April 2 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 death toll surpasses 150 in IL, cases near 8K as Cook County ME works to expand storage – Jessica D’Onofrio and Eric Horng
https://abc7chicago.com/health/illinois-covid-19-death-toll-surpasses-150/6070425/
— Trump administration moves toward promoting broader use of face masks amid coronavirus crisis
https://abc7chicago.com/health/daily-white-house-coronavirus-task-force-briefing-watch-live/6071736/
— Coronavirus in the US: 6.6M more unemployed shows need for new jobs bill, Pelosi says – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/66m-more-unemployed-shows-need-for-new-jobs-bill-pelosi-says/6071463/

CBS2
— Some Chicagoans Say Problems With Mail Meant Their Primary Ballots Weren’t Counted – Dana Kozlov
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/01/some-chicagoans-say-problems-with-mail-meant-their-primary-ballots-werent-counted/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 715 new known infections of COVID-19 and 16 additional deaths, bringing state’s total to 7,695 known cases and 157 deaths
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200402-2ywu5ui4ffb7xkvsj7nkm6aidy-story.html
— Democrats postpone Milwaukee convention until August because of coronavirus concerns – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-democratic-convention-joe-biden-20200402-4u7zcqtyrrazxg7rbv3ejvoiny-story.html
— Facing a hit that could be worse than Great Recession, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, lawmakers look to craft a post-pandemic budget – DAN PETRELLA and JAMIE MUNKS
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-state-budget-20200402-2eqqvb7iu5dstf7qkcyqf5prke-story.html
— DuPage County reports 45 new known coronavirus cases, including six at long-term care facilities – Robert McCoppin
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-dupage-long-term-care-facilities-20200402-mh2egdkwrzapljurg4zsiewdvy-story.html
— Records shattered as unemployment claims in Illinois top 178,000 and national applications hit 6.6 million – Mary Wisniewski
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-unemployment-claims-problems-benefits-illinois-20200402-x7psgbntbrhatmtjgqmpotarvy-story.html
— Pritzker calls federal response to COVID-19 ‘profound failure’ – Lisa Donovan
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-activists-pritzker-legal-challenge-coronavirus-lightfoot-year-spin-20200402-uhnfqaagsjbbtg3dgyrgyh7dj4-story.html
— Despite economic havoc from coronavirus, state public pension officials say plans in good shape – ANTONIA AYRES-BROWN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-public-pensions-20200402-lfqniecl5beahgslbrc6fnxmge-story.html
— 15 Will County health workers test positive as coronavirus numbers continue to rise in Will, DuPage – SUZANNE BAKER and ERIN HEGARTY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-naperville-coronavirus-roundup-st-0403-20200402-thg76xdb5bbzjidmay4tqkexie-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Nearly $110 million in recreational weed sold in Illinois since January  In March, pot shops sold $35.9 million worth of pot. That’s down from the $39.2 million in first-month sales, but slightly higher than February’s sales. – David Struett and Tom Schuba 
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/4/2/21204617/illinois-recreational-pot-marijuana-sales-march
— First-time jobless claims up 56% in Illinois from prior week Latest report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows the widening impact of coronavirus-related layoffs. – David Roeder
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2020/4/2/21204569/weekly-unemployment-claims-illinois-coronavirus-layoffs
— Every state — including 12 slackers — must join the fight to beat COVID-19 A nationwide lockdown by President Trump is unlikely and possibly unconstitutional. It’s up to our nation’s governors to do what’s right to beat the coronavirus. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/2/21204434/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-state-lockdowns-social-distancing-government-governors

DAILY HERALD
— Suburbs get coronavirus relief grants
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200402/suburbs-get-coronavirus-relief-grants
— April 2 breakdown of suburban COVID-19 cases by county, and some towns
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200402/april-2-breakdown-of-suburban-covid-19-cases-by-county-and-some-towns

WAND TV
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: March marijuana sales in Illinois total almost $36 million
https://www.wandtv.com/news/march-marijuana-sales-in-illinois-total-almost-36-million/article_2a100c8e-7501-11ea-ba8c-536cbdcd92b9.html

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— IL-14: District’s Communities Receive Portion of $12.2 Million from CARES Act
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/02/il-14-districts-communities-receive-portion-of-12-2-million-from-cares-act/ 
— What It Is Like to Have Coronavirus
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/02/what-it-is-like-to-have-coronoavirus/ 
— Are Slots Still Operating?
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/02/are-slots-still-operating/ 
— Calculate What Uncle Sam Will Send in Coronavirus Handout
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/02/calculate-what-uncle-sam-will-send-in-coronavirus-handout/ 
— Comparing Coronavirus Penetration for Chicago Area Counties
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/01/comparing-coronavirus-penetration-for-chicago-area-counties/ 
— Will County Provides Coronavirus Map
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/01/will-county-provides-coronavirus-map/ 
— Lake County Health Department Answers Freedom of Information Request for Coronavirus by Zip Codes with Interactive Map
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/04/01/lake-county-health-department-answers-freedom-of-information-request-for-coronavirus-by-zip-codes-with-interactive-map/ 
— Hospital Situation Included in Pritzker Press Release
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/03/31/hospital-situation-included-in-pritzker-press-release/ 

CAPITOL FAX
— US bankruptcy judge rules against Bill Brady and his brothers
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/02/us-bankruptcy-judge-rules-against-bill-brady-and-his-brothers/
— Pritzker says fourth temp hospital to open, with another coming for Downstate – “We’re also adding additional beds” – New initiative called “All in Illinois” – President’s “air bridge” is only for private companies, not states – Advice for Wisconsin? – Explains why gun shops are “essential” – 15 rapid testing machines delivered today from Abbott Labs
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/02/pritzker-says-fourth-temp-hospital-to-open-with-another-coming-for-downstate/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/02/covid-19-roundup-9/

GOPUSA
— Hydroxychloroquine Proving An Effective Treatment For Coronavirus Patients Around The World
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=86995

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Coronavirus mask policing: Texas city ready to fine citizens $1K for not covering up – Douglas Ernst
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/2/coronavirus-mask-policing-texas-city-ready-to-fine/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— The New York Times editorial board is eager to spread the coronavirus via open borders
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-new-york-times-editorial-board-is-eager-to-spread-the-coronavirus-via-open-borders
— Even if you hate Trump, don’t root for him to fail during this crisis – Kimberly Ross
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/even-if-you-hate-trump-dont-root-for-him-to-fail-during-coronavirus-crisis
— House Republicans want to reopen economy by end of April if ‘virus permits’ – Kerry Picket
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house-republicans-want-to-reopen-economy-by-end-of-april-virus-permitting
— No institution has failed the public worse than the news media during the COVID-19 pandemic – Becket Adams 
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/no-institution-has-failed-the-public-worse-than-the-news-media-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

DAILY CALLER
— Trump Campaign Tells Jeff Sessions To Move On — ‘Do Not Support Your Efforts’ – HENRY RODGERS (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who do not support my GOPUSA ILLINOIS efforts. I would focus on those in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois a) who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and b) who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.) 
https://dailycaller.com/2020/04/02/trump-campaign-jeff-sessions-letter-senate/

NEWSMAX
— White-Collar Employers Promise Job Security, as Service Industry Implodes
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/white-collar-employers-job/2020/04/01/id/960968/

TOWNHALL
— This Week’s Unemployment Numbers Are Disastrous and Devastating – Katie Pavlich
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2020/04/02/this-weeks-unemployment-numbers-are-disastrous-and-devastating-n2566206
— Jemele Hill: The Only Acceptable Acts of Charity Come From Those Who Are Anti-Trump – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2020/04/02/jemele-hill-the-only-acceptable-acts-of-charity-come-from-those-who-are-anti-tru-n2566251

THE HILL
— Scale of economic crisis sends shudders through nation – NIALL STANAGE 
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/490938-the-memo-scale-of-economic-crisis-sends-shudders-through-nation
— Trump expected to recommend certain Americans wear masks to limit virus spread – BRETT SAMUELS 
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/490909-trump-expected-to-recommend-certain-americans-wear-masks-to-limit
— Cities across the country in danger of becoming coronavirus hotspots – JESSIE HELLMANN 
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/490878-cities-across-the-country-in-danger-of-becoming-coronavirus-hotspots
— Number of coronavirus cases worldwide tops 1 million – REBECCA KLAR 
https://thehill.com/policy/international/490797-global-coronavirus-cases-top-1-million

POLITICO
— White House Correspondents’ Association boots OAN from briefing rotation The rare step, against the Trump-friendly outlet, followed a reporter’s defiance of social-distancing restrictions. – CAITLIN OPRYSKO
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/01/oan-white-house-correspondents-coronavirus-160598
— Navy fires aircraft carrier captain who raised alarm about virus outbreak Capt. Brett Crozier wrote a letter Navy leaders Monday pleading for additional help to combat the outbreak. – LARA SELIGMAN (DIERSEN: While I worked for the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, what if I had relayed my concerns about political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination directly to the Democrats who headed those agencies?) 
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/02/navy-fires-aircraft-carrier-captain-who-raised-alarm-about-virus-outbreak-162225
(FROMM THE ARTICLE: Modly stopped short of accusing Crozier of leaking the letter, but faulted the captain for sending it over “non-secure, unclassified email” and copying “a broad array of people,” instead of relaying his concerns directly to Modly. The letter contained no classified information.)

CNN
— Democratic National Convention pushed back to August – Dan Merica and Kate Sullivan
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/politics/dnc-postponed-coronavirus/index.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Administration Expected to Recommend Wearing Cloth Masks
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/world/coronavirus-live-news-updates.html

WASHINGTON POST
— White House to urge Americans to wear face coverings in public to slow spread of coronavirus – Lena H. Sun and Josh Dawsey
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/02/coronavirus-facemasks-policyreversal/
— Coronavirus death toll passes 50,000 worldwide; U.S. unemployment claims explode
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/04/02/coronavirus-latest-news/
— Democrats to delay Milwaukee convention from July until mid-August to increase chance party can hold an in-person gathering
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2020/04/02/democrats-to-delay-milwaukee-convention-from-july-until-mid-august-to-increase-chance-party-can-hold-an-in-person-gathering/
— Federal judge declines to postpone April 7 presidential primaries in Wisconsin – Amy Gardner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-judge-declines-to-postpone-april-7-presidential-primaries-in-wisconsin/2020/04/02/2ff660b4-74dc-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html
— The grim death-toll projections the White House offered Monday have already been revised upward – Philip Bump
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/02/grim-death-toll-projections-white-house-offered-monday-have-already-been-revised-upward/

NEW YORK POST
— Team Trump to Jeff Sessions: You’re no ally of ours – Bob Fredericks (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who do not want me to be one of their allies. I would focus on those in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois a) who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and b) who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican.) 
https://nypost.com/2020/04/02/team-trump-to-jeff-sessions-youre-no-ally-of-ours/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Voters Strongly Endorse Fines, Ban on Interstate Travel
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/disease/voters_strongly_endorse_fines_ban_on_interstate_travel

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.