April 24 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Update: Illinois surpasses goal of 10K COVID-19 tests in single day; retailers prepare for new stay-at-home order to take effect next week – Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/health/illinois-surpasses-goal-of-10k-covid-19-tests-in-1-day/6126618/
— Coronavirus Chicago: Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s COVID-19 emergency spending powers request approved by City Council – Stacey Baca and Jesse Kirsch
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/lightfoots-covid-19-emergency-spending-powers-approved-/6126508/
— 2 states ease lockdowns as US COVID-19 toll passes 50,000 – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/2-states-ease-lockdowns-as-us-covid-19-toll-passes-50000/6127509/
— Trump signs bill with nearly $500B more in coronavirus aid – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/trump-signs-bill-with-nearly-$500b-more-in-covid-19-aid/6126581/

NBC5
— Illinois Sees Highest Amount of Daily Coronavirus Cases as State Count Nears 40K The state reported 2,724 new cases since Thursday
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-reports-highest-daily-total-of-coronavirus-cases-as-state-total-nears-40k/2261452/
— Pelosi: No More Virus Bailouts Without State and Local Aid The virus has battered state budgets from coast to coast – Alan Fram
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pelosi-no-more-virus-bailouts-without-state-local-aid/2261569/
— Coronavirus Relief Pushing US Deficits to Staggering Heights The report predicts a devastating hit to the economy this quarter at an annualized rate of decline of 40%, accompanied by a 14% unemployment rate – Andrew Taylor
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/cbo-says-deficit-to-reach-3-7-trillion-in-economic-decline/2261485/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Pritzker: In last 24 hours, record number of virus tests were administered and fewer people tested positive – Nic Flosi
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/pritzker-in-last-24-hours-record-number-of-virus-tests-were-administered-and-fewer-people-tested-positive

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Big money flowed into campaigns leading up to March primary, finance reports show – TED SLOWIK
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-campaign-finance-reports-st-0423-20200422-tk4l7jat25h7fg3io7oroolbse-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— 2,724 new Illinois coronavirus cases, 108 more deaths as state receives record amount of test results 
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/24/21234231/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020
— Coronavirus deaths more than double at Illinois nursing homes, data shows But the figures published by the state Friday appear to be a lagging indicator of what is actually happening on the ground — meaning the actual toll could be higher. – Jon Seidel and Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/4/24/21235025/coronavirus-deaths-illinois-nursing-homes
— County braces for $200 million revenue gap from COVID-19 — and prepares for ‘how bad this could get’ For the county’s general fund, which covers the sheriff’s and state’s attorney’s offices and others, the revenue shortfall is around $200 million. That hole is largely due to decreased revenue from the county’s sales tax and other home rule taxes. – Rachel Hinton 
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/4/24/21234742/cook-county-200-million-revenue-shortfall-covid-19-preckwinkle-coronavirus
— Minority-, women-owned firms may have lost out on Chicago’s coronavirus contracts First-time city vendors weren’t required to comply with City Hall’s program to hire minority- and woman-owned businesses until this past week, when FEMA allowed that. – Frank Main and Lauren FitzPatrick 
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/24/21235087/chicago-coronavirus-contracts-women-owned-firms-may-have-lost-out-on-chicagos-coronavirus-contracts
— Four-letter fiasco: Virtual City Council meeting turns profane It started when an unidentified male voice said, “No one here knows what the f—they’re voting on.” Next was Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza: “This is a total s–t show.” Ald. Walter Burnett capped it off with: “Are we being punked?” – Fran Spielman 
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2020/4/24/21235281/chicago-city-council-virtual-meeting-profanity-sadlowski-garza-lightfoot-wtf
— No question about it. Reporters must do better. Pritzker’s coronavirus press conferences bring out the worst in the news media. – Rich Miller 
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/4/24/21235263/rich-miller-coronavirus-news-media-reporters
— At a time when local journalism has never mattered more, we’re thankful We will continue to use every dime of revenue — whether it’s from the Paycheck Protection Program, our investors or your subscriptions — to provide the quality journalism a great city must have. – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/23/21233343/chicago-sun-times-paycheck-protection-program-stimulus-newspapers-media-local-journalism-editorial
— West Side violence persists amid a pandemic and stay-at-home order The Chicago Police Department’s Harrison District has seen more violence than any of the other 21 districts citywide in 2020. – Sam Charles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2020/4/24/21234933/chicago-violence-west-side-persists-amid-pandemic-stay-home-order

DAILY HERALD
— COVID-19 cases spike by 2,724 as state test count hits ‘milestone,’ DIY masks suggested – Marni Pyke
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200424/covid-19-cases-spike-by-2724-as-state-test-count-hits-milestone-diy-masks-suggested
— Why Congress needs to support your local news sources in this crisis – Dean Ridings
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20200424/why-congress-needs-to-support-your-local-news-sources-in-this-crisis
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters use isolated incidents to harm Naperville.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200418/naperville-trail-attack-on-chinese-american-man-leaves-many-uneasy-
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Warrenville’s first marijuana dispensary could be along Route 59 – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200424/warrenvilles-first-marijuana-dispensary-could-be-along-route-59
— ‘Republicans are nervous’: Some in GOP eye protests warily – ‘AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200424/news/304249992/
— Samiha Syed elected College of DuPage student trustee
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20200424/samiha-syed-elected-college-of-dupage-student-trustee

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— State finally hits COVID testing goal After weeks of falling short, 16,000 COVID tests were conducted since yesterday, above Gov. Pritzker’s 10,000-a-day goal and meeting one standard he set to fully reopen the Illinois economy. – GREG HINZ 
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/state-finally-hits-covid-testing-goal

WBBM 780
— DuPage County Judge James McCluskey Working To Prevent Spike In Eviction Cases – JENNIFER KEIPER
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/dupage-county-judge-working-to-prevent-spike-in-evictions

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Pandemic not stopping campaign donations, spending – Tom Kacich
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/tom-kacich-pandemic-not-stopping-campaign-donations-spending/article_9c2d271a-4da9-599c-8f1e-0693b5054ca9.html

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— As workers, businesses seek more aid, politics could stall further stimulus in Congress – Stephen Loiaconi
https://newschannel20.com/news/coronavirus/as-workers-businesses-seek-more-aid-politics-could-stall-further-stimulus-in-congress
— As states race to reopen, U.S. coronavirus death toll passes 50,000
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/coronavirus/as-states-race-to-reopen-u-s-coronavirus-death-toll-passes-50000/

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Playing Politics With Coronavirus Pritzker has used COVID-19 to push the Fair Tax, and Lightfoot to loosen the municipal purse strings. That could cost them the moral high ground needed to govern in a crisis. – EDWARD MCCLELLAND
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/April-2020/Pritzker-Lightfoot-Playing-Politics-Coronavirus/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— DuPage County School District Superintendent’s letter to District 4 County Board member – Let this sink in – KIRK ALLEN 
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/04/dupage-county-school-district-superintendents-letter-to-district-4-county-board-member-let-this-sink-in/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Amid Coronavirus, Movement for Public School Exit Grows – Alex Newman (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have used against me a) my having attended Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete 1953-1961, b) having attended Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest 1961-1962, and c) my having been confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran in 1961.) 
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/amid-coronavirus-movement-for-public-school-exit-grows/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— THORNER: DR. SHIVA EXAMINES ORIGIN OF COVID-19 AND POSSIBLE RACIAL OVERTONES- PART 2
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/04/thorner-dr-shiva-examines-origin-of-covid-19-and-possible-racial-overtones-part-2.html

CAPITOL FAX
— 2,724 new cases, 108 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/24/2724-new-cases-108-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker announces huge increase in testing capability over past 24 hours – Latest batch of positive tests drop to 17 percent from average of 21 – Vows to continue push test numbers up – Says state now has 112 public testing sites – Governor says scientists skeptical of antibody tests and state won’t rush in – Dr. Ezike announces hospitalization numbers, says 37 longterm care facilities have received test materials – Says he’s not saying people shouldn’t have antibody tests if they want – Hopes baseball returns – Explains IDES hiring process, federal mandates – Says he’s unaware that nursing home wants National Guard – Ezike explains lack of recovery numbers – Compares mask mandate to shoes in restaurant mandate – Calls Bailey lawsuit “a political maneuver” – Says sheriff who won’t enforce order is “going to let people get sick” – No plan to re-check autopsies from earlier – Explains that new EO language counters false claims and rumors – Mayors can make more stringent local rules – Confident test results will continue coming back quickly – Says EO won’t impact legislative session – Calls out “ridiculous” argument against $600 unemployment boost – Says workers with underlying conditions who are ordered back should call IDOL – Says he hopes no one listened to Trump’s disinfectant injection talk – Talks about Illinoisans coming together – Answers odd question on special session – Debunks rumors – I MESSED UP MY OWN QUESTION – Warns Harrisburg city council against violating order – Explains where to get info about masks – Confirms gown shortage – Says he expects to sustain 10K tests per day
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/24/pritzker-announces-huge-increase-in-testing-capability-over-past-24-hours/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/04/24/covid-19-roundup-27/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Jeff Sessions poised for comeback and still cheering Trump – Paul Bedard (DIERSEN: I should write a book about Republican candidates who have talked and/or acted like they did not want my support. I would focus on a) those who have been on ballots in my precinct since 2000, b) those who have painted themselves as being religious and/or conservative, c) those who have big skeletons in their closets, d) those who reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, illegal drugs, equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving), and other planks in the Republican Party platform, e) those who blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems, and f) and those who focus on destroying those who they cannot manipulate/dominate.) 
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/jeff-sessions-poised-for-comeback-and-still-cheering-trump

