May 15 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases top 90K with over 4K deaths; GOP congressmen write angry letter responding to Pritzker funding comments Republican congressmen fire off letter after Pritzker says counties that don’t comply risk losing federal aid – Eric Horng, Stacey Baca and Sarah Schulte
https://abc7chicago.com/society/coronavirus-illinois-covid-19-cases-top-90k-with-over-4k-deaths/6186133/
— Chicago Reopening: Lightfoot warns churches, worshipers who plan to defy stay-at-home order through Sunday service – Evelyn Holmes
https://abc7chicago.com/community-events/mayor-lightfoot-warns-churches-who-plan-to-defy-illinois-stay-at-home-order/6186498/

NBC5
— 2,432 New Coronavirus Cases Reported in Illinois as Total Inches Closer to 100,000 There were also an additional 130 deaths
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/2432-new-coronavirus-cases-in-illinois-as-total-inches-closer-to-100000/2272805/
— Illinois GOP Agitates for Chance to Negotiate COVID-19 Reopening
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-gop-agitates-for-chance-to-negotiate-covid-19-reopening/2272528/
— Unemployed, Business Owners File Suit Against Pritzker and Illinois, Seek Compensation The plaintiffs named in the lawsuit claimed their “livelihoods and income were taken for a public purpose”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/unemployed-business-owners-file-suit-against-pritzker-and-illinois-seek-compensation/2272824/

CBS2
— Gov. JB Pritzker Urges Republican Critics To Stop ‘Pushing Stories’ About His Family’s Whereabouts; ‘There Are Threats To My Safety And To Their Safety’
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/15/gov-jb-pritzker-urges-republican-critics-to-stop-pushing-stories-about-his-familys-whereabouts-there-are-threats-to-my-safety-and-to-their-safety/

WGN TV
— As retail sales plummet, Chicago small shops look to survive pandemic – AP
https://wgntv.com/chicago-news/as-retail-sales-plummet-chicago-small-shops-look-to-survive-pandemic/
— Critics of stay-at-home order want churches to reopen – Gaynor Hall
https://wgntv.com/chicago-news/critics-of-stay-at-home-order-want-churches-to-reopen/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois surpasses 4,000 COVID-19 deaths and 90,000 cases statewide
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-surpasses-4000-covid-19-deaths-and-90000-cases-statewide

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Southland communities lay off, furlough staff as coronavirus pandemic craters revenue projections – ZAK KOESKE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-municipal-impact-coronavirus-st-0517-20200516-4u6f4ebsrbd6lo4bedns522mxi-story.html
— State says COVID-19 testing expanded to include many workers who aren’t exhibiting symptoms – JAMIE MUNKS and RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-pritzker-testing-20200516-adn2oqzf6jbhvlvkfquqy5vebi-story.html
— Preckwinkle’s Cook County disaster proclamation could extend to Sept. 30: ‘The more time we give, the better’ – ALICE YIN
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-cook-county-preckwinkle-disaster-proclamation-20200515-crkchleuiraudhclatdday2uma-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Preckwinkle to seek extension of disaster proclamation until end of September — but one commissioner suggests it’s illegal Preckwinkle’s March 10 order is set to expire at the end of May, though, if approved by the board of commissioners at their May 21 meeting, the order could be extended through Sept. 30. – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/15/21260245/preckwinkle-extension-disaster-proclamation-september-morrison
— Everything must be on the table as city, state fight back from financial devastation With help from Congress at a standstill, Illinois and Chicago leaders will have to take painful measures, possibly including service cuts, furloughs, layoffs and changes in pensions – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/15/21256032/illinois-chicago-government-finances-j-b-pritzker-lori-lightfoot-city-budget-coronavirus-economic
— Coronavirus now in 100 Illinois counties as state tops 4K deaths, 90K cases With 130 deaths reported on Friday, the state has lost 1,727 people so far in May and 4,058 overall. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/15/21260348/illinois-coronavirus-pritzker-testing-cases-deaths-counties-may-15

DAILY HERALD
— Some Northwest suburbs ask to be split from Chicago in governor’s Restore Illinois plan – Eric Peterson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200515/some-northwest-suburbs-ask-to-be-split-from-chicago-in-governors-restore-illinois-plan
— McHenry County Board members discuss salary reduction for elected officials – Kelli Duncan
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200515/mchenry-county-board-members-discuss-salary-reduction-for-elected-officials
— New committeeperson named for Republicans in Barrington Township
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200515/new-committeeperson-named-for-republicans-in-barrington-township
— Cook County is now the county with most COVID-19 cases in U.S.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200515/sun-times-cook-county-is-now-the-county-with-most-covid-19-cases-in-us

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Lightfoot: Chicago staring down another $1 billion budget hole A year into office, the mayor faces a budget gap similar to what she started with, and there are fewer options to fill it. Without federal aid, “we are going to be in a world of hurt.” – A.D. QUIG and GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/lightfoot-chicago-staring-down-another-1-billion-budget-hole
— Illinois sees some good news on the pandemic The rate of positive COVID tests continues to decrease, indicating fewer people are getting sick from the virus. – STEPHANIE GOLDBERG
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/illinois-sees-some-good-news-pandemic
— McDonald’s franchisees face steep costs to bring back dine-in The fast-food giant’s guidelines for reopening during the pandemic come with costs that burden operators. – DALTON BARKER
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/restaurants/mcdonalds-franchisees-face-steep-costs-bring-back-dine

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Census outreach ‘incredibly stymied’ by COVID-19 pandemic – JERRY NOWICKI
https://qctimes.com/business/census-outreach-incredibly-stymied-by-covid-19-pandemic/article_30472e26-ed0f-5867-9f6a-64c39b019e66.html

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Illinois Unemployment Numbers Continue to Climb – Cole Lauterbach
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?id=304066#.Xr8OoiN_OM8

EFFINGHAM DAILY NEWS
— Pritzker’s graduated tax fails on all counts – Jim Nowlan
https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/opinion/columns/jim-nowlan-guest-columnist-pritzker-s-graduated-tax-fails-on-all-counts/article_f457fa1c-96ec-11ea-9bc2-6745501b967f.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— Coronavirus decimates state budgets, federal funding uncertain – Leandra Bernstein
https://foxillinois.com/news/connect-to-congress/coronavirus-decimates-state-budgets-federal-funding-uncertain
— Pandemic planning becomes political weapon as deaths mount – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/pandemic-planning-becomes-political-weapon-as-deaths-mount

CENTER SQUARE
— Illinois GOP Congressmen ask Washington to protect local aid from Pritzker threats over orders – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-gop-congressmen-ask-washington-to-protect-local-aid-from-pritzker-threats-over-orders/article_25835954-96ef-11ea-bbd9-efbef4b24a36.html

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Rep Bailey’s Clay Co. case v. Gov Pritzker to stay in Clay Co. – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/rep-baileys-clay-co-case-v-gov-pritzker-to-stay-in-clay-co/
— You have the key to open your doors, not the Government – Know your rights – KIRK ALLEN
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/you-have-the-key-to-open-your-doors-not-the-government-know-your-rights/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ORLAND PARK MAYOR CALLS FOR REDRAWING OF “RESTORE ILLINOIS” COVID PLAN’S REGIONAL BOUNDARIES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/orland-park-mayor-calls-for-redrawing-of-restore-illinois-covid-plans-regional-boundaries.html
— H.R. 6666 – A Devilish Surveillance Plot – Kathy Valente
https://illinoisfamily.org/federal/h-r-6666/
— GOP STATE LAWMAKERS PROPOSE LIMIT ON GOVERNOR 30-DAY DISASTER DECLARATIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/gop-state-lawmakers-propose-limit-on-governor-30-day-disaster-declarations.html
— THORNER/INGOLD: IF WE OPEN, WILL THEY COME?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/thorneringold-if-we-open-businesses-will-they-come.html
— CONGRESS SHOULD PREVENT GOVS FROM KEEPING FEDERAL FUNDS FROM LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES, IL DELEGATION SAYS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/congress-should-prevent-govs-from-keeping-federal-funds-from-local-municipalities-il-delegation-says.html

CAPITOL FAX
— 2,432 new cases, 130 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/15/2432-new-cases-130-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker announces expanded testing – Talks about positivity rates – Warns people in QC to be careful about Iowa – Says he’s at home in Chicago – Wife and daughter were in Florida before stay at home order and stayed there – Says wife and daughter are “home now” – Regarding Georgia, it takes weeks to see changes after opening up – Explains why charter boat tours are still banned – Regarding letter from GOP congressmen: “They’re missing the point” – Still waiting to see if antibody tests are accurate – On a path to more testing in every region – Addresses Naperville Park District lawsuit threat – Says family was in Wisconsin at “working farm” – Claims GOP is “putting my children and my family in danger” – Governor’s office clarifies that family is in Chicago now – Discouraging use of ABS rapid tests until FDA guidance issued
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/15/pritzker-announces-expanded-testing/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/15/covid-19-roundup-39/
— Duckworth to interview for veep spot
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/15/duckworth-to-interview-for-veep-spot/
— Unprecedented economic carnage
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/15/unprecedented-economic-carnage/
— Some Eastern Bloc members say they won’t wear face masks during session, but they won’t be allowed inside
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/15/some-eastern-bloc-members-say-they-wont-wear-face-masks-during-session-but-they-wont-be-allowed-inside/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— ‘The founders would be ashamed’: Kevin McCarthy slams new remote Congress rules – Susan Ferrechio
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/the-founders-would-be-ashamed-mccarthy-slams-new-remote-congress-rules

FEDERALIST
— 100,000 Businesses Have Permanently Collapsed Under Pandemic Lockdowns – Tristan Justice
https://thefederalist.com/2020/05/15/100000-businesses-have-permanently-collapsed-under-pandemic-lockdowns/

NEW YORK TIMES
— J.C. Penney, 118-Year-Old Department Store, Files for Bankruptcy The chain’s move came after J. Crew and the Neiman Marcus Group filed, and represented the biggest casualty amid retail closures tied to the coronavirus pandemic. – Sapna Maheshwari and Michael Corkery
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/business/jc-penney-bankruptcy-coronavirus.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Wondering what’s safe as states start to reopen? Here’s what some public health experts say. – Katherine Shaver
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/wondering-whats-safe-as-states-start-to-reopen-heres-what-some-public-health-experts-say/2020/05/14/9e684e3c-949d-11ea-91d7-cf4423d47683_story.html

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.