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
    • Submit a Press Release
  • 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
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols
    Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census Census
  • Town President Larry Dominick and the Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts and Shamrocks luncheon. Cicero's senior services program is one of the most extensive in the Midwest offering an array of services including lawn cutting, snow shoveling, handiman assistance, transportation and a range of healthcare services. For more information visit www.TheTownofCicero.com
    The Town of Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts & Shamrocks dance Baby Boomers
  • Harlem Avenue closed from 86th and 87th pending investigation of pedestrian struck by vehicle News
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Court orders ex to provide transportation so Dad can see his daughter Civil Rights
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign
    Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Repeat Gun Offenders At WGN Debate  Chicago
  • Orland Fire Protection District extinguish fire in apartment building at 144th and Ravinia Sunday Jan. 30, 2022
    One fatality in Orland Hills Home fire Cook County
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people Blogger
  • Writing my very first news story that ran in the Messenger Press Baby Boomers
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges Features
  • Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8 Entertainment
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Paul Vallas calls out Johnson’s lies walking back calls to defund and undermine police Chicago
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Psychological support for divorcing dads topic of CLE at Leving firm Chicago
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park Blogger
  • Pekau campaign signs violate village ordinances News
  • Rotary Club of Orland Park Logo
    Orland Park Rotary offering scholarships to graduating seniors Education

Hastings announces for Secretary of State

Posted on March 3, 2021March 3, 2021 By Ray Hanania
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Loading

Hastings announces for Secretary of State

State Senator Michael E. Hastings announces bid for Secretary of State. Hastings wins major endorsement from the Carpenters union, which represents 30,000 Illinois working families

Illinois State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced Wednesday his intention to run for Secretary of State, pledging to serve working class families across the State of Illinois.

A decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and champion of Illinois working families, Mike believes the Secretary of State’s office can be a catalyst for getting Illinois back on track while continuing to provide first-class services to Illinois drivers, business owners, and others.

Hastings’ announcement coincided with an endorsement from the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, who represent more than 30,000 working Illinois families. And with more than $500,000 already raised for his campaign, Hastings will have the resources needed to tell his story about fighting for working and middle-class families.

“Senator Hastings has always been a staunch advocate for the labor movement and a strong proponent of policies that lift the middle class,” said Gary Perinar, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters.

Illinois Senator Michael Hastings. Courtesy of Senator Hastings
Illinois Senator Michael Hastings. Courtesy of Senator Hastings

“Mike’s decision to run for Secretary of State is a boon to working families and a win for voters who expect candidates to be honest, level-headed and hard-working. His background, experience, legislative record, and work ethic give me the utmost confidence that he is the right person for this job.”

Hastings, who is backed by a base of diverse grassroots support reflective of the state, said he is humbled by the support he has been receiving for his candidacy. “It has been an honor to dedicate my life to public service, representing working class families of Illinois,” Hastings said. “In the State Senate, I have put the working people of Illinois first, helping to create apprenticeship programs, implementing automatic voter registration to make it easier for everyone to vote, and fighting to get us out of this pandemic, both from a health care standpoint and an economic one.”

“We recently opened the Tinley Park Convention Center as a mass vaccination site,” Hastings continued. “I could not have been prouder to see the Illinois National Guard, my sisters and brothers in uniform, helping our neighbors get vaccinated against this virus.”

Hastings praised Jesse White as a leader who has forever left his mark through his integrity and exemplary service to our country and state. Secretary White has improved the Secretary of State’s office, leaving an undeniable legacy of success and a foundation to build upon.

Hastings wants to continue Secretary White’s progress to further modernize and streamline the Secretary of State’s office by: expanding online services, including license renewals for drivers and businesses in good standing; promoting economic development and entrepreneurship through a robust array of business services, including lower fees for starting a business; strengthening protections for Illinois voters and consumers by focusing on information security and preventing identity theft; expand organ donation awareness and prioritize greater investment in technology improvements for our libraries.

Hastings stated that leadership is essential when leading one of the state’s largest constitutional offices. “This is the most routine interface people have with state government, and it is essential they receive top-tier services.”

Mike grew up in a middle-class family in the southwest suburbs. He earned All-State honors as a football player and went on to play at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

He will also draw from his experience as an officer in Iraq, where he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in a combat zone. Hastings routinely conducted operations across a dangerous stretch of road known during the war as the “Highway of Death.” Hastings stated that keeping Illinois’s highways safe would be personal for him.

