OPINION

Punta Cana vacation at the Paradisus Palma Real, a beautiful beach and breath of fresh air
Punta Cana vacation at the Paradisus Palma Real, a beautiful beach and breath of fresh air Taking a vacation break from the Coronavirus Pandemic while ensuring that you protect … Click to Read
White House push probes “Capitol riot,” but continues to ignore the post-Floyd riots
White House push probes “Capitol riot,” but continues to ignore the post-Floyd riots Special Column Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Loot businesses, burn buildings, injure scores of people and that is … Click to Read
Vacation or vaccine, escaping the COVID pandemic
Vacation or vaccine, escaping the COVID pandemic Escaping the COVID pandemic by going on an overseas vacation is a luxury that very few get to enjoy. But doing … Click to Read
Will Congress now try to “Amnesty” us in new immigration bill?
Will Congress now try to “Amnesty” us in new immigration bill? A proposed bill to expand immigrant amnesty in the United States will worsen the crisis and make … Click to Read
Censorship is a weapon of tyranny not freedom
Censorship is a weapon of tyranny not freedom By Ray Hanania Applauding Censorship is horrible. Censorship is a disease that undermines freedom from within. Oppressors who hide behind … Click to Read
Monday’s Column: Making the impact of coronavirus worse
Monday’s Column: Making the impact of coronavirus worse Race, politics and a lack of justice is making the impact of the coronavirus pandemic worse on Americans. Many politicians at … Click to Read

