IRS Archives - Page 146 of 294

May 7 Morning Edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 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 5 Evening Edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 3 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois achieves COVID-19 testing record of more than 19K tests in single day
https://abc7chicago.com/society/illinois-conducts-highest-number-of-covid-19-tests-in-24-hours/6147358/
— Multiple large gatherings held across Chicago this weekend draw outrage from local leaders – Will Jones and Jesse Kirsch
https://abc7chicago.com/society/chicago-police-break-up-multiple-large-gatherings-over-weekend/6146656/
— Thursday, Friday were deadliest 48 hours in country’s fight against pandemic, WHO says
https://abc7chicago.com/health/who-us-experiences-deadliest-48-hours-amid-covid-19-pandemic/6146863/
— Coronavirus US: Faced with 20,000 dead, care homes seek shield from lawsuits A look at state limits on suing care homes in virus crisis – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/faced-with-20000-dead-care-homes-seek-shield-from-lawsuits/6147290/
— 34 shot, 4 fatally so far in Chicago weekend shootings
https://abc7chicago.com/34-shot-4-fatally-so-far-in-chicago-weekend-shootings/6147150/
— Pompeo: China has spread disease in the past, must be held accountable for coronavirus pandemic – AP (DIERSEN: Trump-haters want Trump to get all the blame.)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/pompeo-china-must-be-held-accountable-for-covid-19/6147230/

NBC5
— Illinois Reports Nearly 3,000 New Coronavirus Cases Sunday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-reports-nearly-3000-new-coronavirus-cases-sunday/2265811/
— Pritzker Says Lawmakers Should ‘Leave Politics Out of’ Negotiations for New COVID-19 Relief Bill
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pritzker-says-lawmakers-should-leave-politics-out-of-negotiations-for-new-covid-19-relief-bill/2265819/

CBS2
— On ‘Face The Nation,’ Pritzker Says There Is Progress In Fighting Coronavirus And Moving Toward Reopening Economy
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/03/on-face-the-nation-pritzker-says-there-is-progress-in-fighting-coronavirus-and-moving-toward-reopening-economy/

— New Grim COVID-19 Milestone: More Than 3,100 New Cases, Largest One-Day Total
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/01/new-grim-covid-19-milestone-more-than-3100-new-cases-largest-one-day-total-to-date/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois reaches new high with almost 20,000 tests conducted in 24 hour period
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-reaches-new-high-with-almost-20000-tests-conducted-in-24-hour-period
— NRA lays off dozens of employees, cancels national convention and some shooting events
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/nra-lays-off-dozens-of-employees-cancels-national-convention-and-some-shooting-events

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Illinois processed record-setting 19,417 coronavirus tests Saturday Illinois sets new daily record by processing nearly 20K coronavirus tests, finding 2,994 new cases
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/3/21245595/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-pritzker-lightfoot-covid-19
— Illinois ‘getting ready for point where we can begin to reopen the economy,’ Pritzker says During an appearance Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois has “really bent the curve significantly” while noting that hospitalizations have only been “increasing barely.” – Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/3/21245747/illinois-reopen-economy-pritzker-coronoavirus-covid-19
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: The Trump-hating Sen. Tammy Duckworth “deplores use of Nazi slogan at Chicago stay-at-home protest” and blasted President Trump for “sucking up to the Communist head of an authoritarian regime in President Xi of China” instead of preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2020/5/3/21245730/sen-tammy-duckworth-nazi-slogan-stay-at-home-protest-gov-j-b-pritzker-chicago
— Care homes seek shield from lawsuits as coronavirus death toll surpasses 19,000
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/3/21245595/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-pritzker-lightfoot-covid-19
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s blatant taxpayer-paid ploy to grab credit for stimulus checks: A note on White House letterhead. President Trump hijacked what should have been a routine IRS confirmation letter.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/5/3/21244575/trump-irs-stimulus-checks-white-house-letterhead
— Too late to put ‘fair map’ amendment on Nov. 3 ballot — but never too late for reform There are still ways to minimize shameless self-interest in the redrawing of legislative and congressional districts in Illinois after the 2020 U.S. Census. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/3/21243400/gerrymandering-illinois-constitutional-amendment-fair-maps-suntimes-editorial

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Your life or your livelihood: Americans wrestle with impossible choice – SABRINA TAVERNISE, JACK HEALY AND NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/sns-nyt-americans-choose-between-life-and-livelihood-20200503-tylpk7e4kfa6xakj45gxtsiu4q-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Nearly 3,000 more cases, 63 more deaths after record day of testing in Illinois – Steve Zalusky
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200503/nearly-3000-more-cases-63-more-deaths-after-record-day-of-testing-in-illinois
— About 100 protest against stay-at-home order in Algonquin – Joe Lewnard
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200503/about-100-protest-against-stay-at-home-order-in-algonquin
— May 3 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200503/may-3-covid-19-cases-per-county-search-by-zip-code

WBEZ
— Pritzker Expects Feds Will Help Illinois Offset COVID-19’s Budget Hit – Dan Mihalopoulos
https://www.wbez.org/stories/pritzker-expects-feds-will-help-illinois-offset-covid-19s-budget-hit/7257a98d-622e-4bf8-a657-3c3c20f68f22

RIVER BENDER
— NRA cutting staff and salaries amid coronavirus pandemic – AP
https://www.riverbender.com/sports-news/details.cfm?id=303054

STATELINE
— Local church that is suing governor defies stay-at-home order, nearly 100 people in attendance on Sunday – Michele Rave
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-church-that-is-suing-governor-defies-stay-at-home-order-nearly-100-people-in-attendance-on-sunday/

NORTHWEST INDIANA TIMES
— Indiana GOP sets rules for potential online party convention
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/indiana-gop-sets-rules-for-potential-online-party-convention-due-to-covid-19/article_e3623f65-4374-5b9e-a272-7eeefb34db33.html

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— DHS report: China hid severity of coronavirus to hoard supplies – AP
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/dhs-report-china-hid-virus-severity-to-hoard-supplies-1

MC HENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Photos from Algonquin Rally: Rights vs. Permission
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/05/03/photos-from-algonquin-rally-send-more/
— Applying Cost-Benefit Analysis to the Coronavirus Response
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/05/03/applying-cost-benefit-analysis-to-the-coronavirus-responce/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Illinois – The numbers don’t add up – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/illinois-the-numbers-dont-add-up/
— AG: Maripat Oliver violated the Open Meetings Act five times last year – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/ag-maripat-oliver-violated-the-open-meetings-act-five-times-last-year/
— AG: Ken Burgess violated the Open Meetings Act three times last year – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/ag-ken-burgess-violated-the-open-meetings-act-three-times-last-year/

