May 27 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases top 114K with over 5K deaths – Craig Wall, Eric Horng
https://abc7chicago.com/business/illinois-covid-19-cases-top-114k-with-over-5k-deaths/6214445/

NBC5
— Dr. Willie Wilson Blasts Pritzker, Calls for Trump to Intervene in Dispute Over Indoor Church Services
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/dr-willie-wilson-blasts-pritzker-calls-for-trump-to-intervene-in-dispute-over-indoor-church-services/2278990/
— Illinois Coronavirus Deaths Top 5,000 as State Nears Phase 3 of Reopening The numbers come as state officials said they believe Illinois may be coming off a peak and starting a downward trend
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-coronavirus-deaths-top-5000-as-state-nears-phase-3-of-reopening/2278824/

CBS2
— Even In Well-To-Do Glen Ellyn, Food Pantries See Surge In Demand As Pandemic Hammers Economy – Lauren Victory
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/27/even-in-well-to-do-glen-ellyn-food-pantries-see-surge-in-demand-as-pandemic-hammers-economy/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Statewide COVID-19 death toll passes 5,000 as US tops 100,000 fatalities
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200527-encciatitnf63nai3z2icqngau-story.html
— Is this news anymore? Illinois lawmakers approve out-of-balance, gimmicky budget – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-budget-crisis-pritzer-20200526-fqqdqvolozdspapmfqkmi44bkq-story.html
— Chicago restaurants test COVID-19 surcharges as costs mount, but customer backlash forces one to retreat – ARIEL CHEUNG
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-dining-surcharge-covid-19-20200527-7ue7xx7knndqziyej6lkrsdyae-story.html
— As non-COVID-19 patients return to Chicago-area emergency rooms, doctors see skyrocketing blood pressure and other side effects of delays in care. ‘It’s terrible, and it’s frightening.’ – Nara Schoenberg
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-life-coronavirus-other-illnesses-untreated-05272020-20200527-sgebypielnfyfng7lgkerikpsm-story.html
— Comptroller Susana Mendoza makes clear how much legislators will be getting in pay raises this year: ‘Zero’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-legislators-pay-mendoza-20200527-jl2cbljlsjbtre2hb3lsruur7u-story.html
— Trump threatens to shut down social media after Twitter fact-checks him – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-trump-social-media-joe-scarborough-20200527-gafdi22c75achnszxxttryb5d4-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Twitter should no longer give a pass to Trump’s most dishonest tweets.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/27/21272358/joe-scarborough-mail-in-voting-donald-trump-twitter-sun-times-editorial-jack-dorsey

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage voters could be asked about reducing size of county board – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200527/dupage-voters-could-be-asked-about-reducing-size-of-county-board
— Kane County may buy $5 million worth of masks, gloves and sanitizer for residents – James Fuller
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200527/kane-county-may-buy-5-million-worth-of-masks-gloves-and-sanitizer-for-residents
— Trump threatens social media after Twitter fact-checks him – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200527/trump-threatens-social-media-after-twitter-fact-checks-him
— DuPage looking to improve air quality in county buildings – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200527/dupage-looking-to-improve-air-quality-in-county-buildings

WTTW
— State Budget Approves Lawmakers’ Cost-of-Living Raise, But Sets Aside $0 – Heather Cherone
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/27/state-budget-approves-lawmakers-cost-living-raise-sets-aside-zero

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Democrats define themselves as lockdown party – Stephen Moore
https://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/columnists/stephen-moore-democrats-define-themselves-as-lockdown-party/article_928f2dfc-9f32-11ea-a10d-2f74a622b33e.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump Sparks Debate Over Security Of Mail-In Voting
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/trump-sparks-debate-over-security-mail-voting#stream/0

ELMHURST PATCH
— DuPage Marijuana Arrest Disparity Hurts Blacks: ACLU Blacks far more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession, despite similar usage rates, group says. – David Giuliani
https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/dupage-marijuana-arrest-disparity-hurts-blacks-aclu
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Paul Darrah, a spokesman for the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, said his office could not comment on a study conducted by another party. “What I can tell you is that a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. are never a factor in any case when we make a charging decision,” Darrah said in an email. “Our charging decisions are based on the facts and the law. There is one Criminal Code in Illinois and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office applies that code evenly in every case.”)

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— MAYOR LIGHTFOOT’S BOAST RE-OPEN ILLINOIS RALLY WAS DISPERSED BY CHICAGO POLICE DOESN’T LINE UP
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/mayor-lightfoots-claim-the-re-open-illinois-rally-was-dispersed-by-chicago-police-doesnt-line-up.html
— NEW STUDY SHOWS RE-OPEN MOVEMENT CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS AND NATION’S FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/new-study-the-four-values-of-open-the-states-protesters-1.html

CAPITOL FAX
— 1,111 new cases, 160 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/27/1111-new-cases-160-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker: “Being black in America cannot be a death sentence” – Talks about testing nursing homes – Asked about CDC guidance on antibody testing – Lays out what he’s trying to do for ESL – “We’re at about 30% of the contact tracing that we need today” – New IDPH recovery rate stats – Talks about sports returning, sports betting – Asked about massage therapists – Won’t tell the mayor when or how to set up casino – No June 1 start for live horseracing – Deflects Willie Wilson question – Asked about QC PGA tournament – Needs federal help to facilitate hospital merger – No indoor movie theaters in Phase 3
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/27/pritzker-being-black-in-america-cannot-be-a-death-sentence/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/27/covid-19-roundup-44/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Pritzker-promoter says “Skillicorn tells reporters with a straight face that he would “prefer to avoid” media coverage.”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/27/skillicorn-tells-reporters-with-a-straight-face-that-he-would-prefer-to-avoid-media-coverage/
— Mendoza counters GOP claims that lawmakers voted themselves a pay raise
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/27/mendoza-counters-gop-claims-that-lawmakers-voted-themselves-a-pay-raise/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘The incompetence cannot continue’: Illinois Republican pushes recall of Gov. J.B. Pritzker – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/27/jb-pritzker-illinois-governor-recall-sought-republ/

FOX NEWS
— Illinois church becomes 2nd congregation to file emergency request with Supreme Court over coronavirus orders – Morgan Phillips
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/illinois-church-files-emergency-request-with-supreme-court

GOPUSA
— Do The Left And Their Allies In The Media Really Not Get It?
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89448

TOWNHALL
— The Folly of Vote-by-Mail for All – John and Andy Schlafly
https://townhall.com/columnists/johnandandyschlafly/2020/05/27/the-folly-of-votebymail-for-all-n2569490

PJ MEDIA
— Police Raid Chicago Church, Beating on Door to Demand They Empty the Building – RICK MORAN
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/rick-moran/2020/05/26/mayor-lightfoot-cracking-down-on-churches-in-chicago-n427566

THE HILL
— Nancy Pelosi’s coronavirus aid bill pushes illegal immigration agenda – DONALD TRUMP JR.
https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/499739-nancy-pelosi-coronavirus-aid-bill-pushes-illegal-immigration-agenda

CBS NEWS
— U.S. economy suffered biggest fall in more than 50 years, Chicago Fed says – KATE GIBSON
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/economy-united-states-activity-april-lowest-50-years/

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump lashes out at social media companies after Twitter labels tweets with fact checks – Elizabeth Dwoskin (DIERSEN: According to my Trump-hating critics/opponents, all government and political news and commentary is misleading except for the government and political news and commentary that they put out or bless.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/05/27/trump-twitter-label/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The tweets, said Twitter spokeswoman Katie Rosborough, “contain potentially misleading information about voting processes and have been labeled to provide additional context around mail-in ballots.”)
— The unluckiest generation in U.S. history Millennials have faced the worst economic odds, and many will never recover – Andrew Van Dam (DIERSEN: One could argue that because of the Vietnam War, Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion, Baby Boomers who are White and/or male are unlucky.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/27/millennial-recession-covid/

FORBES
— Returning To Work During A Pandemic: 3 Legal Issues Employers Cannot Ignore – Douglas Wigdor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/douglaswigdor/2020/05/27/returning-to-work-during-pandemic-3-legal-issues-employers-cannot-ignore/#1a3e78ef5652

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Could an Economic Rebound Sweep Trump to Victory? – Ed Kilgore
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/05/could-an-economic-rebound-sweep-trump-to-victory.html

JD SUPRA
— Employers Beware: Preparing for the Inevitable Flood of COVID-Related Lawsuits
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/employers-beware-preparing-for-the-51461/

ONE BRIDAL COMPANY
— COVID-19 Liability Release Waiver **Signature Required Prior to Every Scheduled Service**
http://onebridalcompany.com/covid-19-liability-release-form/

May 27 Morning Edition

WBBM

— Republican Lawmaker Allen Skillicorn Pushes Recall Of Gov. Pritzker – DAVE DAHL

https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/republican-lawmaker-pushes-recall-of-gov-pritzker

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

— Total Recall? GOP quartet (Skillicorn, Halbrook, Wilhour, and Bailey) seeks to oust Pritzker, insisting ‘it’s going to be difficult’ but not ‘impossible’  State Rep. Allen Skillicorn said he would “happily” take his recall petition “off the table,” if the governor fixes the problem. But it might not matter what Skillicorn leaves on the table, given the high threshold for a successful recall petition. – Neal Earley

https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/26/21271283/pritzker-recall-skillicorn-bailey-wilhour-halbrook-covid-19-coronavirus-unemployment

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats use coronavirus to promote illegal immigration.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/5/26/21269669/coronavirus-immigration-hospitals-treatment-insurance-undocumented-covid-19-chicago

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

— Trump threatens to shut down social media after Twitter fact-checks him; fires off another baseless murder tweet – AP

https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-trump-social-media-joe-scarborough-20200527-gafdi22c75achnszxxttryb5d4-story.html

— Joe Biden’s inconvenient Democratic truth: ‘You ain’t black.’ – John Kass

https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/john-kass/ct-joe-biden-you-aint-black-kass-20200527-whgc2l4m2zhmxay63o3oxcxlji-story.html

— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN NAPERVILLE SUN WITH A BIG COLOR PICTURE: Racist, gang graffiti left on Naperville park property over the holiday weekend denounced by city officials, local groups – SUZANNE BAKER (DIERSEN: To scrawl “racist, gang graffiti” is to promote hated against individuals, against organizations, against companies, against governments, and against countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older , non-poor, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-naperville-graffiti-condemn-st-0527-20200526-f7jmhx67zrekpcekxnqqvyclja-story.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER

— Masks spark public judgment, ridicule among customers as businesses reopen –  USA TODAY (DIERSEN: In your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, and in your county, a) who takes the lead in demonizing, denigrating, and condemning those who do not wear masks and b) who will take the lead in getting rid of those who are old, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)

https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200526/masks-spark-public-judgment-ridicule-among-customers-as-businesses-reopen

ALTON TELEGRAPH

— Republican representative Allen Skillicorn begins attempt to remove Pritzker  Crystal Lake lawmaker needs support of Democrats, voters – Rebecca Anzel

https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Republican-representative-begins-attempt-to-15296510.php

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot in Peru.

https://www.newstrib.com/2020/05/27/peru-council-gives-go-ahead-to-marijuana-dispensary-growerinfuser/arnxdmg/

FOX ILLINOIS

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot in Danville.

https://foxillinois.com/news/local/cannabis-cultivation-center-may-open-in-danville

NAPERVILLE COMMUNITY TELEVISION

— DuPage County Discusses Reducing Its Board Members

ILLINOIS REVIEW

— DID WE EVER CONSENT TO THIS?

https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/did-we-ever-consent-to-this.html

WASHINGTON TIMES

— Purge stifles anti-Trump resistance at White House, ODNI – Bill Gertz

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/26/richard-grenell-robert-obrien-purge-stifles-anti-t/

FOX NEWS

— What is China’s social credit system? – Bradford Betz (DIERSEN: What if America, Illinois, your county, your township, your municipality, and your municipal district had social credit systems? What would cost people points – being a Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, obese, non-healthy, non-poor, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time?  What would put people on blacklists – opposing the promotion of dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for opposing the aforesaid?)

https://www.foxnews.com/world/what-is-china-social-credit-system

(FROM THE ARTICLE: China’s social credit system is a government program being implemented nationwide to regulate its citizens’ behavior based on a point system. Under this system, citizens are ranked in different areas of civil life using data collected from court documents, government or corporate records, and in some cases, citizen observers. Citizens with higher scores have had an easier time getting bank loans, free medical checkups and discounts on heating. Points have been deducted for traffic violations, selling faulty products or defaulting on loan payments. In some cases, people with bad social credit scores have been barred from buying airline or train tickets. Other infractions have included smoking in non-smoking zones, buying – or playing – too many video games and posting false news stories online, Business Insider reported. People failing to comply have been placed on so-called “blacklists,” which companies may reference when considering potential employees. In other cases, students may be denied entry into universities because of their parents’ bad social credit scores. China’s State Council first introduced the plan in June 2014. The council announced the system would “allow the trustworthy to roam everywhere under heaven while making it hard for the discredited to take a single step.” At first, officials implemented the system gradually in different cities. It was expected to go nationwide this year, but has been delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic.)

FOX BUSINESS

— North Carolina governor threatens ban on large crowds  All options are on the table, Gov. Cooper said – Evie Fordham

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/coronavirus-north-carolina-roy-cooper-large-crowd-ban-threat

CBN NEWS

— Former CBS News President Slams ‘Unrelentingly Liberal’ Media in WSJ Op-Ed – Steve Warren (DIERSEN: What do you say to my critics/opponents who do not want me to include links in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails to articles in liberal sources including ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, FOX32, WGN TV, WTTW, WGN Radio, WBEZ, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald,  Crain’s Chicago Business, Suburban Life, Capitol Fax, Politico Illinois, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA TODAY, Hill, Politico, Forbes, Bloomberg, etc.? I disagree with my critics/opponents. Conservatives need to know what the liberal sources are saying. One could call it opposition research.)

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2020/may/former-cbs-news-president-slams-unrelentingly-liberal-media-in-wsj-op-ed

DAILY CALLER

— China Wants To Keep COVID Tracking System In Place Permanently, Fold It Into Social Credit System – Chris White

https://dailycaller.com/2020/05/26/china-coronavirus-world-health-organization-smartphones-drones/

(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Chinese government reportedly announced an initiative in 2017 to rate citizens in a social credit system, penalizing people for criminal behavior as well as what they buy, do and say. The country began implementing President Xi Jinping’s policy of “once untrustworthy, always restricted” in May of that year.)