NEWS RELEASES

Governor adds another county to drought disaster declaration
Governor adds another county to drought disaster declaration Winnebago County has been named in a drought disaster declaration by Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker, joining Boone, Cook, DeKalb, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties. The disaster declaration allows counties to access emergency loans following drought conditions Winnebago county has been added to the USDA Secretarial natural disaster designation for drought conditions impacting the growing season, allowing producers to access emergency USDA loans as they recover. Winnebago joins Boone, Cook, DeKalb, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties, which were designated in early July. USDA natural disaster designations also include contiguous counties adding Stephenson county to the list of DuPage, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle and Will counties. Both primary and contiguous counties are eligible for emergency assistance. “As counties across northern Illinois counties respond to drought conditions, delaying and severely impacting planting as well as livestock producers, the state will use every resource to ensure communities can recover,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I am grateful to President Biden and USDA Secretary Vilsack for their quick assessment of the impact of the drought and the ability for Illinois farmers to access critical resources.” A Secretarial natural disaster designation provides the USDA FSA to extend emergency loans to impacted producers recovering from natural disasters. Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to ask questions or file a Notice of Loss. The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers a Hay and Straw Directory for livestock producers impacted by the drought and needing to locate hay and straw. Producers who have hay or straw to sell are encouraged to provide their listing through the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.
Matt Fraser appearing live at the MotorCity Casino Sound Board Theater in Detroit
Matt Fraser appearing live at the MotorCity Casino Sound Board Theater in Detroit America’s top psychic medium Matt Fraser, Star in the TV series on E! is now appearing LIVE at the MotorCity Casino Sound Board Theater in Detroit Michigan, on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 7:30 pm EST. He is the first show available to attend at the MotorCity Casino in 2021! The location is at 2901 Grand River, Detroit, MI. The Casino Hotel is Detroit’s only AAA Four Diamond Award winning restaurant with a Radio Bar, a gaming floor, a great new non-smoking area with over 400 luxury rooms and suites to stay in. Tickets are now available online at Sound Board at MotorCity Casino. During his LIVE audience readings, Matt gets up close and personal, taking guests on a spiritual journey by reconnecting them with their loved ones in spirit and validating proof of the afterlife in real time. From heartfelt emotional readings to stunning revelations, Matt Fraser has audiences on the edge of their seats with his outrageous personality and unique approach. Here is an interview and reading Matt did for renown plastic surgeons Dr. Terry Dubrow and Dr. Paul Nassif from the reality TV series BOTCHED. His readings lead guests through a roller-coaster of emotions from touching moments to laughter, turning skeptics into believers with stunning details. His dynamic readings frequently include names, dates, and locations he couldn’t possibly know, only adding to his long-established reputation as one of the most credible mediums in the world. With over a two-year wait-list for private readings, Matt’s uncanny abilities and extreme accuracy have allowed him to build a worldwide clientele of millions from A-list celebrities and influencers, to people looking to get in touch with those they have lost. The author of When Heaven Calls published by Simon and Schuster where Matt reflects on his life of speaking to Spirit and the lessons he’s learned along the way—from both the living and those in Heaven. Matt has caught the attention of major media outlets across the nation including the many newspapers, People Magazine, People TV, Daily Mail TV, KTLA and other TV stations across America. He has been on many radio shows and is a sought-after guest on popular TV shows such as The Real Housewives, Botched, and The Doctors. Kelly Clarkson even taped an interview with Matt doing audience readings. Seeing Matt LIVE doing readings is so much more than a show—it is the most powerful family reunion with Heaven ever to be experienced.
Which states are safest in today’s continuing COVID pandemic?
Which states are safest in today’s continuing COVID pandemic? With around 49% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of July 21, and vaccination being essential for getting the economy back on track, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the Safest States During COVID-19, along with accompanying videos and audio files. In order to find out the safest states during the COVID-19 pandemic, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics. Our data set includes the rates of COVID-19 transmission, positive testing, hospitalizations and death, as well as the share of the eligible population getting vaccinated. Below, you can see highlights from the report, along with a WalletHub Q&A. Safest Least Safe 1. Vermont 42. Alabama 2. Connecticut 43. Florida 3. Rhode Island 44. Wyoming 4. New Hampshire 45. Montana 5. Hawaii 46. Mississippi 6. Massachusetts 47. Oklahoma 7. New York 48. Nevada 8. Washington 49. Missouri 9. South Dakota 50. Arkansas 10. Minnesota 51. Louisiana Note: Rankings are based on data available as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. To view the full report and your state’s rank, Click Here. WalletHub Q&A What impact do unvaccinated people have on the economy? “Our economic recovery will not reach its full potential until the vast majority of people who are medically able to get vaccinated do so. The more people who decline to get vaccinated, the more risk there is to public health, especially as the new delta COVID-19 variant spreads. The safety level of the country impacts the economy because it is tied to the lifting of restrictions and it determines how confident people are to go out and spend money,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “While we have made a lot of progress with vaccination, recent polls have