CAPITOL FAX
— 2,994 new cases, 63 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/03/2994-new-cases-63-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker warns of scams – Addresses boater protests in Fox Lake – Says data requested is online – Points out (again) that public transportation is a local issue – Seriously asked if contract tracers will have arresting authority (they won’t) – Explains (again) why antibody results aren’t being counted yet – Explains difference between barbers and pet groomers – Points out he’s not negotiating federal package – “COVID-19 is causing this” – Asked if Illinois was going to do a stimulus program like the feds did – Says ISBE has issued graduation ceremony guidelines – Says no final decision made on extending implementation of hotel panic buttons – Believes state has enough ventilators in case of another surge – Kushner comment “a little bit inaccurate” – Look at positive testing rate, not total test numbers – Hopes plateau doesn’t last too long, but doesn’t know – Addresses violence in Peoria – Admits more messaging needed for young people of color – Explains DCFS policy – Church TRO denied – Out of state travel to visit dying family member is allowed
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/03/pritzker-warns-of-scams/
— Pritzker says federal judge denied church TRO request
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/03/pritzker-says-federal-judge-denied-tro-for/

THE HILL
— Illinois governor: White House ‘wasn’t helpful’ for many weeks on coronavirus response – REBECCA KLAR
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/495867-illinois-governor-white-house-wasnt-helpful-on-coronavirus-response

POLITICO
— Backlash to the backlash: Governors, medical officials wary of rush to reopen “We have to keep doing the right thing, the next right thing,” one governor says. – JUAN PEREZ JR. and DAVID COHEN
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/03/coronavirus-governors-reopen-231624

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— White House coronavirus expert Dr. Birx calls reopen protests ‘devastatingly worrying’ over lack of social distancing – DAVE GOLDINER
https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-birx-protest-social-distancing-20200503-7is5ytbs5rfbran6iqisotj2ni-story.html

ATLANTIC
— Trump-haters side with foreign countries against America.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/time-americans-are-doing-nothing/611056/

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 30 Morning Edition

NBC5
— Pritzker Says He Supports Reopening State in Phases When Time Comes Pritzker said at a news conference Wednesday that he agrees “100%” with a region-by-region approach, but that doesn’t necessarily mean geographically
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pritzker-says-he-supports-reopening-state-in-phases-when-time-comes/2263964/

ABC7
— Stimulus, unemployment, financial help for those impacted by coronavirus SBA, student loans, rent, utilities, taxes and more
https://abc7chicago.com/coronavirus-help-credit-cards-unemployment-stimulus/6132626/
— Sex assault allegation poses challenge for Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/sex-assault-allegation-poses-challenge-for-bidens-campaign/6139976/

WGN TV
— The cost of ‘just in case’ hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic – Ben Bradley
https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/the-cost-of-just-in-case-hospitals-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump says he won’t extend social distancing guidelines Vice President Mike Pence said the guidelines have been incorporated into the new guidance issued by the White House earlier this month that lays out how states can gradually begin to reopen as the rate of new cases slows. – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/29/21241715/trump-says-he-wont-extend-social-distancing-guidelines-coronavirus-covid-19-stay-at-home-orders
— Rolling out contact tracing in Illinois a daunting task, but essential, expert says It takes about a day to trace the contacts of COVID-19 patients at the Howard Brown Health clinic in Hyde Park, its director says. About 2⁄3 of those contacts end up testing positive. – Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/29/21242079/howard-brown-contact-tracing-illinois-coronavirus
— Nancy Pelosi taps Bill Foster to new House COVID-19 watchdog panel Foster is among seven Democrats Pelosi selected for the 12-member panel. It is not clear yet if Republicans will appoint anyone. – Lynn Sweet (DIERSEN: Appointees to this panel should have watchdog credentials. I worked for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $101,176-$131,532/year, and before that, I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently, $85,084-$96,431/year. I passed the Certified Internal Auditor and CPA examinations on my first attempt. I became a licensed CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Government Financial Manager, Certified Financial Services Auditor, and Forensic Accountant. I have master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/29/21241716/house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-rep-bill-foster-illinois-house-covid-19-watchdog-panel
— COVID-19 lawsuits a symptom of a pre-existing condition in Illinois — and the nation It would be easy to plug this particular disagreement into our age-old Chicago versus downstate animosities, and obviously, that’s one aspect of what is happening, but it’s broader and deeper than that as the national interest in this story confirms. – Mark Brown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/4/29/21242096/covid-19-lawsuits-cabello-bailey-pritzker-trump-coronavirus

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— As commuters stay home, Metra has been forced to cut service again. One line will have just 1 inbound and 1 outbound run per day. – Mary Wisniewski
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-metra-service-cuts-three-lines-20200429-g6c3mvyarzhgbnfyn5v2fyjjty-story.html
— Employees being sought for Amazon’s under-construction grocery store in Naperville – ERIN HEGARTY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-amazon-grocery-store-hiring-naperville-st-20200429-ljqvdapk3zbehf6b6iqcvv2n7q-story.html
— Reopen Illinois rally planned, viral house party reveals media disconnect and Tribune photos to use as your Zoom background
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-cb-daywatch-newsletter-april29-20200430-x2iyx7bpjzga3lu7zwtqwq4opq-story.html
— Chicago police pledge to issue citation for another large city party as mayor condemns it – JEREMY GORNER and GREGORY PRATT
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-wedding-party-citation-20200429-glie24vk7rgdpptl5depymyaiq-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage mayors calling for letting businesses reopen earlier – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200429/dupage-mayors-calling-for-letting-businesses-reopen-earlier

WTTW
— Rosemont Mayor Stephens on Pandemic’s Impact on Conventions, Entertainment – Quinn Myers
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/29/rosemont-mayor-stephens-pandemic-s-impact-conventions-entertainment
— Is It Time to Get Back to Springfield? – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/29/it-time-get-back-springfield
— O’Hare, Midway Grapple with Near Shutdown of Air Travel – Paris Schutz
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/29/o-hare-midway-grapple-near-shutdown-air-travel

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Campaign rhetoric won’t cut it in coronavirus legal fight – Jim Dey
https://www.news-gazette.com/coronavirus/jim-dey-campaign-rhetoric-won-t-cut-it-in-coronavirus-legal-fight/article_45d9a6b4-8ee7-599d-9d02-0d17ee8cd785.html

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Monmouth Smithfield plant to resume operations – Jane Carlson
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20200430/monmouth-smithfield-plant-to-resume-operations

SOUTHERN
— Pritzker should stop laughing at Southern Illinois – Tim Schneider
https://thesouthern.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-tim-schneider-pritzker-should-stop-laughing-at-southern-illinois/article_913cb367-deab-5d15-a39c-64c1502fa445.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Unemployment surge pushing state funds toward insolvency – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/unemployment-surge-pushing-state-funds-toward-insolvency
— As US economy shrinks, some remain optimistic for quick recovery – AHTRA ELNASHAR
https://foxillinois.com/news/coronavirus/as-us-economy-shrinks-some-remain-optimistic-for-quick-recovery
— Debate flares over legal protections as businesses open up – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/debate-flares-over-legal-protections-as-businesses-open-up

NPR ILLINOIS
— Tesla’s Elon Musk Rants Again; Calls Lockdowns Forcible Imprisonment And ‘Fascist’ – CAMILA DOMONOSKE
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/teslas-elon-musk-rants-again-calls-lockdowns-forcible-imprisonment-and-fascist#stream/0

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Fed signals it will likely hold rates near zero for months – AP
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/fed-keeps-key-rate-near-zero-and-pledges-to-use-full-range-of-tools-to-bolster-economy

CHICAGO PATCH
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker Is Doing His Best Donald Trump Impression Now The J.B. Pritzker Show now includes the governor’s spot on impression of President Donald Trump, for a Democrat, that is. – Mark Konkol
https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/gov-j-b-pritzker-doing-his-best-donald-trump-impression-now

ALGONQUIN PATCH
— Coronavirus In IL: ‘Open Illinois Now’ Protest In Algonquin Freedom Movement USA plans to protest the state’s extended stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic. – Rebecca Bream
https://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/coronavirus-il-open-illinois-now-protest-algonquin

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
— Illinois Should Plan to Reopen Regionally – Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider
https://illinois.gop/illinois-should-plan-to-reopen-regionally/?fbclid=IwAR0cSc_8rb7St9U2dh_jLmob8cIzx2mdf95mRclttdp_w8nkZYEy3mH6q8w

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Ex-Justice Department Bully Andrew Weissmann, Who Brought Arthur Anderson Down and Fled Mueller Commission Before It Imploded, Ends Up in Chicago Law Firm
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/30/ex-justice-department-bully-who-brought-arthur-anderson-down-and-fled-mueller-commission-before-it-imploded-ends-up-in-chicago-law-firm/
— Inspired by Illinois GOP? Republicans Sue Governor Gavin Newsom on Ballot Harvesting in Special Congressional Election on May 12
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/30/inspired-by-illinois-gop-republicans-sue-governor-gavin-newsom-on-ballot-harvesting-in-special-congressional-election-on-may-12/
— McConchie Offers Re-Opening Plan
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/29/mcconchie-offers-re-opening-plan/
— Broader Challenge to Pritzker’s Emergency Order
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/29/broader-challenge-to-pritzkers-emergency-order/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump calls for return to ‘the way it was’ as coronavirus crisis crashes economy – Dave Boyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/29/donald-trump-touts-reopening-coronavirus-crashes-u/
— Trump erupts at campaign team as his poll numbers slide – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/29/trump-erupts-at-campaign-team-as-his-poll-numbers-/

NEWSMAX
— Senior Chinese Official Slams Trump on Virus Response – Marisa Herman
https://www.newsmax.com/us/le-yucheng/2020/04/29/id/965175/

TOWNHALL
— Coronavirus Pandemic + Trump Derangement Syndrome = Bad Math – Larry Elder
https://townhall.com/columnists/larryelder/2020/04/30/coronavirus-pandemic–trump-derangement-syndrome–bad-math-n2567882

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Trump: Coronavirus “Should Have Never Happened, It Could Have Been Stopped But People Chose Not To” – Ian Schwartz
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/04/29/trump_coronavirus_should_have_never_happened_it_could_have_been_stopped_but_people_chose_not.html

THE HILL
— Illinois state lawmaker Jason Plummer calls for US to not bail out his ‘corrupt’ state – REBECCA KLAR
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/495374-illinois-state-lawmaker-calls-for-us-to-not-bail-out-his-corrupt-state
— Trump says China ‘will do anything they can’ to keep him from being reelected – REBECCA KLAR
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/495393-trump-says-china-will-do-anything-they-can-to-keep-him-from-being
— Kushner predicts much of the country will be ‘back to normal’ in June – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/495212-kushner-predicts-much-of-the-country-will-be-back-to-normal-in-june
— Liability shield for businesses emerges as new fight over reopening – ALEX GANGITANO AND JOHN KRUZEL
https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/495288-liability-shield-businesses-new-fight-reopening

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Admit It: You Are Willing to Let People Die to End the Shutdown.”
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/04/30/coronavirus-shutdown-altitude-ethics-223569

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “As Trump frets over sliding poll numbers, he doubles down on Fox-centric media strategy.”
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/30/media/donald-trump-fox-news-reliable-sources/index.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump treats meatpacking workers as disposable.”
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/29/opinions/trump-treats-meatpacking-workers-as-disposable-reyes/index.html
— 30 million Americans have filed initial unemployment claims since mid-March – Anneken Tappe
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/30/economy/unemployment-benefits-coronavirus/index.html

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Economists agree: No quick rebound from recession is likely – MARTIN CRUTSINGER
https://apnews.com/e0d04987133c2f48992b98ace0a1e846
— Wisconsin governor orders 5% cut in state spending
https://www.wearegreenbay.com/coronavirus/wisconsin-governor-orders-5-cut-in-state-spending/

REUTERS
— Trump says China wants him to lose his bid for re-election – Steve Holland
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-china-exclusive/exclusive-trump-says-china-wants-him-to-lose-re-election-race-idUSKBN22C01F?il=0
— Trump says brushes off polls showing Biden leading presidential race – Steve Holland
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-election-exclusive/exclusive-trump-says-he-does-not-believe-polls-that-show-biden-ahead-in-presidential-race-idUSKBN22C03K?il=0

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Administration Signals Support for Allies’ Fight Against Virus Orders – Lisa Lerer and Kenneth P. Vogel
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-justice-department.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Tammy Duckworth is Biden’s safest — and smartest — vice presidential pick – David Byler (DIERSEN: Duckworh has demonized, denigrated, and condemned Trump for avoiding the draft. How will Duckworth differentiate Biden’s avoiding the draft? Since 1966 when I was 18 years old, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me for avoiding the draft.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/29/tammy-duckworth-is-bidens-safest-smartest-vice-presidential-pick/
— Trump presented with grim internal polling showing him losing to Biden – Josh Dawsey
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-presented-with-grim-internal-polling-showing-him-losing-to-biden/2020/04/29/33544208-8a4e-11ea-9759-6d20ba0f2c0e_story.html
— 3.8 million Americans sought jobless benefits last week, extending pandemic’s grip on the national workforce More than 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits in six weeks – Rachel Siegel and Andrew Van Dam
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/30/weekly-jobless-claims-unemployment/
— Why Congress probably isn’t going to let states go bankrupt – Amber Phillips
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/30/state-bankruptcy/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: U.S. Economy Shrank at 4.8% Pace in First Quarter Gross domestic product recorded steepest contraction since the last recession – Harriet Torry
https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-quarter-gdp-us-growth-coronavirus-11588123665
— Partisan Fight Looms Over Voting by Mail Democrats, Republicans in Congress sharply differ over expanding mail balloting in November to ease coronavirus fears at polls – Lindsay Wise and Alexa Corse
https://www.wsj.com/articles/partisan-fight-looms-over-voting-by-mail-11588167903
— The Looming Civil-Liberties Battle The stage is set for a post-shutdown showdown between personal freedom and public health. – Joseph A. Ladapo
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-looming-civil-liberties-battle-11588198523

FORBES
— ‘FREE AMERICA NOW’: Elon Musk Goes Full Lockdown Skeptic On Twitter – Rachel Sandler
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2020/04/29/free-america-now-elon-musk-goes-full-lockdown-skeptic-on-twitter/
— Pension Bailout Or Bankruptcy? That’s Missing The Bigger Picture – Elizabeth Bauer
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ebauer/2020/04/28/pension-bailout-or-bankruptcy-thats-missing-the-bigger-picture/

NEWSWEEK
— PRO-TRUMP GROUP PLANS TO HOLD MAGA MAY DAY RALLIES ACROSS COUNTRY AMID PANDEMIC SHUTDOWNS – JAMES WALKER
https://www.newsweek.com/pro-trump-group-plans-maga-may-day-rallies-coronavirus-pandemic-1501112

FED WEEK
— Survey Sees Some Good Signs for Extending Careers (DIERSEN: Will the federal government extend its promotion deadlines? Currently, federal employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran are gotten rid of if they 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.)
https://www.fedweek.com/retirement-financial-planning/survey-sees-some-good-signs-for-extending-careers/

DAILY BEAST
— Why Have Women’s Groups Gone Dead Silent on Biden Sex-Assault Accusation? In the wake of the #MeToo movement, prominent women came forward expressing regret they didn’t take allegations against then-President Bill Clinton seriously in the 1990s. – Scott Bixby and Hanna Trudo
https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-have-womens-groups-gone-dead-silent-on-biden-assault-accusation

GM AUTHORITY
— General Motors Burning Through $130 Million A Day, Financial Expert Says – SAM MCEACHERN
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/04/general-motors-burning-through-130-million-a-day-financial-expert-says/
— Corvette C8 Owner Discusses Buyer Demographics – SAM MCEACHERN
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/04/corvette-c8-owner-discusses-buyer-demographics-video/

April 29 Morning Edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— TODAY’S AMERICANS AND YESTERYEAR’S AMERICANS – Walter E. Williams (DIERSEN: Because of Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs, ever-increasingly, today’s Americans are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/todays-americans-and-yesteryears-americans/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WASHINGTON POST
— Take heart, progressives: When the party moves left, Biden has always followed The former vice president has moved left on everything from same-sex marriage to criminal justice to abortion rights. – Charlotte Clymer (DIERSEN: Those who are the following will vote for Biden: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/28/progressives-biden-moved-left/

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

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

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

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

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

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/

April 27 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois’ stay-at-home order overturned by judge as IL COVID-19 death toll nears 2K with 45K total cases
https://abc7chicago.com/health/illinois-stay-at-home-order-overturned-by-judge-as-death-toll-nears-2k/6132103/
— Illinois Mask Requirements: New face mask order changes mandate amid coronavirus pandemic
https://abc7chicago.com/health/what-does-illinois-new-face-mask-order-mean/6132820/
— Coronavirus IL: GOP leaders want details on inmates released during pandemic – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/gop-leaders-want-details-on-inmates-released-during-coronavirus-pandemic/6132991/
— President Donald Trump tweets Illinois should not ask for federal coronavirus bailout
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/president-trump-suggests-illinois-should-not-ask-for-federal-covid-19-bailout/6132627/

NBC5
— Judge Grants Restraining Order to Block Extended Stay-at-Home Order Republican State Rep. Darren Bailey of Xenia, Illinois claimed in the lawsuit filed in Clay County Circuit Court that Pritzker exceeded his authority
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/judge-grants-restraining-order-to-block-extended-stay-at-home-order-reports/2262560/

CBS2
— Judge Blocks Gov. JB Pritzker’s Extension Of Stay-At-Home Order; Governor Vows To Appeal; ‘No One Is Better Off Because Of This Ruling’
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/27/clay-county-judge-blocks-stay-at-home-order-extension-gov-jb-pritzker-coronavirus-covid-19/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois judge blocks Governor Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-judge-blocks-governor-pritzkers-extension-of-stay-at-home-order
— Social distancing will continue ‘through the summer,’ Dr. Deborah Birx says – Kelly Taylor Hayes
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/social-distancing-will-continue-through-the-summer-dr-deborah-birx-says

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Downstate judge rules Pritzker out of line with stay-at-home – but governor calls suit ‘dangerous,’ ‘insult to all Illinoisans’ The legislator who filed suit is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump. He’s also a member of a small group of Downstate GOP legislators who once sponsored legislation to kick Chicago out of Illinois. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/4/27/21239029/downstate-judge-pritzker-bailey-stay-home-order-covid-19-coronavirus-clay-county

— 50 more die in Illinois from coronavirus; death toll nears 2,000 Confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Illinois are at 1,983. With 1,980 more positive cases reported Monday, the state’s tally is 45,883, state officials said. Sunday, 12,676 tests results were returned, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/27/21238797/coronavirus-death-count-positive-tests-total-cases-illinois-pritzker-daily-briefing
— President Trump, Nikki Haley attack Illinois Democrats in tweets Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley bashed Illinois Democrats after Illinois Senate President Don Harmon asked the feds for a $10 billion pension bailout. – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/4/27/21238448/president-trump-nikki-haley-attack-illinois-democrats-pension-bailout-bid
— COVID-19 has made Chicago’s affordable housing crisis worse, and the feds must step. Even before the pandemic, 63 percent of African American renters and 56 percent of Latino renters in Chicago were cost-burdened. – Marisa Novara
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/27/21238379/covid-19-affordable-housing-chicago-rent-marisa-novara-op-ed

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 1,980 new known COVID-19 cases and 50 more deaths reported as Pritzker defends decisions with message aimed downstate
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200427-whmegddbrnbyncb5mklb33vr24-story.html
— The law denies stimulus checks to Americans married to immigrants in the U.S. illegally. An Illinois man alleges that’s discrimination. – ROBERT BURNSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-stimulus-checks-immigrants-20200427-oj5jinbrafc6znxbibb3vyhwxm-story.html
— Nursing home workers authorize May 8 strike at 40 Illinois facilities, most in Chicago area – Robert McCoppin
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nursing-home-workers-strike-vote-20200427-ocbcfbk5ezaczdd3a6hkio6uz4-story.html
— Southern Illinois judge temporarily blocks Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order from applying to Republican state lawmaker who sued – RICK PEARSON, JAMIE MUNKS and DAN PETRELLA
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-stay-at-home-lawsuit-20200427-luf5hsnhpff7harnkckfopq26u-story.html
— After initially backing federal aid to states, Trump questions ‘bailing out poorly run states’ like Illinois – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-trump-illinois-pensions-20200427-5qaiqqqu4rdfdjcwlj6slhlvba-story.html
— Get ready for discrimination based on coronavirus immunity – JONATHAN TURLEY (DIERSEN: Of course, if testing shows that members of protected groups are potentially more contagious, testing will be immediately stopped. Protected groups include: Trump-haters, illegals, non-citizens, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, RINOs, moderates, liberals, globalists, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, females, young people, LGBTQers, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, drinkers, gamblers, stoners, those who have criminal records, those who have less money than others, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-antibody-immunity-bias-20200427-x34evfz5p5ejjblwjbwa5u5c3a-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: But once reliable tests are broadly available, this public health breakthrough could trigger some difficult legal questions. The country may soon have to deal with a new concept of bias: antibody- or immunity-based discrimination. Economic recovery in this pandemic will occur only to the degree that people feel safe if they venture into public spaces such as airplanes, trains, restaurants and shopping malls. With a vaccine still at least a year away, antibody tests could be used to divide the population into those who are presumed to have immunity and the potentially contagious. If you are in the latter group, the question is whether you can be denied certain services.)
— Evanston’s new blight: Brown-papered windows of shopkeepers like me, on life support – NINA BARRETT
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-nina-barrett-evanston-bookstore-small-business-20200427-p3jqpm5kyfcthavect2j42lfhu-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Judge upholds legislator’s suit against stay-at-home extension – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200427/judge-upholds-legislators-suit-against-stay-at-home-extension
— Judge to Chicago jail: Do more to protect inmates from virus – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200427/news/304279914/
— DuPage poised to vote on plan to waive late fees on property taxes – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200427/dupage-poised-to-vote-on-plan-to-waive-late-fees-on-property-taxes
— Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry struggles to feed the community – Maureen McGuire
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20200427/aurora-area-interfaith-food-pantry-struggles-to-feed-the-community
— GOP leaders want details on inmates released during pandemic – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200427/news/304279927/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Trump questions whether U.S. should aid ‘Democrat’ states The president singled out Illinois in a tweet today after J.B. Pritzker repeatedly criticized his response to the coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/trump-questions-whether-us-should-aid-democrat-states
— Aviation rebound will take years: Boeing CEO “The commercial market will be smaller and our customers’ needs will be different,” he said at the annual meeting today. – JOHN PLETZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/manufacturing/aviation-rebound-will-take-years-boeing-ceo
— Aon to cut pay 20% for most employees As the company girds for the COVID-19 fallout, the CEO casts the reductions as a temporary response to what he believes will be a deep and long-lasting recession. – STEVE DANIELS
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/insurance/aon-cut-pay-20-most-employees
— Pritzker vs. Trump redux as fight over federal COVID aid deepens After the president singles out Illinois, the governor suggests Trump focus on his own budget woes instead of attacking “Democrat run” Illinois for being “poorly run.”- GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-vs-trump-redux-fight-over-federal-covid-aid-deepens
— Downstate judge overturns Pritzker’s stay-at-home order The governor vows immediate efforts to appeal or otherwise block a Clay County judge’s ruling that found the governor lacks the authority to limit Illinoisans’ activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/downstate-judge-overturns-pritzkers-stay-home-order

WGN RADIO
— Number of US coronavirus cases nears 1 million – AP
https://wgnradio.com/news/number-of-us-coronavirus-cases-nears-1-million/

FOX ILLINOIS
— 2020 Watch: Voters focus on virus, not on Biden running mate – AP (DIERSEN: How strongly will potential running mates promise to help Biden 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/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/2020-watch-voters-focus-on-virus-not-on-biden-running-mate

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— State Rep Darren Bailey wins Temporary Restraining Order against Governor Pritzker’s stay at home Executive Order – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/04/state-rep-darren-bailey-wins-temporary-restraining-order-against-governor-pritzkers-stay-at-home-executive-order/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— JUDGE RULES IN REP. BAILEY’S FAVOR, AGAINST GOV PRITZKER’S CONTINUING STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/illinois-state-rep-files-lawsuit-against-governor-pritzker.html

— THORNER/O’NEIL: WILL THE LIBERAL MEDIA SUCCEED IN ITS MESSAGE OF DECEPTION?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/thorneroneil-will-the-liberal-media-succeed-in-its-message-of-deception.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Pritzker: “This ruling has put the people of Illinois at risk”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/27/pritzker-this-ruling-has-put-the-people-of-illinois-at-risk/
— Pritzker talks about hospitalization numbers, Downstate infection rates – “Of the top five counties by infection rate, two of them are downstate” – Pritzker apologizes for claim about dentists – Explains that testing has moved us up the list of most cases – Responds to Trump tweet – Says federal government offered more help with testing – Asked about pension reform – Asked whether it was time to lay off workers and if state workers are actually working – Asked about conventions and large gatherings – Says phone lines at IDES still a big problem – Explains why he’s not following Ohio’s lead – Explains how 14-day decline is defined – Watching meat industry, but doesn’t yet believe a meat shortage is imminent – Refuses to undermine Lightfoot on boating ban – Explains death rate – R0 still above 1 – Working with legislators on workers’ comp changes – Says Pence says Trump still wants to help state and local governments – Will ask GA to expand mail-in balloting
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/27/pritzker-talks-about-hospitalization-numbers-downstate-infection-rates/
— 1,980 new cases, 50 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/27/1980-new-cases-50-additional-deaths/
— Illinois’ COVID-19 death toll is probably significantly higher than what’s being reported
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/27/illinois-covid-19-death-toll-is-probably-significantly-higher-than-whats-being-reported/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/27/covid-19-roundup-28/
— Pritzker admin responds *** Trump asks why Americans should be “bailing out” states like Illinois
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/27/trump-asks-why-americans-should-be-bailing-out-states-like-illinois/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Bailing out the broken pension system – Editorial
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/27/editorial-should-congress-allow-states-fraudulentl/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Pelosi: Time to consider providing ‘guaranteed income’ – Susan Ferrechio
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/pelosi-time-to-consider-providing-guaranteed-income

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— Where Will You Live In The Post Covid-19 Future? Cities are cramped, sprawling suburbs are a dead end. That leaves two places well equipped for uncertain times. – JAMES HOWARD KUNSTLER
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/urbs/where-will-you-live-in-the-post-covid-19-future/

THE HILL
— Trump rips media after taking criticism over coronavirus briefings – BRETT SAMUELS AND MORGAN CHALFANT
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/494805-trump-rips-media-after-taking-criticism-over-coronavirus-briefings

CNN
— Nearly three quarters of US senators call on Trump administration to help local news – Brian Stelter (DIERSEN: So far, GOPUSA ILLINOIS does not need help because my Civil Service Retirement System pension, my and my wife’s Social Security, and our federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidy continue to come.)
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/24/media/senators-letter-support-local-news/index.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: United States Senators have a new idea to boost struggling local news outlets in their home states: Ads from the federal government. Nearly three-quarters of the US Senate have signed a letter to the Trump administration encouraging various agencies to “increase advertising in local newspapers and on broadcast stations in order to help ensure they are able to continue to operate throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.” More than half of the members of the US House of Representatives have lent their names to a letter endorsing the same idea earlier this week.)

