You May Get An Email About COVID-19 From The Census Bureau – Hansi Lo Wang (DIERSEN: I just completed the survey. I am concerned that Trump-haters will use the results of the survey to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans like me who have been less impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump-haters will hint/imply/argue/shout that the reason that those like me who have been less impacted financially is that we have benefitted from discrimination against minorities, females, younger people, poor people, LGBTQers, Trump-haters, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, RINOs, veterans, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, illegals, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc.)
https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/21/840363093/why-you-may-get-an-email-about-covid-19-from-the-census-bureau

UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU
— Household Pulse Survey: Measuring Social and Economic Impacts during the COVID-19 Pandemic (DIERSEN: I just completed the survey. I am concerned that Trump-haters will use the results of the survey to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans like me who have been less impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump-haters will hint/imply/argue/shout that reason that those like me who have been less impacted financially is that we have benefitted from discrimination against minorities, females, younger people, poor people, LGBTQers, Trump-haters, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, RINOs, veterans, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, illegals, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc.)
https://www.census.gov/householdpulsedata
(FROM THE POSTING: The U.S. Census Bureau, in collaboration with five federal agencies, is in a unique position to produce data on the social and economic effects of COVID-19 on American households. The Household Pulse Survey is designed to deploy quickly and efficiently, collecting data on a range of ways in which people’s lives have been impacted by the pandemic. Data will be disseminated in near real-time to inform federal and state response and recovery planning.)

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Few Think Biden Telling Truth About Sex Charge
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2020/few_think_biden_telling_truth_about_sex_charge

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES
— The ‘Grim Reaper’ appears as Florida opens beaches for public after Covid-19 lockdown Lawyer from northwest Florida, Daniel Uhlfelder, dressed in a tattered black robe and carrying a scythe, was spotted on Florida beaches with the message, ‘Stay home Florida.’ Here is why – Suman Priya Mendonca (DIERSEN: If Republicans held in-person events, for example, state party conventions, would Democrat, Libertarian, and/or Green grim reapers appear?)
https://www.ibtimes.sg/grim-reaper-appears-florida-opens-beaches-public-after-covid-19-lockdown-44295

April 28 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: Gov. Pritzker vows to appeal after judge rules in favor of lawmaker in stay-at-home order lawsuit as COVID-19 death toll nears 2K – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/health/pritzker-vows-appeal-after-judge-rules-in-favor-of-il-lawmaker-in-stay-at-home-order-lawsuit/6134481/
— Family dog tests positive for COVID-19 in North Carolina
https://abc7chicago.com/health/family-dog-tests-positive-for-covid-19-in-north-carolina/6134707/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-4/28/2020

NBC5
— State Rep. Darren Bailey Speaks Out After Judge Rules in His Favor Against Gov. Pritzker’s Order
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/state-rep-darren-bailey-speaks-out-after-judge-rules-in-his-favor-against-gov-pritzkers-order/2262777/
— Nursing Home Workers Threaten Strike in Midst of Pandemic
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/nursing-home-workers-threaten-strike-in-midst-of-pandemic/2262746/
— Chicago Police Report 21 More Cases of Covid-19 There are now over 400 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Chicago Police Department, officials say
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-police-report-21-more-cases-of-covid-19/2262771/
— Meat Plant Closures Cause Concerns About Price Increases
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/meat-plant-closures-cause-concerns-about-price-increases/2262799/
— Pritzker, Lightfoot Blast Trump Over Comments Criticizing Illinois as ‘Poorly Run’ State
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pritzker-lightfoot-blast-trump-over-comments-criticizing-illinois-as-poorly-run-state/2262588/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Medical examiner confirms 61 more coronavirus deaths in Cook County
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/medical-examiner-confirms-61-more-coronavirus-deaths-in-cook-county