found that most people who are still unvaccinated do not plan to ever get the vaccine. Investing in campaigns to convince more people to get vaccinated may lead to bigger economic returns down the line.” How will safer conditions for vacationers this summer impact the economy? “Safer conditions for vacationers this summer should have a very positive impact on the economy. Consumer confidence is up due to the vaccine, and over two-thirds of Americans plan to travel this summer. The 4th of July weekend demonstrated people’s willingness to take a trip, as air travel rose to levels higher than before the pandemic, and road travel was at an all-time high,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “This summer, tourist attractions, entertainment venues, retail stores, restaurants and accommodation providers should see a large boost in revenue. Travel providers, like airlines, bus companies and cruise lines, should also have significant gains compared to last year. More money being spent on vacations leads to businesses hiring more employees, who will then put their earnings back into the economy.” What does it mean for safety that the EEOC has confirmed employers can require vaccination in the workplace? “The fact that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has confirmed employers can require vaccination in the workplace means that we should see even higher safety levels in the near future. Companies that require vaccination will help push more people to get protected, which will make daily COVID-19 cases and deaths drop even lower,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Some places, such as Houston Methodist Hospital, are already advertising that they mandate vaccination for all employees. Those companies view having a vaccination requirement as a competitive advantage, since consumers are more likely to visit places that make them feel safer.” Is Alaska, the state with the lowest death rate, one of the states that is vaccinating most? “Despite reporting no deaths in the past week, Alaska ranks as the 21st lowest when it comes to the share of the population age 12 and over who have received at least one dose of the vaccine,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Increasing the number of people vaccinated is essential for getting control of the pandemic.”
Cicero lawsuit accuses BNSF of altering property to force water runoff into neighborhoods
Cicero lawsuit accuses BNSF of altering property to force water runoff into neighborhoods The Town of Cicero this week filed a lawsuit against the BNSF Railway Company alleging that the company intentionally elevated its land surface by several feet and covered the soft ground with pavement to force the run-off of rainwater from its property onto surrounding Town of Cicero neighborhoods. Like many suburban communities in the South and West suburbs, and because of increased rainfall over the past several decades, Cicero has experienced flooding. The massive size of BNSF land, estimated to be 250 acres or 7 percent of the Town’s entire land mass, has raised concerns that the water run-off is a contributing factor in aggravating the rainwater floods. The lawsuit specifically accuses BNSF of elevating and paving the property to force the water to runoff onto neighboring streets and homes and asks the State of Illinois Court to order BNSF to construct appropriate detention ponds or other drainage system apparatuses sufficient to address and retain stormwater runoff, conduct professional studies to confirm it has remediated the threat of rainwater run-off, and ensure that rainwater does not endanger Cicero’s homeowners. The lawsuit, filed by Michael Del Galdo Law Group LLC on behalf of Cicero Town President Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero Board, describes the problems caused by BNSF in detail. “The Subject Property was previously largely soil or aggregate, and in an unraised condition – but has now been paved and filled to an increased elevation of approximately 2-3 feet, as evidenced by several layers of fill when digging on site has occurred and by only seeing the tops of previously existing fire hydrants on site,” the lawsuit alleges. “Increasing the elevation of a site increases the flow and amount of stormwater runoff from a property. Additionally, paving over surfaces leads to a larger amount of runoff as those surfaces are impermeable and unable to absorb runoff in the manner and at the rate of a soil or aggregate surface.” Town President Larry Dominick said the lawsuit was unavoidable mainly because BNSF, which holds the largest parcel of land in the community, has never attempted to discuss the issue with the Town. Dominick said that in addition to the excess rainwater runoff onto Cicero’s streets and already burdened water disbursement system, there is also the potential that hazardous wastes from the BNSF railway property would also mix with the water and pollute the community. “This is unacceptable,” President Dominick said. “Their solution to increasing rainwater is to push it off on others without as much as expressing any concerns for the well-being of the community. BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with 32,500 miles of rail across the western two-thirds of the United States. BNSF owns and operates an intermodal rail and maintenance yard at 5601 W. 26th Street in Cicero, Illinois, which bisects the Town and runs east-west in the area south of 26th Street. A hearing date on the lawsuit has been set for Nov. 10, 2021 at 9:30 AM in District 1. Click here to read the lawsuit in PDF format. For more information on the Town of Cicero, visit: www.TheTownofCicero.com www.Facebook.com/TownofCicero For more information on the Del Galdo Law Group, visit: www.DLGLawGroup.com
Orland Township Bringing Excitement with Back-To-School Health Fair
