May 7 Evening Edition

ABC7
— COVID-19 test shortages persist in Illinois, crimping plans for return to normal – Chuck Goudie, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel, Ross Weidner and Jonathan Fagg
https://abc7chicago.com/health/covid-19-test-shortages-persist-in-illinois-crimping-plans-for-return-to-normal/6161490/
— COVID-19 cases reach 70K, over 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/6160533/
— COVID-19 cases reach 70K, over 3K deaths; gig workers, independent contractors eligible for unemployment starting Monday Illinois unemployment claims up 12x since last year – Craig Wall, Eric Horng and Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/society/gov-pritzker-announces-more-help-for-illinois-unemployed/6160533/
— Presidential valet has coronavirus; Trump again tests negative – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/presidential-valet-has-coronavirus;-trump-again-tests-negative/6160479/
— Trump administration shelves detailed guide to reopening country – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/health/trump-admin-shelves-detailed-guide-to-reopening-country/6160195/
— Chicago’s only drive-in theater to reopen in McHenry with free admission Friday – John Garcia
https://abc7chicago.com/mchenry-outdoor-theater-drive-in-movie-chicago/6161506/

NBC5
— Illinois’ Coronavirus Deaths Rise Above 3,000 as Cases Top 70,000, Health Officials Say So far, the state has administered nearly 400,000 tests, with more than 17,000 conducted in the last day
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-coronavirus-deaths-rise-above-3000-as-cases-top-70000-health-officials-say/2268260/

CBS2
— Greater Chicago Food Depository Sees 60% Jump In Those Seeking Food Assistance
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/05/07/greater-chicago-food-depository-sees-60-jump-in-those-seeking-food-assistance/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois surpasses 3,000 COVID-19 deaths and 70,000 cases statewide
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-surpasses-3000-covid-19-deaths-and-70000-cases-statewide

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Officials report state tops 70,000 known COVID-19 cases as well as more than 3,000 fatalities
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200507-f5fivasoabertos53bh6fhnrje-story.html
— Nearly 3.2 million US workers seek jobless aid; coronavirus has put 33.5 million out of work – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-us-unemployment-surge-20200507-wzyha3dkwzbdfdcc3ezonhcvje-story.html
— Former Illinois Gov. Edgar on his talk with Pritzker about politics, leadership amid crisis | Lightfoot-Wilson mask feud | New WGN America nightly news program coming – Lisa Donovan
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-pritzker-edgar-lightfoot-reopen-wgn-america-news-nation-spin-20200507-n67ykhsnbzg2pc7wtbrcsfe2py-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
— Aim higher: CPS, Pritzker should be focused on reopening schools, not extending e-learning – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorial-coronavirus-remote-learning-cps-fall-reopening-20200507-hcwxzp67ibhhzkr4lsgi5f2zum-story.html
— Schaumburg and Melrose Park giving away masks for coronavirus protection – Robert McCoppin
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-mask-giveaway-20200508-fsaqw5iswjc3zbcqeskne5ac7e-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Illinois tops 3K coronavirus deaths, 70K cases; peak could last ‘awhile,’ officials say
https://chicago.suntimes.com/essential-coronavirus-news/2020/5/7/21250359/latest-coronavirus-news-live-updates-chicago-illinois-2020
— Top Illinois schools official says fall could start with remote learning, students attending on different days Offering a range of possibilities, the state superintendent for education said fall schooling will depend on public health conditions.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2020/5/6/21250051/illinios-school-fall-cps-carmen-ayala
— Lightfoot outlines Springfield agenda for Democratic lawmakers The mayor has three items on her legislative agenda; one of them — reauthorizing a $5 monthly tax on phone bills — came “out of the blue,” one lawmaker said. Lightfoot said the city needs the money. – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2020/5/7/21251228/lightfoot-legislative-agenda-springfield-casino-phone-tax
— Pritzker urged to let restaurants open June 1 — but at 25% capacity, with employee safeguards Restaurants can’t afford to wait until June 28 to reopen, as the governor has planned. “The further we go, the harder it is gonna be for restaurants to re-open,” said Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2020/5/7/21251112/coronavirus-restaurants-reopen-chicago-toia-social-distancing
— 33 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit Nearly 900,000 Illinoisans have filed for unemployment benefits since mid-March. – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2020/5/7/21250383/us-unemployment-aid-coronavirus-covid-19-layoffs-economy

