Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, wasn't born in Illinois. He lived there, along with three other presidents, Barack Obama, Ulysses S. Grant and Ronald Reagan, the only president born in Illinois. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As it turns 200, Illinois needs change

Posted on July 17, 2017November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on As it turns 200, Illinois needs change
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

As it turns 200, Illinois needs change

Illinois turns 200 years old next year, and maybe it’s time we made a few changes in how we describe ourselves. Just to be a little bit more accurate.

By Ray Hanania

Ray HananiaWe’ve been so busy over the past two years screaming about all of the problems Illinois has that we haven’t spent any time to celebrate its upcoming bicentennial birthday.

Yes, Illinois turns 200 late next year. Illinois became the 21st member state of the United States of America on Dec. 3, 1818.

The name “Illinois” comes from a Native American word that means “tribe of superior men.”

Louis Joliet and Jacques “Pere” Marquette were the first non-natives to settle in Illinois in 1673. Joliet was French Canadian and Marquette was a French Jesuit Priest who actually went on to found Michigan’s first settlement.

And yet, Michigan doesn’t belong to Illinois – it should. And Illinois has very little to do with either France or Canada, some might say “thankfully.”

English: Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth Presid...
Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, wasn’t born in Illinois. He lived there, along with three other presidents, Barack Obama, Ulysses S. Grant and Ronald Reagan, the only president born in Illinois. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, Illinois is the 5th most populous state in the nation with nearly 13 million residents.

According to George Mason University, Illinois ranks 49th out of 50 in terms of economic and fiscal strength. In other words, managing and saving money have not been among our high points.

We did elect several people president, though, although that doesn’t always require a lot of financial sense.

Contrary to popular opinion, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th American President who fought to free the slave and defeated the “Johnny Rebs” in the Civil War, wasn’t born in Illinois. He was born in Kentucky.

Ronald Reagan, however, was born in Illinois at Tampico, a few miles east of Rock Island. Other presidents who lived here briefly include Barack Obama, and Ulysses S. Grant.

Which makes me wonder why the official slogan of the State of Illinois is “Land of Lincoln.” We’re described as the “Prairie State,” which basically means we’re like about a dozen other flat, boring states and nothing like the spectacular visages offered by Arizona, Utah or Colorado.

We could consider jazzing things up a bit, maybe come up with another more appropriate slogan.

Illinois, the Insider’s Pension State.

Illinois, where a dollar isn’t worth a dollar.

Illinois, at least we’re not the 50th worst! Or, if we can’t be Numero Uno than 49 will do in a pinch.

Maybe we should pick a better person to associate ourselves with. I mean, Lincoln was a pretty decent person. Yet, people who were born here deserve some consideration, don’t they?

Like Paul Powell, the Secretary of State who earned $30,000 a year in state salary, but managed to squirrel away $800,000 in shoe boxes he kept around his house. Despite the questionable means of obtaining funds, Powell was described as a “champion” of the poor and the needy.

No one was more needy than him, of course.

Illinois holds the record for the most governor’s accused of committing crime, six, although only four were actually convicted and sent to the hoosegow. Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. Gov. Len Small was accused of corruption in the 1920s but beat the rap. Gov. Bill Straton was accused of tax evasion, but beat the rap, too.

One Chicago mayor used a conviction to help him boost his election chances. Mayor Harold Washington spent 30 days in the Hoosegow for failing to file income tax returns – he paid the taxes, by the way. He just didn’t file the returns, which, after a 1971 conviction, landed him a few weeks in jail.

Illinois is also home to one of the worst performing counties in America, Cook County. It really could use that extra letter, “r” in its name.

Why shouldn’t we be proud of all this scandal and controversy. Should we hide from it like we’re the only ones with a bad rap sheet?

Embrace the controversies and let’s enjoy a little celebration, instead of being ashamed of all that stench. At least it’s “our” bouquet!

(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter, author and columnist. Email him at [email protected].)

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 31
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Editors Pick, Opinion, rayhanania Tags:2nd to worst state in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Illinois, Ronald Reagan, Ulysses S. Grant

Post navigation

Previous Post: Pete’s Fresh Market to open in Wheaton, Illinois
Next Post: Charges filed against mother who left child in car

Related Posts

  • J.B. Pritzker from his campaign Facebook Page at UFCW union endorsement. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Pritzker, Brannigan and the “politics” of apologies Blogger
  • Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke and his wife. Support his family on his GoFundMe Page at https://www.gofundme.com/mdb4be
    Van Dyke deserves leniency not race persecution Blogger
  • Mansour Tadros, publisher of Chicagoland's The Future News Newspaper, and Christopher Kennedy, the son of the late U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, speaks at a governor's candidates forum Sept. 16, 2017 at Reza's restaurant in Oak Brook hosted by the American Muslim Task Force. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Kennedy will respect Arabs, Muslims as Illinois governor Blogger
  • Former Minnesota Congressman Erik Paulsen
    Democrats’ drug proposal cuts patient costs — but also restricts access Baby Boomers
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady leads the cheers for Evita Griskenas, an Orland Park Resident, who will compete in the Tokyo Olympics. Photo courtesy of Orland Township
    Something big to cheer about, for a change breaking news
  • Store destroyed by looters and arsonists who participated in the Black Lives Matter protests in Chicago at the end of May 2020. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has abandoned victims of looting along with the members of the Chicago Police Department. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania
    Reflecting on the past week’s violence Blogger

More Related Articles

Granite city buffet table Finding the best Sunday Brunch restaurants Blogger
It’s never about who’s best in national elections Blogger
US Declaration of Independence, courtesy of the US Government. Archives.gov Right from the Middle: Extremist political views challenge the religious freedoms of Americans Bill Lipinski
Two Guys on Politics podcast with Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com Two Guys on Politics podcast on weakening fight on crime, increased benefits for non-citizens and Biden and Iran deal Bill Lipinski
ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar. Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15 censorship
Burned dryer 08-10-18 Dryer Fire 144th Mason Orland Park. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District. Dryer fire in Orland Park home at 144th Block of Mason Lane Editors Pick

Comment (1) on “As it turns 200, Illinois needs change”

  1. Jim Ridings says:
    July 19, 2017 at 2:20 pm

    The only reason Gov. Len Small beat the rap is because Al Capone sent hoodlums to bribe the jury at his trial for embezzlement of state funds. Small was on the payroll of several Chicago gangs, and he sold pardons and paroles by the boat load.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme