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

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • 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
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Convicted sex predator Anthony Martin, senior vice president at Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison's company Morrison Security. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Courts
    Sean Morrison’s judgement questioned in defending sexual predator Blogger
  • Republican conservatives Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, Committeewoman of Orland Township, and Steve Balich, Committeeman of Homer Township, welcomed attendees at a GOP rally Friday May 20, 2022 in Orland Township
    Conservative Republican candidates rally in Orland Township Cook County
  • Chicago Wolves David Gust, from Orland Park in Chicago's Southwest Suburbs. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves winning streak continues, one win away from another sweep Chicago
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals Chicago
  • Congressman Sean Casten
    Casten Introduces bill to Help Communities Facing Flood Damage   Cook County
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday Blogger
  • 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
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair Business
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum breaking news
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess Blogger
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown Business
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters Features
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad gains sole custody to protect son from reported abuse Chicago
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
    Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility Government
  • A Roe vs Wade support placard
    Casten and Newman vow to find to defend Roe vs Wade federal ruling Health
Arab American Democratic Club Chairman Samir Khalil with Christopher Kennedy, former Palos Heights Mayor Dean Koldenhoven, and former Lyons Mayor Ken Getty. Photo courtesy of Steve Metsch

Kennedy receives endorsement from Arab American Democratic Club

Posted on November 15, 2017November 15, 2017 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Kennedy receives endorsement from Arab American Democratic Club
SHARE THIS STORY
        2   
 
  
2
Shares

Kennedy receives endorsement from Arab American Democratic Club

Chris Kennedy received the formal endorsement of the prominent Arab American Democratic Club and the Illinois Arab American community at a fundraiser held in Worth Illinois on November 8. Kennedy said he would fight against racism and discrimination and work with Arab American and Muslim American leaders and community groups.

By Steve Metsch

Chris Kenndy, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the race for governor, visited Worth on Nov. 8 and left with a key endorsement.

Kennedy was endorsed by the Arab American Democratic Club during a dinner meeting held at Saraya Restaurant, 7011 W. 111th St.

Kennedy, 54, who has lived in Illinois for 31 years, thanked the group for its endorsement, said there are some parallels to what Arabs face in the country when compared to his Irish ancestors.

“The Irish came here to dig ditches and build rail lines. It was generations before they played the leadership roles anyone around this table plays today,” Kennedy said. “The Irish arrived here and were treated a filthy, ignorant, stupid, unteachable, a threat to American society. And, even worse, a threat to American security.”

He recalled his grandmother, Rose Kennedy, telling him of signs that read NINA, No Irish Need Apply, outside businesses. As Arab Americans are doing, the Irish slowly became part of American society and the Democratic party “so it would be supportive of immigrants and workers.”

 

Arab American Democratic Club Chairman Samir Khalil with Christopher Kennedy, former Palos Heights Mayor Dean Koldenhoven, and former Lyons Mayor Ken Getty. Photo courtesy of Steve Metsch
Arab American Democratic Club Chairman Samir Khalil with Christopher Kennedy, former Palos Heights Mayor Dean Koldenhoven, and former Lyons Mayor Ken Getty. Photo courtesy of Steve Metsch

He talked of being a guest on WVON Radio, where the African American host asked if Kennedy was in favor of sanctuary cities, which Kennedy supports. The host then added that blacks are underemployed “because we are nice to immigrants.” The comment “is one of the most ignorant things I’ve ever heard,” Kennedy said.

“That anger that is present In Illinois, in Southern Illinois, in that disc jockey, that’s a threat to all of us. And it’s real. If we don’t solve that problem, they’re going to send us somebody worse than (President) Trump.”

The key for Illinois to succeed in the future, is stop relying on property taxes for public schools, he said.

“And it’s destroying our state because those kids will never know the freedom they should have in the land of the free. Why don’t we migrate to a system that will give us great results? We don’t do it because a handful of state legislators have outside jobs as property tax appeals lawyers.”

Those lawyers get a third of the property tax reduction their client realizes, he said, “and they’re willing to damn the next generation to a life of economic servitude. They’re willing to rob our economy of 75 percent of the kids coming in who could have been productive and never will be. I want to stop that. I want to make it impossible for them to be property tax appeals lawyers.”

Kennedy has worked around the state. He formerly worked for Archer Daniels Midland in Decatur, chaired the board of trustees at the University of Illinois, and formerly managed the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

Club members said they like the fact that Kennedy offers a strong alternative to current Gov. Bruce Rauner. They also like the fact that Kennedy opposes immigration restrictions endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Ziyad Brothers Importing owner Nemer Ziyad poses with Christopher Kennedy at the AADC Fundraiser in Worth Illinois November 8, 2017.
Ziyad Brothers Importing owner Nemer Ziyad poses with Christopher Kennedy at the AADC Fundraiser in Worth Illinois November 8, 2017.

“As a community, we represent a significant number that can result in ta candidate winning or losing. You must get involved in the political process because it can change our daily lives, it can affect our future,” club chairman Samir Khalil told a crowd of about 100. Khalil helped found the club in 1983.

Also in attendance was Dean Koldenhoven, whom Kennedy called “a true American hero.”

Koldenhoven is the former mayor of Palos Heights who in 2000 famously fought for the rights of a Muslim group to open a mosque in a former church – eventually costing him his mayor’s job in the process.

Koldenhoven, who won a JFK Profiles in Courage award in 2002 from Caroline Kennedy for his taking that stance, spoke of the importance of freedom in our country. He fondly recalled meeting members of the Kennedy family in Boston when he received the award.

“it’s evident Illinois needs a governor. Chris Kennedy wants to serve the people of Illinois with being our governor,” he said.