DAILY HERALD
— Another 74,000 file first-time unemployment claims in Illinois
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200507/another-74000-file-first-time-unemployment-claims-in-illinois
— Region’s 22.8% infection rate well above threshold for loosening restrictions – Jake Griffin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200506/regions-228-infection-rate-well-above-threshold-for-loosening-restrictions-

CRAIN’S CHICAGO Business
— More COVID-driven cuts: UChicago hospital furloughs workers The medical center is sidelining workers and postponing planned capital projects, among other cost-trimming measures, as it loses tens of millions of dollars a month during the COVID pandemic. – STEPHANIE GOLDBERG
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/more-covid-driven-cuts-uchicago-hospital-furloughs-workers

NORTHWEST HERALD
— McHenry County reports five COVID-19 deaths 886 total cases, 50 deaths in the county – ALEX KANTECKI
https://www.nwherald.com/2020/05/07/mchenry-county-reports-five-covid-19-deaths/abdti4k/

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
— Some Kane County residents not impressed by governor’s plan to reopen Illinois – JAMES FULLER
https://www.kcchronicle.com/2020/05/07/some-kane-county-residents-not-impressed-by-governors-plan-to-reopen-illinois/am1pyw1/

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Vermilion County businesses not giving up during pandemic – Haydee Clotter (DIERSEN: What percent of the businesses and organizations in your municipality, township, and county shut down by efforts to fight coronavirus do you predict will never start up again?)
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/vermilion-county-businesses-not-giving-up-during-pandemic

NPR ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “President Trump Wants To Reopen Economy Despite CDC Warnings.”
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/president-trump-wants-reopen-economy-despite-cdc-warnings#stream/0

JEANNE IVES
— VIDEO: CDH / Northwestern Medicine Chief Medical Officer Tells Ives: Pritzker’s Plan Means Suburbs Shut Down for “A Year… Maybe a Year and A Half.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3qRce_qk9I&feature=youtu.be

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— COVID-19 RULES APPLY TO ALL ILLINOISANS, WITH EXCEPTIONS FOR SOME POLITICAL FIGURES – Brad Weisenstein
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/covid-19-rules-apply-to-all-illinoisans-with-exceptions-for-some-political-figures/

CAPITOL FAX
— House cancels next week’s session
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/house-cancels-next-weeks-session-3/
— 2641 new cases, 15 percent positivity rate, 138 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/2641-new-cases-15-percent-positivity-rate-138-additional-deaths/
— Pritzker: More than $2 billion paid out in unemployment claims, $500 million more than all of 2019 – Answers question that could’ve been answered by a simple Google search – Explains local law enforcement – Repeats he may use state licensing to enforce EO – Asked another question that could’ve been answered by Google – Says he and staff have been wearing masks for about two weeks – Says again he wants mail-in ballot expansion – Asked another easily Google-able question – Can’t answer question about distant future – Out of state hospitals not factored in to phased plan – Asks customers to not patronize a store that is suing to reopen – Still not close to testing needs – Recounts recent Jim Edgar call – Working on guidance for hair stylists – Explains new call center – All employees at the call center are from Illinois – ISBE and IDPH will oversee return of school sports – Asked yet another Google-able question – And another – Urges pastor not to reopen – Explains how state plan will lead to quicker reopening than White House plan – Pritzker, Ezike discuss plateau – Dr. Ezike explains data collecting on the fly – Avoids budget cutting question – Says he wants federal replacement for lost state revenues
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/pritzker-more-than-2-billion-paid-out-in-unemployment-claims-500-million-more-than-all-of-2019/
— IDPH session guidelines
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/read-the-idph-session-guidelines/
— State inspectors ordered back to work, but workers and their union objected
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/state-inspectors-ordered-back-to-work-but-workers-and-their-union-objected/
— Pritzker: More than $2 billion paid out in unemployment claims, $500 million more than all of 2019
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/pritzker-more-than-2-billion-paid-out-in-unemployment-claims-500-million-more-than-all-of-2019/
— COVID-19 roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/covid-19-roundup-33/
— Rep. Bailey proposes his own plan, and is getting hammered for it
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/rep-bailey-proposes-his-own-plan-and-is-getting-hammered-for-it/
— State inspectors ordered back to work, but workers and their union objected
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/07/state-inspectors-ordered-back-to-work-but-workers-and-their-union-objected/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— States explore house arrest technology to enforce quarantines – Douglas Ernst
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/7/coronavirus-usa-states-explore-house-arrest-techno/

GOPUSA
— Will Americans Take Coronavirus Vaccine When It Becomes Available? Will You?
https://www.gopusa.com/?p=88563

TOWNHALL
— GAO Report: Postal Service’s Net Loss Totaled $78 Billion In 12 Years – Julio Rosas
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2020/05/07/gao-report-the-postal-services-net-loss-totaled-78-billion-in-12-years-n2568374

FEDERALIST
— 60 Questions Americans Need To Consider About How To Handle Coronavirus Shutdowns and bailouts are unsustainable for 18 months to two years. We need a new and better set of strategies, and we can’t put it off any further. – Joy Pullmann
https://thefederalist.com/2020/05/07/60-questions-americans-need-to-consider-about-how-to-handle-coronavirus/

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Planned Parenthood Abortion Business Lays Off One-Third of Its Staff, Cutting 285 Employees – MICAIAH BILGER
https://www.lifenews.com/2020/05/07/planned-parenthood-abortion-business-lays-off-one-third-of-its-staff-cutting-285-employees/

THE HILL
— Military official who serves as Trump valet tests positive for coronavirus – BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/496577-military-official-who-serves-as-trump-valet-tests-positive-for
— Trump hits serious headwinds in polls on COVID-19 reopening – REID WILSON
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/496593-trump-hits-serious-headwinds-in-polls-on-covid-19-reopening
— Trump meets harsh reality with coronavirus threat – MORGAN CHALFANT AND BRETT SAMUELS
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/496705-trump-meets-harsh-reality-with-coronavirus-threat

NEW YORK TIMES
— White House Rejected C.D.C. Reopening Guidelines, Asking for Revisions
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/us/coronavirus-updates.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Power struggles erupt as governors and state legislatures fight over coronavirus response – Tim Craig and Annie Gowen
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/power-struggles-erupt-as-governors-and-state-legislatures-fight-over-coronavirus-response/2020/05/07/05516526-8f8e-11ea-a9c0-73b93422d691_story.html
— Where Americans are still staying at home the most – Kevin Schaul, Brittany Renee Mayes and Bonnie Berkowitz
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/map-us-still-staying-home-coronavirus/

FORBES
— COVID-19: What Should Employers Consider As They Draft A Return To Work Policy? – Alonzo Martinez
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alonzomartinez/2020/05/07/covid-19-what-should-employers-consider-as-they-draft-a-return-to-work-policy/

FEDWEEK
— Thinking of Returning to the Federal Government as a Retiree?
https://www.fedweek.com/retirement-financial-planning/thinking-of-returning-to-the-government-as-a-retiree/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The standard policy is that if you voluntarily retired and go back to work, you’ll continue to receive your annuity; however, the salary of your new position will be offset (reduced) by the amount of your annuity. For example, if your annuity was $40,000 and your new salary was $90,000, you’d only be paid $50,000 ($90,000 – $40,000). However, if your retirement was involuntary as a result a reduction-in-force (RIF), job abolishment, transfer of function, or reorganization, your annuity would stop and you’d receive the full salary of your new position. In other words, you’d have the same employment status as any other federal employee in an equivalent position with a similar service history.)

NEW REPUBLIC
— Did the Military Really Just Ban Coronavirus Survivors? The Pentagon’s ill-advised new “interim” recruiting policy could cause precisely the harm to service members that it seeks to avoid. – ADAM WEINSTEIN
https://newrepublic.com/article/157644/military-ban-recruits-coronavirus

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.