WGN TV
— Thousands of nursing home workers expected to go on strike – Patrick Elwood
https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/thousands-of-nursing-home-workers-expected-to-go-on-strike/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ‘There may be people who contract coronavirus’ as a result of state rep.’s suit over stay-at-home extension: Pritzker
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/28/21239547/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020
— Leaders in two counties with highest COVID-19 death rates say Pritzker’s restrictions go too far: ‘They was dying anyway’ With many people, especially in downstate Illinois, calling for an end to the stay-at-home measures, Pritzker opened his daily briefing Monday with information he argues shows that the coronavirus is not just a Chicago area problem. – Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/4/27/21239299/jasper-monroe-downstate-counties-covid-19-death-rates-pritzkers-stay-home-coronavirus
— Nursing home workers give strike notice Workers at 40 nursing homes gave notice to their employers Monday that they plan to strike May 8 if their demands aren’t met. – Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/27/21239128/nursing-home-workers-give-strike-notice

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Caterpillar profit tumbles 46% with world economy on lockdown – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-coronavirus-caterpillar-earnings-results-20200428-tjf56ix4nzdrnp624lf5ibtl4u-story.html
— Federal judge orders additional social distancing measures at Cook County Jail – JASON MEISNER
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-cook-county-jail-lawsuit-ruling-20200427-fjyxm7cnlnhore6sv2bnonoheq-story.html

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— ‘The food supply chain is breaking’ Plant shutdowns are leaving Americans dangerously close to seeing meat shortages at grocery stores. – Bloomberg
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/consumer-products/food-supply-chain-breaking
— Latin School does an about-face on PPP The prestigious private school caused a debate within its community after it said it applied for federal rescue funds meant for small businesses. Now, it’s returning the cash. – STEVE DANIELS 
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/latin-school-does-about-face-ppp

WTTW
— Will Pritzker’s Feud with Trump Hurt Illinois’ Chances for Cash? – Amanda Vinicky 
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/27/will-pritzker-s-feud-trump-hurt-illinois-chances-cash

WBBM 780
— Mayor Lightfoot Fires Back At President Trump’s Tweet On COVID-19 Relief – CRAIG DELLIMORE
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/lightfoot-fires-back-at-trumps-tweet-on-covid-19-relief

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Trump’s focus on his base complicates path to reelection (DIERSEN: What do you say to Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders a) who ever-increasingly focus on getting votes from those who will never vote for Republicans and b) who ever-increasingly dump the Republican Party’s base?) 
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/trumps-focus-on-his-base-complicates-path-to-reelection

NPR ILLINOIS
— Pritzker Defends Statewide Approach To Coronavirus Response – MARY HANSEN
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/pritzker-defends-statewide-approach-coronavirus-response#stream/0

FOX ILLINOIS
— Masks, temperature checks mark ‘new normal’ at restaurants – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/masks-temperature-checks-mark-new-normal-at-restaurants
— Facemasks could pose an issue for those who carry a gun – Taylor Deckert
https://foxillinois.com/news/coronavirus/facemasks-could-pose-an-issue-for-those-who-carry-a-gun
— Fears of virus seem far away as stores reopen in rural US – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/fears-of-virus-seem-far-away-as-stores-reopen-in-rural-us
— Joe Biden: A candidate with no campaign – Armstrong Williams
https://foxillinois.com/news/armstrong-army-strong/joe-biden-a-candidate-with-no-campaign

CHICAGO PATCH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Trump In Disfavor.”
https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/il-patch-coronavirus-survey-trump-disfavor-job-losses-pinch

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Cresco Labs Weed Workers Push To Unionize: It’s ‘Physically Impossible’ To Social Distance In Shops, Budtenders Say In one case, a shop manager said wearing a mask could lead to increased risk of contracting coronavirus, an email shows. – Justin Laurence
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/27/cresco-labs-weed-workers-push-to-unionize-raise-concerns-about-coronavirus-safety-in-shops/
— Trump’s Done An ‘Abysmal’ Job Responding To Coronavirus And Can’t Judge Illinois, Lightfoot Says “His meter is badly damaged because he thinks he has done a good job in this crisis, and nothing could be further from the truth,” Lightfoot said. – Kelly Bauer
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/27/trumps-done-an-abysmal-job-responding-to-coronavirus-and-cant-judge-illinois-lightfoot-says/
— Frontline Chicago School Administrators Say They Still Lack Protective Equipment, As National Supply Grab Continues “I have never felt more dispensable in my entire professional life,” one administrator noted on the survey. “I have underlying medical conditions. It feels like CPS truly doesn’t care if I get sick, as long as they say they got out technology to students.” – Yana Kunichoff
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/27/front-line-chicago-school-administrators-say-they-still-lack-protective-equipment-as-national-supply-grab-continues/
— West Side Hospital Is So Full, Coronavirus Patients Are Intubated Outside The ICU — But It’s Losing Nurses To McCormick Place As of April 23, 51 people with COVID-19 were being treated at Saint Anthony, a tremendous burden on a medical center with only 15 ICU beds and 151 beds across the entire hospital. – Pascal Sabino
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/27/this-west-side-hospital-is-so-full-coronavirus-patients-are-being-intubated-outside-the-icu-but-it-lost-nurses-to-mccormick-place-doctor-says/

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Pritzker blasts GOP rep’s lawsuit, says 2 downstate counties have highest death rates
https://www.capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/updated-pritzker-blasts-gop-reps-lawsuit-says-2-downstate-counties-have-highest-death-rates

CENTER SQUARE
— Illinois Senate leaders differ on readiness to return to Springfield – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-senate-leaders-differ-on-readiness-to-return-to-springfield/article_a232c390-88bc-11ea-8353-ab643a485038.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, is calling on legislative leaders and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to return to Springfield. Illinois state lawmakers have not been in Springfield since mid-March. That’s when the COVID-19 pandemic kicked into high gear and shortly before the governor implemented social distancing guidelines as part of his stay-at-home orders that have been extended to the end of this month and expected to be extended to the end of May. “Today I called the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate and told them Illinois Senate Republicans stand ready to return to Springfield to take up the timely and important issues facing Illinois and its residents such as the fair maps amendment and COVID-19 related issues,” Brady said.)
— Another challenge to governor’s stay-at-home order expected, another sheriff calls into question local enforcement – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/another-challenge-to-governor-s-stay-at-home-order-expected-another-sheriff-calls-into-question/article_1e1f90ee-88dd-11ea-a956-2f3f5ed89332.html
— Illinois lawmakers likely to miss deadline to move on fair maps proposal before redraw – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-lawmakers-likely-to-miss-deadline-to-move-on-fair-maps-proposal-before-redraw/article_089fe4da-88b0-11ea-a6d5-cf963761c527.html

WIREPOINTS
— COVID-19: Seven facts that tell us Illinoisans can and must get back to work – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/covid-19-seven-facts-that-tell-us-illinoisans-can-and-must-get-back-to-work-wirepoints/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. It’s those with pre-existing conditions, especially the elderly, that are most at risk. . . 2. Nearly 35 percent of COVID-19 victims were retirement home residents. . .3. Younger Illinoisans make up just 6% of the state’s deaths. . .4. Large parts of Illinois are far less affected. . .5. Illinois’ hospitals are far more prepared today. . .6. Soon nearly a million Illinoisans will be unemployed . . .7. Recessions and depressions cause deaths of their own.)

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Pritzker’s One-Man Rule Suffers Setback
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/27/pritzkers-one-man-rule-suffers-setback/ 
— IL-06: Jeanne Ives Earns Promotion to Contender Level from NRCC
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/27/il-06-jeanne-ives-earns-promotion-to-contender-level-from-nrcc/ 
— IL-06/IL-14: The Next Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Showdown on Vote by Mail
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/27/il-06-il-14-the-next-coronavirus-stimulus-bill-showdown-on-vote-by-mail/ 
— Illinois Bailout Request Prompts Trump Tweet
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/27/illinois-bailout-request-prompts-trump-tweet/ 
— Debate as to Approach to Coronavirus Continues
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/27/debate-as-to-approach-to-coronavirus-continues/ 
— Thinking about the Future
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/27/thinking-about-the-future/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order appears to conflict with IDPH Pandemic Plan – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/04/governor-pritzkers-executive-order-appears-to-conflict-with-idph-pandemic-plan/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Fox News parts ways with Diamond and Silk following duo’s coronavirus comments – Andrew Blake
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/28/fox-news-parts-ways-with-diamond-and-silk-followin/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Coronavirus won’t be enough to kill Trump’s 2020 campaign
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/coronavirus-wont-be-enough-to-kill-trumps-2020-campaign

