ABC7
— Illinois suffers record daily COVID-19 death toll, Pritzker says state’s peak not yet reached
https://abc7chicago.com/health/illinois-suffers-record-daily-covid-19-death-toll/6112746/
— Celebrities, politicians, other public figures with coronavirus
https://abc7chicago.com/health/celebrities-politicians-other-public-figures-with-covid-19/6042356/
NBC5
— Illinois Senate Democrats Seek $41B Federal Bailout for Coronavirus Impact Among other items, Senate President Don Harmon requested $10 billion for pension relief
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-senate-democrats-seek-41b-federal-bailout-for-coronavirus-impact/2258160/
— Illinois Reports 125 Additional Deaths, Nearly 1,600 New Coronavirus Cases
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-reports-125-additional-deaths-nearly-1600-new-coronavirus-cases/2258103/
— Pritzker: ‘I Don’t Feel Any Heat’ to Ease Restrictions Amid COVID-19 Pandemic The governor’s words come as other states are seeing protesters demanding that “stay-at-home” orders be rescinded
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pritzker-i-dont-feel-any-heat-to-ease-restrictions-amid-covid-19-pandemic/2258126/
CBS2
— Protesters Form Car Caravan Outside Cook County Jail, Deliver Symbolic Body Bags Outside Trump Tower
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/18/trump-protesters-cook-county-jail-body-bags/
— Another 125 People Dead Of COVID-19 In Illinois Growing Push For Better Tracking Of COVID-19 Deaths In Nursing Homes
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/18/another-125-people-dead-of-covid-19-in-illinois/
FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois COVID-19 cases top 29,000, with daily death toll of 125
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-covid-19-cases-top-29000-with-daily-death-toll-of-125
— 18 cases of COVID-19 reported in Office of Chief Judge of Cook County
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/18-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-office-of-chief-judge-of-cook-county
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Downstate pockets spared by COVID-19 are shrinking — and pain is growing
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/4/18/21226222/coronavirus-covid-19-live-updates-chicago-impacts-pritzker-lightfoot-2020
— Judge orders oversight of Yarbrough’s office, finding patronage violations, ‘improper use of political considerations’ The Cook County clerk says she’ll appeal the decision from a federal judge, who found Yarbrough disregarded a series of orders aimed at curbing political considerations in hiring for government jobs. – Mitchell Armentrout (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who focus on promoting patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/4/18/21226436/karen-yarbrough-cook-county-clerk-patronage-hiring-shakman-decree-monitor
— Durbin: Democrats should hold virtual convention, not gather in Milwaukee In an interview with the Sun-Times, the Democratic senator also said he wants transparency in the new payroll loan program. Companies with “no losses because of this COVID are still qualifying for substantial forgivable loans.” – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/17/21225980/democratic-national-convention-milwaukee-virtual-durbin-coronavirus-covid-19
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois matches highest single-day death total from COVID-19, ending difficult week in battle against virus – Dan Hinkel
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pritzker-saturday-update-20200418-j7zbtpdtyjb4jbknpebbrpupte-story.html
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 125 more Illinoisans have died of COVID-19, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says, as number of known infections in state nears 30,000
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200418-6sccyfajcfg75epd5om5ezorni-story.html
— Illinois Senate President Don Harmon asks feds for $41 billion coronavirus bailout – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-coronavirus-don-harmon-40-billion-federal-request-20200418-pgseb5swvfcxvk3qtq7yuchcqi-story.html
— Problems with your $1,200 government check? Here’s what might’ve gone wrong. – LAURA DAVIDSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-stimulus-check-wrong-trouble-20200417-2cndlvmsyzh3zc6lac3h66efie-story.html
— US governors feel heat to reopen from protesters, president — but infections surge in Northeast – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-updates-20200418-3zp6axnkhbagpflekzvqcfyomi-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— Why March was the worst month to lose video gambling revenue – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200418/watchdog-why-march-was-the-worst-month-to-lose-video-gambling-revenue
— Indiana: Protesters gather at governor’s mansion; virus cases up – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200418/news/304189955/
— Nations debate easing virus restrictions as economies falter – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200418/news/304189991/
— April 18 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200418/april-18-covid-19-cases-per-county-use-our-map-to-search-by-zip-code
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— There’s no way to fast-forward this recovery – Editorial
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/theres-no-way-fast-forward-recovery
— Illinois Senate chief seeks congressional bailout: NYT Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is asking members of the Illinois delegation to seek $40 billion in federal aid to prop up the state’s pensions, fund unemployment insurance and aid Illinois hospitals and cities.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/illinois-senate-chief-seeks-congressional-bailout-nyt
KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— COVID-19 a greater threat for marijuana users – Kathy Valente, Director of Operations, Illinois Family Institute
https://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/letters/voice-of-the-people-covid-19-a-greater-threat-for-marijuana-users/article_bd8c1aac-7fe2-11ea-877c-278a77607976.html
NPR ILLINOIS
— Opposing Church Closures Becomes New Religious Freedom Cause – TOM GJELTEN
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/opposing-church-closures-becomes-new-religious-freedom-cause#stream/0
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— IL-14: Oberweis Offers Ice Cream If Pelosi Will Return to Washington to Enact More Small Business Assistance
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/18/il-14-oberweis-offers-ice-cream-if-pelosi-will-return-to-washington-to-enact-more-small-business-assistance/
— IL-6: Ives Chastises Dems for Seeking Multi-Ten Billion Bailout
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/18/il-6-ives-chastizes-dems-for-seeking-multi-ten-billion-bailout/
— Steve Reick Weighs in on Re-Opening the Economy
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/18/steve-reick-weighs-in-on-re-opening-the-economy/
— Algonquin Township GOP Elects John Reinert as Leader for Next Two Years
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/18/algonquin-township-gop-elects-john-reinert-as-leader-for-next-two-years/
— Johnsburg Planning Vouchers To Be Spent at Local Businesses
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/18/johnsburg-planning-vouchers-to-be-spent-at-local-businesses/
— Republican Party Features Jim Oberweis as Republican of the Week
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/18/republican-party-features-jim-oberweis-as/
ILLINOIS TIMES
— Going to church, or pot Pritzker’s brain on drugs – Bruce Rushton
https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/going-to-church-or-pot/Content?oid=12070231
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— WHAT POWERS DOES PRITZKER HAVE IN AN EMERGENCY? AND WHAT HAS HE ORDERED SO FAR? – Joe Tabor
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/what-powers-does-pritzker-have-in-an-emergency-and-what-has-he-ordered-so-far/
CAPITOL FAX
— Despite Harmon letter, Pritzker has not asked feds for pension aid
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/18/despite-harmon-letter-pritzker-has-not-asked-feds-for-pension-aid/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/18/covid-19-roundup-21/
— 1,585 new cases, 125 additional deaths (highest death toll so far)
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/18/1585-new-cases-125-additional-deaths-highest-death-toll-so-far/
— Pritzker expands telehealth program to all of Illinois – Praises local efforts – Dr. Ezike: “Although our numbers continue to climb, it is with some guarded optimism that we say that the growth is slowing” – Asked about advice for people planning summer events – Asked when he’ll make decision about extending order – Asked about easing restrictions as it warms up – Asked about opening county by county – Asked about reducing nursing home cases – Asked why state won’t buy PPE from Willie Wilson – Says he feels no heat to reopen because he listens to scientists – Talks about budgetary needs for DCFS – Amy Jacobson again hogs the mic – Repeats what he likes about White House guidance – Says Prisoner Review Board votes on all commutations – Did not talk to Harmon before SDems sent letter – Says Harmon ask was different than his – Ezike says hopes for more research on humidity levels as a cause of spreading virus – Addresses protesters: “I want to remove the restrictions as much as anybody else does, and I’m going to do it based on science” – Offers reason for not releasing individual nursing home data earlier, but will do it now – Addresses Judd Deere criticism
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/18/pritzker-expands-telehealth-program-to-all-of-illinois/
WASHINGTON TIMES
— GAO to probe no-bid border wall contract – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/18/comptroller-general-probe-no-bid-border-wall-contr/
BREITBART
— Tucker Carlson to Agriculture Lobby: ‘If You Want Workers, Pay U.S. Wages’ – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/17/tucker-carlson-to-agriculture-lobby-if-you-want-workers-pay-u-s-wages/
— Baylor U. Denies Official Recognition for Turning Point USA Chapter – ALANA MASTRANGELO (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have worked the hardest against TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC). I served as the TAPROOT chairman 2005-2012 and as an ICRC Steering Committee member 2003-2007. I would focus on those who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican, but who focus on destroying individuals and organizations a) that are religious, conservative, and/or Republican and b) that they cannot manipulate/dominate.)
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/04/18/baylor-u-denies-official-recognition-for-turning-point-usa-chapter/
NEWSMAX
— Sessions’ Immigration Moratorium Should Have Trump’s Support – Gavin Wax
https://www.newsmax.com/gavinwax/tuberville-alabama-paul/2020/04/18/id/963516/
TOWNHALL
— House Republicans Call Out Dems for Pushing ‘Extreme’ Immigration Agenda During Coronavirus – Bronson Stocking
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bronsonstocking/2020/04/18/jordan-calls-out-dems-for-pushing-extreme-immigration-agenda-during-pandemic-n2567176
— MSNBC Spends an Entire Segment Talking About How Lockdown Protestors Are Racist Confederates – Beth Baumann
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2020/04/18/not-in-favor-of-lockdowns-msnbc-thinks-youre-a-racist-confederate-n2567170
— Tucker Unveils China’s ‘Unremitting Propaganda War’ That Has Taken Place for Years – Beth Baumann
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2020/04/18/watch-tucker-uncovers-chinas-unremitting-propaganda-war-on-the-wuhan-coronavirus-n2567169
EPOCH TIMES
— Revealing the Operations of China’s Official Troll Army System – NICOLE HAO (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents who have hinted that they might not destroy me if I would serve as one of their trolls. According to my critics/opponents, everything is misinformation, disinformation, false information, fake news, and/or propaganda except for that they put out or bless.)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/revealing-the-operations-of-chinas-official-troll-army-system_3311813.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Chinese regime employs online trolls to push its agenda on the internet. They are commonly referred to as the “50-cent army,” so named because they are paid 50 cents for each online post that praises the Communist Party’s policies, or insults those who express opinions that stray from the Party line. They are typically ordinary citizens hired by internet companies or the regime’s censorship and propaganda departments. But in confidential government documents obtained by The Epoch Times, the Party’s security apparatus, known as the Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC), is revealed to be a major player as well. The PLAC is a central government agency that oversees the country’s police, courts, and prisons. It has branches in each province, city, and township.)
THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters crow that “Coronavirus steals Trump economic edge.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/493363-coronavirus-steals-trump-economic-edge
ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Trump team targets Democratic advantage with people of color – STEVE PEOPLES
https://wsbt.com/news/nation-world/trump-team-targets-democratic-advantage-with-people-of-color
— Senators urge anti-bias police training over mask fears – AARON MORRISON
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/nation-world/senators-urge-anti-bias-police-training-over-mask-fears
CNN
— Trump properties furlough nearly 2,000 workers amid coronavirus pandemic
https://www.fox61.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/trump-properties-furlough-amid-coronavirus/520-5afea822-4852-4281-b7c8-3e1f43e1f426
WASHINGTON POST
— U.S. sent millions of face masks to China early this year, ignoring pandemic warning signs
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/us-sent-millions-of-face-masks-to-china-early-this-year-ignoring-pandemic-warning-signs/2020/04/18/aaccf54a-7ff5-11ea-8013-1b6da0e4a2b7_story.html
