March 16 Evening Edition - GOPUSA Illinois

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois update: Pritzker bans gatherings of 50 or more, state prepares for election as COVID-19 cases climb to 105 – Craig Wall and Eric Horng
https://abc7chicago.com/health/pritzker-bans-gatherings-of-50-or-more-as-state-preps-for-election/6019036/
— Coronavirus in the US: Government tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds
https://abc7chicago.com/health/us-tells-older-people-to-stay-home-all-ages-to-avoid-crowds/6018702/

NBC5
— White House Grapples With Which Industries to Save as Coronavirus Cripples Economy The airline industry is likely to draw the most bipartisan support – Lauren Hirsch and Leslie Josephs
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/white-house-grapples-with-which-industries-to-save-as-coronavirus-cripples-economy/2238314/
— Senate Democrats Seek $750B for New Coronavirus Aid Package Republicans are talking privately among themselves about their new priorities – Lisa Mascaro and Alan Fram
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/senate-democrats-seek-750b-to-fight-coronavirus-outbreak/2238117/

— Illinois Secretary of State Facilities to Close Starting Tuesday Expiration dates for driver’s licenses and identification cards will be extended by 30 days
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-secretary-of-state-facilities-to-close-starting-tuesday/2238270/
— 2 in 6th District GOP Primary, Looking to Face Rep. Sean Casten in November – Shelby Bremer
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/2-republicans-look-to-take-on-rep-sean-casten-in-november/2238263/

CBS2
— Coronavirus In Illinois: Cook County Facing Shortage Of Election Judges For Tuesday’s Primary
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/03/16/cook-county-election-day-election-judges-shortage-coronavirus-covid-19/
— Coronavirus In Chicago: Voters Cautious, But Still Turn Out For Early Voting In Illinois Primary – Jim Williams
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/03/16/coronavirus-in-chicago-voters-cautious-but-still-turn-out-for-early-voting-in-illinois-primary/
— Restaurant, Bar Owners Look Toward Unknown Future As Coronavirus Closures Loom – Chris Tye
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/03/16/restaurant-bar-owners-look-toward-unknown-future-as-coronavirus-closures-loom/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— An Illinois primary like no other: Low turnout, poll worker shortage expected amid coronavirus – RICK PEARSON, HAL DARDICK and BILL RUTHHART
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-election-preview-20200316-igikgezro5dr7kwhjnxdyspd54-story.html
— Cook County officials ponder inmate release to ease coronavirus concerns at jail; advocates demand state consider taking action – Annie Sweeney
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-jails-and-prisons-20200316-eztubtw4anehdin7qppaoh4o24-story.html
— Holed up in the US: Coronavirus shutdown threatens jobs – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-in-united-states-updates-20200316-yoqlhyl6yjdqjo2nlpbsouohnm-story.html
— Chicago-area hospitals no longer allowing visitors because of coronavirus concerns – Lisa Schencker

https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-hospital-visitors-20200316-sbzq4v7udvfrjd33vtckt6rrwa-story.html

— Chicago-area hospitals postponing some elective surgeries amid COVID-19 – Lisa Schencker
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-illinois-hospitals-elective-surgeries-blood-donations-20200316-nlypcbisojdthfvw2v4yztzfne-story.html
— Illinois dental group recommends dentists stop seeing most patients as coronavirus spreads – Lisa Schencker
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-dentist-offices-illinois-emergency-20200316-xukeulx56vbe5onywvotrydaxa-story.html
— World’s largest Starbucks closing indefinitely in Chicago, while many other coffee roasters in the city follow suit – LOUISA CHU and NICK KINDELSPERGER
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-chicago-starbucks-coffee-roasters-coffeeshops-20200316-6tutadl5x5chph6qpnaxdcs57e-story.html
— State of emergency declared in Aurora due to coronavirus outbreak – STEVE LORD
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-aurora-virus-st-0317-20200316-tglozt6gynapjpjwqym7ndeqgi-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker: ‘We think that the election will go on just fine’ Moments earlier, the Illinois State Board of Elections announced that unlike Ohio, which cancelled all in-person voting, Illinois would forge ahead. “Illinois is proceeding with plans for tomorrow’s primary as scheduled,” said Matt Dietrich, board spokesman in a written statement. – Tina Sfondeles and Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/3/16/21182302/pritzker-election-illinois-coronavirus
— It’s big government that comes to the rescue in times of true crisis All the people who warned you that big government can’t be trusted, all the politicians who got elected bashing federal bureaucrats, their voices have gone silent. – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/3/16/21182183/big-government-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-crisis-phil-kadner-oak-forest-hospital
— County commissioners pass resolution giving Preckwinkle power to issue executive orders without advance approval Before the vote, the head of the county health department told the board: “This is going to get worse. There’s going to be more people that are sick and there will be people that will die and our job is to minimize that …” – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/3/16/21182066/coronavirus-cook-county-commissioner-resolution-executive-orders
— Chicago breaks primary election record for early voting The city also broke its record for mail-in ballot applications earlier Sunday, with nearly 118,000 ballots requested. – Sam Kelly
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/3/15/21181189/chicago-breaks-primary-election-record-early-voting

DAILY HERALD
— Hospitals set aside business as usual to combat coronavirus – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200316/hospitals-set-aside-business-as-usual-to-combat-coronavirus
— DuPage Water Commission says tap water is safe to drink
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200316/dupage-water-commission-says-tap-water-is-safe-to-drink
— Seven Lake County polling places to change due to pandemic – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200316/seven-lake-county-polling-places-to-change-due-to-pandemic

WGN TV
— Trump: Americans should home-school kids; avoid travel, gatherings of 10+ and restaurants for 15 days
https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/watch-live-vp-mike-pence-health-officials-give-latest-update-on-covid-19-pandemic/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Restaurant owners demand help amid COVID-19 shutdown Some 50 chefs and restaurateurs have taken to social media to ask the governor for immediate relief for furloughed workers with a two-week ban on dining in. – DALTON BARKER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/restaurants/restaurant-owners-demand-help-amid-covid-19-shutdown
— U.S. airline industry pleads for $58 billion in grants, loans “The crisis does not appear to have an end in sight,” according to a memo from a trade group representing the largest airline carriers.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/airlines-airports/us-airline-industry-pleads-58-billion-grants-loans

WBBM 780
— Seniors In DuPage County Being Matched Up With Young Helpers During Coronavirus Pandemic – NANCY HARTY
https://wbbm780.radio.com/articles/seniors-in-dupage-county-being-matched-up-with-young-helpers

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— GOP lawmakers (Brian Stewart, Dave Syverson and John Cabello) criticize Gov. JB Pritzker’s coronavirus response – Isaac Guerrero
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20200316/gop-lawmakers-criticize-gov-jb-pritzkers-coronavirus-response

WIFR
— Winnebago County issued emergency proclamation for the coronavirus outbreak
https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Winnebago-County-issued-emergency-proclamation-for-the-coronavirus-outbreak-568836331.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Stocks Go Into Shock. Dow Plunges Nearly 3,000 Points – AVIE SCHNEIDER
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/stocks-shudder-despite-emergency-measures#stream/0

JOLIET PATCH
— Joliet Coronavirus: Mayor Declares State Of Emergency Mayor Bob O’Dekirk outlined several measures Monday afternoon to keep Joliet residents safe from spread of the new coronavirus. – John Ferak
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/joliet-mayor-takes-these-steps-declares-state-emergency

ELMHURST PATCH
— Elmhurst Mayor May Get Emergency Powers The temporary authority would let Mayor Steve Morley deal with coronavirus-related issues. – David Giuliani,
https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/elmhurst-mayor-may-get-emergency-powers

CENTER SQUARE
— Illinois legislature could be called back ‘at any time’ during COVID-19 outbreak – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-legislature-could-be-called-back-at-any-time-during/article_12eb79fa-67a8-11ea-a94e-e7140c32fa4a.html