Orland Township Bringing Excitement with Back-To-School Health Fair Residents are invited to attend the fun-filled back to school event later this Summer. Orland Township hopes to get everyone ready to get back to school this August by holding their annual Back-To-School Health Fair, proudly presented by Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees! The fair, which will take place on August 14th, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., will be held at Orland Township; located at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, IL. “Making sure our youth return to school healthy and ready to learn is more important than ever after this past year,” said Supervisor O’Grady. “Support for our school-children, parents, and teachers needs to be easily accessible. We hope to provide that and even more support at our Back-To-School Health Fair this August. After all, we’re still in this together.” Admission to the health fair is free. School physicals (sports and health) will be available for $35 for Township residents ($45 for non-residents) and proof of residency required. Free services include: Dental Screenings & Eye Exams Hair Cuts provided by Salon Evangelos School Supplies Food & Beverages Furthermore, qualifying families can sign up to receive more school supplies from the Orland Township Food Pantry. Immunizations will be available for those who meet the following requirements: Must have an up-to-date U.S. immunization record Live in Orland Township (proof of residency required) Medicaid Title XIX (19)* Native American or Alaska Native Underinsured (must show policy) or uninsured *Please note: Orland Township no longer accepts Medicaid Title XXI (21). Residents will be charged a $10 admission fee per vaccine. (Anyone who meets the above requirements but lives outside of Orland Township will be charged a $20 administration fee per vaccine – cash or credit only.) There will be plenty of activities and attendees to keep everyone entertained during the Back-to-School Health Fair, including: School Bus Safety presented by American Bus Company Orland Park Fire Department, providing CPR training Giveaways and tuition assistance information from Edward Jones Additionally, there will be games and prizes from generous donors such as White Mountain, Burger 21, and many more. Face painting and numerous free giveaways from local vendors will also be available. Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Orland Township Board of Trustees hopes to see you there. For more information on Orland Township happenings, please call at (708) 403-4222, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, or visit the website at www.orlandtownship.org.
Glenwood Ave Arts District Festival Aug 20 – 22
Glenwood Ave Arts District Festival Aug 20 – 22 The Glenwood Avenue Arts District has announced that it will be hosting the 20th Annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest on August 20th through August 22nd along the cobblestones streets of Glenwood Avenue and Morse avenue in the “Heart of Rogers Park”. The festival will kick-off on Friday August 20th with the Friday Night Cobblestone Jam from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. On Saturday and Sunday the Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest will bring over 90 visual artists to line Morse Avenue from Wayne to Greenview and Glenwood Avenue from Farwell to Lunt, presenting a diverse selection of artists and craftworkers, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, textile, metal, mixed media and functional art. The festival will also host two stages with over 24 live music acts featuring a wide variety of musical genres. To insure public safety, the festival will comply with COVID-19 guidelines that will be applicable as of August 20th, 2021. Specific Covid-19 safety protocols will be announced prior to the festival. As in past years, the festival will provide: • Local food and beverage venders to showcase and support Rogers Park local businesses. • The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest is a FREE FESTIVAL with no gate fee. • The art festival is supported by local business and the Rogers Park Business Alliance. • The festival is organized by volunteers of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District. Due to COVID-19, the festival organizers have a late start and additional information, artist venders and band schedules will be announced at a later date. meanwhile, artists and sponsors should keep their eye on the glenwoodave.org website and the Glenwood Ave Arts Fest facebook page for artist and sponsor applications. Stage Sponsor opportunities as well as other sponsor opportunities are still available. Festival Location The festival location is at the intersection of Morse & Glenwood Avenues, extending one block east and west and one block north and south of the Morse Redline L Station. The Fest occupies four city blocks on the 1300 and 1400 blocks of West Morse Avenue and the 6900 Blocks of North Glenwood. Festival Hours Friday Night – Music Only: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Saturday – Art & Music 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Sunday – Art & Music 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Rogers Park is the most culturally and economically diverse neighborhood in Chicago. Located in the far northeast corner of the city, more than 80 languages are spoken among the community’s 63,000 residents. Rogers Park celebrates diversity and harmonious living. “In a city made famous for an accepted and often enforced cultural and socio-economic homogeneity within neighborhoods, Rogers Park stands almost alone as an exception,” said the Chicago Tribune. The Daily Herald reported, “Rogers Park, on the north edge of Chicago, offers an urban vibe, intimate but exciting theater, a variety of live music, good restaurants and largely free parking, and the glorious Lake Michigan beachfront open to all.” Glenwood Avenue Arts District features artist studios, music venues, and numerous restaurants and bars. The Rogers Park neighborhood is also well known for its theaters, including Lifeline Theatre, The Factory Theater, and Theatre Above the Law, which make up one of the city’s hottest theater corridors and are regularly recognized by the Jeff Awards. “For pure Chicago heart, soul, and polished grit, the Glenwood Avenue Arts District in Rogers Park is our favorite new destination” (Chicago Magazine). GAAF 2021 Planning Committee: Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest is a broad-based, grassroots, non-profit event planned and staffed by volunteers, dedicated to remaining free to the public, offering low participation fees to artists, showcasing the artists and venues of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District, and retaining the unique and eclectic character of the neighborhood. The GAAF 2021 planning committee is Gregory Altman, Mary Bao, Diana Berek, Jeff Cory, Jim Ginderske, Alan J. Goldberg, Alicia Hempfling, Carolina Juarez, Jessica Oloroso and Tom Rosenfeld. The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest is presented by the Glenwood Avenue Arts District. Media Contact: manager@glenwoodave.org

