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 Chicago, Illinois and America

  • 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
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Economy
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad News
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus Health
Harold Washington in a radio studio at WLUP with host Ray Hanania (far right) and Tribune reporter Thom Shanker (center). Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Rename Navy Pier after Jane Byrne

Posted on July 24, 2017November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Rename Navy Pier after Jane Byrne
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Rename Navy Pier after Jane Byrne

Jane Byrne was a very controversial and contentious Chicago Mayor, but she also is responsible for several brilliant achievements, including being the spark that revived the city’s lakefront Jewel, Navy Pier. It’s time that her legacy be given its due and she be recognized for her efforts. Name Navy Pier after the late Mayor Jane M. Byrne.

By Ray Hanania

Ray HananiaI was in the studios of WBEZ Radio reminiscing with reporters on the politics that made it possible for Barack Obama to become America’s first Black President.

I kind of liked Obama, but I don’t believe that Obama rose on the struggle of African Americans in politics, led by many including most important the late Mayor Harold Washington.

Washington became Chicago’s first Black Mayor purely as a result of luck. He had run for mayor before and didn’t do very well, but in 1983, he threw his hat in the confusion of the 1978-79 mayor election and beat out two selfishly focused rivals, Richard M. Daley and Mayor Jane M. Byrne.

But the conversations we taped also made me think about how under-respected Byrne really was.

Yes, it’s true, I was not her favorite reporter and I was constantly in conflict with her and her administration. That was the nature of the politics at the time. I had drank and believed all the BS about Richie Daley, and had certainly been used by his team. And Jane Byrne also was responsible for the conflict, making many of her decisions based on personality issues, anger and suspicion.

The Circle Interchange (officially the Jane Byrne Interchange) is a major freeway interchange near downtown Chicago, Illinois. It is the junction between the Dan Ryan, Kennedy and Eisenhower Expressways (Interstate 90/Interstate 94 [I-90/I-94] and I-290), and Congress Parkway. In a dedication ceremony held on August 29, 2014, this interchange was renamed in honor of former Chicago Mayor Jane M. Byrne (1979–1983).
The Circle Interchange (officially the Jane Byrne Interchange) is a major freeway interchange near downtown Chicago, Illinois. It is the junction between the Dan Ryan, Kennedy and Eisenhower Expressways (Interstate 90/Interstate 94 [I-90/I-94] and I-290), and Congress Parkway. In a dedication ceremony held on August 29, 2014, this interchange was renamed in honor of former Chicago Mayor Jane M. Byrne (1979–1983).
Before arriving at WBEZ last week, I had gone through my own cassette tape collection of interviews I did with all of the mayors, starting with Michael A. Bilandic, Byrne, and Washington.

The tapes on Bilandic really provide an eye-opener about the arrogance of the Chicago Democratic Machine. TheMachine just didn’t want to believe it could lose, even though in the days before the February 1979 Democratic primary with Byrne, it was clear to insiders Bilandic was a goner.

Memorabilia from covering Jane M. Byrne, the late and former Mayor of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Memorabilia from covering Jane M. Byrne, the late and former Mayor of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

That accounted for his desperation when he spoke to two gatherings of the Machine’s precinct captains in early February at the Bismarck Hotel on Randolph and LaSalle Streets. Bilandic said he was being persecuted the same way they persecuted the Shah of Iran and Jesus Christ.

Bilandic was also always very reserved in his demeanor but in trying to rally the captains reminding them that a lot was at stake for the Machine and the city, he let his emotions go and his voice cracked often.

I listened to interviews with Byrne as she went from a reformer to ally of the “Evil Cabal of Men” that she campaigned against to win the election. The confrontational tone she had, I guess was justified because of the constant harangue from all of the news media, including this minor community newspaper player.

That battle overshadowed the many great things she did, including reviving Navy Pier, where WBEZ studios are now located on the 2nd floor. The NPR station used to have studios on Clark street south of City Hall in the “Crow’s Nest” – you would take an elevator to the top floor of the building then walk up two flights to the old WBEZ studios.