Christopher Kennedy addresses more than 150 leaders in the Arab American and Muslim community at the Arab American Democratic Club fundraiser November 8, 2017 in Worth, Illinois
Christopher Kennedy addresses more than 150 leaders in the Arab American and Muslim community at the Arab American Democratic Club fundraiser November 8, 2017 in Worth, Illinois

Ken Getty, a former mayor of Lyons, said the state already has a governor “who throws money around like a drunken sailor” and doesn’t need a Democratic candidate, referring to JB Pritzker, who would do the same thing.

“Chris (Kennedy) knows what the voters need. The people need to be rise up and need to put a good person in the statehouse who knows the direction we want to take,” Getty said.

Journalist Ray Hanania offered amusing stories about growing up as an Arab American in Chicago.

“I’m a Palestinian. I’m an Arab. I’m a Christian who everybody thinks is a Muslim. I’m a comedian. I’m a journalist. And I’m married to a Jew. No wonder I’ve got no friends,” Hanania said to laughter before Kennedy took the spotlight.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • ‘Weird Al’ vanity tour a smash - May 27, 2022
  • La Grange Pet Parade returns to roots - May 26, 2022
  • ‘Oui’ to a Paris vacation - May 26, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
        2   
 
  
2
Shares
 
2
Shares
 
 
      2    
Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Arab American Democratic Club, Bruce Rauner, Chris Kennedy, Daniel Biss, endorsement, funderaiser, governor's race, J.B. Pritzker

Post navigation

Previous Post: Tinley Park educates teens against drinking
Next Post: Chicago releases its 2018 Special Events Schedule

Related Posts

  • Chicago Wolves Hockey. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves win 12th straight game tying franchise record Chicago
  • Orland Park approves 375% increase in mayoral salary Blogger
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Property Tax info
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas posts First Installment property tax bills on website Chicago
  • Chicago Wolves forward David Gust. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    First-place Chicago Wolves win fourth game in a row Chicago
  • Ricardo Soto Lyons suspect in shooting at police during traffic stop. Mugshot courtesy of the Lyons Police
    Armed suspect arrested in gun related traffic stop in Village of Lyons breaking news
  • Endorsed candidates of the Arab American Democratic Organization in the March 20, 2018 Democratic Primary election
    Arab Democratic Club endorses Kennedy, Lipinski, Fioretti elections

More Related Articles

ComEd brings energy efficiency to Illinois Consumers News
Scorching fun in Bridgeview Festival
03-05-20 Column on Census and Gov Pritzker wasting money Are Census funds to improve count or politics? Blogger
American Arab Chamber of Commerce President Hassan NIjem welcomes homeowners at the Mosque Foundation Tax Refund Workshop organized by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the Chamber Friday Nov. 5, 2021 at the Mosque Foundation Mosque Foundation hosts Pappas, Chamber property tax refund program Business
Who is Rauner trying to fool? Editors Pick
Are handicap parking privileges being abused? Baby Boomers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Convicted sex predator Anthony Martin, senior vice president at Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison's company Morrison Security. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Courts
    Sean Morrison’s judgement questioned in defending sexual predator
    May 26, 2022
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday
    May 18, 2022
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess
    May 8, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police
    May 3, 2022
  • Pekau Sign place along curb.
    Crime is down for everyone but Pekau, he claims
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicagos first minority and Woman Mayor Jane M. Byrne is often ignored by the mainstream media. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Remembering Great Chicago Mayors, not just one
    April 23, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). Illinois Secretary of Sta... Illinois Secretary of State's race is a mess Most elections are pretty muc... posted on May 8, 2022
  • Suspect Joseph Guzman, 20, charged in two separate homicides that took the lives of three people. April 28, 2022. Mugshot courtesy of the Cicero Police Cicero Police and Illinoi... Cicero Police and Illinois State police announce murder charges against two... posted on April 28, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago. Mayor Lightfoot accused o... Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdo... posted on May 7, 2022
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Finally an Arab Restauran... Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love One of the b... posted on April 29, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania The Political Pundit Comi... The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police... posted on May 3, 2022
  • NEWS
  • ‘Weird Al’ vanity tour a smash
    May 27, 2022
  • La Grange Pet Parade returns to roots
    May 26, 2022
  • ‘Oui’ to a Paris vacation
    May 26, 2022
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves David Gust, from Orland Park in Chicago's Southwest Suburbs. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves winning streak continues, one win away from another sweep
    May 23, 2022
  • Republican conservatives Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, Committeewoman of Orland Township, and Steve Balich, Committeeman of Homer Township, welcomed attendees at a GOP rally Friday May 20, 2022 in Orland Township
    Conservative Republican candidates rally in Orland Township
    May 22, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022
  • Amazon.com's "Day 1" tower in Seattle, WA in January 2017. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Clifford Law to sue Amazon after employee is killed by tornado at downstate distribution center
    January 16, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

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.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wolves David Gust, from Orland Park in Chicago's Southwest Suburbs. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves winning streak continues, one win away from another sweep
    May 23, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals
    May 21, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards
    May 1, 2022
  • Muhammad Ali Center United Way
    Muhammad Ali Center, Metro United Way partner for Greatest Give Back
    April 29, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters
    May 6, 2022
  • Candidate for Cook County Board President Richard Boykin in the June 28, 2022 Democratic Primary election
    Preckwinkle challenger Richard Boykin unveils 7-point Holistic Public Safety Plan to address the County’s escalating crime rates
    April 21, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown
    May 7, 2022
  • John Husnick provides direction at Worth Township Career Fair
    Building Trades Career Fair offers opportunities for students
    April 29, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Leving to present on dad’s rights legal issues at Horasis Global meeting Friday March 4, 2022
    March 3, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme