May 6 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Coronavirus Illinois: COVID-19 cases reach 68K, nearly 3K deaths; Pritzker defends reopening plan to GOP lawmakers, business groups Plan to reopen Illinois doesn’t move quickly enough, critics say – Craig Wall, Eric Horng and Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/society/gov-pritzker-defends-plan-to-reopen-illinois/6155905/
— Sound of apparent toilet flush interrupts U.S. Supreme Court oral argument
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/sound-of-apparent-toilet-flush-interrupts-supreme-court/6157556/

NBC5
— 2,270 New Coronavirus Cases, 136 Additional Deaths Reported in Illinois As of Wednesday the state’s death toll from the virus sat at 2,974 with 68,232 total cases
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/2270-new-coronavirus-cases-136-additional-deaths-reported-in-illinois/2267668/
— Pritzker Defends Including Suburban Counties in Same Region as Chicago in Phased Reopening Plan McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy, Will and Kankakee counties are all included in the northeast region with Chicago, the hardest-hit city in the state
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/pritzker-defends-including-suburban-counties-in-same-region-as-chicago-in-phased-reopening-plan/2267754/
— Illinois Coronavirus Updates: Pitchfork Canceled, Lolla Updates, Restore Illinois Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus crisis today
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-coronavirus-updates-lollapalooza-latest-restore-illinois-health-regions/2267439/
— April Jobs Data to Show Epic Losses, Soaring Unemployment Companies are still cutting jobs in the midst of a severe downturn, with the economy possibly shrinking at an unheard-of 40% annual rate in the April-June quarter – Christopher Rugaber
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/april-jobs-data-show-epic-losses-soaring-unemployment/2267775/
— Latinx Community Testing Positive at Higher Rate Than Any Group in Illinois “Many of us are unable to stay home because we work in essential areas of the economy,” said Dr. Marina Del Rios
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/latinx-community-testing-positive-at-higher-rate-than-any-group-in-illinois/2267703/
— ‘Highly Unlikely’ That Illinois State Fair Will be Held in 2020, Pritzker Says
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/highly-unlikely-that-illinois-state-fair-will-be-held-in-2020-pritzker-says/2267792/

CBS2
— Republican Lawmakers Want More Input On Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 Reopening Plans
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/06/republican-lawmakers-want-more-input-on-gov-jb-pritzkers-covid-19-reopening-plans/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois reports another 136 COVID-19 deaths Wednesday
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-reports-another-136-covid-19-deaths-wednesday

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— We have been patient. But Gov. Pritzker is moving the goal posts. – EDITORIAL
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-coronavirus-pritzker-open-economy-phases-20200507-uqzkcs7g2fcutnw4rzoeuufcmm-story.html
— ‘This plan does not work’: Illinois House Republicans pan Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening road map – Dan Petrella
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-reopening-plan-response-20200506-x2q4yab63rhfxgcejm2pvuzfey-story.html
— As statewide death toll nears 3,000, Pritzker says Latino Illinoisans test positive at higher rate than any other demographic group
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200506-cfvfioulyrc23pfp3xxpghcmk4-story.html
— Chicago can’t reopen without decrease in the number of coronavirus cases, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says – Gregory Pratt
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-chicago-lightfoot-stay-home-order-20200507-nssqhfyaxvdzrchugqdygm6dfe-story.html

— Tracking Illinois coronavirus: 2,974 deaths, 68,232 confirmed cases, 361,260 tests, 23% ICU beds, 65% ventilators open
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-viz-coronavirus-cases-in-illinois-20200304-wz44mgw6wrd5zmzngx4kc3z6a4-htmlstory.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS, ON COOK COUNTY, AND ON CHICAGO TIGHTENS: Pritzker, Lightfoot respond to surge of COVID-19 cases among Hispanics Four weeks ago, Latinos comprised 14 percent of Chicago’s coronavirus cases and 9 percent of the deaths. Now, it’s 37 percent of the cases and 25 percent of the deaths—and rising in a city where 29 percent of the population is Hispanic. – Fran Spielman and Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/6/21249879/pritzker-lightfoot-coronavirus-covid-19-cases-hispanics-african-americans-chicago-illinois
— 136 more die in Illinois as COVID-19 toll nears 3,000 The state’s positivity rate on Wednesday was 15%. In revealing his five-part plan to reopen Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said a region must be “at or under a 20% test positivity rate and increasing by no more than 10 percentage points over a 14-day period” in order to see more of the region reopened. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/6/21249699/illinois-coronavirus-pritzker-cases-deaths-may-6
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater promotes hatred of Trump.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/5/6/21249648/donald-trump-mentally-unstable-ill-abraham-lincoln-25th-amendment-s-e-cupp

DAILY HERALD
— Naperville leads nation’s big cities in 2020 Census self-response rate – Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200506/naperville-leads-nations-big-cities-in-2020-census-self-response-rate
— Authorities: Man left threatening voice messages directed at DuPage County Board chairman – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200506/authorities-man-left-threatening-voice-messages-directed-at-dupage-county-board-chairman

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pushback builds on Pritzker’s reopening plan Key business leaders and top Springfield Republicans say the new regional approach doesn’t move fast enough to save businesses that could be shut well into summer. – GREG HINZ
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/pushback-builds-pritzkers-reopening-plan


— COVID-19’S CRUSHING IMPACT
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/crain-forum-covid-19/graphic-measuring-covid-19s-crushing-impact

WBEZ
— Critics Rail Against Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 Reopening Plan The governor’s plan to let businesses reopen faces criticism from House Republican leader, Illinois’ ailing restaurant industry – Dave McKinney, Tony Arnold
https://www.wbez.org/stories/critics-rail-against-gov-jb-pritzkers-covid-19-reopening-plan/67d019f3-ad64-4843-82c5-200c044a11f4

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Hypocrisy abounds as pandemic restrictions stay in place – Scott Reeder
https://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20200506/hypocrisy-abounds-as-pandemic-restrictions-stay-in-place

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Local politicians question Pritzker’s plan to reopen Illinois Local politicians question Pritzker’s plan to reopen Illinois
https://www.nwherald.com/2020/05/06/local-politicians-question-pritzkers-plan-to-reopen-illinois/ai36k2g/

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— GOP wants ‘local’ say in Pritzker’s COVID-19 reopening plan – AP
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/GOP-wants-local-say-in-Pritzker-s-COVID-19-15251483.php

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Democrats say Texan’s loyalty to Trump would influence his decisions as National Intelligence director – Russell Falcon, Nexstar, and Anna Wiernicki (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents a) demand blind loyalty to them and to them only and b) destroy those who fail/refuse to give them blind loyalty. I should write a book about my critics/opponents.)
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/washington/washington-dc/democrats-say-texans-loyalty-to-trump-would-influence-his-decisions-as-national-intelligence-director/

WGEM
— Republicans demand return to Capitol, call for changes to “Restore Illinois” plan
https://wgem.com/2020/05/06/republicans-demand-return-to-capitol-call-for-changes-to-restore-illinois-plan/

NPR ILLINOIS
— Stay-At-Home Protests Draw Extremists Groups, Anti-Hate Group Says – MAUREEN FOERTSCH MCKINNEY
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/stay-home-protests-draw-extremists-groups-anti-hate-group-says#stream/0

EFFINGHAM NEWS LEADER
— Sen. Plummer Critical of Governor’s “Restore Illinois” Plan – Greg Sapp
http://www.thexradio.com/news/78-local-news/44512-sen-plummer-critical-of-governor-s-restore-illinois-plan

KHQA
— Pike County, IL cancels 2020 fair
https://khqa.com/news/coronavirus/pike-county-il-cancels-2020-fair

REPRESENTATIVE AMY GRANT
— Rep. Amy Grant Responds to Governor Pritzker’s Plan to Reopen Illinois
https://repgrant.com/2020/05/06/rep-amy-grant-responds-to-governor-pritzkers-plan-to-reopen-illinois/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Where is the U.S. Department of Justice? – KIRK ALLEN (DIERSEN: In Diersen v. GAO, the U.S. Department of Justice defended GAO, that is, the U.S. Department of Justice defended GAO’s political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination against its employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran and who did not make GS-13 (currently $101,176) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $119,559) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $140,634) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $170,800) by age 40. Further, the U.S. Department of Justice defended GAO’s retaliation against its employees who opposed political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination.)
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/where-is-the-department-of-justice/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ILLINOIS REVIEW RELEASES LIST OF RECOMMENDED CONSERVATIVE STATE NEWS SOURCES (DIERSEN: Please urge Illinois Review to add GOPUSA ILLINOIS at www.gopillinois.com to its list of recommended conservative state news sources. I have sent GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails out since 2000. Since 2004, they have gone out each and every morning, and since 2015, each and every evening too. Since 2004, the emails have included links to more than 366,750 articles and information on many upcoming events.)
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/illinois-review-releases-list-of-recommended-conservative-state-news-sources-.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Here’s our initial IR recommendation list – and if you, as our readers, have ideas of other Illinois-based news sources we should consider adding, please advise us at info@illinoisreview.com. )
— GOV PRITZKER RELEASES COVID RECOVERY PLAN THAT COULD KEEP ILLINOIS SHUT DOWN INDEFINITELY
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/gov-pritzker-releases-covid-recovery-plan-that-could-keep-illinois-shut-down-indefinitely-.html
— STATE REP IN RESPONSE TO PRITZKER’S 5-PHASE COVID RECOVERY PLAN: “I WILL NOT COMPLY…”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/state-rep-about-pritzkers-5-phase-response-to-covid-shutdown-i-will-not-comply.html
— ILLINOIS TRADE ASSOCIATION OBJECTS TO PRITZKER’S 5-PHASE PLAN; CALLS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/illinois-trade-association-objects-to-pritzkers-five-phase-plan-calls-for-public-hearings.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Republicans, biz groups knock Pritzker’s plan
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/06/republicans-biz-groups-knock-pritzkers-plan/
— Madigan issues statement about GOP demands for reconvening session
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/06/madigan-issues-statement-about-gop-demands-for-reconvening-session/
— Pritzker: Hispanics have a 60 percent positive test rate – Wearing face coverings in public “a collective act of patriotism” – Asked whether he was keeping the state shut down so IL could get more federal money – Restates what’s in the plan – Talks post-pandemic business opportunities – Dr. Ezike: “Virtual hugs” for Mother’s Day – Asked if he plans to continue 30-day EOs for next several months – Congregate facility infection data will be used for regions – No comment on CME plans – Employers will be given guidance on reopening – Urges patience from restaurant owners – “Highly unlikely” that Illinois State Fair will be held – “The virus hasn’t gone away” – Why 28 days instead of 14? – Warns businesses could lose licenses – Will provide guidance on boating rules – Urges people not to travel to “potential hotbeds of infection” – “Kind of crazy” for Republicans to say he’s dictating – Explains reasons for boundaries – Says the virus is holding things back, not the EO – No outside restaurant dining – Claims IDES website “actually has very good uptime” – Dr. Ezike: Allowing nursing home visitors would be increasing residents’ risk – Contact tracing a “gradual process”
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/06/pritzker-hispanics-have-a-60-percent-positive-test-rate/
— 2,270 new cases, 15% positivity rate, 136 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/06/2270-new-cases-15-positivity-rate-136-additional-deaths/


— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/06/covid-19-roundup-32/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Dallas salon owner sentenced to week in jail for reopening business, refuses to apologize – Jessica Chasmar
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/6/shelley-luther-dallas-salon-owner-sentenced-to-wee/

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Chicago churches to re-open regardless of ‘unconstitutional restrictions,’ willing to go to fed. court ‘Please be advised that … we will no longer adhere to the 10-person limit or the other unconstitutional restrictions comprised within your orders,’ the Romanian-American pastors told the governor. – Martin Bürger
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/chicago-churches-to-re-open-regardless-of-unconstitutional-restrictions-willing-to-go-to-fed-court

THE HILL
— In the age of Trump, media bias comes into the spotlight – BERNARD GOLDBERG
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/495927-in-the-age-of-trump-media-bias-comes-into-the-spotlight
— Pence: College athletic association talks included requests for elderly alumni to skip events – JUSTINE COLEMAN (DIERSEN: How strongly will coronavirus be used to promote age discrimination?)
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/496321-pence-talks-with-college-athletic-associations-included-requests-for
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Hewitt had asked Pence if the administration planned to issue “age discrimination” guidelines recommending certain age groups avoid things like flights. “I think the guidance that we’ve issued at this point in terms of the president’s guidelines to open up America again are intended to create a framework for a safe and responsible reopening,” he said. The coronavirus has been known to have more severe effects on individuals who are older or suffer from existing medical conditions, experts have said.)

POLITICO
— Facebook announces first 20 picks for global oversight board Journalists, legal scholars, a Nobel winner and a former prime minister will make ultimate content decisions for the embattled social network. – STEVEN OVERLY and ALEXANDRA S. LEVINE (DIERSEN: Who would my critics/opponents appoint to a GOPUSA ILLINOIS oversight board? Would they appoint past and present leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Organization, Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, etc.?)
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/06/facebook-global-oversight-board-picks-240150

REUTERS
— Citing no evidence, Trump accuses Democrats of wishing him failure in coronavirus response – Steve Holland, Susan Heavey (DIERSEN: Some things are “self-evident.”)
https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa/update-2-citing-no-evidence-trump-accuses-democrats-of-wishing-him-failure-in-coronavirus-response-idUSL1N2CN12J

NEW YORK TIMES
— An Auto Plant Shutdown, With a Loophole for Corvette Workers Big U.S. automakers have kept the lights on at a few factories, including a General Motors plant in Indiana making the Corvette chassis. – Noam Scheiber
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/business/coronavirus-corvette-gm.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Americans deeply wary of reopening as White House weighs ending covid-19 task force.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/americans-deeply-wary-of-reopening-as-white-house-weighs-ending-covid-19-task-force/2020/05/05/d2efcbbe-8eec-11ea-9e23-6914ee410a5f_story.html

MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
— Lacy Johnson, Rep. Ilhan Omar’s GOP challenger, gets Trump backing – Patrick Condon (DIERSEN: What do you say to Republican candidates who not seek or want Trump’s backing?)
https://www.startribune.com/rep-ilhan-omar-s-gop-challenger-gets-trump-backing/570174032/

FORBES
— Anger Towards China Grows The Longer The Coronavirus Lockdowns Last – Kenneth Rapoza
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/05/06/anger-towards-china-grows-the-longer-the-coronavirus-lasts/

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
— Should Facebook and Google Have to Pay the Media? – Will Oremus (DIERSEN: My GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails drive lots of traffic to websites. I have not asked any of the paywall websites to pay me to drive traffic to them. None of the paywall websites have offered to pay me to drive traffic to them. None of the paywall websites have offered to give me free or reduced cost access.)
https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/should-facebook-and-google-have-to-pay-the-media/

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.