GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— During their 2020 biennial convention conducted by phone conference this evening, DuPage County Republican Precinct Committeemen elected Jim Zay as Chairman of the DuPage County Republican Central Committee and reelected Paul Hinds as Secretary. Zay is the DuPage County Board Vice Chairman and Hinds is a former DuPage County Clerk. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
ABC7
— Trump looks to ease social distancing in places; CEOs urge caution – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-looks-to-ease-distancing-in-places;-ceos-urge-caution/6105814/
— Coronavirus deaths: 23 have died of COVID-19 at Symphony of Joliet nursing home
https://abc7chicago.com/health/23-covid-19-deaths-reported-at-joliet-nursing-home/6106201/
— COVID-19 data shows city is ‘flattening the curve,’ Mayor Lori Lightfoot says
https://abc7chicago.com/health/covid-19-cell-phone-data-shows-chicago-is-flattening-the-curve-officials-say/6105532/
NBC5
— Pritzker Considering Requiring Masks in Public Places During Coronavirus Outbreak Multiple Chicago suburbs have implemented such measures already
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pritzker-considering-requiring-masks-in-public-places-during-coronavirus/2256527/
— Trump Says US ‘Past the Peak’, Threatens to Adjourn Congress Over Nominations
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/us-coronavirus-updates-ind-rep-chooses-saving-economy-over-lives-trumps-name-printed-on-stimulus-checks/2256039/
— Chicago Hasn’t Reached a Peak Yet – And That’s a Good Thing, According to Dr. Arwady Arwady said Wednesday that data indicates the city’s curve is starting to flatten, but that has also pushed the peak later than officials had earlier predicted
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/chicago-hasnt-reached-a-peak-yet-and-thats-a-good-thing-according-to-dr-arwady/2256485/
FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois coronavirus death toll nears 1,000
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-coronavirus-death-toll-nears-1000
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Republican congressional candidate’s fundraising email plagiarizes Chicago Tribune story – BILL RUTHHART
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-jeanne-ives-plagiarism-fundraising-email-20200415-2n6ag4ahrjeerheh2p7xn3ngva-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In response to questions, Ives communication director Kathleen Murphy took responsibility for the plagiarism. “The line (that) was included is my fault, not Jeanne’s,” Murphy said in an email. “I am the director of communication for the campaign, the content of an email is my responsibility.” “That should have been cited — absolutely,” Murphy said in a second email regarding the Tribune sentences used in the campaign communication. “Information gets pulled from different sources, and it was an oversight. We will review emails more carefully going forward.” In the process of acknowledging the error, Murphy also attacked the “Chicago media,” claiming it was biased. Murphy declined to make Ives available for an interview and declined to say whether the candidate reviewed the email before it was sent.)
— Best Buy to furlough 51,000 store employees amid coronavirus sales slump – LAUREN ZUMBACH
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-best-buy-furloughing-workers-20200415-s2mrwpbsu5cj3afwgmv2pwzfnq-story.html
— Chicago police setting up checkpoints to remind people of stay-at-home order, raising concerns of union and ACLU – PETER NICKEAS
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-police-checkpoints-20200415-jug6ysdm65eopcqxep54tvqj4a-story.html
— Coronavirus may cost Metra 97% of its April ridership, and leave $500 million budget hole over next two years – Mary Wisniewski
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-metra-budget-shortfalls-empty-trains-20200415-ihzhyckhnzhkply2uxmqyhsjx4-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “President Trump is floundering and he’s taking the WHO and governors down with him.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/ct-nyt-column-trump-coronavirus-who-economy-20200416-l635zddyqnavhj4cbypsifc7o4-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— Pritzker estimates $2.7 billion revenue shortfall from COVID-19 – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/pritzker-estimates-27-billion-revenue-shortfall-from-covid-19
— Kane County leaders squabble over COVID-19 response – James Fuller
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200414/kane-county-leaders-squabble-over-covid-19-response
— DuPage provides $85,000 to help pay for hotel rooms for the homeless – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/dupage-provides-85000-to-help-pay-for-hotel-rooms-for-the-homeless
— Emerging economic data reveals devastation; job losses grow – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200415/business/304159913/
— 4% of people in suburbs who tested positive for COVID-19 have died – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/4-of-people-in-suburbs-who-tested-positive-for-covid-19-have-died
— 10 more COVID-19 cases at Windsor Park, three more deaths – Katlyn Smith
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/10-more-covid-19-cases-at-windsor-park-three-more-deaths
— Metra ridership dropped 95% after ‘stay at home’ order – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/metra-ridership-dropped-95-after-stay-at-home-order
— DuPage keeping health insurance for board members – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/dupage-keeping-health-insurance-for-board-members
— Chinese American students in DuPage raises money to distribute PPE
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/chinese-american-students-in-dupage-raises-money-to-distribute-ppe
— Leaders must deter large numbers from gathering at parks and preserves – Editorial
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20200415/editorial-leaders-must-deter-large-numbers-from-gathering-at-parks-and-preserves
— April 15 COVID-19 cases per county, some towns, and search by ZIP code
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200415/april-15-covid-19-cases-per-county-some-towns-and-search-by-zip-code
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— COVID to blow $10 billion hole in Illinois’ budget That’s the staggering impact of the pandemic if the state doesn’t get federal help, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/covid-blow-10-billion-hole-illinois-budget
— Pritzker envisions Midwest version of West Coast, Northeast COVID coalitions Michigan’s governor confirms she and her counterparts in other Midwest states have been hearing from Illinois’ governor about a plan to coordinate a regional response—and begin mapping out a reopening of the economy. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pritzker-envisions-midwest-version-west-coast-northeast-covid-coalitions
— Lightfoot backs up her COVID stance Using new data to make her case, the mayor contends social distancing is working to flatten the curve—while also arguing that reopening the economy will be a slower process than some would like. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/lightfoot-backs-her-covid-stance
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers say “Weed shops prepare for a very mellow 4/20 The cannabis industry’s big annual celebration got short-circuited by the coronavirus. Toking alone or virtually will have to do.”
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marijuanacannabis/weed-shops-prepare-very-mellow-420
WTTW
— After Halting WHO Funding, Trump Comes Under Fire Yet Again – Alexandra Silets
https://news.wttw.com/2020/04/15/after-halting-who-funding-trump-comes-under-fire-yet-again
BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Should Madison County Republicans resign even after investigation yields no charges? – KAVAHN MANSOURI
https://www.bnd.com/news/politics-government/article241977076.html
— Prenzler puts aides on leave after Madison County Democrats demand resignations – KAVAHN MANSOURI
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article242040241.html
WCSJ NEWS
— Group of Republican Senators (Paul Schimpf, Donald DeWitte, Jim Oberweis, Craig Wilcox, Jason Plummer, Chuck Weaver, Sue Rezin and Dan McConchie) Call on Governor to Begin Strategy For Reopening Illinois
http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/wspynews/group-of-republican-senators-call-on-governor-to-begin-strategy-for-reopening-illinois/article_6b67e732-58f6-5155-89dc-9f8c32ee4cf4.html
FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump resort in Florida lays off 560 workers due to virus – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/coronavirus/trump-resort-in-florida-lays-off-560-workers-due-to-virus
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Grafton Township Elects Orv Brettman as GOP Chairman
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/15/grafton-township-elects-orv-brettman-as-gop-chairman/
— Diane Evertsen Term Limits Herself for the Second Time
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/15/diane-evertsen-term-limits-herself-for-the-second-time/
— Dems Re-Elect Kristina Zahorik Chair
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/15/dems-re-elect-zahorik-chair/
— Nunda Township GOP Elects Officers, Mark Daniel Chairman
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/15/nunda-township-gop-elects-officers/
— Erik Sivertsen Re-Elected McHenry Township Republican Chairman
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/15/erik-sivertsen-re-elected-mchenry-township-republican-chairman/
— Will Jack Franks Finally Endorse Joe Biden?