NBC NEWS
— Coronavirus live updates: U.S. death toll nears 55,000
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/2020-04-27-coronavirus-news-n1193086/ncrd1193766#liveBlogHeader

NBC NEW YORK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “NY Republicans Trust Cuomo More Than Trump on Virus Rebound, New Poll Shows. Self-identified conservative voters trust Cuomo on reopening the state over Trump by a 23-point margin.” I should write a book about those who self-identify as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican, but who talk and/or act like they are anti-religious, anti-conservative, and/or anti-Republican.
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/ny-republicans-trust-cuomo-more-than-trump-on-virus-rebound-new-poll-shows/2390989/

FORBES
— Why Illinois Is In Trouble – 109,881 Public Employees With $100,000+ Paychecks Cost Taxpayers $14B – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: GAO started paying me $100,000+ in today’s dollars in 1986 when I was 38 years old. In my defense, I had worked for GAO for almost 7 years, and before that, for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $85,084-$96,431. I had passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt when I was 32. I had become a licensed CPA when I was 32. I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30. I had earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul when I was 31. I had earned an MBA from Loyola when I was 27. I had earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU when I was 21.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2020/04/27/why-illinois-is-in-trouble–109881-public-employees-with-100000-paychecks-cost-taxpayers-14b/#64dd9c917ee9

GUARDIAN
— Malicious forces creating ‘perfect storm’ of coronavirus disinformation – Peter Beaumont, Julian Borger and Daniel Boffey
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/coronavirus-sparks-perfect-storm-of-state-led-disinformation

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Most Favor UN Action Against China for Coronavirus; 41% Want Their State to Sue
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/china/most_favor_un_action_against_china_for_coronavirus_41_want_their_state_to_sue

April 27 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— New poll shows rising support for mail-in voting due to coronavirus concerns, but Trump’s opposition resonating with GOP voters – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-mail-in-voting-poll-20200427-6ljbysuwvvcwtoklw7qzxuwwnu-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— South Side LGBTQ pride festival moves online amid COVID-19 concerns The city’s South Side-based LGBTQ pride festival, which launched last year, will now be held online in a two-month-long campaign promoting the 2020 Census. – Jake Wittich
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/26/21237700/south-side-lgbtq-pride-festival-moves-online-amid-covid-19-concerns
— How do we thank ‘essential workers?’ Vote for a graduated Illinois income tax on Nov. 3 The coronavirus pandemic vividly reveals the unfairness of a flat income tax, in which every dollar is taxed at the same rate no matter how rich or poor you are. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/26/21225563/illinois-state-budget-finances-fair-tax-progressive-graduated-pandemic-coronavirus-editorial

DAILY HERALD
— Duckworth honored to ‘be in mix’ for vice presidential nominee – Marni Pyke (DIERSEN: Duckworh has demonized, denigrated, and condemned Trump for avoiding the draft. How will Duckworth differentiate Biden’s avoiding the draft? Since 1966 when I was 18 years old, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me for avoiding the draft. I was 1-A for draft notwithstanding the fact that my eyesight could not be corrected to 20/20, I had partial red/green color blindness, and I had Osgood-Schlatter disease SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease . I got student deferments 1966-1970 while I attended UIC and NIU and a financial hardship deferment 1970-1971. While I worked for the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, my Democrat superiors, Democrat supervisors, Democrat coworkers, and Democrat subordinates always stressed to my many superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates who were veterans that I avoided the draft. They hinted/implied/argued/shouted that because I avoided the draft, I got a tremendous unfair advantage over them. They hinted/implied/argued/shouted that because I avoided the draft, I was able to earn a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48; job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48; and a job-related professional license when I was 32; b) get promoted when I was 23, 24, 25, and 38; c) buy new cars when I was 19, 20, 23, etc.; d) buy real estate when I was 24, 25, 27, 29, and 35; e) get married when I was 29; f) etc.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200427/duckworth-honored-to-be-in-mix-for-vice-presidential-nominee

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— How fast will the Chicago economy recover? Bank forecasts provide a clue. The projections lenders are delivering to Wall Street now offer a window into current thinking about how bad the COVID-induced recession will be. – STEVE DANIELS
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/how-fast-will-chicago-economy-recover-bank-forecasts-provide-clue

WGN RADIO
— Impact of the coronavirus on local city and town revenues. Rick Pearson speaks with Brad Cole.
https://wgnradio.com/the-sunday-spin-politics-with-rick-pearson/impact-of-the-coronavirus-on-local-city-and-town-revenues/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Coronavirus pandemic identifies fault lines that must be addressed – Jim Nowlan
https://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20200426/coronavirus-pandemic-identifies-fault-lines-that-must-be-addressed

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— With the loss of coffeehouse lattes and school lunches, dairy farmers face tough choices. Corn and soybeans are also hurting in an economy battered by coronavirus. – PATRICK O’CONNELL
https://www.pantagraph.com/business/agriculture/with-the-loss-of-coffeehouse-lattes-and-school-lunches-dairy-farmers-face-tough-choices-corn/article_17a293b8-9a8b-5bbd-ac0d-e63d1521842e.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Protesters in Crest Hill object to stay-at-home order – BOB OKON
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/04/25/out-on-the-streets/am7gj2l/

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Pritzker: Police can charge violators of stay at home order – Jakob Emerson
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/pritzker-police-can-charge-violators-of-stay-at-home-order

DAILY NORTHWESTERN
— Amid an uncertain election cycle, organizers move campaigning online – Isabelle Sarraf
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/04/26/city/amid-an-uncertain-election-cycle-organizers-move-campaigning-online/

WIREPOINTS
— COVID-19 pushes nation’s weakest public pension plans closer to the brink: A 50-state survey – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/covid-19-pushes-nations-weakest-public-pension-plans-closer-to-the-brink-a-50-state-survey-wirepoints-special-report/
— Pritzker Now Stonewalling Critical Antibody Testing – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/pritzker-now-stonewalling-critical-antibody-testing-wirepoints/
— ‘Contract’ is no excuse for upcoming pay raise for Illinois unionized state workers – Quicktake (DIERSEN: Who wants who to sacrifice more to beat coronavirus? Will Democrats come up with a “Coronavirus Income/Wealth Redistribution” form for all of us to fill out? Will that form call for all of us to provide the following: income, expenses, assets, debts, income gained/lost because of coronavirus, expenses decreased/increased because of coronavirus, asset values increased/lost because of coronavirus, debts decreased/increased because of coronavirus, etc. Will the form determine how much money each of us who have been harmed less by coronavirus should give to each of those who have been harmed more by coronavirus?)
https://wirepoints.org/contract-is-no-excuse-for-upcoming-pay-raise-for-unionized-state-workers-quicktake/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Wilcox Hosting Webinar Monday
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/26/wilcox-hosting-webinar-monday/
— Looking at Governor’s 30-Day Emergency Orders – The Lawsuit
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/26/looking-at-governors-30-day-emergency-orders-first-the-lawsuit/
— IL-14: Lauren Underwood at Her Worst
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/26/il-14-lauren-underwood-at-her-worst/
— Tobin Criticizes Pritzker
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/26/145082/
— Looking at Governor’s 30-Day Emergency Orders – Attorney’s Analysis
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/25/looking-at-govenors-30-day-emergency-orders-attorneys-analysis/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— This American Life of Sexual Perversity – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/homosexuality/this-american-life-of-sexual-perversity/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ILLINOIS STATE REP: LET THE PEOPLE GO!
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/illinois-state-rep-let-the-people-go.html
— GLENNON: PRITZKER NOW STONEWALLING CRITICAL ANTIBODY TESTING
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/glennon-pritzker-now-stonewalling-critical-antibody-testing.html
— SOME BEGIN TO QUESTION QUALIFICATIONS OF PRITZKER ADVISOR – DIRECTOR OF IDPH
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/some-begin-to-question-pritzker-advisor-director-of-idph.html
— 28 MILLION MAIL-IN BALLOTS WENT MISSING IN LAST FOUR ELECTIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/28-million-mail-in-ballots-went-missing-in-last-four-elections.html
— MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER TO BE BLASTED OVER MAJOR MIDWEST CITY FIVE TIMES A DAY
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/muslim-call-to-prayer-to-be-blasted-over-major-midwest-city-five-times-a-day.html
— CARES ACT HURTS SMALL BUSINESSES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/cares-act-hurts-small-businesses.html
— PENNSYLVANIA FORCED TO REMOVE HUNDREDS OF DEATHS FROM CORONAVIRUS DEATH COUNT AFTER CORONERS RAISE RED FLAGS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/pennsylvania-forced-to-remove-hundreds-of-deaths-from-coronavirus-death-count-after-coroners-raise-r.html

WASHINGTON TIMES
— U.S. facing Great Depression-era unemployment rate, W.H. economic adviser says Business leaders see no rebound in sight with one-sixth of U.S. workforce jobless – David Sherfinski
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/26/kevin-hassett-white-house-economic-adviser-us-faci/
— Joe Biden urged to resist far-left demands from Justice Democrats – Seth McLaughlin (DIERSEN: To defeat Trump, 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://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/26/joe-biden-urged-resist-justice-democrats-far-left-/
— SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 FLASHBACK: Biden’s draft deferments equal Cheney’s during Vietnam War – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/01/bidens-draft-deferments-equal-cheneys-during-vietn/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— MAY 31, 2019 FLASHBACK: Democratic attacks on Trump and Vietnam open door to scrutiny of Biden avoiding draft – Emily Larsen
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/democratic-attacks-on-trump-and-vietnam-open-door-to-scrutiny-of-biden-avoiding-draft

FOX NEWS
— Coronavirus and the era of big government – Chad Pergram
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/coronavirus-big-government-era-pergram
— New Yorker journalist Hendrik Hertzberg asks about ‘military coup’ against Trump, claims he was sarcastic – Frank Miles
https://www.foxnews.com/media/new-yorker-journalist-hendrik-hertzberg-military-coup-trump

GOPUSA
— What Would Our Ancestors Think Of Us?
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88083

AMERICAN THINKER
— The Coronavirus Is China’s Fault – Elise Cooper
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/04/the_coronavirus_is_chinas_fault.html

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— The Incompetence Smear The First Amendment gives everyone the right to call any president any name in the book, including “incompetent.” But just because someone says it, doesn’t make it true. – Scott Douglas Gerber
https://amgreatness.com/2020/04/26/the-incompetence-smear/
— We Can Make China Pay For The Coronavirus Republicans have the perfect opportunity to get out in front on this issue and show they care more about punishing our national enemies than petty partisanship. – Paul Bradford
https://amgreatness.com/2020/04/26/we-can-make-china-pay-for-the-coronavirus/

BREITBART
— Murder, Burglary Soars in New York City During Coronavirus Lockdown – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/26/murder-burglary-soars-new-york-city-during-coronavirus-lockdown/

DAILY SIGNAL
— Polygamy Advocates Lay Groundwork for Civil Rights Revolution – John Murawski
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/04/26/polygamy-advocates-lay-groundwork-for-civil-rights-revolution/
— China Is Working Overtime to Suppress Research About Coronavirus Origin – Jarrett Stepman
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/04/26/china-is-working-overtime-to-suppress-research-about-coronavirus-origin/

DAILY CALLER
— Conservatives Want To Know Why Twitter Is Targeting Right-Wing Misinfo While Giving China, WHO A Pass – CHRIS WHITE
https://dailycaller.com/2020/04/26/twitter-censorship-coronavirus-china-world-health-organization/

TOWNHALL
— What to Do About China And Its American Lackeys – Kurt Schlichter
https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2020/04/27/what-to-do-about-china-and-its-american-lackeys-n2567611

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Take Tribal Politics Out of Shutdown Debate and Think About the Guy at the Food Pantry – John Kass (DIERSEN: Who wants who to sacrifice more to beat coronavirus? Will Democrats come up with a “Coronavirus Income/Wealth Redistribution” form for all of us to fill out? Will that form call for all of us to provide the following: income, expenses, assets, debts, income gained/lost because of coronavirus, expenses decreased/increased because of coronavirus, asset values increased/lost because of coronavirus, debts decreased/increased because of coronavirus, etc. Will the form determine how much money each of us who have been harmed less by coronavirus should give to each of those who have been harmed more by coronavirus?)
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2020/04/23/take_tribal_politics_out_of_shutdown_debate_and_think_about_the_guy_at_the_food_pantry_143024.html

INSIDE SOURCES
— JUNE 9, 2019 FLASHBACK: Joe Biden’s Draft Record Looks a Lot Like Donald Trump’s. Do Democrats Care? – Michael Graham
https://www.insidesources.com/joe-bidens-draft-record-looks-a-lot-like-donald-trumps-do-democrats-care/

THE HILL
— What the ‘Grievance Studies affair’ says about academia’s social justice warriors – ROBERT MARANTO (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs blame all problems on individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, heterosexual, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. I should write a book about Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs in Wheaton, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, etc.)
https://thehill.com/opinion/education/490366-what-the-grievance-studies-affair-says-about-academias-social-justice

REUTERS
— U.S. economy faces historic shock, with 16% joblessness possible, Trump adviser says – Tim Ahmann (DIERSEN: To defeat Trump, Trump-haters want to drive up joblessness.)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-economy/us-economy-faces-historic-shock-with-16-joblessness-possible-trump-adviser-idUSKCN2280J1

CNN
— Coronavirus cases in the United States are nearing 1 million – Madeline Holcombe
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/27/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html
— JANUARY 21, 2018 FLASHBACK: Duckworth to Trump: I won’t be lectured by draft dodger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5iRvUK5A0U
— JUNE 6, 2019 FLASHBACK: Duckworth: Yes, I’m calling the President a coward
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/06/06/tammy-duckworth-trump-vietnam-war-comments-sot-ac360-vpx.cnn

NBC NEWS
— Trump’s coronavirus response is questioned daily. But Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx aren’t infallible. Even scientists make mistakes, and figuring out how and why can help us better understand this pandemic and our response to it. – Ying Ma
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-s-coronavirus-response-questioned-daily-dr-fauci-dr-birx-ncna1192266

NBC NEW YORK
— Trump’s Focus on His Base Complicates Path to Reelection – Jill Colvin and Jonathan Lemire (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Milton Township Republican Organization act like they are taking the advice of Democrat plant, Libertarian plant, Green plant, and RINO political consultants who advise them a) to dump voters who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time and b) to pander to voters who 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, and anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/decision-2020/trumps-focus-on-his-base-complicates-path-to-reelection/2390829/

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Nervous Republicans See Trump Sinking, and Taking Senate With Him. The election is still six months away, but a rash of ominous new polls and the president’s erratic briefings have the G.O.P. worried about a Democratic takeover.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/25/us/politics/trump-election-briefings.html
— As States Push to Reopen, Business Leaders Say Not So Fast “Shutting down was hard, but opening up is going to be harder,” one C.E.O. said of balancing public health and a damaged economy. – David Gelles, Kate Kelly and David Yaffe-Bellany
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/business/coronavirus-states-businesses-reopen.html
— This Florida Student Was Accepted at All 8 Ivy League Schools Craig McFarland, the valedictorian of his high school in Jacksonville, Fla., received acceptance letters from 17 colleges and universities in all. – Johnny Diaz (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would stress McFarland and that I only just barely made it into the top 20% of my high school class, that my ACT score was only 24, and that I spent my junior and senior years and the summer in between washing dishes for the minimum wage in the basement of the S.S. Kresges in Chicago Heights.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/us/craig-mcfarland-ivy-league-accepted.html

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Coronavirus unemployment will be comparable to the Great Depression, says Trump economic adviser – Lauren Theisen (DIERSEN: To defeat Trump, Trump-haters want to drive up unemployment.)
https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-unemployment-will-be-comparable-to-the-great-depression-20200427-v2khwzfkive3xidia2igslehpq-story.html

USA TODAY
— 840 sailors on USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive for COVID-19, Navy says
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/04/24/coronavirus-uss-theodore-roosevelt-sailors-test-covid-19-positive/3018331001/
— FROM THE ARTICLE: In 2018, (DUCKWORTH) made history as the first senator to give birth while in office. Duckworth has called Trump a “draft dodger” and slammed him for “using his privilege” to defer military service.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/04/15/2020-election-joe-biden-running-mate-not-picked-yet-but-speculation-swirls/2986892001/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE: Coronavirus Means the Era of Big Government Is…Back History shows that national shocks—the Depression, World War II, the financial crisis—have a way of expanding the role of government in lasting ways. This one is looking like no exception. – Gerald F. Seib and John McCormick
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-means-the-era-of-big-government-isback-11587923184
— People Were Leaving New York City Before the Coronavirus. Now What? Exodus would shrink tax revenue, which would hurt vital services – Kate King
https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-were-leaving-new-york-city-before-the-coronavirus-now-what-11587916800
— Do Lockdowns Save Many Lives? In Most Places, the Data Say No The speed with which officials shuttered the economy appears not to be a factor in Covid deaths. – T.J. Rodger
https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-lockdowns-save-many-lives-is-most-places-the-data-say-no-11587930911
— IRS Recalling Thousands of Workers Congressmen criticize IRS for asking employees to bring their own masks – Richard Rubin
https://www.wsj.com/articles/irs-recalling-thousands-of-workers-11587918430
— If the First-Quarter GDP Report Looks Bad, the Second Quarter Will Be Worse Wednesday’s report will likely show the tip of the iceberg, because more of the economy has been offline in April due to coronavirus shutdowns – Harriet Torry
https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-the-first-quarter-gdp-report-looks-bad-the-second-quarter-will-be-worse-11587909612

FORBES
— Hertz Car Rental Suffers Massive Layoffs, Stock Drop From COVID-19 Pandemic – Michael Goldstein
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2020/04/24/covid-19-creates-massive-layoffs-stock-drop-for-hertz-car-rental/#6ea5aff8148c
— Shared Sacrifice Will Be Needed To Beat Coronavirus – Ken Burns (DIERSEN: Who wants who to sacrifice more to beat coronavirus? Will Democrats come up with a “Coronavirus Income/Wealth Redistribution” form for all of us to fill out? Will that form call for all of us to provide the following: income, expenses, assets, debts, income gained/lost because of coronavirus, expenses decreased/increased because of coronavirus, asset values increased/lost because of coronavirus, debts decreased/increased because of coronavirus, etc. Will the form determine how much money each of us who have been harmed less by coronavirus should give to each of those who have been harmed more by coronavirus?)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2020/03/29/e-pluribus-unum-shared-sacrifice-will-be-needed-to-beat-coronavirus-says-documentarian-ken-burns/#745658d72701

BUSINESS INSIDER
— Trump calls for journalists who covered the Russia investigation to return their ‘Noble Prizes’ in Twitter rant before deleting it – James Pasley,
https://www.businessinsider.sg/trump-deletes-tweet-calling-for-journalists-to-return-noble-prizes-2020-4

PENSIONS & INVESTMENTS
— Illinois Teachers assets fall 9.3% in the quarter on negative returns – CHRISTINE WILLIAMSON
https://www.pionline.com/pension-funds/illinois-teachers-assets-fall-93-quarter-negative-returns

MARKEY WATCH
— Sinking U.S. economy hasn’t hit bottom yet – Jeffry Bartash
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/sinking-us-economy-hasnt-hit-bottom-yet-2020-04-25

BANKRATE
— Top 10 U.S. housing markets that could be hardest hit by coronavirus – Jeff Ostrowski
https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/housing-markets-that-could-be-hardest-hit-by-coronavirus/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: McHenry County, Illinois: In this county northwest of Chicago, nearly 24 percent of homeowners were underwater at the end of 2019, and the foreclosure rate was 0.2 percent. Illinois has mostly missed the economic boom of the past decade, Teta notes. The state’s job growth has been tepid and home values have barely appreciated.)

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Trump to Sideline Fauci and Birx, Pivot to Economic Message in Press Briefings: Report – Matt Stieb
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/04/trump-to-sideline-fauci-and-birx-in-coming-weeks-report.html

AMERICAN PROSPECT
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Republican-haters use COVID-19 to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans as being racists..
https://prospect.org/coronavirus/when-it-comes-to-covid-19-deaths-race-matters/

DAILY MAIL
— Bill Gates defends China’s coronavirus response: Billionaire says Beijing ‘did a lot of things right’ at the start of the pandemic and claims criticism of the Communist Party is a ‘distraction’ – ARIEL ZILBER
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8259591/Now-not-time-Bill-Gates-defends-China-coronavirus-response.html