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

— Bobby Jindal: Democrats Are “Willing To Crush The Economy” If It Leads To Trump Loss – Tim Hains (DIERSEN: Who takes the lead in crushing the economy in your county, in your township, in your municipality, and in your municipal district?)

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/05/26/bobby_jindal_democrats_are_willing_to_crush_the_economy_if_it_leads_to_trump_loss.html

EPOCH TIMES

— Labor Secretary Says Cut Regulations to Heal US Economy – MATTHEW VADUM (DIERSEN: What about demands that employers get rid of their employees who are old, obese, and/or have health problems including diabetes?)

https://www.theepochtimes.com/labor-secretary-cut-regulations-to-heal-economy_3365696.html

THE HILL

— Trump, Biden signal how ugly the campaign will be – AMIE PARNES

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/499628-trump-biden-signal-how-ugly-the-campaign-will-be

— Poll: Voters list more unemployment relief as top priority for next spending bill (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in the Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois, the majority of voters in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, in Wheaton’s West District, in my precinct, and in my neighborhood a) want government to get rid of those who 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 and b) want government to promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for opposing the aforesaid.)

https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/499528-poll-more-unemployment-relief-listed-as-voters-top-priority-for

POLITICO

— Twitter takes a first stand against some Trump tweets — but ignores most others  Twitter tells users to “get the facts about mail-in ballots” on Trump tweet claiming California’s mailed votes likely to be “substantially fraudulent.” – CRISTIANO LIMA

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/26/twitter-fact-check-trump-voting-fraud-tweets-282844

ASSOCIATED PRESS

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater asks “Can Trump feel your pain?”

https://apnews.com/a1fe2766d9c24d628ad02d4e8fcfe2c5

CNN

— Trump takes his war on masks to new heights – Stephen Collinson

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/donald-trump-covid-masks-politics-health/index.html

— White House stokes fight with Biden over masks – Kevin Liptak, Betsy Klein and Maegan Vazquez

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/face-masks-trump-mulvaney-wedge-issue/index.html

— Security guards risk their lives by asking customers to wear masks – Nathaniel Meyersohn

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/business/security-guard-grocery-stores-coronavirus/index.html

NEW YORK TIMES

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Mask-Wearing Needs to Be Easy, Understood and Expected. Persuasion works better than compulsion.”

— Biden, Urging Face Masks, Calls Trump a ‘Fool’ for Not Wearing One  Joseph Biden, in his first in-person interview since the coronavirus curtailed his campaign, suggested the president was being “falsely masculine’’ by refusing to wear a mask. – Sydney Ember (DIERSEN: In your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, and in your county, a) who takes the lead in demonizing, denigrating, and condemning those who do not wear masks and b) who will take the lead in getting rid of those who are old, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)

— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: The Democrat ticket needs a contrast, not a clone. – Rachel Bitecofer (DIERSEN: A contrast would be someone who is conservative, non-White, female, young, veteran, non-Catholic, non-Irish national origin, not married, someone whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc.)

— Could All Those ‘Quarantinis’ Lead to Drinking Problems?  Addiction specialists said it was possible for people who are drinking heavily and consistently during the coronavirus pandemic to develop a problem they did not have before. –  Maria Cramer

— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: China’s Young Struggle for Jobs in the Post-Outbreak Era  Finding work for a generation has become a major priority for the country’s leaders, who have promised a better life in exchange for a lack of political freedom. – Alexandra Stevenson and Keith Bradsher  (DIERSEN: What frustrated your job search when you earned your bachelor’s degree? I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970. Potential employers viewed me as being draft bait; they did not believe that my financial hardship draft deferment application would be approved.)

WASHINGTON POST

— Trump calls mask wearing ‘politically correct,’ Biden calls him a ‘fool’ – Colby Itkowitz

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-calls-mask-wearing-politically-correct-biden-calls-him-a-fool/2020/05/26/a58025e6-9f9c-11ea-81bb-c2f70f01034b_story.html

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s mockery of wearing masks divides Republicans.” In your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, and in your county, a) who takes the lead in demonizing, denigrating, and condemning those who do not wear masks and b) who will take the lead in getting rid of those who are old, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-mockery-of-wearing-masks-divides-republicans/2020/05/26/2c2bdc02-9f61-11ea-81bb-c2f70f01034b_story.html

— It’s not enough for Democrats to oppose hasty reopening. We should offer a plan for rebuilding. – Rahm Emanuel

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/26/trump-blames-know-it-alls-he-has-no-plan-fix-this-mess/

USA TODAY

— Masks spark public judgment, ridicule among customers as businesses reopen – Dalvin Brown

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/05/26/coronavirus-should-wear-mask-differing-opinions-create-clashes/5228544002/

WALL STREET JOURNAL

— Amtrak Prepares to Cut 20% of Workforce  ‘The climb back will be hard,’ Chief Executive Bill Flynn says in internal memo – Ted Mann

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amtrak-prepares-to-cut-20-of-workforce-11590529328

— Boeing to Start Voluntary Layoffs, Will Shed an Initial 2,500 Workers  Union officials said initial wave of layoffs was focused on Seattle-area commercial airplanes operation – Doug Cameron

https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-to-start-voluntary-layoffs-will-shed-an-initial-2-500-workers-11590558072

— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Facebook Executives Shut Down Efforts to Make the Site Less Divisive  The social-media giant internally studied how it polarizes users, then largely shelved the research – Jeff Horwitz and Deepa Seetharaman  (DIERSEN: What do you say Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs who use Facebook to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-knows-it-encourages-division-top-executives-nixed-solutions-11590507499

— Planning to Use Your Home as a Retirement Nest Egg? Not So Fast.  The economic uncertainty casts doubt on the home-as-a-piggy-bank approach – Glenn Ruffenach

https://www.wsj.com/articles/planning-to-use-your-home-as-a-retirement-nest-egg-no-so-fast-11590328800

— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Drop in gasoline demand fuels higher prices for soda, beer – Vipal Monga

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-coronavirus-chain-reaction-less-driving-means-less-fizz-for-sodas-11590525236

— Scrapping the SAT Won’t Help Black and Latino Students  Low-income minorities have more to lose than gain from the woke war on standardized testing. – Jason L. Riley

https://www.wsj.com/articles/scrapping-the-sat-wont-help-black-and-latino-students-11590532734

— Get Ready for the ‘Careful’ Economy  Reopening has costs for businesses, employees and consumers. Good thing Americans are adaptable. – John H. Cochrane

https://www.wsj.com/articles/get-ready-for-the-careful-economy-11590514492

— The Class of 1970 Meets History. Twice.  With graduation ceremonies canceled during the Vietnam War, coronavirus now puts off this group’s 50th reunion; ‘You will never forget your senior year at Grinnell’ – Clare Ansberry  (DIERSEN: I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970? What has diminished your connection with the college that you earned your bachelor’s degree from? I was a NIU student for only three semesters and a summer session. I spent weekends during my first semester working for the Post Office in Park Forest. My father died suddenly at the start of my second semester. I never even tried to join a fraternity. Virtually all my classmates, roommates, instructors, etc. were to the left of me.)   

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-class-of-1970-meets-history-twice-11590504907

— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Twitter Adds Fact-Check Notices to Trump Tweets on Mail-In Ballots  Move follows earlier appeal by widower that president’s false tweets about death of his wife be pulled down – Rebecca Ballhaus and Georgia Wells

https://www.wsj.com/articles/widower-asks-twitter-to-pull-trumps-false-tweets-on-death-of-joe-scarborough-aide-11590516200

FORBES

— Nearly $258 Billion In Stimulus Checks Paid With Most Going To California (Find Out How Your State Fared Here) – Kelly Phillips Erb

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/05/26/nearly-258-billion-in-stimulus-checks-paid-with-most-going-to-california-find-out-how-your-state-fared-here/#5a4cd1ad5e68

CBS PITTSBURG

— Six People Suing Giant Eagle Over Face Mask Policy

ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters use coronavirus to promote hatred against individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.

https://www.ajc.com/news/opinion/opinion-covid-affecting-some-more-than-others/KaQhQCFyNxbNjOOniBsQrK/

NEW YORK MAGAZINE

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump Is Laying the Groundwork to Contest the Results of the Election.”

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/05/trump-is-preparing-to-contest-any-election-loss.html

FORD AUTHORITY

— Ford CEO Jim Hackett Says Automaker Will Be ‘One Of The Safest Places To Work’ – Brett Foote (DIERSEN: What about demands that employers get rid of their employees who are old, obese, and/or have health problems including diabetes?)

https://fordauthority.com/2020/05/ford-ceo-jim-hackett-says-automaker-will-be-one-of-the-safest-places-to-work/

— UAW Asks Ford To Shut Down Dearborn Truck Plant And Test All Workers For COVID-19  The union is also asking for an additional 20 minutes of break time. – Brett Foote (DIERSEN: What about demands that employers get rid of their employees who are old, obese, and/or have health problems including diabetes?)

https://fordauthority.com/2020/05/uaw-asks-ford-to-shut-down-dearborn-truck-plant-and-test-all-workers-for-covid-19/

May 26 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases top 113K with over 4.9K deaths; IL may be entering ‘downward trend’ of deaths, Dr. Ezike Ngozi says Most Illinois businesses ready to reopen Friday – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/business/illinois-may-be-entering-downward-trend-of-covid-19-deaths/6213053/
— In a first, Twitter adds fact-check warnings to Trump tweets about mail-in voting – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/in-a-first-twitter-adds-fact-check-warnings-to-trump-tweets/6213505/

NBC5
— 1,178 New Coronavirus Cases Reported in Illinois as Deaths Near 5,000 As of Tuesday, all four of Illinois’ health regions remained on track to enter the third phase of reopening on May 29, one day before the end of the statewide stay-at-home order
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/1178-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-illinois-as-deaths-near-5000/2278209/

CBS2
— Chicago To Spend $56 Million Hiring Hundreds Of COVID-19 Contact Tracers – Dana Kozlov
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/26/chicago-to-spend-56-million-hiring-hundreds-of-covid-19-contact-tracers/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— May 10 to May 16 was first week where Illinois COVID-19 deaths were lower than previous week
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/may-10-to-may-16-was-first-week-where-illinois-covid-19-deaths-were-lower-than-previous-week

WTTW
— Special Session Recap: Casinos and Curbside Cocktails, No Hearings on Restore Illinois Plan – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/26/special-session-recap-casinos-and-curbside-cocktails-no-hearings-restore-illinois-plan

WGN RADIO
— House Republican Leader Jim Durkin on Illinois passing budget, Chicago casino changes
https://wgnradio.com/roe-conn/house-republican-leader-jim-durkin-on-illinois-passing-budget-chicago-casino-changes/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Joe Biden calls Trump a ‘fool’ for mocking face masks during coronavirus pandemic – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-joe-biden-trump-mask-coronavirus-20200527-vsthlqtrh5dzxnby7zthbmrcsq-story.html
— Mayor scolds new police superintendent after Chicago sees most violent Memorial Day weekend in five years: ‘Whatever the strategy is, it didn’t work. … We have to do better’ – JEREMY GORNER and PAIGE FRY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-memorial-day-violence-chicago-police-20200526-6d6bceldqnccbp2xkdj5rfnrjm-story.html
— Kinzinger calls out Trump in tweet
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-the-spin-memorial-day-violence-lightfoot-20200526-wyilzgxgcbggncerqfeibs76au-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Lightfoot: Memorial Day weekend’s violent ‘bloodbath’ was a ‘fail’ by city’s new top cop “People are feeling restless after being cooped up for weeks,” Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said of crowds that gathered on the South and West sides. – Fran Spielman and Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2020/5/26/21270626/chicago-police-stay-home-order-shootings-violence-memorial-day-brown-lightfoot
— Chicago moves to create 600-strong army of contact tracers to fight coronavirus Community groups designated by the city will be charged with recruiting, training, hiring and supporting the contact tracers, supervisors and referral coordinators who will have the capacity to trace 4,500 new contacts each day. – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2020/5/26/21270648/coronavirus-contact-tracing-patients-testing-covid-19-lightfoot-chicago
— 39 more die in Illinois of COVID-19 as all regions of state set to move to Phase 3 on Friday Officials said the 39 deaths reported on Tuesday could be lower due to Memorial Day. There were also 1,178 new cases reported from 17,230 tests received. The virus remains in 100 of 102 Illinois counties. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2020/5/26/21270964/illinois-deaths-covid-19-coronavirus-may-25-pritzker-testing

DAILY HERALD
— Deaths from COVID-19 close in on 5,000, but officials see downward trend – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200526/deaths-from-covid-19-close-in-on-5000-but-officials-see-downward-trend
— Elburn pub defies state, reopens for dine-in business with mayor’s blessing – Susan Sarkauskas
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200526/elburn-pub-defies-state-reopens-for-dine-in-business-with-mayors-blessing
— DuPage County expected to get COVID-19 testing site – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200526/dupage-county-expected-to-get-covid-19-testing-site
(FROM THE ARTICLE: County board Chairman Dan Cronin announced during a board meeting that the county has reached an agreement with the state to form a partnership for a testing facility planned for the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.)

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— City aims for big boost in COVID-19 contact tracing Grant money is earmarked to train a 600-person workforce. – A.D. QUIG
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/city-aims-big-boost-covid-19-contact-tracing
— Chicago loses one of its biggest conventions The Radiological Society of North America will hold its RSNA 2020 annual meeting virtually, scrapping an event that was slated to bring more than 50,000 attendees to McCormick Place. – DANNY ECKER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/news/chicago-loses-one-its-biggest-conventions
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marijuanacannabis/new-weed-shop-coming-near-north-suburbs

JOURNAL GAZETTE NEWS COURIER
— State Rep. Allen Skillicorn, R-East Dundee, wants to recall Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker
https://jg-tc.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/illinois-lawmaker-wants-to-recall-illinois-governor/article_7175d898-f170-529f-ab96-1c07b7520302.html

CENTRE DAILY
— ‘Off the wall.’ Hundreds of bikers pack into Illinois bar defying stay-at-home order – DON SWEENEY
https://www.centredaily.com/news/coronavirus/article242993461.html

NAPERVILLE COMMUNITY TELEVISION
— DuPage County Board Discusses Open DuPage
https://www.nctv17.com/news/dupage-county-board-discusses-open-dupage/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— METRA RIDERSHIP DOWN 97% FROM COVID-19 – Ben Szalinski
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/metra-ridership-down-97-from-covid-19/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Is Governor Pritzker desperate for legal justifications for continued executive orders beyond the 30 day limit? – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/is-governor-pritzker-desperate-for-legal-justifications-for-continued-executive-orders-beyond-the-30-day-limit/
— Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce sues Governor Pritzker over closure order – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/edwardsville-glen-carbon-chamber-of-commerce-sues-governor-pritzker-over-closure-order/

CAPITOL FAX
— Reporters actually take Skillicorn seriously – Was home on Monday – Warns of increasing hospitalizations in Wisconsin – Says USDOJ is “very much under the political thumb of the White House” – Next EO will continue eviction ban – Number of people with multiple tests “very small” – Asked about southern Illinois winery’s refusal to require staff to wear masks – Dr. Ezike doesn’t answer question about self quarantine for Illinoisans at Lake of the Ozarks – Repeats that legislature “abdicated their responsibility” on replacing his withdrawn IDPH rule – Will sign cocktail takeout bill when it reaches his desk – Dr. Ezike: “I can’t give anybody a COVID free pass” – Says legislature should’ve made more cuts – State will carry on if Pres. Trump cuts off National Guard – “No deal” on cannabis with his office
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/reporters-actually-take-skillicorn-seriously/
— 1,178 new cases, 39 additional deaths – But Dr. Ezike warns that weekend numbers are typically “a little bit lower”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/1178-new-cases-39-additional-deaths-but-dr-ezike-warns-that-weekend-numbers-are-typically-a-little-bit-lower/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/covid-19-roundup-43/
— Budget roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/budget-roundup-17/
— New Senate rule allows remote committees, limited remote floor voting
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/new-senate-rule-allows-remote-committees-limited-remote-floor-voting/
— ISP: “We’re between a rock and hard place”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/isp-we%e2%80%99re-between-a-rock-and-hard-place/
— Before you get a haircut next week, consider this
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/before-you-get-a-haircut-next-week-consider-this/

GOPUSA
— Georgia Gov Offers State As GOP Convention Host Amid Virus
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89430
— San Francisco Sanctions Tent Cities For Homeless Complete With Meals, Security And Showers
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89433

BLAZE
— The CDC confirms remarkably low coronavirus death rate. Where is the media? Will they ever admit the grave consequences of their errors? – DANIEL HOROWITZ
https://www.theblaze.com/op-ed/horowitz-the-cdc-confirms-remarkably-low-coronavirus-death-rate-where-is-the-media

THE HILL
— GOP governors jockey to elbow out North Carolina as convention host – MAX GREENWOOD
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/499610-gop-governors-jockey-to-elbow-out-north-carolina-as-convention-host

WASHINGTON POST
— Twitter labels Trump’s tweets with a fact check for the first time The action comes after years of criticism that social media companies have allowed the president to push misinformation unchecked – Elizabeth Dwoskin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/05/26/trump-twitter-label-fact-check/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— What happens when vulnerable employees return to workplaces? – RACHEL SCHNALZER (DIERSEN: What happens when vulnerable organization members return to organization meetings? One would expect that ever-increasingly, employers and organizations will discourage, if not prohibit, vulnerable (old, obese, and/or health problems including diabetes) employees and members from returning.)
https://www.latimes.com/business/newsletter/2020-05-26/coronavirus-older-disabled-vulnerable-workers-business

May 26 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Chicago police to address stay-at-home order enforcement after video shows scuffle with crowd in Englewood Chance The Rapper calls on CPD to stop sending ‘militarized police’ to neighborhoods – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/cpd-to-address-stay-at-home-order-enforcement-after-video-shows-scuffle-with-crowd/6212076/
— 48 shot, 10 fatally in deadliest Chicago Memorial Day weekend since 2015 Chicago sees deadliest Memorial Day weekend since 2015
https://abc7chicago.com/48-shot-10-fatally-in-deadliest-chicago-memorial-day-weekend-since-2015-/6212215/

NBC5
— Chicago Police Report 24 Arrests Related to Enforcement of Stay-at-Home Order
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-police-report-24-arrests-related-to-enforcement-of-stay-at-home-order/2277851/
— Some Area Residents Head to Other States With Eased COVID-19 Restrictions for Holiday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/some-area-residents-head-to-other-states-with-eased-covid-19-restrictions-for-holiday/2277863/

CBS2
— With Illinois Beaches Closed, Many Head To Indiana Shores For Memorial Day – Charlie De Mar
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/25/with-illinois-beaches-closed-many-head-to-indiana-shores-for-memorial-day/

WGN TV
— Chicago drone video captures empty lakefront on Memorial Day weekend
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-drone-video-captures-empty-lakefront-on-memorial-day-weekend/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Indiana beaches packed with Illinois residents on Memorial Day – Brittany Garzillo
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/indiana-beaches-packed-with-illinois-residents-on-memorial-day

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Reopen Illinois protesters rally again, days before Pritzker’s next reopening phase Officers ultimately shut down the rally because organizers and attendees “were not practicing social distancing or abiding by the public safety guidelines” outlined in the very order they were protesting, according to police. – Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/25/21269953/reopen-illinois-rally-coronavirus-chicago-police-shut-down

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR PICTURE: Teen essential workers juggle labor, fear, stress — and remote learning — to help support their families – HANNAH LEONE (DIERSEN: What did you do with the money that you earned when you were at teen? I used the money that I earned a) to buy a 1958 Chevy BelAir in 1964 when I was 16, b) to buy a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in 1966, c) to pay for tuition and books at UIC, d) to buy a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968, and e) to pay for room and board, tuition, and books at NIU. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; and delivered mail 1966-1969.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-teen-high-school-student-essential-workers-20200526-dau5jiw66fep3cdlcjumi7uc3m-story.html
— Americans have never liked being told what to do – Ron Grossman (DIERSEN: I am extremely thankful to those who told me to not smoke pot.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/ct-reopen-protests-americans-guns-grossman-20200526-f65e4mswbjehrekx2jfckyp5xm-story.html

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Your favorite cocktail may soon be ready for delivery or pick-up A bill passed by the legislature last week means Illinois could join 34 other states in allowing cocktails and mixed drinks to go – DALTON BARKER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/restaurants/your-favorite-cocktail-may-soon-be-ready-delivery-or-pick
— Time to reach out? Or dig in? The jarring economic collapse brought on by COVID-19 offers partisans an opening to compromise on fixing public spending and taxing priorities. So far, they’re not taking the opportunity. – A.D. QUIG (DIERSEN: I should write a book about the following who demonize me, denigrate me, and condemn me as being a partisan: Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/crain-forum-covid-19/time-reach-out-or-dig

WBEZ
— From Camping To Dining Out: Here’s How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities – Allison Aubrey, Laurel Wamsley, Carmel Wroth
https://www.wbez.org/stories/from-camping-to-dining-out-heres-how-experts-rate-the-risks-of-14-summer-activities/b1753c65-6832-49ce-ac12-cf100155ab9c

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Illinois Republicans upset over budget, alleged pay increases – Matt Roy
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/illinois-republicans-upset-over-budget-pay-increases

NPR ILLINOIS
— For Many, $600 Jobless Benefit Makes It Hard To Return To Work – SCOTT HORSLEY
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/when-returning-your-job-means-cut-pay#stream/0

GRAYSLAKE PATCH
— Grayslake Native Is Libertarian Party’s Presidential Pick Jo Jorgensen was selected over the weekend as the Libertarian’s pick for president. – Amie Schaenzer
https://patch.com/illinois/grayslake/grayslake-native-libertarian-partys-presidential-pick

NAPERVILLE PATCH
— All about yard work/drainage and hardscape installations – Domingo Crisostomo (DIERSEN: This spring, while I am not putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out, I have been making lot drainage improvements at my home.)
https://patch.com/illinois/naperville/classifieds/gigs-services/141263/all-about-yard-work-drainage-and-hardscape-installations

WIREPOINTS
— Questions Illinois Reporters Should Ask Governor Pritzker and Dr. Ezike – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/questions-illinois-reporters-should-ask-governor-pritzker-and-dr-ezike-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Rep Bailey files Reply to Objection and Emergency Supplemental Motions in Federal Court – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/rep-bailey-files-reply-to-objection-and-emergency-supplemental-motions-in-federal-court/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Rahm Emanuel Announces Biden is “Fully Conscious” – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2020/05/rahm-emanuel-announces-biden-is-fully-conscious/

CAPITOL FAX
— FROM THE RICH MILLER POSTING: I’m seriously thinking about taking two or three days off next week. (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who criticize, dismiss, belittle, decry, deplore, if not disparage, badmouth, demonize, denigrate, and condemn the fact that I have sent out a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email each and every morning since 2004 and each and every evening too since 2015.)
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/open-thread-112/

GOPUSA
— Kayleigh McEnany Rips Reporters At White House Press Briefing! – Bobby Eberle
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89355

BREITBART
— Dem Rep. Bobby Rush: Lawsuit Challenging IL Gov. Pritzker’s Lockdown ‘Insane,’ ‘Inane’ – Pam Key
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/05/25/dem-rep-rush-lawsuit-challenging-il-gov-pritzkers-lockdown-insane-inane/

DAILY WIRE
— Michael Moore: ‘Biden Does Not Generate Necessary Enthusiasm’ To Beat Trump – Paul Bois
https://www.dailywire.com/news/michael-moore-biden-does-not-generate-necessary-enthusiasm-to-beat-trump

TOWNHALL
— If You Ain’t Racist You Ain’t a Democratic Presidential Candidate – Ian Haworth
https://townhall.com/columnists/ianhaworth/2020/05/26/if-you-aint-racist-you-aint-a-democratic-presidential-candidate-n2569399
— Illegal Aliens Cause Destruction In the U.S. and Then Flee to Mexico – Beth Baumann
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2020/05/24/watch-illegal-aliens-cause-destruction-in-the-u-s-and-then-flee-to-mexico-n2569388

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— National Coronavirus Recovery Commission Releases Recommendations for Reducing Future Risks of Pandemics (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who want to reduce future risks of pandemics by getting rid of people like me who are older, obese, and/or have health problems including diabetes? I would not be obese or have diabetes if had not spend so many hours since 2000, and especially since 2004, sitting in front of my desktop computer putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out instead of exercising.)
https://www.heritage.org/press/national-coronavirus-recovery-commission-releases-recommendations-reducing-future-risks

NATIONAL REVIEW
— How Important Are Political Conventions? – JIM GERAGHTY (DIERSEN: What is the status of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention?)
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/how-important-are-political-conventions/

EPOCH TIMES
— The Lockdown Democrats – Stephen Moore
https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-lockdown-democrats_3364419.html

POLITICO
— The Forgotten Story of How 13 Black Men Broke the Navy’s Toughest Color Barrier – DAN GOLDBERG (DIERSEN: 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 or a veteran in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black or a veteran could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a Black or a veteran in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted Blacks or veterans in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a Black or a veteran in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a Black or a veteran in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black or a veteran could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/05/25/thirteen-black-men-navy-color-barrier-271084

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Inside the Dizzying Effort to Pitch Trump to Black Voters Inside the Dizzying Effort to Pitch Trump to Black Voters
Joe Biden’s “you ain’t black” gaffe was immediate grist for an online show called “Black Voices for Trump.” But its cast of Trump advisers routinely ignores the president’s history of divisive remarks.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/us/politics/trump-biden-black-voters.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Twitter Must Cleanse the Trump Stain.” Of course, my critics/opponents want to cleanse me, my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and my www.gopillinois.com website from the internet. My critics/opponents demonize, denigrate, and condemn the articles that I include links to in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. It would be great if my critics/opponents would get together, and especially those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican, and a) analyze each and every one of the articles that I have included links to in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2000, and especially the 368,500+ articles that I have included links to since 2004, b) identify the top 100, top 1,000, or top 10,000 articles that they disapprove of the most, and c) give me an opportunity to defend my decisions to include links to those articles.).
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/opinion/trump-scarborough-twitter.html
— Rock-Bottom Interest Rates May Be Here to Stay Once the labor market begins to recover, the Federal Reserve’s experience in the pre-pandemic, record-long economic expansion is likely to influence when its raises rates. – Jeanna Smialek (DIERSEN: Low interest rates harm savers and retirees.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/business/economy/fed-interest-rates-coronavirus.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use coronavirus to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/latinos-coronavirus/2020/05/25/6b5c882a-946e-11ea-82b4-c8db161ff6e5_story.html

USA TODAY
— Joe Biden vowed to pick a woman VP. Some Democrats say she must be a woman of color – Joey Garrison (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my superiors were always under tremendous pressure to hire, retain, and promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. Since I became a Republican Precinct Committeeman in 1999, my superiors have been under tremendous pressure to recruit, retain, promote, and elect young Republican minorities and young Republican females.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/05/20/election-2020-why-some-democrats-say-joe-biden-needs-woman-color-vp/3115414001/

KOMO NEWS
— Shunned by his party, Iowa’s Steve King fights for his seat – AP (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who the following organizations have shunned and why they shunned them: Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Organization, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, GAO, IRS, Post Office, etc. I should write a book about those who the following individuals have shunned and why they shunned them: activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, campaign manager, etc. who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.)
https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/shunned-by-his-party-iowas-steve-king-fights-for-his-seat

FORBES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: A pot pusher says “Cannabis Legalization Is Key To Economic Recovery, Much Like Ending Alcohol Prohibition Helped Us Out Of The Great Depression.” If you want to destroy individuals, groups, organizations, companies, governments, and countries, you push pot on them. Ever-increasingly, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs push pot on individuals, on groups, on organizations, on companies, on governments, and on countries.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kriskrane/2020/05/26/cannabis-legalization-is-key-to-economic-recovery-much-like-ending-alcohol-prohibition-helped-us-out-of-the-great-depression/#191f09593241
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use coronavirus to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans as being White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/05/26/covid-19-coronavirus-continues-to-expose-anti-asian-bigotry-how-to-stop-it/
— How To Ensure Age Equity In Hiring When There Is More Talent Than Jobs – Sheila Callaham (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. To assure “age equity,” 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. It is called Affirmative Action, Diversity, Inclusion, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, early retirement, and “up-or-out.”)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilacallaham/2020/05/26/how-to-ensure-age-equity-in-hiring-when-there-is-more-talent-than-jobs/
— 16 Techniques Junior Employees Can Use To Affect Change In Their Companies (DIERSEN: According my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government, federal employees who are Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran what the federal government to get 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. Extremely few federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/05/22/16-techniques-junior-employees-can-use-to-effect-change-in-their-companies/

BLOOMBERG
— Early Retirement Is Tempting Now. Don’t Do It. Why not let the pandemic accelerate a decision that was just over the horizon anyway? Here’s why. – Alexis Leondis (DIERSEN: I should write a book about early retirement.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-05-20/coronavirus-economy-makes-early-retirement-a-bad-idea
(FROM THE ARTICLE: For most Americans, even wealthy ones, the answer is clear: Don’t do it. The financial benefits of continuing to work, even for one more year as the pandemic crushes the economy, outweigh the health risks for most people. A recent report from the New School’s Retirement Equity Lab shows how dire the situation is for older employees. About 3 million more of them will fall into lifelong poverty than otherwise would have without a coronavirus recession. And the hit won’t just be for the poorest. While only 15% of high earners are expected to lose their jobs, average retirement savings at age 65 for those with retirement assets are projected to drop by 31% post-recession. For those who still aren’t dissuaded, here are some other things to keep in mind. First, it’ll be harder than ever to change your mind. Many retired workers end up going back to work; one study showed that 40% of those working at 65 or after had been retired previously. Employers are now likely to be even more skeptical than usual about hiring older people, who expect higher earnings and are potentially the most vulnerable to the virus. That makes retiring now more of a permanent decision than it’s ever been. A better bet than quitting might be negotiating a part-time schedule, or continuing to work from home after colleagues have returned to the office. Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, said she thinks employers are likely to make accommodations for older workers who are valued. It’s important not to underestimate how much money will be needed to retire comfortably. Some people mistakenly think that their spending will be greatly reduced in retirement, which isn’t what usually happens, according to Diahann Lassus, a financial planner in New Jersey. Retirees end up filling their time with activities that come with expenses, she said.)

REVERSE MORTGAGE DAILY
— Study: Workers Less Confident About Retirement Prospects Due to Pandemic – Chris Clow
https://reversemortgagedaily.com/2020/05/25/study-workers-less-confident-about-retirement-prospects-due-to-pandemic/

MONDAY VIEWS
— Switch Careers at 30: Your Ultimate Guide (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, I had switched careers, and therefore, I had to start at the bottom all over again when I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old. However, most of what IRS Revenue Officers do is very similar to what GAO Analysts do. Further, my last 5 1/2 years at IRS was at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $85,084-$96,431. Further, GAO audits IRS. Further, I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. Further, I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. Further, I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976.)
https://mondayviews.com/switch-careers-at-30/

WBUR
— Know Your Rights: What Your Employer Is Required To Do To Keep You Safe As You Return To Work – Laney Ruckstuhl (DIERSEN: From what I see, a) employees will ever-increasingly demand that their employers use coronavirus to get rid of their employers who are older, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes and b) members of organizations will ever-increasingly demand that their organizations use coronavirus to get rid of their members like me who are older, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes.)
https://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2020/05/26/workers-rights-coronavirus-safety-workplace-protections

BLOOMBERG LAW
— Older Workers Returning to Office Fear Both Virus and Job Loss (DIERSEN: From what I see, a) employers will ever-increasingly use coronavirus to get rid of their employers who are older, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes and b) organizations will ever-increasingly use coronavirus to get rid of their members like me who are older, obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes.)
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/older-workers-returning-to-office-fear-both-virus-and-job-loss

ATLANTIC
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says that Trump is “unmanly.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/donald-trump-the-most-unmanly-president/612031/

REASON
— The CDC’s New ‘Best Estimate’ Implies a COVID-19 Infection Fatality Rate Below 0.3% That rate is much lower than the numbers used in the horrifying projections that shaped the government response to the epidemic. – JACOB SULLUM
https://reason.com/2020/05/24/the-cdcs-new-best-estimate-implies-a-covid-19-infection-fatality-rate-below-0-3/#new_tab

DAILY MAIL
— Lockdown was a waste of time and could kill more than it saved, claims Nobel laureate scientist at Stanford University – SARA SCARLETT
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8351649/Lockdown-waste-time-kill-saved-claims-Nobel-laureate.html#new_tab

May 25 Morning Edition

ABC7
— President Trump threatens to pull RNC from NC, says Gov. Roy Cooper ‘in shutdown mood’ (DIERSEN: What is the status of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention? How many delegates are there in total and from each county, township, and Chicago ward?)
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-threatens-to-pull-rnc-from-nc-says-gov-in-shutdown-mood/6210242/
— Illinois lawmakers remove key obstacle in decadeslong efforts to build Chicago casino – Michelle Gallardo
https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-legislature-budget-chicago-casino-coronavirus/6209065/
— 2 Chicago police officers injured while breaking up large crowd in Englewood – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/2-cpd-officers-injured-while-breaking-up-large-crowd-in-englewood/6209901/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/25/2020

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Does Joe Biden take black voters for granted? His latest gaffe suggests he might – SCOTT MARTELLE (DIERSEN: Who takes those who share your demographics for granted? I should write a book about those who take/took others for granted. I would focus on those who take/took the following for granted: those who are Republican Precinct Committeemen, Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time, etc. I would focus on those who have/had lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, and Wheaton’s West District. I would focus on past and present leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization.))
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-joe-biden-black-voters-20200522-bviuwfyfazdirnqwmpkghx7ibe-story.html

CHICAGO SUB-TIMES
— “Finished, just finished”: Trump says he is done taking hydroxychloroquine Donald Trump promoted as a treatment for the coronavirus despite warnings from his own U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/25/21269521/trump-done-taking-hydroxychloroquine

WGN RADIO
— Rick Pearson speaks with Illinois Senate Republican leader Bill Brady
https://wgnradio.com/the-sunday-spin-politics-with-rick-pearson/the-sunday-spin-politics-with-rick-pearson-full-show-5-24-2020/

NPR ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump Hasn’t Worn A Mask Publicly. Here’s What Might Convince Him To.”
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/trump-hasnt-worn-mask-publicly-heres-what-might-convince-him#stream/0

WTTW
— Pritzker ‘Disappointed’ that Lawmakers Failed to Pass New Rule to Punish Businesses Ignoring COVID-19 Order – Heather Cherone (DIERSEN: Who takes the lead in punishing others in Illinois, in your county, in your township, in your municipality, in your municipal district, in your precinct, and in your neighborhood? I should write a book about those who take the lead in punishing those in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, in Wheaton’s West District, in my precinct, and in my neighborhood. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and who punish those who they cannot manipulate/dominate.)
https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/24/pritzker-disappointed-lawmakers-failed-pass-new-rule-punish-businesses-ignoring-covid-19

WIREPOINTS
— No cuts, record spending, and hoping for a bailout. Six things you need to know about Illinois’ 2021 budget. – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/no-cuts-record-spending-and-hoping-for-a-bailout-six-things-you-need-to-know-about-illinois-2021-budget-wirepoints/
— Never mind the courts, says Pritzker. Only his views of the ‘science and data’ matter. – Mark Glennon
https://wirepoints.org/never-mind-the-courts-says-pritzker-only-his-view-of-the-science-and-data-matter-wirepoints/

ILLINOIS NEWSROOM
— Pandemic Puts Damper On Memorial Day Ceremonies – Jim Meadows
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/pandemic-puts-damper-on-memorial-day-ceremonies/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— President Trump Deems Churches “Essential”; Calls on Governors to Reopen Houses of Worship – David E. Smith
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/president-trump-deems-churches-essential-calls-on-governors-to-reopen-houses-of-worship/

GOPUSA
— 30K More Registered Voters Than Eligible Voters In Detroit (DIERSEN: How much deadwood is on the voter rolls in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county district, in your county, and in Illinois?)
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89316
— Jeff Sessions Failed His Biggest Test (DIERSEN: What tests do your critics/opponents say that you failed. I should write a book about my critics/opponents and the tests that they hint/imply/argue/shout that I have failed as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000. They include my including links in GOPUSA emails to articles that they do not like.)
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89338
— Former U.S. Rep. Allen West Hurt In Motorcycle Crash
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89347

BRIETBART
— Democrats Face Criticism for Not Wearing Face Masks, Violating Own Rules – JOEL B. POLLAK
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/05/24/democrats-face-criticism-for-not-wearing-face-masks-violating-own-rules/

AOL
— These unlikely celebrities still use AOL email accounts and we’re really not that surprised – TATIANA PILE (DIERSEN: How long have you had your email address? I have had diersen@aol.com for more than 25 years, since January of 1995 when I was 46 years old. How long have you owned a computer system? I have owned a computer system since 1982 when I was 34 years old. While I worked for GAO during the 1990s, before GAO provided its staff with computer systems, I bought several computer systems and used them in my office. I published Milton Township Republican Organization’s (MTRO) first website in 2000 and served as MTRO’s webmaster 2000-2004 and 2008-2010. I published Milton Township’s first website in 2001 and served as its webmaster 2001-2003. I served as Illinois Center Right Coalition’s webmaster 2004-2006. I have been sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2000 and publishing copies of them at www.gopillinois.com since 2005. I have been on Facebook since January of 2009.)
https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2020/05/25/these-unlikely-celebrities-still-use-aol-email-accounts-and-were-really-not-that-surprised/24357428/

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use coronavirus to destroy America.
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/499181-the-big-tent-unifying-america

CNN
— Trump threatens to pull Republican convention out of North Carolina – Betsy Klein and Jeff Zeleny (DIERSEN: What is the status of the Illinois Republican Party State Convention? How many delegates are there in total and from each county, township, and Chicago ward?)
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/25/politics/trump-threatens-charlotte-republican-convention/index.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: The Coronavirus Is Deadliest Where Democrats Live Beyond perception and ideology, there are starkly different realities for red and blue America right now. – Jennifer Medina and Robert Gebeloff (DIERSEN: Obviously, therefore, the more Democrats who live in your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipal district, in your township, and in your county, the more that you have to worry about.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/25/us/politics/coronavirus-red-blue-states.html
— Pay Cuts Become a Tool for Some Companies to Avoid Layoffs “Shared sacrifice” in the white-collar ranks aims to avoid the cost of staffing up again. With no end to the crisis in sight, it is a leap of faith. – Nelson D. Schwartz (DIERSEN: When Republicans cut GAO’s budgets during the 1980s and 1990s, the Democrats who ran the agency never considered pay cuts. Instead, they used the budget cuts to get rid of their employees like me 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. I should write a book about the aforesaid.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/24/business/economy/coronavirus-pay-cuts.html
— Are Cars Protecting Los Angeles? The city is reviled for its sprawl-and-crawl culture, but a pandemic can change things. – Amy Wilentz (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are anti-car. I should write a book about them. I would focus on those who are full of hatred against American-nameplate cars and full of hatred against those who own them.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/opinion/coronavirus-los-angeles-cars.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “On Somber Weekend, President shares Posts Demeaning Rivals. ” I should write a book about those who demonize, denigrate, and condemn my judgment on which articles to include links to in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. I would focus on those critics/opponents who paint/painted themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican. I would focus on those who have/had lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. I would focus on those who are/were leaders of the Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Illinois Republican Party.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/24/us/politics/trump-tweets-racist.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump Sows Doubt on Voting. It Keeps Some People Up at Night. A group of worst-case scenario planners — mostly Democrats, but also some anti-Trump Republicans — have been gaming out how to respond to various doomsday options for the 2020 presidential election.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/24/us/politics/trump-2020-election-voting-rights.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Considers Forming Panel to Review Complaints of Online Bias Move is likely to draw pushback from tech companies; ACLU raises free-speech concerns – John D. McKinnon and Alex Leary (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents side with the left against me and against my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. I should write a book about my critics/opponents. I would focus on a) those who discourage me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS mails and b) those who discourage everyone from reading those emails. I would focus on past and present leaders of the Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, etc. I would focus on those who have lots of religious, government, political, and or financial clout. I would focus on those who falsely paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican to give themselves standing to destroy individuals and to destroy organizations that are conservative and/or Republican.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-considers-forming-panel-to-review-complaints-of-online-bias-11590238800
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “Left-wing bias in the tech world is a concern that definitely needs to be addressed from our vantage point, and at least exposed [so] that Americans have clear eyes about what we’re dealing with,” a White House official said. Mr. Trump has long expressed that viewpoint, and in a recent Twitter post indicated that a plan to address complaints of bias is in the works. “The Radical Left is in total command & control of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google,” Mr. Trump tweeted May 16, adding that his administration is “working to remedy this illegal situation.”)
— In Seattle, Coronavirus Fallout Opens Economic Divide Tech workers have been able to work from home, but manufacturing and service-sector employees are facing layoffs and infection risk –
Kim Mackrael and Andrew Tangel
https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-seattle-coronavirus-fallout-opens-economic-divide-11590328819
— Covid-19 Tests Come to Work Companies are asking more workers to take coronavirus tests, but the logistics are complicated Employers are puzzling over whom to test, and how often, particularly given that tests typically cost $100 or more each. – Sarah Krouse (DIERSEN: Are you a member of organizations? If so, what tests will those organizations require their members to pass to attend meetings? Will all members be required to pass tests or just those who are old, obese, and/or have health problems including diabetes? )
https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-tests-come-to-work-11590399001
— Summer Jobs Dry Up and Teens Face Highest Unemployment in Decades Younger workers’ go-to positions at pools, restaurants, golf courses are hit by the coronavirus – Patrick Thomas (DIERSEN: What summer jobs did you have? I washed dishes during the summer of 1965. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline during the summer of 1966. I delivered mail during the summers of 1967, 1968, and 1969.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/summer-jobs-dry-up-and-teens-face-highest-unemployment-in-decades-11590312600

USA TODAY
— ‘Draconian’? ‘House arrest’? Coronavirus lockdowns prompt raft of lawsuits against states – Bart Jansen
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/25/coronoavirus-lockdowns-prompt-raft-lawsuits-against-states/5231533002/

BOSTON GLOBE
— Goodbye to hugs and handshakes Coronavirus allows us to leave some rituals behind. Good riddance! – Scot Lehigh
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/05/20/opinion/goodbye-hugs-handshakes/

DAILY POST
— Three fires in one week at homeless encampment near Facebook – EMILY MIBACH
https://padailypost.com/2020/05/24/three-fires-in-one-week-at-homeless-encampment-near-facebook/