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
‘– Calexit’ May Be A Long Way Off, But Balkanization Won’t Be Gov. Newsom’s nation state is moving toward some kind of independence and the rest of the country should be willing to let it go. – DAREL E. PAUL
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/calexit-may-be-a-long-way-off-but-balkanization-wont-be/

DAILY CALLER
— Hannity Demands NYT Retract, Apologize For Article That Erroneously Tried To Blame Him For Man’s Death – SHELBY TALCOTT
https://dailycaller.com/2020/04/27/sean-hannity-demands-retraction-apology-new-york-times-article-blamed-new-yorker-death-coronavirus/

SEAN HANNITY
— A NEW LOW: Schiff Says ’50,000 Americans Are Dead’ Because Trump Wasn’t Impeached and Removed (DIERSEN: How many coronavirus deaths will Democrats blame individual Republican Precinct Committeemen for?)
https://hannity.com/media-room/a-new-low-schiff-says-50000-americans-are-dead-because-trump-wasnt-impeached-and-removed/

MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER
— Reporter to Trump: Do You ‘Deserve’ Reelection Since More Died from Virus Than in Vietnam? – Curtis Houck
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2020/04/27/reporter-trump-do-you-deserve-reelection-more-died-virus-vietnam

NEWS BUSTERS
— Reporters Find THESE Protesters Unpopular and Unpatriotic! – Tim Graham (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters use coronavirus to destroy Trump.) 
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2020/04/27/reporters-find-these-protesters-unpopular-and-unpatriotic

TOWNHALL
— Trump Is Right to Question State and Locality Bailouts, and Mitch Should Hold the Line – Jason Killmeyer
https://townhall.com/columnists/jasonkillmeyer/2020/04/28/trump-is-right-to-question-state-and-locality-bailouts-and-mitch-should-hold-the-n2567730

POLITICO
— Trump leans against state bailouts as governors cry foul The president inflamed an already fierce debate over whether the federal government should bail out states battling the coronavirus. – QUINT FORGEY and ANNA GRONEWOLD
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/27/trump-against-state-bailouts-governors-cry-foul-211815
— Trump campaign lashes out over ‘Don’t defend Trump’ memo A strategy memo on coronavirus distributed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee infuriated Trump aides. – ALEX ISENSTADT
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/27/trump-campaign-china-strategy-memo-213958
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump faces the risk of a coronavirus cliff. Unemployed Americans will lose a federal safety net long before the economy fully recovers — potentially creating a messy Election Day for the GOP.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/28/trump-reopening-coronavirus-213535

CBS NEWS
— Layoffs move from restaurants to warehouses and law offices – IRINA IVANOVA
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/layoffs-unemployment-restaurants-warehouses-law-offices/

CNN
— It’s crazy for Congress to be coming back to DC – Chris Cillizza
http://www.wicz.com/story/42060499/its-crazy-for-congress-to-be-coming-back-to-dc
— Trump tells governors to ‘seriously consider and maybe get going’ on opening schools – Betsy Klein (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters want to postpone reopening until Trump is defeated and Trump-haters regain control of the U.S. Senate.) 
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/28/politics/trump-governors-call/index.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Job or Health? Restarting the Economy Threatens to Worsen Economic Inequality. The coronavirus recession has exacerbated the racial and income divides in America. Lifting restrictions too soon will make them worse and leave workers with a bleak choice.” According to Democrats, governments exist to redistribute wealth. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats. They hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a poor Democrat, a poor minority, a poor female, and/or a poor veteran in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor Democrat, a poor minority, a poor female, a poor younger person, and/or a poor veteran could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a poor Democrat, a poor minority, a poor female, a poor younger person, and/or a poor veteran in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted a poor Democrat, a poor minority, a poor female, a poor younger person, and/or a poor veteran in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a poor Democrat, a poor minority, a poor female, a poor younger person, and/or a poor veteran in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a poor Democrat, a poor minority, a poor female, a poor younger person, and/or a poor veteran in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor Democrat, a poor minority, a poor female, a poor younger person, and/or a poor veteran could have my job and my preferred corner office.) 
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/27/business/economy/coronavirus-economic-inequality.html
— A Survey of Essential Workers Shows a Political Divide Most of them worry about contagion, but there’s a partisan difference in concern levels and workplace safety actions. – Jonathan Rothwell
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/27/upshot/red-blue-workplace-differences-coronavirus.html

WMUR
— New Hampshire GOP to hold virtual state convention May 9 Trump campaign nominates electors; proposed changes to party platform put on hold – John DiStaso (DIERSEN: What is the status of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention?)
https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-primary-source-nhgop-to-hold-virtual-state-convention-may-9/32294754
(FROM THE ARTICLE: NHGOP VIRTUAL CONVENTION. Like its counterpart across the political divide, the New Hampshire Republican Party is scheduled to hold a virtual state convention on May 9 to ratify four pro-Donald Trump activists nominated as electors and to adopt a party platform. The party said the convention will be held via Zoom. Trump campaign senior advisor Corey Lewandowski of Windham recently sent a letter to the delegates on behalf of the campaign asking that they consider him as an elector, along with Judy Baldasaro of Londonderry, Mary Ann Gargiulo of Hampton Falls and NHGOP Chair Steve Stepanek of Thornton. If the convention delegates ratify the nominees as expected, they would cast the state’s four electoral votes for Trump if the president wins the state in the November election. The party’s Platform Committee, meanwhile, voted unanimously to ask the convention to adopt the current party platform as is, with no changes, according to a letter by the committee chair, Chris Ager. “This is driven largely by the logistical difficulty in conducting a full and transparent debate” during the CODID-19 pandemic, Ager wrote. “We received over 40 suggestions from 30 Republicans. Our intention is to carry-over these suggestions into the next cycle for review.” One proposal placed on hold would remove from the party platform its recognition of marriage as only being between one man and one woman. Jim Morgan, a Derry town councilor, business executive and an openly gay married man, was sponsoring the proposal as the leader of the New Hampshire Log Cabin Republicans – the GOP’s largest pro-LGBT rights group. Morgan said Monday that the once it became clear that the convention could not be held in person, he, on behalf of the Log Cabin Republicans, suggested in a letter to party chair Stepanek that all proposed platform changes be put off until an in-person convention can be held and all proposals can be fully debated. “The ideas suggested in addressing our platform require Republicans to be in an objective, open and focused frame of mind,” Morgan wrote in the letter. “This pandemic creates challenges that require the absolute unity of this party.”)

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Pandemic Triggers a Wave of Distress, Bankruptcy in Corporate America A second wave could hit this year as companies labor under the weight of new debt, advisers say – Miriam Gottfried (DIERSEN: How many individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries are headed for welfare and/or bankruptcy in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county, in Illinois, in America, and in the world?) 
https://www.wsj.com/articles/pandemic-triggers-a-wave-of-distress-bankruptcy-in-corporate-america-11587986100
— 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 (DIERSEN: My Civil Service Retirement System pension is only 41% of what my GAO salary was in 1997 in today’s dollars.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-relief-often-pays-workers-more-than-work-11588066200
— Boeing CEO Sees Slow Recovery for Global Aviation David Calhoun tells plane maker’s shareholders he doesn’t expect air travel to return to 2019 levels for two or three years – Andrew Tangel and Doug Cameron
https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-ceo-sees-slow-recovery-for-global-aviation-11587999081
— Don’t Reward States’ Bad Decisions There’s a good reason Florida doesn’t need a bailout, while Illinois and New York do. – Rick Scott (DIERSEN: What decisions have you made that your critics/opponents have painted as being bad? For me, they include a) my avoiding the draft, b) my not becoming a Democrat or a RINO, c) my becoming a federal employee, d) my opposing patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for opposing the aforesaid, e) my becoming an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged my federal superiors with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation, f) my filing lawsuits, g) my refusing to become and operative or a dupe for my critics/opponents, h) my refusing to pander to my critics/opponents, i) etc.) 
https://www.wsj.com/articles/dont-reward-states-bad-decisions-11588026132
— Coronavirus Strengthens Nationalist Currents Sentiments shift on immigration, dependence on foreign suppliers, U.S. ties to China and Saudi Arabia – Gerald F. Seib
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-strengthens-nationalist-currents-11588000021
— A Coronavirus A for Everyone Pushed by unions, school districts abandon grades for this year. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-coronavirus-a-for-everyone-11587935303

