ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 has not peaked in IL as cases top 31K, Pritzker says; Nursing home concerns grow as PPE arrives from China
https://abc7chicago.com/health/covid-19-has-not-peaked-in-illinois-as-cases-top-31k-pritzker-says-/6116629/
— Coronavirus in the US: Trump says governors play ‘political game’ with COVID-19 tests – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/trump-says-governors-play-political-game-with-covid-19-tests/6117729/
— Park Forest coronavirus: National Guard starts COVID-19 testing at Elisabeth Ludeman Development Center – Cate Cauguiran
https://abc7chicago.com/health/il-national-guard-starts-covid-19-testing-at-park-forest-development-center/6118183/
— Governors, amid protests, ask Pence for help keeping people home, test gear – KATHERINE FAULDERS
https://abc7chicago.com/governors-amid-protests-ask-pence-for-help-keeping-people-home-test-gear/6118292/
NBC5
— Highest One-Week Coronavirus Death Toll Reported in Illinois In Illinois, 555 peopled died as a result of the coronavirus over the past seven days
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/highest-one-week-coronavirus-death-toll-reported-in-illinois/2259062/
— Illinois Reports 1,151 New Cases of Coronavirus, 59 Additional Deaths Illinois remains under a stay-at-home order through April 30, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a decision on whether that date will be extended is coming
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-reports-1151-new-cases-of-coronavirus-59-additional-deaths/2258826/
CBS2
— Lightfoot: City, Local Groups Launch COVID-19 ‘Response Team’ For Communities Of Color
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/20/lightfoot-city-community-organizations-launch-response-team-for-communities-of-color/
FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois COVID-19 cases rise to 31,508; statewide death toll now 1,349
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-covid-19-cases-rise-to-31508-statewide-death-toll-now-1349
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Another 59 people die of COVID-19 in Illinois; hospitalizations remain flat during outbreak Illinois has 1,151 new confirmed cases of the virus, bringing the state’s total to 31,508 positive case. The state has lost 1,349 people to the outbreak, and the coronavirus is now in 95 of the state’s 102 counties, officials said. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/20/21228511/coronavirus-covid-19-illinois-deaths-hospitalization-confirmed-cases-pritzker
— Efforts outlined to bridge Chicago’s racial divide in coronavirus-related deaths The strategy focuses, at least initially, on three hard-hit neighborhoods: Austin, Auburn-Gresham and South Shore. It includes expanded testing and 60,000 free masks, as well as three 90-minute telephone town hall meetings. – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/20/21228719/coronavirus-chicago-death-rate-racial-disparity-austin-auburn-gresham
— Community groups call for health care equity as black Chicago grapples with COVID-19 “The spread of COVID-19 to the heart of Chicago, which is the black community, has shown and uncovered every dark and ugly disparity that my community faces daily,” Action Now Chicago Executive Director Debra Harris said. – Sam Charles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/20/21228284/health-care-equity-black-chicago-coronavirus-covid-19
— Illinois, nation need to do much more COVID-19 testing to safely reopen economy Some public health experts say testing must be doubled or even tripled before the nation’s economy can safely open its doors. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/20/21225168/illinois-coronavirus-covid-19-testing-pritzer-trump-governors
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— During daily briefing, President Donald Trump blasts Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over COVID-19 testing – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-trump-pritzker-spat-20200421-ghiz4o7h7vhlfc6qq47lxh3qbi-story.html
— Governors push back hard after Trump accuses Democrats of playing ‘a very dangerous political game’ by insisting there is a shortage of coronavirus tests – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-testing-governors-meeting-20200420-qp77whwo7rhvxjsthulipkgx6i-story.html
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Officials report 1,151 new known COVID-19 cases and 59 additional deaths statewide, as Pritzker says hospitalizations up 7% from 5 days ago
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200420-fiyolw53xfhtvjdijyswhcwxei-story.html
— ‘We have learned a great deal in the past 12 weeks’; Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico wants some businesses to reopen May 1 – ERIN HEGARTY
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-mayor-steve-chirico-coronavirus-reopen-st-20200420-blqhpmkf2fchnkzawmr7z4nwba-story.html
— Chicago’s coronavirus disparity: Black Chicagoans still dying disproportionately in city as Mayor Lightfoot creates response teams for hard-hit neighborhoods – Gregory Pratt
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-african-american-population-20200420-c2nyvnq4vrcundwdfvhdldtlfe-story.html
— Illinois congressional Republicans oppose Democratic state Senate president’s request for $41 billion in federal aid, accuse him of using crisis to try to cover mismanagement – RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-don-harmon-40-billion-federal-request-republicans-20200420-6k5m54gcfffqtmkfsigpuql7hm-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: White-haters use coronavirus to promote hatred against Whites.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-asian-americans-morita-20200420-ep3bmn3tincczfihw3qvl64boa-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— COVID-19 deaths rise by 59; Pritzker suggests eventual reopening by region – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200420/covid-19-deaths-rise-by-59-pritzker-suggests-eventual-reopening-by-region
— 16 migrants test positive for coronavirus on Mexican border – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200420/news/304209918/
— April 20 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200420/april-20-covid-19-cases-per-county-use-our-map-to-search-by-zip-code
— Governor pledges to expand testing of nursing home staffs – Katlyn Smith and Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200420/governor-pledges-to-expand-testing-of-nursing-home-staffs
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— United projects $2.1 billion loss in first quarter The airline’s early look at first-quarter results is the first for big U.S. carriers and presages a gruesome set of earnings reports after flights were curtailed worldwide because of COVID-19.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/news/united-projects-21-billion-loss-first-quarter
— Northwestern freezes faculty pay, halts hiring The university said that increased financial pressure, including $25 million in lost revenue, requires measures to adjust to the pandemic and its impact. – LYNNE MAREK (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the agency a) was almost always under hiring and/or promotion freezes and b) shrank by about 50%. SEE: https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/690041.pdf )
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/northwestern-freezes-faculty-pay-halts-hiring
— Lightfoot scales back bid for executive powers “If we were bypassing aldermanic oversight, we wouldn’t have presented an ordinance,” the mayor said in response to criticism of a new push for COVID-19 mayoral powers. – A.D. QUIG
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/lightfoot-scales-back-bid-executive-powers
— Palmer House flagged for potential loan default The owner of the city’s second-largest hotel missed its April debt payment on the property as the hospitality sector continues to get slammed by the coronavirus crisis. – DANNY ECKER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/palmer-house-flagged-potential-loan-default
WGN RADIO
— Pandemic squeezes finances of Democratic grassroots donors – AP
https://wgnradio.com/news/political-news/pandemic-squeezes-finances-of-democratic-grassroots-donors/
SOUTHERN
— Illinois Senate Republicans, including Schimpf, question Pritzker on prison sentence commutations – JERRY NOWICKI
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/illinois-senate-republicans-including-schimpf-question-pritzker-on-prison-sentence-commutations/article_22467b39-c72b-54aa-ad42-8477059eede4.html
HOMEWOOD FLOSSMOOR PATCH
— 15 Coronavirus Cases, 8 Deaths At Manor Care Homewood Data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health also shows eight cases and three deaths at Sunrise of Flossmoor. – Tim Moran (DIERSEN: My aunt has been a resident at Sunrise of Flossmoor since 2010.)
https://patch.com/illinois/homewood-flossmoor/15-coronavirus-cases-8-deaths-manor-care-homewood
SIDLEY
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: High Times for the Cannabis Business
https://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2020/04/podcast-high-times-for-the-cannabis-business
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— IL Senate Democrats Using Wuhan Coronavirus to Get Federal Aid to Solve Their Financial Mess
https://legalinsurrection.com/2020/04/il-senate-democrats-using-wuhan-coronavirus-to-get-federal-aid-to-solve-their-financial-mess/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— FARMERS TO GET $16B IN FEDERAL DIRECT PAYMENTS, FOOD BANKS $3B, SAYS CONG. DAVIS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/farmers-to-get-16b-in-federal-direct-payments-food-banks-3b-says-cong-davis.html
— WHERE’S WEYERMULLER? RALLYING IN WISCONSIN TO “REOPEN AMERICA”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/wheres-weyermuller-rallying-in-wisconsin-to-reopen-america-.html
— WEGMANN: WH COUNTERS PRITZKER’S CLAIM OF STINGINESS WITH COVID AID
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/wegmann-wh-counters-pritzkers-claim-of-stinginess-with-covid-aid.html
CAPITOL FAX
— 1,151 new cases, 59 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/20/1151-new-cases-59-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker talks about hospitalization numbers – Hospitalizations still rising, but slower – Talks about nursing home testing plans – Warns “bad actors” in nursing home management – Dr. Ezike explains challenges in reporting nursing home data “The data is as good as the data that went in” – Dr. Ezike working with nursing homes, hospitals to identify when residents can go home – Pritzker explains why White House claims on testing are not full story – Outlines how “air bridge” really works – Addresses question about when enough testing to reopen economy – Will address IDES issues in two days – Hints again that mask requirement could be in revised EO – Says regionalized reopening under consideration – Says White House admits antibody tests inadequate – Working with budgeteers – Repeats that we’ll need 14 days of numbers going down to start reopening process
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/20/pritzker-talks-about-hospitalization-numbers/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/20/covid-19-roundup-23/
— Republican delegation tells Harmon to withdraw graduated income tax, institute pension reforms, cut state and local spending
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/20/republican-delegation-tells-harmon-to-withdraw-graduated-income-tax-institute-pension-reforms-cut-state-and-local-spending/
— The nursing home dilemma
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/20/the-nursing-home-dilemma/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: According to pot pushers, “Black residents of Illinois were seven times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession in Illinois before the State regulated purchase and possession at the beginning of this year.”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/20/study-before-legalization-illinois-had-the-3rd-highest-rate-of-racial-bias-in-cannabis-arrests/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use coronavirus to promote hatred of Trump and his supporters.
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/20/the-protesters-are-a-super-minority-of-a-super-minority/
GOPUSA
— Breaking Point? Coronavirus Protests ERUPT Over Lockdown Orders
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87786
— Don’t Let The Cure Destroy The Patient
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87767
— Obama AG Eric Holder Eagerly Uses COVID-19 For Political Advantage
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87746
— Reports From CA Antibody Testing Suggest Many Have Had Coronavirus With No Symptoms
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87802
— Omar, AOC, Tlaib Sponsor Bill To Cancel Rent, Mortgage Payments
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87796?omhide=true
— Could Anti-Lockdown Protests Be New Tea Party Movement?
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87762
— Trump Says That Christians Are Treated Differently Than Others During The COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=87744
BREITBART
— Pat Buchanan: Biden’s Plan to Fight Coronavirus Is Healthcare for Illegals – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/19/joe-biden-pat-buchanan-coronavirus-healthcare/
— 450,000 Illegal Immigrants Are Getting College Degrees – NEIL MUNRO (DIERSEN: Democrat employers give preference to illegals over citizens of America, that is, Democrat employers hire, retain, and promote illegals over citizens of America. Illegals are future Democrats.)
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/19/report-450000-illegal-immigrants-college-degrees/
— ‘Squad’ Demands Vote-by-Mail, Benefits for Illegal Aliens in Relief Package – HANNAH BLEAU
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/20/squad-demandd-vote-mail-benefits-illegal-aliens-relief-package/
— Kevin McCarthy: China’s Lies, Democrats’ Gamesmanship Combine to Harm American Health, Economy in Coronavirus Crisis – MATTHEW BOYLE
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/19/exclusive-kevin-mccarthy-chinas-lies-democrats-gamesmanship-combine-to-harm-american-health-economy-in-coronavirus-crisis/
— Big Business Complains of Labor Shortage, High Wages While 22M Americans Out of Work – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/19/big-business-complains-of-labor-shortage-high-wages-while-22m-americans-out-of-work/
TOWNHALL
— NYT Exploits Man’s Coronavirus Death With Shoddy, Hypocritical Hit Piece on Fox News – Guy Benson
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2020/04/20/nyt-fox-hit-piece-n2567204
THE HILL
— Fauci warns protests will ‘backfire,’ slow economic recovery – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/493647-fauci-warns-protests-against-against-stay-at-home-orders-will
CNN
— US oil prices crash below $0 a barrel. – Clare Duffy
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/19/tech/global-stocks/index.html
NEW YORK TIMES
— U.S. Oil Prices Plunge Into Negative Territory
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/business/stock-market-live-trading-coronavirus.html
WASHINGTON POST
— White House, GOP face heat after hotel and restaurant chains helped run small business program dry With program out of money, backlash prompts executives at Shake Shack to return $10 million loan. – Jonathan O’Connell
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/20/white-house-gop-face-heat-after-hotel-restaurant-chains-helped-run-small-business-program-dry/
— Brett Giroir, Trump’s testing czar, was forced out of a job developing vaccine projects. Now he’s on the hot seat. – Michael Kranish (DIERSEN: In Diersen v. GAO, I entered into the record all of the many performance evaluations that I received while I worked for GAO 1980-1997. Not one of them justified the adverse actions that my Democrat superiors took against me including forcing me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranking me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, not promoting me beyond GS-13, getting rid of my mentor in 1987, keeping me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forcing me to take a $20,157 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/brett-giroir-trumps-testing-czar-was-forced-out-of-a-job-developing-vaccine-projects-now-hes-on-the-hot-seat/2020/04/19/b061b968-7e89-11ea-8de7-9fdff6d5d83e_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Brett Giroir, the federal official overseeing coronavirus testing efforts, says that his experience working on vaccine development projects at Texas A&M University helped prepare him for this historic moment. He once said that his vaccine effort was so vital that “the fate of 50 million people will rely on us getting this done.” But after eight years of work on several vaccine projects, Giroir was told in 2015 he had 30 minutes to resign or he would be fired. His annual performance evaluation at Texas A&M, the local newspaper reported, said he was “more interested in promoting yourself” than the health science center where he worked. He got low marks on being a “team player.” Now President Trump has given Giroir the crucial task of ending the massive shortfall of tests for the novel coronavirus. Some governors have blasted the lack of federal help on testing, which they say is necessary to enact Trump’s plan for reopening the economy.)
— Historic plunge in oil prices sends U.S. stocks reeling, with Dow losing nearly 600 points U.S. crude prices for May delivery turned negative – a first – amid scarce demand and limited storage capacity – Jacob Bogage and Thomas Heath
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/20/stocks-markets-today-oil-coronavirus/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— To Get Back to Work, Companies Seek Coronavirus Tests for Workers Testing workers for Covid-19 could prevent the virus’s spread and boost confidence about coming back to work, but it’s no easy undertaking, medical experts say – Sarah Krouse (DIERSEN: Of course, if members of protected groups disproportionally fail tests, Trump-haters will blame that on Trump and those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Protected groups include: Trump-haters, illegals, non-citizens, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, RINOs, moderates, liberals, Blacks, Asians, females, young people, LGBTQers, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, stoners, those who have criminal records, those who have less money than others, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-get-back-to-work-companies-seek-coronavirus-tests-for-workers-11587375003
— Coronavirus Testing Hampered by Disarray, Shortages, Backlogs State officials and labs say competition for supplies and questionable results are prolonging the national crisis – Christopher Weaver and Rebecca Ballhaus
https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-testing-hampered-by-disarray-shortages-backlogs-11587328441
RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— 60% of Democrats Blame Trump More Than China for Coronavirus
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/disease/60_of_democrats_blame_trump_more_than_china_for_coronavirus