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Gov Pritzker signed Executive Order closing bars and restaurants…and more – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/03/gov-pritzker-signed-executive-order-closing-bars-and-restaurants-and-more/
— Illinois Governor’s Executive Order attempts to invoke power not given re: Open Meetings. – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/03/illinois-governors-executive-order-attempts-to-invoke-power-not-given-re-open-meetings/
— Illinois Gaming Board shuts down Video Gambling – KIRK ALLEN (DIERSEN: Gambling is a vice. Government should not promote vice.)
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/03/illinois-gaming-board-shuts-down-video-gambling/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— 12 NEW CASES OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE IN ILLINOIS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/03/12-new-cases-of-coronavirus-disease-in-illinois.html
— THORNER/INGOLD: FACT CHECKING ON COVID-19 AND LEFTIST SCHADENFREUDE
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/03/thorneringold-fact-checking-on-covid-19-and-leftist-schadenfreude.html
— WOMAN WITH COVID-19 SAYS HER SYMPTOMS WERE NO WORSE THAN A ‘SORE THROAT AND A HEADACHE’ – SO WE SHOULD ‘CALM DOWN’
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/03/woman-with-covid-19-says-her-symptoms-were-no-worse-than-a-sore-throat-and-a-headache-so-we-should-c.html
— ILLINOIS RETAIL MERCHANTS SAY “ZERO NEED FOR HOARDING”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/03/illinois-retail-merchants-say-zero-need-for-hoarding.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Illinois State Board of Elections: “Illinois primary election still on”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/16/illinois-state-board-of-elections-illinois-primary-election-still-on/
— Secretary White closing all offices, including driver services facilities
https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/16/secretary-white-closing-all-offices-including-driver-services-facilities/
— Where do Pritzker’s emergency powers come from?
https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/16/where-do-pritzkers-emergency-powers-come-from/
— 12 new cases, now 105 cases in 15 counties
https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/16/12-new-cases-now-105-cases-in-15-counties/
— Pritzker orders gatherings of 50 or more be canceled
https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/16/pritzker-orders-gatherings-of-50-or-more-be-canceled/
— Republican legislators called “reckless and irresponsible” for statements on COVID-19 (DIERSEN: Pritzker runs Illinois. From what I see, ever-increasingly, Pritzker’s operatives and dupes will crush any and all individuals, organizations, companies, and governments that question anything that Pritzker does concerning coronavirus.)
https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/16/republican-legislators-called-reckless-and-irresponsible-for-statements-on-covid-19/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump is finally starting to get it on coronavirus.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/trump-is-finally-starting-to-get-it-on-coronavirus

BREITBART
— Donald Trump: Coronavirus Could Last Until July or August – CHARLIE SPIERING
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/03/16/donald-trump-coronavirus-could-last-until-july-or-august/
— Briton: Coronavirus Outbreak Could Last a Year, Result in 4 in 5 Infected, 7.9m Hospitalized – VICTORIA FRIEDMAN
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/03/16/coronavirus-outbreak-could-last-year-4-5-infected-7-9m-hospitalised-report/
— FBN’s Varney: We’re ‘Headed Into a Recession’ – IAN HANCHETT
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/03/16/fbns-varney-were-headed-into-a-recession/
— Concerns About Joe Biden’s Cognitive Decline Resurface During Debate – KYLE OLSON
https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2020/03/16/concerns-about-joe-bidens-cognitive-decline-resurface-during-debate/

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Coronavirus, Moral Knowledge And Social Distancing – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/32140

CNS NEWS
— Romney: Gov’t Must ‘Immediately’ Give ‘Each American’ $1,000 Coronavirus Check – Craig Bannister
https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/craig-bannister/romney-govt-must-immediately-give-each-american-1000-coronavirus-check

DAILY CALLER
— A Pandemic Primary: How Coronavirus Will Change The Election For Trump, Biden, Bernie And The Voters – CHRISTIAN DATOC
https://dailycaller.com/2020/03/16/a-pandemic-primary-how-coronavirus-will-change-the-election-for-trump-biden-bernie-and-the-voters/

GOPUSA
— Exaggerating Coronavirus Doomsday Scenario Ignores Other Tragedies – Everett Piper
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=86148

PJ MEDIA
— 10 Ways the Left Has Politicized the Coronavirus Pandemic – MATT MARGOLIS
https://pjmedia.com/trending/10-ways-the-left-has-politicized-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

FEDERALIST
— Candidates Refuse To Call Wuhan Coronavirus By Its Name In Democratic Debate – Tristan Justice
https://thefederalist.com/2020/03/16/candidates-refuse-to-call-wuhan-coronavirus-by-its-name-in-democratic-debate/

NEWSMAX
— Coronavirus Too Great an Opportunity for Left to Waste – Clarence McKee (DIERSEN: What do you say to RINO candidates in Illinois who talk and/or act like they might dump Trump and his supporters like me to win on March 17, 2020 and November 3, 2020?)
https://www.newsmax.com/clarencevmckee/scalise-virginia-pittsburg-synagogue/2020/03/16/id/958544/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As the nation panics over the coronavirus (COVID-19), Washington Democrats and their media allies are doing their best to weaponize the issue. From their point of view, the virus is too great a political opportunity to waste. The weaponizing of the virus for political gain has already begun — at the expense of the economy and the livelihoods of Americans. You would think that, in this time of national crisis, Democratic leaders would call for political unity in fighting the disease — not quite. Instead, they are spreading their own “virus of divisiveness.” Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., accused the Trump administration of “incompetence and recklessness” [that] has “threatened the lives of many people in our country.” Former Vice-President Biden added more fuel to the virus panic, saying, ” . . . Public fears are being compounded by a pervasive lack of trust in this president.” This is just more of the left’s divisive rhetoric. It’s so disgusting to hear Washington Democrats, left-wing media pundits, supporters of Joe Biden — and Biden himself — say that President Trump has created an atmosphere of hate and divisiveness in the country. On ABC’s “This Week” in February of this year, Biden said that Trump was “dividing us based on race” and that he “has not condemned white supremacy and neo-Nazis.”)

MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER
— Are Some US Towns Using Coronavirus As Cover To Attack Gun Rights? – P. Gardner Goldsmith
https://www.mrctv.org/blog/are-multiple-us-municipalities-using-coronavirus-cover-attack-gun-rights

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Coronavirus shows how socialism fails, bureaucrats make things worse – Clarice Feldman
https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/coronavirus-shows-how-socialism-fails-bureaucrats-make-things-worse

THE HILL
— Coronavirus package hits roadblocks amid GOP opposition – JORDAIN CARNEY
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/487916-coronavirus-package-hits-roadblocks-amid-gop-opposition
— With coronavirus, the Secret Service faces an invisible assassin – HOWARD BLUM
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/487717-with-coronavirus-the-secret-service-faces-an-invisible-assassin
— States lead, unevenly, on coronavirus response – REID WILSON
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/487811-states-lead-unevenly-on-coronavirus-response
— House lawmakers indefinitely postpone return to Washington – MIKE LILLIS AND SCOTT WONG
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/487865-house-lawmakers-indefinitely-postpone-return-to-washington

POLITICO
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: America begins drinking at home – NOLAN D. MCCASKILL
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/16/america-drinking-home-coronavirus-bars-132149

CNN
— White House recommends people avoid gatherings of more than 10 people
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-16-20-intl-hnk/h_7af238a717f5fc8b08230d3ddaa5c2fd
— Canada will deny entry to anyone who isn’t a citizen or permanent resident
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-16-20-intl-hnk/h_35fd7d44fa26fa70c91311432ae5f3fd

NEW YORK TIMES
— Stocks Plummet as Grim Economic Outlook Grips Markets The S&P 500 fell about 12 percent.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/business/stock-market-today-coronavirus.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Dow plunges 3,000 points as Fed intervention does little to subdue Wall Street’s distress Wall Street went deep red on coronavirus fears, shredding roughly 12 percent from the S&P 500 and Nasdaq – Taylor Telford and Thomas Heath
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/16/stocks-markets-today-coronavirus/
— Airline industry seeking more than $50 billion in government aid amid coronavirus crisis – Lori Aratani
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/airline-industry-seeking-more-than-50-billion-in-government-aid-amid-coronavirus-crisis/2020/03/16/62f21e06-67ab-11ea-9923-57073adce27c_story.html
— Trump says states should find their own respirators; countries turn to drastic measures as new coronavirus infections rise outside China – Siobhán O’Grady, Teo Armus, Rick Noack, Kim Bellware, Katie Mettler, Lateshia Beachum and Jennifer Hassan
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/16/coronavirus-latest-news/
— Biden says he’ll pick a woman to be VP. It’s about time. – Paul Waldman (DIERSEN: What do you say to Whites, men, older people, U.S. citizens, rich people, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time who paint themselves as being champions of those who are non-White, female, younger, non-U.S. citizens, non-rich, and those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/16/biden-says-hell-pick-woman-be-vp-its-about-time/

NEW YORK POST
— U.S. Senate meeting over coronavirus bill despite warning against large gatherings -Ebony Bowden
https://nypost.com/2020/03/16/senate-meeting-over-coronavrius-bill-despite-warning-against-large-gatherings/

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL
— Over-abundance of caution can cause economic harm The decision to close down schools and empty out businesses could prove costly to many Americans. – Debra J. Saunders
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/saunders-over-abundance-of-caution-can-cause-economic-harm/

FORBES
— Coronavirus Fears Have Led To A Surge In U.S. Gun Sales – Carlie Porterfield
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/03/16/coronavirus-fears-have-led-to-a-surge-in-us-gun-sales/#18b31fdc4edd
— 8 Ways Coronavirus Will Drastically Alter Boomer Retirements – Janet Novack
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetnovack/2020/03/16/8-ways-coronavirus-will-drastically-alter-boomer-retirements/#266f25a23474

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. View all posts by David Diersen