Campaign memorabilia for Michael A. Bilandic, the late and former Mayor of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Campaign memorabilia for Michael A. Bilandic, the late and former Mayor of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

It made me think that Navy Pier really should be renamed in her honor. She did a lot to change things.

Obama is getting his Library on Chicago’s East Side near his home. But Obama rose on his own luck and his election really had nothing to do with Washington’s success in getting more votes than Byrne or Daley in 1983.

Had Jack Ryan not dropped out of the race for the U.S. Senate and the Republicans chosen someone more credible than African American gadfly Alan Keyes, Obama would never have won in 2004.

Obama had the talent and was a great orator, but it wasn’t until unpredictable luck fell in his lap and he skyrocketed to fame.

Yet, I still can’t forget how hard others worked with very little recognition for their efforts. Byrne deserves more than a confusing expressway intersection. Now that Daley is out of office and his hate of her out of the way, the city should look at her history and rename Navy Pier in her honor.

It’s the right thing to do.

Harold Washington in a radio studio at WLUP with host Ray Hanania (far right) and Tribune reporter Thom Shanker (center). Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Harold Washington in a radio studio at WLUP with host Ray Hanania (far right) and Tribune reporter Thom Shanker (center). Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

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

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion 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)
  • Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown - October 30, 2025
  • Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations - October 30, 2025
  • Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad - October 30, 2025
NPV: 46
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Opinion, Politics, rayhanania Tags:Alan Keyes, Barack Obama, Chicago, City Hall, elections, Harold Washington, Jack Ryan, Jane M. Byrne, luck, Michael A. Bilandic, Navy Pier, Richard M. Daley, WBEZ

Post navigation

Previous Post: Trump White House should replace mainstream news media
Next Post: US Mint to participate in Numismatic fair in Denver Aug 1 – 5

Related Posts

  • Bill Healy Jr., journalist and among the finalists for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize. Photo courtesy of BillHealyMedia.com
    Orland journalist among finalists for 2021 Pulitzer prize Blogger
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection Arthur Kallow
  • SRA Dave Orth (L) and SRA Clarence Tolliver (R), members of the 60th Security Police Squadron's Base Swat Team, Travis Air Force Base wearing black uniforms stand with M-9 pistols ready behind covering foliage. They are participating in a simulated hostage (Released to Public) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Anti-gun protestors are missing the real target Blogger
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Aguilar calls on States Attorney Foxx to take tougher stand on crime Chicago
  • U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
    Bernie Sanders’ Fighting Oligarchy Tour Announces New Stops in Western U.S.  Civil Rights
  • Opinion Column from The Regional News Newspaper March 31, 2021 on unfairness to police and the sloppy misguided politics of Sean Morrison
    Police unfairly targeted in new Illinois laws and politics in Palos Blogger

More Related Articles

The Political Pundit Comic Strip 07-27-20 Mayor Lori Lightfoot hypocrisy, attacks FOP, Ald. Lopez and then calls for civility The Political Pundit Comic Strip lampoons Mayor Lightfoot Blogger
Stop Partisan tyranny logo Change.org plays politics with truth and censors GOP censorship
16th District Congressman Adam Kinzinger from the U.S. Government website. Who is Adam Kinzinger trying to kid? Blogger
Lori Lightfoot speaking at Police Accountability Task Force hearing in 2016. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Lightfoot targets gun violence in inauguration Blogger
Assault weapons, courtesy of WIkipedia National Association for Gun Rights Calls Out Illinois’ Semi-Auto Ban Lies Cook County
Former Congressman Bill Lipinski, columnist Ray Hanania, former Congressman Dan Lipinski and columnist John Kass chew the political fat in the latest episode of Two Guys on Politics Nov. 17, 2022 Will uncertainty of presidential election politics be reflected in Chicago’s mayoral election? Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 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
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
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown
    October 30, 2025
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations
    October 30, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad
    October 30, 2025
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat
    October 29, 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