March 19 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot extends Chicago Public Schools closures, orders sick residents to stay home
https://abc7chicago.com/health/cps-closed-until-april-21-amid-covid-19-pandemic-lightfoot/6027627/
— Stimulus checks: McConnell proposes $1,200 per person, $2,400 for couples under US coronavirus relief plan – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/mcconnells-covid-19-relief-plan-$1200-per-person-$2400-for-couples/6027907/
— Metra cuts weekday schedule by half amid COVID-19 crisis
https://abc7chicago.com/travel/metra-reducing-services-amid-covid-19-crisis/6028610/

NBC5
— Celebrities Get Virus Tests, Raising Concerns of Inequality – Michael Biesecker, Michelle R. Smith and Tim Reynolds
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/celebrities-get-virus-tests-raising-concerns-of-inequality/2240467/
— McConnell Plan: $1,200 Payments; $1T Rescue Takes Shape Among key elements would be the direct payments to Americans, aligned with the Trump administration’s push for quick cash aid – Andrew Taylor and Lisa Mascaro 
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/mnuchin-family-of-4-could-get-3k-under-coronavirus-relief-bill/2240290/
— Chicago’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Raises $8 Million in One Day Money raised will go to families and neighborhoods hit hardest financially – Alex Maragos 
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/making-a-difference/chicagos-coronavirus-relief-fund-raises-8-million-in-one-day/2240244/

CBS2
— Illinois Eyeing Sites For Potential Patient Overflow At Hospitals For Coronavirus – Dave Savini, Samah Assad, Michele Youngerman
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/03/19/illinois-eyeing-sites-for-potential-patient-overflow-at-hospitals-for-coronavirus/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— CPS closed until April 20 as state reports 134 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 422, including 3 more deaths
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200319-pjmnjudglrflxcygdhqyxrncia-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Slo Mo, Chicago baddest LGBTQ dance party, is going digital so you can shimmy from home – BRITT JULIOUS
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-ott-chicago-music-slo-jam-britt-julious-0320-20200319-y4pot2a7t5actnplx2qnhoyulm-story.html
— Trump’s coronavirus stimulus checks should come with a nondisclosure agreement – Rex Huppke
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/rex-huppke/ct-coronavirus-checks-trump-stimulus-economy-chinese-huppke-20200319-papnhhr3tfcclmd5s5q3vapdky-story.html
— Stimulus checks of $1,200 per person, $2,400 per couple proposed as $1 trillion coronavirus response plan takes shape – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-stimulus-checks-congress-20200319-u2tngul5mzbfja7hw33kw3vpti-story.html
— 64,000 and counting: Illinois unemployment claims skyrocket as coronavirus pandemic causes workplaces to shut down – Ally Marotti
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-illinois-coronavirus-unemployment-claims-20200319-faofmp56y5fi5k3k5nhoikwwka-story.html
— Who will be Joe Biden’s running mate? Democratic leaders favor his former female rivals – REID J. EPSTEIN and LISA LERER
https://www.chicagotribune.com/election-2020/ct-nw-nyt-biden-running-mate-female-rivals-20200320-otpazgkawzehzcstujobx3v2eu-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot sales spike at some shops in Chicago, nationally as coronavirus spreads “We’re seeing people worried about having to leave their house and wanting to buy more than they generally would,” a pot shop operator told the Sun-Times. “Everyone is concerned. Everyone is just fearful.” – Tom Schuba 
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/3/19/21187229/pot-sales-chicago-dispensaries-coronavirus-marijuana
— How a wide swath of workers are seeing their pocketbooks hit hard by the coronavirus: ‘We are all so connected’ The struggles of domestic workers and stand-up comics, Uber drivers and wedding bands shows the impact of COVID-19 across the city’s economy. – Matthew Hendrickson and Carlos Ballesteros
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/3/19/21185767/coronavirus-covid-19-business-rideshare-restaurant-bar-income
— Fighting back against the fake claim of ‘fake news’ – Natalie Y. Moore (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, all government and political news and commentary is fake except for the government and political news and commentary that they put out or bless. I should write a book about my critics/opponents.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/3/19/21186862/fake-news-coronavirus-covid-18-donald-trump-natalie-moore
— Public health order: Chicagoans confirmed with coronavirus or showing symptoms ordered to stay home “If you violate this order, there must be consequences,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a televised address. “Be smart, be safe, and stay home if you are sick. That’s an order.” – Fran Spielman and Tom Schuba
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/3/19/21186978/coronavirus-public-health-order-chicagoans-confirmed-symptoms-ordered-stay-home

DAILY HERALD
— Three new deaths, cases jump to 422, Pritzker says – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200319/three-new-deaths-cases-jump-to-422-pritzker-says-
— ‘It went from being surreal to real’: Former Island Lake trustee Debra Westfall diagnosed with COVID-19 – Mick Zawislak
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200319/it-went-from-being-surreal-to-real-former-island-lake-trustee-diagnosed-with-covid-19
— Abbott gets emergency OK to ship COVID-19 test kits, ramps up production – Richard Klicki
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200319/abbott-gets-emergency-ok-to-ship-covid-19-test-kits-ramps-up-production
— Lisle’s Eyes to the Skies canceled for 2020 – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200319/lisles-eyes-to-the-skies-canceled-for-2020
— How DuPage County is reacting to coronavirus
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200319/how-dupage-county-is-reacting-to-coronavirus
— AP-NORC poll: Coronavirus concern now surpasses that of flu – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200319/news/303199988/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— ‘I can’t overstate how devastating this crisis has been’ Local unions call for businesses and government to step up quickly to help workers. – A.D. QUIG 
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/economy/i-cant-overstate-how-devastating-crisis-has-been

WTTW
— Underwood Reflects on Primary Win, Looks to November Challenge – Blair Paddock 
https://news.wttw.com/2020/03/19/underwood-reflects-primary-win-looks-november-challenge

SOUTHERN
— General Assembly can’t hold remote meetings, citing state law – PETER HANCOCK (DIERSEN: Republican Precinct Committeemen and Captains in Illinois, DuPage County, and Milton Township like me await information on a) their April township, ward, and/or county party meetings and b) their April 15 county conventions. What about the April 21 annual township meetings?)
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/general-assembly-can-t-hold-remote-meetings-citing-state-law/article_0033e340-8a79-5947-8660-8bbb0f242368.html

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Free food sites open in Rockford amid coronavirus shutdown – Corina Curry
https://www.rrstar.com/news/20200319/free-food-sites-open-in-rockford-amid-coronavirus-shutdown

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— COVID-19 losses expected to hurt municipal budgets – Greg Bishop
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/COVID-19-losses-expected-to-hurt-municipal-budgets-15143369.php

WGEM
— Illinois General Assembly cancels another week of session due to COVID-19 – Mike Miletich
https://wgem.com/2020/03/19/illinois-general-assembly-cancels-another-week-of-session-due-to-covid-19/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump may add strings to virus bailouts; new travel alert – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-weighs-controls-on-companies-that-take-virus-bailouts

NPR ILLINOIS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Marijuana Industry Staying Open Despite COVID-19 Pandemic – MIKE SMITH 
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/marijuana-industry-staying-open-despite-covid-19-pandemic#stream/0

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Bernie Sanders Lost Illinois, but He Changed Chicago Many of his campaign promises have already become law here. – EDWARD MCCLELLAND (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will the Democrats who run Chicago officially banish from Chicago all individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time?)
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/March-2020/Bernie-Sanders-Lost-Illinois-but-He-Changed-Chicago/