BUSINESS NEWS

Will Congress now try to “Amnesty” us in new immigration bill?
Will Congress now try to “Amnesty” us in new immigration bill? A proposed bill to expand immigrant amnesty in the United States will worsen the crisis and make it more difficult for American citizens to find jobs, educator and analyst Mark Thies contends. More than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States would be …
Chicago Wolves elevate Mahoney, Sata to team Presidency
Chicago Wolves elevate Mahoney, Sata to team Presidency Organization’s long-time leaders rewarded for their excellence The Chicago Wolves announced Thursday that senior vice presidents Courtney Mahoney and Jon Sata have been named President of Operations and President of Business Operations, respectively, for the four-time league-champion organization. Mahoney has been a leader in the Wolves front …

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Arab American Democratic Club to host online rally

Arab American Democrats will fete Democratic candidates running in the Nov. 3, 2020 General election at an online Zoom Conference that will be held Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 beginning at 11 AM. The conference includes elected officials, government officials of all parties, local community journalists and leaders of the Arab American community nationally. The conference will be streamed live on the AADC Facebook page.

Click to view the video conference or use the widget below

The Arab American Democratic Club will host an online Zoom conference with candidates, activists and government officials to promote Democratic involvement in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election.

The public is invited to watch the free and live broadcast of the Zoom conference that will be held Sunday, Oct. 25, 20202 beginning at 11 AM by visiting the Arab American Democratic Club’s Facebook Page at:

Facebook.com/ArabAmericanDemocraticClub.

AADC was founded in 1983 by Chicago businessman Samir Khalil to help Arab Americans engaged in local, state and national elections. Over the years, it has hosted pre-election conferences to give candidates and elected officials the opportunity to address Arab American voters.

Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan addressing the Oct. 21, 2018 candidate’s forum hosted by the Arab American Democratic Club in suburban Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

The Illinois 3d Congressional District is ranked as having the 8^th largest Arab American constituency in the country and Arab Americans were instrumental in helping progressive Democrat Marie Newman to win the Democratic Party nomination.

Speakers at the Zoom conference include Jim Zogby, the president of the Arab American Institute which is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization and not affiliated with a political party. Would you mind making an edit that reflects our voter engagement work is nonpartisan?Also, Jennifer Atala, a spokesperson for Arab Americans for Biden, will also address the gathering.

Community Media personalities who will also speak include the Southwest News Newspaper Group’s reporter Steve Metsch, the Daily Southtown’s Ted Slowik, Jon DePaolis of the Richard Free Press Online News, and Lorraine Swanson of the Patch Online News.

Columnist Ray Hanania of the Southwest News Newspaper Group and the Patch Online News will serve as the event Emcee.

“Arab Americans are proud to be American and we have worked hard to not only support our societies but to help educate mainstream Americans about our proud and rich culture,” Khalil said.

“We are veterans, active duty service members, business people, journalists and in some cases government officials and officeholders. We welcome everyone to watch the conference as we explore support for our Democratic candidates from our candidate for President down to local races.”

Khalil said that all of the region’s Democratic candidates and all government officials (regardless of party affiliation) are invited to participate in the zoom conference.

For more information on the AADC or on participating in the conference, visit the AADC website at www.AADCIL.com.

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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.

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

A critic of mainstream news media bias, Hanania advocates for peace & justice for Israel & Palestine, & the empowerment of Arabs in America.

Click here to listen to Ray's Political Podcast.

Hanania's columns are archived on his personal website at RayHanania.com. 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.

Hanania is President/CEO of Urban Strategies Group which provides communications services to governments and private businesses, and hosts writing training workshops, and publishes books.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Find him on MeWe.com and on Idobbinate.com the alternatives to Facebook