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/15/will-jack-franks-finally-endorse-joe-biden/
— State Senators Send Letter to Governor about Economy
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/15/state-senators-send-letter-to-governor-about-economy/
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— ILLINOIS PERSONAL INCOME TAX REVENUE COULD FALL UP TO $6.6 BILLION FROM COVID-19 LOCKDOWN – Orphe Divounguy and Bryce Hill
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-personal-income-tax-revenue-could-fall-up-to-6-6-billion-from-covid-19-lockdown/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— CHICAGO POLICE TO BEGIN STOPPING LAWFUL RESIDENTS, REMINDING THEM TO “STAY AT HOME”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/chicago-police-to-begin-stopping-lawful-residents-reminding-them-to-stay-at-home.html
— GENEVA LAWMAKER QUESTIONS PRITZKER’S UNCHECKED POWERS AS 30-DAY DISASTER PROCLAMATION CONTINUES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/ugaste-proposes-review-of-illinois-governors-current-disaster-proclamation.html
— THORNER & O’NEIL: THE WHO, CHINA AND THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/thorner-oneil-the-who-china-and-the-coronavirus-pandemic.html#more
— GOV PRITZKER PUSHES FOR PROGRESSIVE TAX; CLAIMS COVID-19 COULD SET ILLINOIS BACK OVER $7B
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/gov-pritzker-pushes-for-progressive-tax-claims-covid-19-could-set-illinois-back-over-7b-.html
— GOP STATE SENATORS CALL ON PRITZKER TO “EASE BACK” ON SOCIAL DISTANCING; PRESENT RE-OPENING PLAN
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/gop-state-senators-call-on-pritzker-to-ease-back-on-social-distancing-present-re-opening-plan.html
— CHICAGO HIDING MILLIONS OF N95 MASKS; PRITZKER SECRETLY BUYING MORE MASKS FROM CHINA
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/pritzker-hiding-millions-of-masks-secretly-buying-more-from-china.html
— RADICAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS’ GIDDINESS DURING PANDEMIC EXPOSES THEIR TRUE AIMS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/radical-environmentalists-giddiness-during-pandemic-exposes-their-true-aims.html
CAPITOL FAX
— 1,346 new cases, 80 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/1346-new-cases-80-additional-deaths/
— GRF forecast revised down $2.7 billion for FY20 and $4.6 billion in FY21, but $6.2 billion with borrowing and $7.4 billion if no graduated income tax – Says Fair Tax needed now more than ever – Talks about “secret flight” – Addresses plan by GOP state senators to reopen economy when ICU capacity is sufficient – Asked about death counts – Roseland backlog addressed – Asked about summer camp – Asked about rent control protesters – Says he is considering a mask order – No state border checks – Talks about contact tracing – Asked about pushing the curve down, but nothing new on that front yet – Asked about churches and pot dispensaries – Says state will make decision to lift, not locals – No position on municipal plea to AG on FOIA – Praises National Guard
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/grf-forecast-revised-down-27-billion-for-fy20-and-46-billion-in-fy21-but-rises-to-62-billion-with-borrowing/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/covid-19-roundup-18/
— March saw largest ever recorded decline in retail and food sales
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/march-saw-largest-ever-recorded-decline-in-retail-and-food-sales/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: What do you say to those who want to use remapping to give more preference to voters who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/who-should-control-the-remap-process/
— Plan by eight Senate Republicans (Paul Schimpf, Donald DeWitte, Jim Oberweis, Craig Wilcox, Jason Plummer, Chuck Weaver, Sue Rezin and Dan McConchie) is a bit on the ghoulish side
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/sgop-plan-is-a-bit-on-the-ghoulish-side/
— Dueling graduated income tax press releases
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/dueling-graduated-income-tax-press-releases/
— Slowing the upward curve is just not enough
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/15/slowing-the-upward-curve-is-just-not-enough/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— ICE to release almost 700 illegal immigrants due to coronavirus fears – Andrew Mark Miller
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ice-to-release-almost-700-illegal-immigrants-due-to-coronavirus-fears
RUSH LIMBAUGH
— I’m Feeling Good About the Future, Folks
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2020/04/15/im-feeling-good-about-the-future-folks/
— Democrats Hope Corona Can Do What Mueller and Schiff Failed to Do
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2020/04/15/democrats-hope-corona-can-do-what-mueller-and-schiff-failed-to-do/
— MAGA! Coronavirus Has Resurrected Trump’s Slogan
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2020/04/15/maga-coronavirus-has-resurrected-trumps-slogan/
BREITBART
— Democrats Demand Trump Stop Building Border Wall During Coronavirus Crisis – John Binder
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/15/democrats-demand-trump-stop-building-border-wall-during-coronavirus-crisis/
BLAZE
— Leaked State Department cables add weight to the theory that COVID-19 started in a Wuhan virology lab The evidence continues to pile up – Phil Shiver
https://www.theblaze.com/news/state-department-cables-wuhan-virology-lab
— Trump trolls the press, pre-emptively destroying the credibility of the media
https://www.theblaze.com/steve-deace/trump-troll
DAILY SIGNAL
— Illegal Immigrants in Los Angeles Can Apply for Pre-Paid Debit Cards – Jason Hopkins
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/04/15/illegal-immigrants-in-los-angeles-can-apply-for-pre-paid-debit-cards/
TOWNHALL
— Liberalism, Like the Wuhan Virus, Will Never Die – Ann Coulter
https://townhall.com/columnists/anncoulter/2020/04/15/liberalism-like-the-wuhan-virus-will-never-die-n2567004
NEWSMAX
— Trump Abandons Task Force on Reopening US, Hosts Calls Instead
https://www.newsmax.com/streettalk/trump-task-force-reopen/2020/04/15/id/963038/
ONE NEWS NOW
— POLITICS California giving illegals $500 cash – AP
https://onenewsnow.com/ap/politics/california-giving-illegals-500-cash
— Before it cleared out campuses, virus enjoyed P.C. defense – Chris Woodward
https://onenewsnow.com/culture/2020/04/15/before-it-cleared-out-campuses-virus-enjoyed-pc-defense
THE HILL
— Global coronavirus cases surpass 2 million – JOHN BOWDEN
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/492635-global-coronavirus-cases-pass-2-million
— Trump WHO cuts meet with furious blowback – PETER SULLIVAN
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/492997-trump-who-cuts-meet-with-furious-blowback
— Democratic senators call for funding for local media in coronavirus stimulus – JUSTIN WISE (DIERSEN: He who pays the piper calls the tunes.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/491787-democratic-senators-call-for-funding-for-local-media-in-coronavirus-stimulus
— The coronavirus is no reason to waive the rules for immigrants – MATT O’BRIEN
https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/492739-the-coronavirus-is-no-reason-to-waive-the-rules-for-immigrants
— Trump threatens to adjourn both chambers of Congress – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/493044-trump-threatens-to-adjourn-both-chambers-of-congress
NBC NEWS
— Black health experts say surgeon general’s comments reflect lack of awareness of black community “The Adams statement is, at best, irresponsible and, at worst, reflective of systemic structural racism.” – Curtis Bunn (DIERSEN: What communities are/were you a member of and how aware are/were you of those communities? I am extremely aware of the Milton Township Republican Organization community (since 1999). I was extremely aware of the following communities: TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois (2005-2012), Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee (2003-2011), Illinois Center Right Coalition (2003-2007), American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter (2001-2004), Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter (1983-1996), GAO Chicago office (1980-1997), IRS Chicago office (1971-1980), Park Forest Post Office (1966-1969), etc.)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-health-experts-say-surgeon-general-s-comments-reflect-lack-n1183711
CNN
— Universities begin considering the possibility of canceling in-person classes until 2021 – Brian Ries and Meg Wagner
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/14/us/university-may-cancel-classes-fall-2021-trnd/index.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Coronavirus destroys lungs. But doctors are finding its damage in kidneys, hearts and elsewhere. – Lenny Bernstein, Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Sarah Kaplan and Laurie McGinley
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-destroys-lungs-but-doctors-are-finding-its-damage-in-kidneys-hearts-and-elsewhere/2020/04/14/7ff71ee0-7db1-11ea-a3ee-13e1ae0a3571_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters want Republicans to dump Trump.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/15/republicans-who-dont-like-trump-have-no-excuses-endorse-biden/
DAILY BEAST
— Doctors Tear Down Their Neighbor’s Trump 2020 Flag Before Getting Arrested – Kate Briquelet
https://www.thedailybeast.com/video-florida-doctors-tear-down-their-neighbors-trump-2020-flag-before-getting-arrested
— Trump’s Net Worth Plummets $1 Billion Amid Coronavirus Crisis: Forbes – Emma Tucker
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-net-worth-plummets-dollar1-billion-amid-coronavirus-crisis-forbes-says
VANITY FAIR
— Trump’s Coronavirus Power Grab Is Dividing Conservatives Fox’s Bret Baier challenged Trump’s claim that he can unilaterally open the country, and Glenn Beck called it “actually” incorrect. But the rest of the Fox cheering section is steadfast—in sharp contrast to the Obama years. – CALEB ECARMA
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/donald-trump-coronavirus-power-grab-dividing-conservatives
NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Crowds Gather Around the Country to Protest Social Distancing – Adam K. Raymond
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/04/crowds-gather-to-protest-social-distancing.html
FORBES
— $3.5 Billion Has Flowed From U.S. Taxpayers To The World Health Organization Since 2010 – Adam Andrzejewski
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2020/04/14/35-billion-has-flowed-from-us-taxpayers-to-the-world-health-organization-since-2010/
— Abbott Labs Has Shipped 566,000 Rapid COVID-19 Tests To All 50 U.S. States – Bruce Japsen
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2020/04/14/abbott-labs-has-shipped-566000-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-all-50-us-states/#74efab353205
KIPLINGER
— 5 Ways This Recession Hits Retirees Particularly Hard – Bob Niedt
https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/retirement/T037-S001-ways-recession-hits-retirees-particularly-hard/index.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Less Time to Recover From Portfolio Losses. . .Dividend Cuts. . .Lower Interest Rates. . .A Tiny Social Security COLA in 2021. . .A Tougher Time Finding Jobs)
JD SUPRA
— It is Now Easier For Federal Workers to Prove Age Bias – Kelly Drye (DIERSEN: The federal government’s “up-or-out” policy for its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran is age discrimination.)
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/it-is-now-easier-for-federal-workers-to-66537/
GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Postal Workers Say USPS Isn’t Telling Them When Colleagues Test Positive for COVID-19, Despite Promising To The CDC says people who have been exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine. Many postal workers say they have no way of knowing if that’s them. – MARYAM JAMEEL
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2020/04/postal-workers-say-usps-isnt-telling-them-when-colleagues-test-positive-covid-19-despite-promising/164626/
— Lawmakers and Attorneys Push to Protect Inspectors General From Political Retaliation – COURTNEY BUBLÉ (DIERSEN: All of the audits of all the federal agencies that I worked on for GAO 1980-1997 required coordination with those agency’s Inspector Generals (IG). I worked on audits of federal financial institution regulators for almost 9 years, on audits of IRS for 3 years, and on audits of many other federal agencies, including Railroad Retirement Board, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Immigration and Naturalization Service, General Service Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Labor, Federal Aviation Administration, Veteran Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Health and Human Services, for almost 6 years. I served on Executive Committee (EC) of the Association of Government Accountants for 13 years 1983-1996. Almost all the other EC members were employees of IG offices.)
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2020/04/coronavirus-roundup-lawmakers-and-attorneys-push-protect-inspectors-general-political-retaliation/164630/