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, America-haters use coronavirus to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn America as being full of White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things. If that is true, why do so many citizens of foreign countries who are non-White, who are female, and/or who are younger, who lack education, who lack job skills, who have financial problems, who have health problems, who have other problems, etc. come to America? Democrats want immigrants because immigrants vote for Democrats. RINOs want immigrants because RINOs want cheap labor. Democrats and RINOs promise citizens of foreign countries that if they come to America, they will get preference over citizens of America who are White, male, older, Trump supporters, Protestant, Republican, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/25/latino-workers-coronavirus-discrimination-meat-plants

May 24 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Chicago churches stand in solidarity with President Trump, plan Sunday services despite stay-at-home order Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she does not answer to the president – Jesse Kirsch
https://abc7chicago.com/religion/chicago-churches-stand-with-trump-plan-services/6208087/
— Illinois House passes $40 billion budget relying heavily on federal funding – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/illinois-house-passes-$40b-budget-relying-on-federal-funding/6208063/
— Illinois House passes casino legislation pushed by Mayor Lightfoot – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/new-casino-legislation-passed-by-illinois-house/6207120/
— New York Times devotes front page to COVID-19 victims as US deaths near 100K – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/society/ny-times-publishes-names-of-1000-covid-19-victims-on-front-page/6208188/

CBS2
— South Side Churches Praising President Trump’s Call For Churches To Reopen, Plan To Hold Services Sunday
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/23/south-side-churches-praising-president-trumps-call-for-churches-to-reopen-plan-to-hold-services-sunday/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Lawmakers’ historic pandemic-driven special session focuses on new budget and Chicago casino – RICK PEARSON, JAMIE MUNKS and DAN PETRELLA
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-special-session-roundup-20200523-twl7cgkeknefpp2bf44g2aof4e-story.html
— When we have a coronavirus vaccine, will we want to use it? – Clarence Page (DIERSEN: Will the following be forced to be vaccinated: Old people, obese people, and those who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/clarence-page/ct-column-vaccine-coronavirus-polio-salk-page-20200522-6v4hng2izjeqjcub4n4g2ud6ji-story.html
— Yes, we’re all ready for life to return to normal, but what price are you willing to pay? – DAVID MCGRATH
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/opinion/ct-nvs-mcgrath-column-st-0524-20200522-gpkbe3rp3bcxzo5wcvufs57gmy-story.html
— Struggling with severely reduced ridership, Metra offers a new $10 daily pass – MARY WISNIEWSKI
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-metra-10-pass-ridership-20200520-cdcsclyflrhvxgkcy2a4wgbfma-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— No more remote reporting during crunch time in Springfield for me This experience has shown me that a representative democracy is impossible to maintain without including the public. – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/5/22/21268052/no-more-remote-reporting-during-crunch-time-in-springfield-for-me

DAILY HERALD
— House OKs $40 billion state budget
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200523/house-oks-40-billion-state-budget
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Two young men died fighting in Vietnam, and their high school class has never forgotten – Burt Constable
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200523/constable-two-young-men-died-fighting-in-vietnam-and-their-high-school-class-has-never-forgotten
— Wheaton Municipal Band cancels June and July concerts – Gail Sonkin
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20200523/wheaton-municipal-band-cancels-june-and-july-concerts

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Some highlights from the state spending plan – Doug Finke
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200523/some-highlights-from-state-spending-plan
— Lawsuit: ‘Property seizure’ violates U.S., Illinois constitutions – Rebecca Anzel (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who are/were similarly situated to me. I would focus on those who are/were Republican Precinct Committeemen, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois members, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce members, Illinois Center Right Coalition members, American Association of Political Consultants members, GAO employees, Association of Government Accountants members, IRS employees, Firestone Stores employees, Post Office employees, etc. I would focus on how they view/viewed me and how they treat/treated me. I would focus on those who disapprove/disapproved of my being Protestant (baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), conservative, Republican, White, male, old (born in 1948), non-poor, gun owner, draft avoider, 100% German American, Crete resident 1948-1972, Wheaton resident since 1978, federal employee 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, union member 1966-1969 and 1971-1980, federal retiree since 1997, and/or that my ancestors have been in America since 1844.)
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200523/lawsuit-property-seizure-violates-us-illinois-constitutions
(FROM THE ARTICLE: They are asking a judge to order the state to pay all “similarly situated persons, companies and entities … just compensation.”)

HERALD NEWS
— Republicans rally with open-up supporters in Shorewood – BOB OKON
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/23/republicans-rally-with-open-up-supporters-in-shorewood/dh0aqa1/

GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— Gun owners won’t like Senate Bill 1966 – Al Hayden
https://www.galesburg.com/sports/20200523/outdoors-gun-owners-wont-like-senate-bill-1966

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— All the loopholes states have to ‘balance’ their budgets – Brandon Kochkodin
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/All-the-loopholes-states-have-to-balance-their-15288748.php

SUBURBAN LIFE
— DuPage sheriff, Milton Township forge partnership
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/05/22/dupage-sheriff-milton-township-forge-partnership/ajdy55e/

CAPITOL FAX
— Senate President Don Harmon talks to reporters
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/24/senate-president-don-harmon-talks-to-reporters/
— Madigan’s closing statement
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/24/madigans-closing-statement/
— Gaming bill passes Senate 42-14 *** Sen. Martwick is in town to vote for the Chicago casino bill
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/23/sen-martwick-is-in-town/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— The Return of Exclusivity – MICHAEL BRENDAN DOUGHERTY (DIERSEN: Since 2000 when I was 52 years old, my critics/opponents have been beyond furious that I have had the time and the money needed to put GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and to send them out free of charge and without any advertising or forced survey questions. I have that time and that money because my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old. Why was I eligible to take early retirement? I had worked for the federal government for almost 30 years – almost 18 years working for GAO 1980-1997, almost 9 years working for IRS 1971-1980, and almost 3 years working for the Post Office 1966-1969. The last 11 years that I worked for GAO was at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $101,176-$131,532/year. My critics/opponents paint my Civil Service Retirement System pension and my federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidy as being an “unfair advantage.” My critics/opponents would never stoop to take the federal jobs that I did. I should write a book about my critics/opponents who have not and would not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, and/or f) because they cannot pass a physical examination.)
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/the-return-of-exclusivity/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The New York Times has succeeded in the digital era in part because it was the first to introduce an effective paywall model to generate digital subscription revenue. The model is so effective at generating needed revenue that National Review Online has implemented something like it.)

EPOCH TIMES
— 5 Things New Graduates Should Do to Plan Their Careers – ERIC D. JOHNSON AND REBECCA COOK (DIERSEN: I wanted a career in the automotive industry. That all ended in 1971 when I was 22 years old when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint.)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/5-things-new-graduates-should-do-to-plan-their-careers_3354171.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— Inequality Has Been Laid Bare by the Outbreak. Now What? We’re seeing how what we have compares with what others have, and the differences can matter a lot. – Jay Caspian Kang (DIERSEN: Trump-haters use the pandemic to promote class warfare.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/20/magazine/covid-quarantine-inequality.html
— What if We All Vacationed at Home Again? – Henry Wismayer (DIERSEN: My wife and I have been married since 1978. We have never taken a real vacation. We took short vacations four times each year 1978-1992 after her business trips. But her income dropped in 1992 when she lost her job working for the U.S. League of Savings Institutions and my income dropped much more in 1997 when I lost my job working for GAO. I went on short vacations in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-travel-summer-vacation.html
— Crumbs for the Hungry but Windfalls for the Rich Billions are going to zillionaires under the guise of pandemic relief. – Nicholas Kristof
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-economic-response.html
— Why Does the U.S. Military Celebrate White Supremacy? It is time to rename bases for American heroes — not racist traitors. – Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/opinion/sunday/army-base-names-confederacy-racism.html
— Contact Tracing Is Harder Than It Sounds An elite cadre of 20th-century syphilis hunters can teach us a lot about what it takes to stop infections. – Kate Murphy
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/sunday-review/coronavirus-contact-tracing.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Why the tests instituted to lift college diversity are falling out of favor – Shawn Hubler (DIERSEN: What tests have you passed? The tests that I have passed include a) the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 when I was 30 years old, b) the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, c) all the tests necessary to earn a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997, d) all the tests necessary to earn a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, e) all the tests necessary to earn an MBA from Loyola in 1976, f) all the tests necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970, g) the Federal Service Entrance Examination in 1970, and h) the Post Office employment examination in 1966.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/us/SAT-ACT-abolish-debate-california.html
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: Remembering the Nearly 100,000 Lives Lost to Coronavirus in America As the U.S. approaches a grim milestone in the outbreak, The New York Times gathered names of the dead and memories of their lives from obituaries across the country. – Dan Barry, Larry Buchanan, Clinton Cargill, Annie Daniel, Alain Delaquérière, Lazaro Gamio, Gabriel Gianordoli, Richard Harris, Barbara Harvey, John Haskins, Jon Huang, Simone Landon, Juliette Love, Grace Maalouf, Alex Matthews, Farah Mohamed, Steven Moity, Destinée-Charisse Royal, Matt Ruby and Eden Weingart
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/24/us/us-coronavirus-deaths-100000.html

NEW YORK POST
— During coronavirus pandemic, essentials are the new protected class – Michael Goodwin (DIERSEN: Democrats promote dependency on government. Republicans are supposed to promote individual responsibility.)
https://nypost.com/2020/05/23/coronavirus-is-boom-time-for-socialists-goodwin/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: For socialists and those who lean that way, pandemic time is boom time. Washington is printing and spending money like never before and both parties support sending cash to businesses and the unemployed. Rent and mortgage payments are being deferred, Medicare-for-all is getting a second look and support is growing for a program that would take the nation across the economic Rubicon — a guaranteed basic income. Seldom is heard those cautionary words of yesteryear, “moral hazard.” A time of great need and fear is shattering any stigma about being on the dole. A logical conclusion is that politics will follow culture and Bernie Sanders- and AOC-types will call the shots in America. Unless ­Republicans and conservatives get on board, they will be consigned to history’s dustbin. Perhaps. But pay attention to another potential reaction to the pandemic. Think of it as the revenge of the nonessentials.)

POLITICUS USA
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Republican-hater says “The GOP’s Hypocritical Assault on States and the American People.”
https://www.politicususa.com/2020/05/23/opinion-the-gops-hypocritical-assault-on-states-and-the-american-people.html

SHARON MELNICK, PHD
— SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 FLASHBACK: DO YOU CAUSE YOUR OWN PROBLEMS? (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who hint/imply/argue/shout that I cause/caused all my own problems. I would focus on those who are/were Republican Precinct Committeemen, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois members, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce members, Illinois Center Right Coalition members, American Association of Political Consultants members, GAO employees, Association of Government Accountants members, IRS employees, Firestone Stores employees, Post Office employees, etc. I would focus on how they view/viewed me and how they treat/treated me. I would focus on those who disapprove/disapproved of my being Protestant (baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), conservative, Republican, White, male, old (born in 1948), non-poor, gun owner, draft avoider, 100% German American, Crete resident 1948-1972, Wheaton resident since 1978, federal employee 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, union member 1966-1969 and 1971-1980, federal retiree since 1997, and/or that my ancestors have been in America since 1844.)
https://www.sharonmelnick.com/do-cause-your-own-problems/

May 22 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois vote by mail bill passes Senate, heads to Governor JB Pritkzer for signature
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/illinois-vote-by-mail-bill-passes-senate-heads-to-governor-for-signature/6205072/
— Coronavirus Chicago: Here’s what businesses can reopen next – and when – Sarah Schulte, Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/business/chicago-wont-begin-reopening-until-early-june-lightfoot-says-/6203672/

NBC5
— Illinois Senate Passes Vote-by-Mail Expansion Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he looks forward to signing the legislation
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-senate-passes-vote-by-mail-expansion/2277018/
— Trump Declares Churches ‘essential,’ Calls on Them to Reopen – Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/trump-calls-on-churches-to-reopen-this-weekend/2276774/
— Justice Department Supports Lawsuit Challenging Pritzker’s Illinois Stay-at-Home Order The lawsuit filed by State Rep. Darren Bailey claims that state law gives the governor only a 30-day period for exercising emergency powers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/justice-department-supports-lawsuit-challenging-pritzkers-stay-at-home-order/2276953/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois lawmakers wrap up Springfield special session It’s been an eventful few days for Illinois lawmakers at the special session in Springfield. – Mike Flannery
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/686957
— Illinois continues to increase COVID-19 testing capacity as state reports 2,758 new cases
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-continues-to-increase-covid-19-testing-capacity-as-state-reports-2758-new-cases
— Biden says he was too ‘cavalier’ about black Trump backers – Bill Barrow
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/biden-says-he-was-too-cavalier-about-black-trump-backers

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker says he plans to sign vote-by-mail expansion into law Democrats supported the measure saying they worried about a second-wave of the coronavirus suppressing voter turnout for the 2020 election. Republicans contended the bill would make Illinois’ election more vulnerable to fraud. – Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/22/21267994/vote-by-mail-expansion-senate-pritzker-covid-19-coronavirus
— Downstate judge blasts Pritzker’s stay-at-home-order: ‘Americans don’t get ruled’ Justice Department also sides with Darren Bailey, says he makes a strong case that Pritzker’s orders “exceed the authority granted to the governor by the Illinois legislature.” – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/22/21267665/downstate-judge-blasts-illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-stay-at-home-order
— Reopening churches ‘dangerous and foolish,’ Lightfoot tells Trump At a Friday press conference announcing plans to “cautiously reopen” parts of Chicago, Lightfoot said people have to recognize that “virtually everything [Trump] says has a political undertone and basis for it.” – Rachel Hinton and Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/22/21267936/churches-lori-lightfoot-donald-trump-coronavirus-covid-worship

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Department of Justice declares its support of lawsuit challenging Pritzker’s stay-at-home order – Robert McCoppin
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-stay-at-home-order-justice-department-20200523-upjahom3tfdpbizw5ehswtdfoy-story.html
— Elburn business owners say they are just ‘hanging on’ as pandemic continues – MEGAN JONES
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-elburn-businesses-urge-to-reopen-st-0525-20200523-5l3qe2zmeja43pyug5fhqcgv3y-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Illinois budget plan needs $6B in federal aid to balance – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200522/news/305229923/
— Suburban election clerks ask state to prepare for record demand for vote-by-mail – James Fuller
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200522/suburban-election-clerks-ask-state-to-prepare-for-record-demand-for-vote-by-mail
— Senate Republicans: Stay in session until legislature reaches a bipartisan reopening plan – Jerry Nowicki
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200522/senate-republicans-stay-in-session-until-legislature-reaches-a-bipartisan-reopening-plan

WGN RADIO
— COVID-19: Can Illinois crawl out of $7 billion budget hole? – Roe Conn
https://wgnradio.com/roe-conn/covid-19-can-illinois-crawl-out-of-7-billion-budget-hole/

ILLINOIS PATCH
— Job Openings In IL: CDC Hiring Contact Tracers To Fight Pandemic The CDC is looking for contact tracers, who can make up to $65,000 a year and just need a bachelor’s degree and a positive attitude. – J. Ryne Danielson
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/job-openings-il-cdc-hiring-contact-tracers-fight-pandemic

GENEVA PATCH
— Families Sue Bria Of Geneva Alleging Negligence Amid Coronavirus The families of two residents who died at the senior living facility filed lawsuits Monday and Tuesday. – Jason Addy
https://patch.com/illinois/geneva/families-sue-bria-geneva-alleging-negligence-amid-coronavirus

PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS
— More Than 1 in 5 Illinoisans Living in State Homes for Adults With Disabilities Have Tested Positive for the Coronavirus In Illinois, at least 355 people who live in state-run homes for adults with disabilities have tested positive for the coronavirus. “They don’t know why their family has stopped coming to visit,” a relative said. – Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen
https://www.propublica.org/article/more-than-1-in-5-illinoisans-living-in-state-homes-for-adults-with-disabilities-have-tested-positive-for-the-coronavirus

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Clay County Judge issued Restraining Order against Gov Pritzker – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/clay-county-judge-issued-restraining-order-against-gov-pritzker/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— 20 GOP IL HOUSE MEMBERS FORM “IL TAXPAYER FREEDOM CAUCUS”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/20-gop-il-house-members-form-il-taxpayer-freedom-caucus-.html
— THORNER: HOW MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL END FAIR AND FREE ELECTIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/thorner-hallmark-of-a-democratic-republic-free-and-fair-elections.html
— WHO ARE THE COVID-19 DICTATORS?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/who-are-the-covid-19-dictators.html
— WEYERMULLER: CHICAGO CATHOLIC FAITHFUL REJECT CARDINAL’S PLAN TO RE-OPEN CHURCHES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/weyermuller-chicago-catholic-faithful-reject-cardinals-plan-to-re-open-churches.html
— PILL PUSHERS EXPLOITING COVID-19 TO PROMOTE RISKY TELEMEDICINE ABORTIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/pill-pushers-exploiting-covid-19-to-promote-risky-telemedicine-abortions.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Madigan: House will convene tomorrow
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/madigan-house-will-convene-tomorrow/
— Thursday session roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/thursday-session-roundup/
— $5.8 billion budget hole to be (mostly) “filled” with borrowed federal money, paid back (hopefully) with federal assistance
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/58-billion-budget-hole-to-be-mostly-filled-with-borrowed-federal-money-paid-back-hopefully-with-federal-assistance/
— Elections omnibus bill clears Senate on final passage
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/elections-omnibus-bill-clears-senate-on-final-passage/
— Pritzker announces childcare reopening schedule – Will use federal $ to pay for federal borrowing – Will be “very disappointed” if legislature doesn’t pass legislation addressing withdrawn IDPH rule – Legislature can stay in town if it wants to – Says “look at the log data” will show only one person accessed IDES info – Says he “regularly” talks to clergy – Asked why legislators haven’t taken up a bill on African Americans, Latinos – Supports Chicago casino bill – Republicans “linked themselves” to fringe protesters – Clay County ruling will only apply to Clay County – Plans to stay in Springfield through end of session – Lightfoot decision to go slower is hers to make – Comments on FEMA letter warning law enforcement about funding – Hasn’t seen Sen. Rose’s letter – Children over 2 will wear masks – Called out on food claim – Dr. Ezike explains spread at restaurants – Dr. Ezike says no easing of nursing home visit restrictions
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/pritzker-announces-childcare-reopening-schedule/
— 2,758 new cases, 110 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/2758-new-cases-110-additional-deaths/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— U.S. intervenes in case challenging Pritzker’s COVID-19 moves – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/22/us-intervenes-in-case-challenging-pritzkers-covid-/

DAILY SIGNAL
— 1% of Counties Home to Half of COVID-19 Cases, Over Half of Deaths – Norbert Michel
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/05/13/covid-19-tracker-shows-cases-deaths-cluster-in-specific-areas/

NBC NEWS
— Justice Department joins push against Illinois coronavirus restrictions DOJ suggested Gov. Pritzker has exceeded his authority with his stay at home orders, and also sent a warning letter to LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/justice-department-joins-push-against-illinois-coronavirus-restrictions-n1213491

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Orders States to Allow Places of Worship to Open, Though He Has No Authority To
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/us/politics/trump-churches.html

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Coronavirus May Derail the Republican Convention After All – Ed Kilgore
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/05/coronavirus-may-derail-the-republican-convention-after-all.html

May 20 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases top 100K with over 4K deaths; changes to Phase 3 include outdoor dining, state parks reopening, Pritzker says Illinois SNAP recipients to be able to buy food online, Pritzker says – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/pritzker-announces-major-changes-for-next-phase-of-reopening-/6198318/

NBC5
— Restaurants Can Open With Outdoor Seating in Phase 3 of Illinois’ Reopening: Pritzker The move is a shift from the state’s original guidelines, though restaurants still cannot reopen for dine-in service until phase four
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/restaurants-can-open-with-outdoor-seating-in-phase-3-of-illinois-reopening-pritzker/2275370/
— Illinois Lawmaker Booted From Legislative Session After Refusing to Comply With Mask Requirement Rep. Darren Bailey has been a frequent critic of coronavirus restrictions, including filing suit against Gov. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order – Shelby Bremer and James Neveau
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-lawmaker-booted-from-legislative-session-after-refusing-to-comply-with-mask-requirement/2275488/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois seeing decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, people in ICU and on ventilators: IDPH
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-seeing-decrease-in-covid-19-hospitalizations-people-in-icu-and-on-ventilators-idph

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Bare-faced Bailey gets the boot: Downstate Republican ousted from House for violating COVID-19 rules Democratic Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch made a motion to remove Rep. Darren Bailey from the House proceedings after the Republican responded “I will not,” when he was asked to come into compliance with the face covering requirement. The House voted 81-27 to remove Bailey.
— Tina Sfondeles and Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/20/21265240/protests-lawmakers-springfield-faces-covered-durkin-pritzker-madigan-covid-19-coronavirus

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois restaurants and bars can go al fresco as soon as next Friday as Gov. J.B. Pritzker nods to reopening pressure – BILL RUTHHART, LOUISA CHU and NICK KINDELSPERGER
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-pritzker-restaurants-outdoor-dining-golf-20200520-co7snfsaezffpez4o6nhxhrnhq-story.html
— Pritzker backs down, unmasked lawmaker escorted out: First day of legislature’s special pandemic session a mix of political drama and showmanship – JAMIE MUNKS, DAN PETRELLA and RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-special-session-day-one-20200520-2ope7nh4ufa7pjlzkwbmj3wada-story.html
— Naperville council adopts resolution denouncing racism and lauding diversity in wake of ‘carpetbagger’ comment – ERIN HEGARTY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-anti-discrimination-racism-resolution-naperville-st-20200520-jbe3pmimyzhvramxk2mu7hsze4-story.html
— AP poll: Americans harbor strong fear of second wave of coronavirus infections, back precautions amid openings – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-poll-coronavirus-attitudes-20200520-5mzt7qichje5zojh27mv2z6ki4-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Illinois Legislature meets to OK budget under COVID-19 cloud – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200520/news/305209945/
— Judge denies Lake County sheriff’s request for information on COVID-19 patients – Doug T. Graham
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200520/judge-denies-lake-county-sheriffs-request-for-information-on-covid-19-patients
— Kane County health official urges everyone get tested regardless of symptoms – James Fuller
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200520/kane-county-health-official-urges-everyone-get-tested-regardless-of-symptoms
— McHenry County Board members refuse vote on salary reduction, timesheet requirement – Kelli Duncan
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200520/mchenry-county-board-members-refuse-vote-on-salary-reduction-timesheet-requirement

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Here’s the plan lawmakers are drafting to balance Illinois’ 2021 budget It involves a $4.5 billion loan, for starters. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/heres-plan-lawmakers-are-drafting-balance-illinois-2021-budget
— McDonald’s tells franchisees they may need to downsize or sell The company has earmarked about $40 million in aid for restaurant owners that are in crisis following the COVID-19 lockdown, but it likely won’t be enough.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/restaurants/mcdonalds-tells-franchisees-they-may-need-downsize-or-sell
— Ford briefly stops lines at Chicago plant after 2 workers test positive The two employees had made it through Ford’s temperature scanner and daily health survey screening process. – MICHAEL MARTINEZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/manufacturing/ford-briefly-stops-lines-chicago-plant-after-2-workers-test-positive
— Pritzker clearing the way for outside activities, including dining The governor says as health numbers improve, he’s easing rules on some popular pursuits as soon as May 29. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-clearing-way-outside-activities-including-dining

SUBURBAN LIFE
— McSweeney sends letter to attorney general to investigate Pritzker’s “unconstitutional” stay-at-home order – NABIHA ASIM AND KATIE SMITH
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/05/20/mcsweeney-sends-letter-to-attorney-general-to-investigate-pritzkers-unconstitutional-stay-at-home-order/agzpyyk/

FOX NEWS ILLINOIS
— Illinois GOP leaders’ first priority is reopening the state – Matt Roy
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/gop-leaders-first-priority-is-reopening-the-state

ILLINOIS NEWS 20
— Rep. Bailey removed for refusing to wear mask
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/rep-bailey-removed-for-refusing-to-wear-mask

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Naperville Park District sues Governor Pritzker – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/naperville-park-district-sues-governor-pritzker/
— Pritzker hit with Restraining Order motion yesterday – IDPH withdraws their illegal rule today! – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/pritzker-hit-with-restraining-order-motion-yesterday-idph-withdraws-their-illegal-rule-today/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— PRITZKER BACKS OFF ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES ON IL BUSINESSES VIOLATING COVID EO
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/pritzker-backs-off-attempt-to-impose-misdemeanor-charges-on-il-businesses-violating-covid-eo.html
— REP. BAILEY: WHEN WILL PRITZKER’S EMERGENCY POWERS END?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/rep-bailey-when-will-pritzkers-emergency-powers-end-.html
— GOV PRITZKER BLASTS “RE-OPEN ILLINOIS” PROTESTS; ACCUSES GOP LAWMAKERS, US SENATE CANDIDATE OF BEING “DANGEROUS”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/video-shows-re-open-illinois-supporters-complained-to-chicago-cops-about-nazi-flag-bearer.html
— RE-OPEN ILLINOIS GROUP RESPONDS TO “ANTI-SEMITIC CONCERNS”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/re-open-illinois-group-responds-to-anti-semitic-concerns.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Pritzker changes course, state will allow limited outdoor seating at bars, restaurants in Phase 3 – Boating, camping up to 10 people – Tennis facilities to open – Golf foursomes – All state parks to open
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/20/pritzker-changes-course-state-will-allow-limited-outdoor-seating-at-bars-restaurants-in-phase-3/
— 2,388 new cases, 147 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/20/2388-new-cases-147-additional-deaths/
— House votes 81-27 to remove Rep. Bailey from the House floor
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/20/house-votes-81-27-to-remove-rep-bailey-from-the-house-floor/

FOX NEWS

— Chicago fines churches for holding services in violation of statewide lockdown order – Matt Finn, Tyler Olson
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chicago-fines-churches-violation-statewide-lockdown-order
— CDC now says coronavirus ‘does not spread easily’ via contaminated surfaces – Madeline Farber
https://www.foxnews.com/health/cdc-now-says-coronavirus-does-not-spread-easily-via-contaminated-surfaces
— Americans are rebelling against neurotic, dumb leaders and extreme coronavirus lockdowns – Tucker Carlson
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-americans-are-rebelling-against-neurotic-dumb-leaders-and-extreme-coronavirus-lockdowns

May 20 Morning Edition

ABC7
— GOP lawmakers set to challenge Gov. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/il-gop-lawmakers-set-to-challenge-pritzkers-stay-at-home-order/6198318/
— Oprah donates $5M to support Chicago coronavirus fight in communities of color (DIERSEN: In your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, and in your county, to what extent are minorities and poor people dying from coronavirus compared to Whites and rich people, and why is that?)
https://abc7chicago.com/society/oprah-donates-$5m-to-fight-covid-19-in-chicago-communities-of-color/6197541/?cmp=emc-wls-news-headlines-5/20/2020

WGN TV
— For those dealing with substance abuse, pandemic can cause more anxiety. – Dina Bair, Katharin Czink (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, and RINOs promote substance abuse.)
https://wgntv.com/news/medical-watch/for-those-dealing-with-substance-abuse-pandemic-can-cause-more-anxiety-experts-say-reach-out-for-help/
— Temperature scanners may be the future of re-entry – Dina Bair, Katharin Czink
https://wgntv.com/news/medical-watch/temperature-scanners-may-be-the-future-of-re-entry/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois General Assembly returns to Springfield as pandemic drives partisan politics and rocks budget plans – RICK PEARSON, JAMIE MUNKS and DAN PETRELLA
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-special-session-20200520-wgqpyzcv5nbzhmu2jdrjdjwyue-story.html
— Nominate your company as a Top Workplace (DIERSEN: One would expect that the more preference that employees get in a workplace, the more highly that they will rate that workplace. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my superiors were always under tremendous pressure from Democrat politicians to give preference to their employees who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran. Virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were members of one or more of the aforesaid groups.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/careers/top-workplaces/ct-biz-top-workplaces-2020-nominations-20200501-bvjl4sbbjfakdp2rr5v7hj62em-story.html
— The key to restoring a robust economy: Protecting public health – Steve Chapman (DIERSEN: How strongly is/will getting rid of those who are older, who are obese, and/or who have health problems including diabetes be viewed as “protecting public health?”)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/steve-chapman/ct-column-coronavirus-economy-reopen-chapman-20200515-k2gk2tbba5dutntxkf2yaurvsm-story.html
— City dwellers headed to the suburbs after pandemic? Only time will tell – DENISE CROSBY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/opinion/ct-abn-crosby-suburban-advantage-st-0515-20200517-gigbzqwk7jgmfauau2vtsb2rv4-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Historic legislative session amid COVID-19 crisis holds plenty of minefields – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200520/historic-legislative-session-amid-covid-19-crisis-holds-plenty-of-minefields
— Local governments showing public sector, too, must endure job, pay cuts – Editorial (DIERSEN: In response to Republican-led budget cuts during the 1980s and 1990s, GAO employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $101,176) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $119,559) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $140,634) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $170,800) by age 40 were gotten rid of by the Democrats who ran GAO.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20200520/editorial-local-governments-showing-public-sector-too-must-endure-job-pay-cuts
— McHenry County residents may choose moving to Wisconsin over paying increased property taxes – Kelli Duncan
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200519/mchenry-county-residents-may-choose-moving-to-wisconsin-over-paying-increased-property-taxes

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— What’s on the agenda—and what’s not—as lawmakers head back to Springfield Look for a budget, a hospital assessment plan, a push for early voting and maybe a dust-up over wearing face masks. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/whats-agenda-and-whats-not-lawmakers-head-back-springfield

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— Republicans hope to block rules making some business openings a crime Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to meet Wednesday – PETER HANCOCK
https://www.daily-chronicle.com/2020/05/20/republicans-hope-to-block-rules-making-some-business-openings-a-crime/av4yxiq/

WTTW & PBS
— VIDEO: Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words
https://video.wttw.com/video/created-equal-clarence-thomas-in-his-own-words-rymp6z/
https://www.pbs.org/show/created-equal-clarence-thomas-his-own-words/

SUBURBAN LIFE
— IDPH Director Ezike says trend of new cases ‘may be going down’ for the first time Illinois now conducting more COVID-19 tests than New York, on a per capita basis – KELLI SUNCAN (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations require their employees and members who are older, who have a BMI over 30, and/or who have underlying conditions, including diabetes, to be tested before they can keep their job or membership?)
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/05/19/idph-director-ezike-says-trend-of-new-cases-may-be-going-down-for-the-first-time/a91wl56/
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS AND ON THE 6TH, 14TH, and 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TIGHTENS: Casten, Underwood, Foster highlight structural inequalities in communities of color affected by COVID-19 – JOSHUA WELGE (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats blame Republicans for all the problems that the following have: individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries 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/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2020/05/19/casten-underwood-foster-highlight-structural-inequalities-in-communities-of-color-affected-by-covid-19/aqtjnk6/

EVANSTON ROUNDTABLE
— City’s Reparations Subcommittee to Host Virtual Town Hall on May 21 (DIERSEN: If the leaders of your municipality imposed reparations, which residents would they require to pay the most reparations – those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, heterosexual, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
https://evanstonroundtable.com/Content/City-News/City-News/Article/City-s-Reparations-Subcommittee-to-Host-Virtual-Town-Hall-on-May-21/15/26/17973

COLUMBIA CHRONICLE
— Political pandemic: scope of local and national politics altered due to coronavirus – Lauren Leazenby (DIERSEN: Of course, Democrats shout at everyone that if you do not like how Trump is handling the pandemic or how he is handling anything else, vote for all the Democrats on the November 3, 2020 ballot in your precinct.)
https://columbiachronicle.com/political-pandemic-scope-of-local-and-national-politics-altered-due-to-coronavirus

CHICAGO NOW
— Illinois Rep. Darren Bailey ain’t through with Gov. Pritzker, not by a long shot – Dennis Byrne
http://www.chicagonow.com/dennis-byrnes-barbershop/2020/05/illinois-rep-darren-bailey-aint-through-with-gov-pritzker-not-by-a-long-shot/

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Joint Statement in Opposition to Emergency Rules Filed by Pritzker Administration – Illinois Senate Republican Caucus and Illinois House Republican Caucus (DIERSEN: Anti-conservative Republican organizations, anti-conservative Republican candidates, and anti-conservative Republican elected officials in Illinois a) fail/refuse to keep diersen@aol.com on their press advisory and press release lists and b) pander to Rich Miller and the rest of the Democrat news media in Illinois. I should write a book about the aforesaid.)
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000172-31bb-dc3e-aff6-3dbf7eff0000&nname=illinois-playbook&nid=00000150-1596-d4ac-a1d4-179e288b0000&nrid=00000150-705d-d7de-afdb-7d7f3ea90001&nlid=639163

WIREPOINTS
— COVID-19 spreads to half of all Chicagoland retirement homes. How did this happen? – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
https://wirepoints.org/covid-19-spreads-to-half-of-all-chicagoland-retirement-homes-how-did-this-happen-wirepoints/
— “People are waking up. Overwhelmingly people are indignant about this emergency rule.” – Mark Glennon with Steve Cortes
https://wirepoints.org/people-are-waking-up-overwhelmingly-people-are-indignant-about-this-emergency-rule-mark-glennon-with-steve-cortes/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Legal Dubiousness of En Masse State Lock-Downs and “Shelter-in-Place” Orders as a Response to COVID-19 – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/legal-dubiousness-of-en-masse-state-lock-downs-and-shelter-in-place-orders-as-a-response-to-covid-19/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Pritzker, Planned Parenthood, and the Pandemic – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2020/05/pritzker-planned-parenthood-and-the-pandemic/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— ILLINOIS HAS MOST CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS IN COUNTRY: STUDY
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/illinois-has-most-coronavirus-restrictions-in-country-study.html

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Pelosi bails out Post Office in name of coronavirus relief – Ryan Ellis
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/pelosi-bails-out-post-office-in-name-of-coronavirus-relief

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Minnesota Governor Stonewalls Conservative Journalist Democrat Tim Walz has refused to tell a conservative journalist why his office isn’t allowing him to participate in the state’s coronavirus briefings – Collin Anderson (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have treated me like I am not a journalist, that is, those who have accused me of falsely claiming to be a journalist. Better yet, I should sue them. I would focus on activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, campaign managers, etc. who claim to be religious, conservative, and/or Republican. I would focus on those who pander to Rich Miller and to the rest of the Democrat news media in Illinois.)
https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/minnesota-governor-stonewalls-conservative-journalist/
— Joe Biden Just Urged a Majority of Americans Not to Vote for Him A lot of voters think Tara Reade is telling the truth, polls show
https://freebeacon.com/satire/joe-biden-tara-reade-poll/

FOX NEWS
— Illinois governor’s family firm owns stake in companies involved in coronavirus testing – Andrew O’Reilly
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/illinois-governors-family-firm-owns-stake-in-companies-conducting-coronavirus-testing

GOPUSA
— Would Americans Submit To A Second Lockdown? – Patrick J. Buchanan
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=89050

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— THEY SHOOT OLD PEOPLE, DON’T THEY? – Patrick Hall (DIERSEN: Who works the hardest to promote age discrimination in your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, in your county, and in Illinois? I should write a book about those in Wheaton’s West District, Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who work the hardest to promote age discrimination. I would focus on those who are older, anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, 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/they-shoot-old-people-dont-they/

DAILY CALLER
— Trump Tells Governors He’ll ‘Step In’ If They Fumble Reopening Plans – WILLIAM DAVIS
https://dailycaller.com/2020/05/19/trump-governors-step-in-reopening-coronavirus/

TOWNHALL
— Contact Tracing? No Thanks. – John and Andy Schlafly
https://townhall.com/columnists/johnandandyschlafly/2020/05/20/contact-tracing-no-thanks-n2569115

PJ MEDIA
— California Governor to Feds: Give Us the Money or the First Responders ‘Get It’ – VICTORIA TAFT (DIERSEN: During the 1980s and 1990s, the Democrats who ran GAO made it very clear that if Republicans cut GAO’s budget, they would use those cuts to get rid of GAO 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://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/victoria-taft/2020/05/19/california-governor-to-feds-give-us-the-money-or-the-first-responders-get-it-n408022

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Chinese government scheming to spread influence inside America, Pompeo warns The Chinese Communist Party is striving to embed itself in U.S. institutions, Trump’s secretary of state declared, and ‘we’re doing everything we can to push back against that.’ – Calvin Freiburger
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/chinese-government-scheming-to-spread-influence-inside-america-pompeo-warns

NATIONAL REVIEW
— COVID-19 Makes the Reinvigoration of American Manufacturing a National-Security Concern – VARSHA KODUVAYUR & GREG EVERETT
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/05/coronavirus-reinvigorating-american-manufacturing-national-security-concern/

THE HILL
— Chicago blocks church parking lots to enforce stay-at-home order – JUSTINE COLEMAN
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/498475-chicago-blocks-church-parking-lots-to-enforce-stay-at-home-order

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s push to reopen schools and day care gets chilly reception from voters.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/19/trumps-push-to-reopen-schools-and-day-care-gets-chilly-reception-from-voters-269430

CNN
— Nancy Pelosi called President Trump ‘morbidly obese.’ Is he? – Chris Cillizza (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations officially get rid of their employees and members who have a BMI over 30, who are old, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/19/politics/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-fat-hydroxychloroquine/index.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Generally speaking, it defines obesity as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. (BMI is calculated by taking “a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters,” according to the CDC website.) Within “obese,” the CDC has three distinctions: 1) Those with a BMI between 30 and 35 2) those with a BMI between 35 and 40 and 3) those with a BMI over 40, which the CDC categorizes as having “extreme” or “severe” obesity. While the CDC doesn’t describe that third category as “morbid obesity,” it is referred to that way by other sites including Web MD (aka the scourge of every hypochondriac’s life). How large would you need to be to qualify as having “severe” or “morbid” obesity? According to this BMI calculator, a 6 foot tall man weighing 300 pounds would have a BMI of 41 — and would be considered in a state of “morbid” obesity. Which is not Donald Trump, at least according to the White House physician. In his February 2019 annual physical, Trump, who is 6’3″, tipped the scales at 243 pounds. That gave him a BMI of 30.4 — just over the edge of obesity but far from the technical definition of “severe” or “extreme” (or “morbid”) obesity.)

REUTERS
— Crucial Latino voters seek more attention from Biden – Saundra Amrhein, Simon Lewis (DIERSEN: To promote preference giving is to reject equal opportunity. To give preference to one group is to discriminate against another group. To give preference to Latinos is to discriminate against Blacks, Asians, Whites, etc. To give preference to women, younger people, people who have less money, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, non-draft avoiders, and/or to those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time is to discriminate against men, older people, people who have more money, Protestants, German Americans, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-latinos/crucial-latino-voters-seek-more-attention-from-biden-idUSKBN22V1B2?il=0

NEW YORK TIMES
— Emulating Democrats, G.O.P. Ties House Hopes to Diverse Recruits “We need candidates other than boring old white people”: House Republicans are betting on a group of diverse candidates with compelling biographies to help them reclaim lost seats. – Catie Edmondson (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will the Republican National Committee, Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Organization, etc. officially dump those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time, those who are obese, and those who have health problems including diabetes?)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/us/politics/republicans-house-diversity-election.html
— Race and income are the key factors that decide who dies from Covid-19 and who survives – Michael Schwirtz and Lindsey Rogers Cook (DIERSEN: In your municipal district, in your municipality, in your township, and in your county, to what extent are minorities and poor people dying from Covid-19 compared to Whites and rich people, and why is that?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/nyregion/coronavirus-deaths-nyc.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/us/politics/republicans-house-diversity-election.html
— The Right of the People to Protest Lockdown Although some states have tried to ban them, anti-lockdown demonstrations are protected by the First Amendment. – Floyd Abrams and John Langford (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you protest lockdowns, members of the following groups call you a White supremacist, Nazi, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things: 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, ant-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/opinion/coronavirus-first-amendment-protests.html

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trumpites dish out abuse, but they can’t take it: On the reaction to Pelosi’s morbidly obese crack.”‘
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-trumpites-dish-out-abuse-cant-take-it-20200519-ulfp2isuqzgl7fugza6uc2jhza-story.html

DETROIT NEWS
— Trump visit to Rawsonville Ford plant will proceed despite governor’s order – Keith Laing
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2020/05/19/trump-visit-rawsonville-ford-plant-proceed-despite-governors-order/5221559002/

MISSOULIAN
— Employment and stigma of those who are sick – BECKY FRANKS (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, I had better health than most, if not virtually all, of my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates. Of course, they hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I did not earn or disserve my good health. Many hinted/implied/argued/shouted that if I had not avoided the draft, I would not have had good health.)
https://missoulian.com/opinion/columnists/employment-and-stigma-of-those-who-are-sick/article_d7dd82b2-1841-5978-a0ac-189195f16c45.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.S. Birthrates Fall to Record Low Last year’s data are another sign of how American childbearing, which began declining during the 2007-09 recession, never fully rebounded – Janet Adamy
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-birthrates-fall-to-record-low-11589947260
— U.S. Economic Recovery Will Drag On Through Next Year, CBO Says Congressional Budget Office sees sharpest labor-market deterioration since 1930s amid coronavirus – Paul Kiernan
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-economy-likely-to-shrink-5-6-this-year-amid-coronavirus-cbo-says-11589918370
— ‘One Mighty and Irresistible Tide’ Review: How They Became Us Deciding exactly whom we should welcome to our shores is a matter of ever-shifting public debate and ever-changing public sentiment. – Philip Terzian (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, under the Democrats, immigrants 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/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-mighty-and-irresistible-tide-review-how-they-became-us-11589927080

BLOOMBERG
— Ford Backs Off Mask-Wearing Requirement for Trump’s Factory Tour – Keith Naughton and Jordan Fabian
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-19/ford-says-trump-will-be-expected-to-wear-a-mask-on-plant-tour

FORBES
— The Pandemic Paradox For Older Workers – Richard Eisenberg (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations officially get rid of their employees and members who have a BMI over 30, who are old, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2020/05/19/the-pandemic-paradox-for-older-workers/#6b68de16dee7

NATIONAL LAW REVIEW
— COVID-19: Plan Now For Bringing Back Your Workforce (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations officially get rid of their employees and members who have a BMI over 30, who are old, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/covid-19-plan-now-bringing-back-your-workforce-part-iv
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Before we discuss the guidance itself, we offer this important context. Some epidemiologists and other experts note that the most important metric relating to resuming more full-scale economic activity is getting the rate of spread down to less than one new infection per existing infection. This is known as the R0 factor. The Massachusetts High Tech Council, for example, recommends that to get that metric to R<1, employers should segment their workforces by vulnerability to COVID-19, bringing back younger and healthier workers first, and workers over 60 or with certain medical conditions last. The goals are laudable: to continue driving down the infection rate and protect the health care system. But is the practice legal?)
— Risky Business: COVID-19 Employment Litigation Claims Will Be on the Rise (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations officially get rid of their employees and members who have a BMI over 30, who are old, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/risky-business-covid-19-employment-litigation-claims-will-be-rise

INSURANCE JOURNAL
— U.S. Employers Shying Away From Using Coronavirus ‘Immunity’ Tests in Reopening – Caroline Humer and Timothy Aeppel (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations officially get rid of their employees and members who have a BMI over 30, who are old, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2020/05/19/568971.htm

POLITIFACT
— Donald Trump doesn’t meet the definition of morbidly obese – Emily Venezky (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations officially get rid of their employees and members who have a BMI over 30, who are old, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/may/19/nancy-pelosi/no-he-not-morbidly-obese/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Officially, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not define the threshold needed for someone to be considered “morbidly obese.” Instead, the CDC says that “Class 3” obesity, sometimes categorized as “extreme” or “severe” obesity, is defined as having a body-mass index, or BMI, of 40 or higher. Other medical sources list a definition of “morbidly obese” as equivalent to a BMI of 40 or higher. Some available data about Trump comes from his most recent periodic physical exam. In a 2019 memo, Trump’s physician Dr. Sean Conley said Trump was 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 243 pounds. Trump, who was 72 at the time, had gained 4 pounds since his 2018 exam, when his previous doctor, Ronny Jackson, said Trump’s “overall health is excellent” but “he would benefit from a diet that is lower in fat and carbohydrates and from a routine exercise regimen.” Officially, Trump’s height and weight would correlate to a BMI of 30.1, just a bit over the 30.0 level to be considered obese — the lowest of three levels. That is not high enough to count as Class 3 obesity.)

JD SUPRA
— Avoiding Potential Workplace Claims Arising from Reopening of Businesses (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will employers and organizations officially get rid of their employees and members who have a BMI over 30, who are old, and/or who have health problems including diabetes?)
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/avoiding-potential-workplace-claims-54653/

LAWYERS
— Protecting Your Business From Employment Discrimination Claims – Gregory G. Brown (DIERSEN: Political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination were the real reasons why my Democrat superiors in the federal government got rid 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://blogs.lawyers.com/attorney/business-law/protecting-your-business-from-employment-discrimination-claims-62441/

MASSACHUSETTS LAWYERS WEEKLY
— Employment – Age discrimination – Pretext (DIERSEN: Political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination were the real reasons why my Democrat superiors in the federal government got rid 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://masslawyersweekly.com/2020/05/19/employment-age-discrimination-pretext-13/

May 18 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Republican and social justice leaders condemn anti-Semitic signs, rhetoric Pritzker protests – Ravi Baichwal
https://abc7chicago.com/reopening-illinois-illiois-coronavirus-stay-at-home-order-stay-at-home-protest/6194365/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Politicians were implored to denounce the anti-Semitism, and two leading state Republicans did so Monday. “There is no place for hatred in our state, and I will continue to speak out, as will members of my caucus, against hateful speech,” said State Senator Bill Brady. “I don’t support hate speech, though, so this doesn’t reflect the good people in the Republican party or Independents. They have nothing to do with us, and I would ask in the future that they stay home. We don’t need them,” said House Republican Leader Rep. Jim Durkin.)
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases top 96K with over 4K deaths
https://abc7chicago.com/society/illinois-covid-19-cases-top-96k-over-4k-deaths/6193714/
— Trump says he’s taking malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in case he gets coronavirus – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/trump-says-hes-taking-malaria-drug-in-case-he-gets-coronavirus/6193967/

NBC5
— Illinois Coronavirus Cases Surpass 95,000 With 2,294 New Cases Reported All four state healthcare regions remain within the limits prescribed by the governor’s phased reopening plan
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-coronavirus-cases-surpass-95000-with-2294-new-cases-reported/2274022/
— Much of Illinois is On Track to Enter Phase 3 at End of May, But What About Chicago? Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has unveiled different guidelines for the city
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/much-of-illinois-is-on-track-to-enter-phase-3-at-end-of-may-but-what-about-chicago/2273999/
— Chicago to Fine Churches That Held Services in Violation of Stay-at-Home Order Religious gatherings have been limited to 10 people under Gov. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-to-fine-churches-that-held-services-in-violation-of-stay-at-home-order/2274089/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois reports 59 more COVID-19 deaths Monday; 3rd straight day death toll under 100
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-reports-59-more-covid-19-deaths-monday-3rd-straight-day-death-toll-under-100

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Pritzker announces effort to ramp up contact tracing; 2,294 new known COVID-19 infections and 59 additional deaths reported
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200518-ae3czc3hnzde3cbzfiub7xferi-story.html
— With a new, stricter grading system — plus warmer weather — Cook County is now getting a D on social distancing – Hal Dardick
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-social-distancing-grade-chicago-cook-county-20200518-eypxs3zrbffo7bqqvhmmmaekvq-story.html
— State legislators who defy the mask requirement should be barred from session – Eric Zorn
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/eric-zorn/ct-column-masks-general-assembly-zorn-20200518-d53w5dnqcrfgfhnjrtxy4c7nku-story.html
— Why churches, for now, should remain closed – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-churches-closed-coronavirus-chicago-cupich-20200518-qkcy6u4sgfdjdm7esi2bpo553u-story.html
— Illinois can safely start to reopen, if we follow these measures – ROBERT A. WEINSTEIN AND CORY FRANKLIN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-next-steps-20200518-rkzohcal5rbgfkjrzhi7itkiwa-story.html
— Mayor Lightfoot, it’s time to reopen the lakefront – EDITORIAL
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorial-coronavirus-lakefront-reopen-lori-lightfoot-20200518-kwihu6c2cjhxlkuniz7chzhrom-story.html
— Business owners now face misdemeanor charge if they reopen in spite of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order – JAMIE MUNKS and RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-pritzker-order-20200518-igdhoofobraevmmrquoqfjbw4a-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Putting his message where his mouth is? Downstate Republican hopes to make a point by not wearing mask Bailey said not wearing a mask is his way of making Democrats face facts. “These Chicago legislators are making more of a deal of wearing a mask in Springfield than they are about, you know, getting this $7.2 billion deficit that we’re staring at with our budget,” he said. – Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/18/21262924/downstate-republican-mask-face-covering-bailey-madigan-durkin-halbrook-covid-19-coronavirus
— GOP: Graduated tax ‘cash grab’ will stifle pandemic recovery House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said this week’s special session in Springfield should consider dumping the plan to alter the state Constitution and discard the current flat-rate income tax. – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/18/21262849/gop-graduated-tax-cash-grab-will-stifle-pandemic-recovery
— Illinois reports 3rd straight day with fewer than 100 COVID-19 deaths (LIVE UPDATES) Here’s what we know today about the continuing spread of coronavirus and its ripple effects in Chicago and Illinois.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/18/21262093/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020
— Showdown looming over Pritzker’s stay-at-home order before skeptical downstate judge A Clay County judge, who is clearly opposed to the order, told lawyers the controversy “begs to be resolved. It’s got to be resolved in this court, and it’s going to be and it’s going to be resolved Friday.” – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/18/21262332/legal-showdown-stay-at-home-order-jb-pritzker-looming-downstate
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use coronavirus a) to promote illegal immigration and b) to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Trump.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/18/21260092/coronavirus-undocumented-chicago-grassroots-community-cash-relief-applications
— City looks at fines against churches that defied stay-home order “There were some churches that congregated in excess of the allowable number and we will be taking action as to those individuals and those churches,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday. – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/18/21262715/churches-stay-home-order-coronavirus-lightfoot-belmont-cragin
— Pandemic shutdown of Chicago economy to cost city ‘probably in excess of $500 million’ says top mayoral aide Mayor Lori Lightfoot has repeatedly refused to project the size of Chicago’s budget shortfall, but under questioning at Monday’s Finance Committee meeting, Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett did just that. – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2020/5/18/21262664/coronavirus-stay-home-shutdown-chicago-economy-cost
— A message to my fellow liberals: Working people are getting angrier and angrier It seems to be therapeutic to many of my friends to have their beliefs reinforced each night that anyone who complains about shutdowns is unintelligent or malevolent. – Richard J. Gonzalez
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/18/21262758/liberal-media-working-people-shutdown-unemployment-kent-college-richard-j-gonzalez-rachel-maddow

DAILY HERALD
— ‘I am not going to be anybody’s boogeyman’: DuPage sheriff says county is ready to reopen – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200518/i-am-not-going-to-be-anybodys-boogeyman-dupage-sheriff-says-county-is-ready-to-reopen
— DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick’s Facebook message about Gov. Pritzker and COVID-19
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200518/dupage-county-sheriff-james-mendricks-facebook-message-about-gov-pritzker-and-covid-19

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— GOP leaders turn up heat on Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ proposal Springfield Democrats are unlikely to heed a call to pull the proposed graduated income tax amendment off the November ballot, but Republicans smell a good issue. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/gop-leaders-turn-heat-pritzkers-fair-tax-proposal
— Coronavirus will end the golden age for college towns These engines of regional growth will struggle with state funding cuts, fewer foreign students and destroyed household finances. – NOAH SMITH
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/coronavirus-will-end-golden-age-college-towns?utm_source=today-s-crain-s&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200518&utm_content=article3-headline
— McDonald’s franchisees face steep costs to bring back dine-in One Illinois franchisee estimates it could cost $1,000 per day per restaurant in added expenses to reopen a dining room. – DALTON BARKER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/restaurants/mcdonalds-franchisees-face-steep-costs-bring-back-dine
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS, ON COOK COUNTY, AND ON CHICAGO TIGHTENS: The economic tsunami effect of COVID-19 for Latinos here The disproportionate economic damage Latinos have suffered in addition to the tragic physical toll is a crisis within a crisis. It’s hurting the entire state. – SYLVIA PUENTE
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/economic-tsunami-effect-covid-19-latinos-here
— Pritzker defends new penalties for stores that break shutdown rules The punishments—up to a $2,500 fine and a year in jail—are needed to protect public health, the governor said, and are actually less severe than what the law had allowed. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-defends-new-penalties-stores-break-shutdown-rules

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois GOP seeks to remove graduated tax measure from ballot – JERRY NOWICKI
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/illinois-gop-seeks-to-remove-graduated-tax-measure-from-ballot/article_a81a19f8-e25b-5235-affd-bd94df894bc8.html

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
— Business owners now face misdemeanor charge if they reopen in spite of Pritzker’s stay-at-home order – JAMIE MUNKS and RICK PEARSON
https://jg-tc.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/icymi-business-owners-now-face-misdemeanor-charge-if-they-reopen-in-spite-of-pritzker-s/article_7e3a165e-f2a2-5149-a5e1-6582f2b281ba.html

WAND
— Lawmakers announce resolution to withdraw income tax hike from Nov. ballot
https://www.wandtv.com/news/lawmakers-announce-resolution-to-withdraw-income-tax-hike-from-nov-ballot/article_5200b26c-9922-11ea-a723-97cf8d843747.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs demonize you, denigrate you, and condemn you.
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/home-not-safe-some-lgbtq-young-people-face-rejection-families-lockdown#stream/0

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Bailey v. Pritzker: Summary Judgement Motion filed, hearing on Friday – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/bailey-v-pritzker-summary-judgement-motion-filed-hearing-on-friday/
— Governor Pritzker’s nightmare – Executive Order power trumped by Illinois Supreme Court case law and Lisa Madigan written opinion – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/governor-pritzkers-nightmare-executive-order-power-trumped-by-illinois-supreme-court-case-law-and-lisa-madigan-written-opinion/
— If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck…Pritzker legal case is crumbling in Darren Bailey lawsuit – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/if-it-walks-like-a-duck-quacks-like-a-duck-pritzker-legal-case-is-crumbling-in-darren-bailey-lawsuit/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Governor Pritzker Wants to Criminalize Lock-Down Opposition – David E. Smith
https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/governor-pritzker-wants-to-criminalize-lock-down-opposition/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— WITH LEADERS LIKE THESE
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/with-leaders-like-these.html
— WHY DOES PRITZKER IGNORE PANDEMIC LAW FORMER STATE SENATOR BARACK OBAMA SPONSORED? – former State Senator Ed Petka
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/opinion-why-does-pritzker-ignore-pandemic-law-former-state-senator-barack-obama-sponsored.html
— 40% MORE LIKELY TO CONTINUE HOMESCHOOLING AFTER COVID SHUTDOWN ENDS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/40-more-likely-to-continue-homeschooling-after-covid-shutdown-ends-.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Brady and Durkin announce resolution to remove “Fair Tax” from the ballot
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/18/brady-and-durkin-announce-resolution-to-remove-fair-tax-from-the-ballot/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters side with Pritzker against Amy Jacobson. I should write a book about pot pushers who sided with pot pushers against me when I spoke against pot at a DuPage County Board meeting last year.
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/18/reopen-rally-speaker-upset-that-she-cant-ask-governor-questions-during-media-briefing/
— State announces two counties will run pilot contact tracing program – Pritzker explains new IDPH rule – Says it’s a “tool” for law enforcement – “Within the existing law” – Hopeful that people can get back to work at Ford plant – Talks about horse racing reopening – Full investigation of data breach – Blames Deloitte for breach – Free credit reports for victims – Says he’s “reluctant” to interfere with churches – Fall surge would mean “big trouble” – No need for legislation on EO – Worried about family’s safety – Slams legislators who were “perfectly willing” to speak to a crowd displaying Nazi and swastika signs – Won’t ask ISP to enforce mask rule in Clay County court – “Balance weighs in favor of keeping people safe” – Asked about map – “The GOP wants to keep people from voting” on Fair Tax – Repeats that he wants help for small biz, including restaurants – Mail-in ballots top election-related session priority
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/18/state-announces-two-counties-will-run-pilot-contact-tracing-program/
— 2,294 new cases, 59 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/18/2294-new-cases-59-additional-deaths/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/18/covid-19-roundup-40/

CBS NEWS
— Many low-wage workers earn more on unemployment than in their former jobs – KHRISTOPHER J. BROOKS
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/unemployment-benefits-low-wage-workers-make-more-income/

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump says he is taking hydroxychloroquine to protect against coronavirus, dismisses safety concerns
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/18/coronavirus-update-us/

MACOMB DAILY
— News not so unbiased with political influence – Brian Pannebecker (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who demonize, denigrate, and condemn my judgment. I would focus on those who demonize, denigrate, and condemn a) the decisions that I make to include hyperlinks to articles in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and/or b) the comments that I make on those articles.)
https://www.macombdaily.com/opinion/news-not-so-unbiased-with-political-influence/article_59306d7c-9916-11ea-bcfe-2b792ef09d8c.html