BREITBART
— Google to Cut Marketing Budget in Half, Warns of Hiring Freeze – LUCAS NOLAN
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/04/24/google-to-cut-marketing-budget-in-half-warns-of-hiring-freeze/

DONALD TRUMP
— VIDEO: “Let them eat ice cream.” – Nancy Antoinette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7DKYML2MRs

THE HILL
— U.S. hits grim milestone: 50,000 coronavirus deaths – REID WILSON (DIERSEN: Of course, Trump-haters blame those deaths on not only Trump, but on all those who do not share their hatred of Trump.)
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/494484-us-hits-grim-milestone-50000-coronavirus-deaths
— House Republicans push back against proxy voting – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE AND MIKE LILLIS
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/493919-house-republicans-push-back-against-proxy-voting
— Trump signs $484 billion coronavirus relief package – MORGAN CHALFANT 
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/494412-trump-signs-484-coronavirus-relief-package
— Coronavirus spreads to Trump country – REID WILSON (DIERSEN: Do you live in Trump country? What percent of the vote will Trump get in November in your county, in your township, in your municipality, in your municipal district, in your precinct, and in your neighborhood?) 
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/494561-coronavirus-spreads-to-trump-country

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Congressional Budget Office forecasts a $3.7 trillion deficit, a 5.6% economic contraction and an unemployment rate of nearly 12% by year’s end.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/business/stock-market-live-coronavirus.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Sadness and Disbelief From a World Missing American Leadership.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/world/europe/coronavirus-american-exceptionalism.html
— FRONT PAGE: Trump-haters say “Home Alone at the White House: A Sour President, With TV His Constant Companion.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/us/politics/coronavirus-trump.html
— U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Block Trump Immigration Policy During Pandemic – Reuters
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/04/24/us/24reuters-usa-court-immigration.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Stephen Miller has long-term vision for Trump’s ‘temporary’ immigration order, according to private call with supporters – Nick Miroff and Josh Dawsey 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/stephen-miller-audio-immigration-coronavirus/2020/04/24/8eaf59ba-8631-11ea-9728-c74380d9d410_story.html

NEW YORK POST
— Pension bombs are states’ own fault – Editorial
https://nypost.com/2020/04/24/pension-bombs-are-states-own-fault-and-other-commentary/

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Thirty New Yorkers reported ingesting household cleaners in 18-hour span after Trump’s bogus coronavirus claims – ANNA SANDERS and CHRIS SOMMERFELDT
https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-new-yorkers-household-cleaners-trump-20200425-rnaqio5dyfeaxmthxx2vktqa5m-story.html

USA TODAY
— ‘It’s going to be around a long time’: What we’ve learned from the first discovered COVID-19 cases – Jorge L. Ortiz
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/04/22/coronavirus-going-around-long-time-expert-says/3009409001/
— State, city workers could be next wave of layoffs as tax revenue dries up amid COVID-19 – Charisse Jones
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/23/coronavirus-could-cost-state-government-worker-their-jobs/2998645001/
— Protests show two Americas — those who lost their jobs and those still getting paid People don’t appreciate being condescended to and bossed around, especially when the leaders ask them for sacrifices without empathy and humility. – Glenn Harlan Reynolds
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/21/behind-protests-two-americas-one-unemployed-and-one-gets-paychecks-column/5167453002/

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Texas lottery sales surge as COVID stimulus money arrives – Eric Dexheimer (DIERSEN: What percent of stimulus money is spent on booze, gambling, pot, and other vices?) 
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Fulfilling-warnings-lottery-sales-surge-as-COVID-15219652.php#article-comments?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=0cf404eb-d292-4dbb-8162-8f02a8a318a2

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Get Ready for the Return of Inflation Fed actions have increased the quantity of money in the U.S. economy at a blistering rate. – Tim Congdon
https://www.wsj.com/articles/get-ready-for-the-return-of-inflation-11587659836
— 10 Financial Moves to Make if You Have Lost Your Job—or Fear You Will The wave of layoffs makes it imperative to have a financial plan in place, even if you’re still working. Here’s how to do it. – Chris Kornelis
https://www.wsj.com/articles/10-financial-moves-to-make-if-you-have-lost-your-jobor-fear-you-will-11587645633

FORBES
— The Crisis Pulls The Rug Out From Under Many Older Workers’ Retirement Security – Christian Weller
https://www.forbes.com/sites/christianweller/2020/04/24/the-crisis-pulls-the-rug-out-from-under-many-older-workers-retirement-security/

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Most Favor Trump’s Halt to Immigration to Help U.S. Workers; Democrats Don’t
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/disease/most_favor_trump_s_halt_to_immigration_to_help_u_s_workers_democrats_don_t

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.