FORBES
— Recessionary Discrimination May Be On The Horizon – Douglas Wigdor (DIERSEN: During the 1980s and 1990s, the Democrats who ran GAO used Republican-driven budget cuts to get rid of their employees who were Republican, and especially those who were White, male, 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.forbes.com/sites/douglaswigdor/2020/04/27/recessionary-discrimination-may-be-on-the-horizon/#7657222918e6
(FROM THE ARTICLE: What is Recessionary Discrimination? It is an unfortunate reality that during a downturn, companies sometimes choose which employees to fire and lay off for reasons that are not only illegitimate but may even be unlawful. During the financial crisis of 2008, the term “recessionary discrimination” was developed to describe situations where employers use poor economic conditions to conceal their discriminatory decision-making while conducting layoffs or reductions in force.)

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Six months out, Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns – Susan Page
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/04/27/biden-leads-trump-2020-amid-coronavirus-concerns/3029325001/
— Coronavirus, diabetes, obesity and other underlying conditions: Which patients are most at risk? According to a CDC report, nearly 90% of patients hospitalized with coronavirus (COVID-19) had one or more underlying health conditions. – Karina Zaiets and Ramon Padilla
https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/2020/04/15/coronavirus-risk-90-patients-had-underlying-conditions/2962721001/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Joe Biden’s Trump card: Death, disease and economic pain are real. They can’t be spun. Trump’s coronavirus performance art is dangerous for Americans and, he finally seems to realize, working well for a 2020 rival who is stuck at home.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/27/coronavirus-pain-trump-failures-2020-campaign-biden-column/3029345001/

GALLUP
— U.S. Personal Finances: Future More Concerning Than Present: 49% rate their current finances positively, down from 56% last year; Record-high 50% believe their financial situation is getting worse; Younger adults most affected by recent economic downturn – JEFFREY M. JONES (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the purchasing power of the following decreases: a) my Civil Service Retirement System pension, b) my and my wife’s Social Security, and c) our retirement savings.) 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/308936/personal-finances-future-concerning-present.aspx

NEWSWEEK
— INCARCERATED PEOPLE ARE BEING RELEASED DUE TO COVID-19. BUT WHERE CAN THEY GO NEXT? – DEANNA HOSKINS
https://www.newsweek.com/prisons-released-covid-19-pandemic-employment-housing-1500491

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Federal Employee Union Proposes Preconditions to Returning to Government Work Sites The American Federation of Government Employees last week called the Trump administration’s recently unveiled plans for “reopening” the federal government “premature and imprudent.” – Erich Wagner
https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/04/federal-employee-union-proposes-preconditions-returning-work-sites/164946/
— 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/

JD SUPRA
— COVID-19 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (DIERSEN: Of course, COVID-19 will be used to get rid of older people.)
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/covid-19-and-the-age-discrimination-in-81865/

FORD AUTHORITY
— 2019 Ford Executive Compensation Exceeded Company’s Profit – Brett Foote
https://fordauthority.com/2020/04/total-2019-ford-executive-compensation-exceeded-companys-profit/

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “African Americans bear the brunt of Covid-19’s economic impact.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/28/african-americans-unemployment-covid-19-economic-impact

REALTY TRAC
— FOR SALE: 610 West Roosevelt Road, Suite C2, Wheaton – $116,000
https://www.realtytrac.com/homes-for-sale/il/wheaton/60187/610-w-roosevelt-rd-ste-c2/38905517/

COLDWELL BANKER
— FOR SALE: 534 West Roosevelt Road, Wheaton – $750,000
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/il/wheaton/534-west-roosevelt-rd/pid_29737034/