CAPITOL FAX
— Pritzker: 3 new deaths; Signs telemedicine EO; Two-month delay in sales taxes for bars/restaurants; May reopen closed hospitals; Pledges never to close essential services; 422 cases in 22 counties; School closures might be extended; No shelter in place yet
https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/19/pritzker-3-new-deaths/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump skewers NBC, media for early coverage of travel ban: ‘They called me a racist’ – Douglas Ernst (DIERSEN: Sooner or later, Trump-haters will call everyone who does not pander to them a racist.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/19/donald-trump-skewers-nbc-media-for-early-coverage-/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— CNN commentator says entire primary coverage panel wants ‘Donald Trump to be defeated’ – Mike Brest 
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/cnn-commentator-says-entire-primary-coverage-panel-wants-donald-trump-to-be-defeated
— ‘It’s not racist’: Trump doubles, then triples down on using phrase ‘Chinese virus’ – Dominick Mastrangelo (DIERSEN: Sooner or later, Trump-haters will call everyone who does not pander to them a racist.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/its-not-racist-trump-doubles-then-triples-down-on-using-phrase-chinese-virus
— Reporter asks Trump if ‘Chinese food’ is racist and accuses ‘left-wing’ media of siding with Beijing – Mike Brest (DIERSEN: Sooner or later, Trump-haters will call everyone who does not pander to them a racist.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/reporter-asks-trump-if-chinese-food-is-racist-and-accuses-left-wing-media-of-siding-with-beijing
— Stop hating on Rand Paul for trying to offset $104B coronavirus spending – Brad Polumbo
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/rand-paul-doesnt-deserve-hate-for-voting-against-104b-coronavirus-spending

AMERICAN THINKER
— How Long Will Americans Tolerate Corona-Madness? – Lloyd Marcus
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/03/how_long_will_americans_tolerate_coronamadness.html
— Scoundrel Time: Coronavirus brings out the ugly face of the left – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/03/scoundrel_time_coronavirus_brings_out_the_ugly_face_of_the_left.html
— Trump is right to send back illegals – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/03/trump_is_right_to_send_back_illegals.html

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— ICE Delays Arresting of Illegal Aliens Due to Coronavirus Fears – Eric Lendrum
https://amgreatness.com/2020/03/19/ice-delays-arresting-of-illegal-aliens-due-to-coronavirus-fears/

BREITBART
— Donald Trump to Governors: ‘Don’t Call the Media’ If You Need Help Fighting Coronavirus – CHARLIE SPIERING (DIERSEN: As everyone knows the mainstream media exists to get rid of the following once and for all: individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.) 
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/03/19/donald-trump-to-governors-dont-call-the-media-if-you-need-help-fighting-coronavirus/

BLAZE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Joe Biden adviser confronted by Fox News host after claiming ‘Chinese virus’ is a ‘racial slur’ Symone Sanders also attempted to deflect blame from the Chinese communist leadership – Giancarlo Sopo
https://www.theblaze.com/news/symone_sanders_face_plants_biden_coronavirus

CNS NEWS
— Conservatives: Go to College – Dr. Michael Coulter (DIERSEN: If I had not had a bachelor’s degree in management, Firestone Stores would not have hired me in 1970, Oldsmobile would not have offered me a job in 1971, and IRS would not have hired me in 1971. If I had not been taking graduate business courses, IRS might not have promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. If I had not earned an MBA and passed the CPA examination on my first attempt, GAO would not have hired me in 1980. If I had not earned a master’s degree in accounting and passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt, GAO would not have promoted me in 1986. If I had not been taking graduate finance courses and earned a master’s degree in finance, GAO would have succeeded in forcing me to retire earlier than it did.) 
https://cnsnews.com/commentary/dr-michael-coulter/conservatives-go-college
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Conservatives, don’t give up on higher education. That’s essentially the opposite of what conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, leader of the conservative youth organization, Turning Point USA, told a crowd of young people at CPAC, the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. Kirk’s main contentions are that college isn’t really needed for a good career and that college has radicalized youth. My advice is that it’s against the interests of conservatives to follow this advice.)
— 24 Democratic Senators Ask DHS: Will It Exercise ‘Discretion to Release’ Illegals to Protect Them from Coronavirus
https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/cnsnewscom-staff/24-democratic-senators-ask-dhs-will-it-exercise-discretion-release-illegals

DAILY CALLER
— Trump Bashes NBC Reporter For Network Labeling Him ‘Racist’ Over Coronavirus China Travel Ban – SHELBY TALCOTT (DIERSEN: Sooner or later, Trump-haters will call everyone who does not pander to them a racist.) 
https://dailycaller.com/2020/03/19/donald-trump-nbc-news-racist-coronavirus-travel-ban-china/

TOWNHALL
— Yes, Blame China – Guy Benson
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2020/03/19/yes-blame-china-n2565203

EPOCH TIMES
— Conservatives Say Left Using CCP Virus as Pretext to Impose Nationwide Mail-in Voting – MATTHEW VADUM (DIERSEN: Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion as a pretext a) to not hire Republicans, b) to waste the careers of Republicans, and c) to get rid of Republicans.)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/conservatives-say-left-using-ccp-virus-as-pretext-to-impose-mail-in-voting-nationwide_3278965.html

THE HILL
— Senior GOP senators object to direct payments at caucus meeting – ALEXANDER BOLTON 
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/488516-senior-gop-senators-object-to-direct-payments-at-caucus-meeting
— State Dept. urges US citizens to avoid all international travel – LAURA KELLY AND MORGAN CHALFANT
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/488505-state-dept-urges-us-citizens-to-avoid-all-international-travel

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— White House, media team up for virus public service campaign
https://apnews.com/950fd315f4ad63853c32da5be9ccebbe

CBS NEWS

— Trump plans to temporarily close southern border to non-essential traffic – WEIJIA JIANG, ARDEN FARHI AND FIN GOMEZ
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-plans-to-temporarily-close-southern-border-to-non-essential-traffic/

CNN
— As governments limit non-essential travel, what becomes essential? – Jen Rose Smith (DIERSEN: Are/were you essential? All during my entire life, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have demonized, denigrated, and condemned me and what I have done as being non-essential.)
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/essential-travel-coronavirus/index.html
— A third of all Californians have been told to shelter in place – Cheri Mossburg
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-19-20-intl-hnk/h_d66cb4b5c3099a9ec26217e5a9560fd4

NBC NEWS & CBS NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sooner or later, Trump-haters will call everyone who does not pander to them a racist.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/politicians-journalists-celebrities-call-out-racist-remarks-against-asians-n1162351
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-trump-coronavirus-chinese-virus-backlash/

WASHINGTON POST
— Younger adults are large percentage of coronavirus hospitalizations in United States, according to new CDC data White House officials warn millennials they are not immune. – Ariana Eunjung Cha 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/19/younger-adults-are-large-percentage-coronavirus-hospitalizations-united-states-according-new-cdc-data/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
–DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Belatedly battling the coronavirus, Trump tries to save the country — and his reelection campaign.”
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-03-19/belatedly-battling-the-coronavirus-trump-tries-to-save-the-country-and-his-reelection-campaign

MAYSVILLE LEDGER DEMOCRAT
— Democrats postpone precinct, county conventions (DIERSEN: Republican Precinct Committeemen and Captains in Illinois, DuPage County, and Milton Township like me await information on a) their April township, ward, and/or county party meetings and b) their April 15 county conventions. What about the April 21 annual township meetings?) 
https://maysville-online.com/opinion/179613/dems-postpone-precinct-county-conventions

ATLANTIC
— China Is Avoiding Blame by Trolling the World Beijing is successfully dodging culpability for its role in spreading the coronavirus. – Shadi Hamid
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/china-trolling-world-and-avoiding-blame/608332/

AUTOWEEK
— War Footing: Detroit Considers Switch to Medical Equipment Production To fight coronavirus, General Motors and Ford are studying the possibility of making medical equipment rather than cars and trucks. – GRAHAM KOZAK
https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a31763869/war-footing-detroit-considers-switch-to-medical-equipment-production/

PROPUBLICA
— The Five Questions Reporters Need to Ask Hospitals and Local Officials About Coronavirus ProPublica launched a tool that allows you to look up how the number of patients with COVID-19 could affect hospitals in your area under various scenarios. Here’s how to write a local accountability story with the data. – Charles Ornstein 
https://www.propublica.org/article/the-five-questions-reporters-need-to-ask-hospitals-and-local-officials-about-coronavirus

EDITOR & PUBLISHER
— News Publishers Deemed ‘Essential’ Businesses During Pandemic (DIERSEN: Are/were you essential? All during my entire life, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have demonized, denigrated, and condemned me and what I have done as being non-essential.)
https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/news-publishers-deemed-essential-businesses-during-pandemic/
— White House, Media Team Up for Virus Public Service Campaign
https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/white-house-media-team-up-for-virus-public-service-campaign/

SPLC
— Who are we, America? (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, SPLC promotes hatred against individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, heterosexual, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.splcenter.org/news/2020/03/19/who-are-we-america

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.