In addition to ten years of service in the U.S. Army, Mike has served in the Illinois Senate since 2013. He lives in Frankfort with his wife, Katie, and their two children, Mikey (5) and Maddie (1).

Today, I announced my candidacy to be the next Secretary of State.

For the past 22 years, the State of Illinois has been blessed to have Jesse White as our Secretary of State. His legacy will forever be one of integrity and exemplary service to our country and state. Secretary White has improved the office and provided a successful foundation that, together, we can build upon.

With Jesse’s retirement, I believe experience and energetic leadership can continue to modernize and improve the office for decades to come. My leadership experience — whether it’s in the military, corporate America or in the Illinois General Assembly — is proven leadership … and my commitment to your family and you is that I will always work relentlessly for working-class families across Illinois.

Throughout the course of this campaign, I will be discussing my ideas for process improvements and programs that will modernize and streamline the Secretary of State’s office, including:

  • Expanding online services, including license renewals for drivers and businesses in good standing;
  • Promoting economic development and entrepreneurship through a robust array of business services, including lower fees for starting a business;
  • Strengthening protections for Illinois voters and consumers, by focusing on information security and preventing identity theft;
  • Expanding organ donation awareness and education; and
  • Prioritize greater investment in technology improvements for our libraries.

​I will make it my priority to travel across the State of Illinois to better understand what matters most to you, and how I can make your experience with government better.

Please reach out to our campaign as your input and feedback are invaluable to me.  I look forward to seeing you soon! Stay safe and healthy.

  • 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.  

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 rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • The Town of Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts & Shamrocks dance - March 25, 2023
  • Harlem Avenue closed from 86th and 87th pending investigation of pedestrian struck by vehicle - March 24, 2023
  • Court orders ex to provide transportation so Dad can see his daughter - March 23, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, NewsWire, Politics Tags:candidate, election, Illinois Secretary of STate, Illinois Senator, Michael Hastings

Post navigation

Previous Post: Orland Township partners with Jewel-Osco to provide vaccines for Seniors
Next Post: Cleveland Monsters overtake Chicago Wolves

Related Posts

  • 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
  • CDC Image of girl sneezing. Coronavirus
    IDHS expanding services by phone and online; 14 offices will remain open Chicago
  • Elizabeth Klein, Deputy Secretary of the Interior. Photo courtesy of the Biden Transition Team
    Biden announces more key appointments to his cabinet elections
  • Veteran News & Events Government
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Construction employment rises in response to labor shortages General Topics
  • Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election Government

More Related Articles

Obit: Illinois legislator George Shadid, 1929 – 2018 breaking news
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Aug. 18 for the new performing arts center at Argo Community High School in Summit. The new center was made possible thanks in part to a $1 million donation from alumni Richard and Sharon Portillo. (Photo by Steve Metsch) Landek announces over $155 million in funding for local school districts Education
Romaine Lettuce. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia E. Coli Outbreak Possibly Linked to Romaine Lettuce food
Summit tables paving contract Government
14th Illinois Congressional District Candidate Lauren Underwood. Photo By: R. Dione Foto (www.rdionefoto.com) Democrat Underwood features new Ads in Illinois 14th Congressional District race elections
Muslims lose in backlash in Suburban Chicago elections elections
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people
    March 21, 2023
  • Writing my very first news story that ran in the Messenger Press
    March 19, 2023
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park
    March 14, 2023
  • Foxx policies punish police rather than the criminals
    March 8, 2023
  • Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power
    February 27, 2023
  • Terrorist Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin who is guilty of massacring civilians in his war against Ukraine. Photo credit Wikipedia
    America should stand with Ukraine and set aside internal politics
    February 24, 2023

Subscribe

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

Trending

  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east. Whoa is Wu’s House... Whoa is Wu's House in Palos Park Residents in Palos Park thought they had t... posted on March 14, 2023
  • Harlem Avenue closed from... Harlem Avenue closed from 86th and 87th pending investigation of pedestrian... posted on March 24, 2023
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith P... Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people By Ray Ha... posted on March 21, 2023
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign Johnson Refuses to Answer... Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Re... posted on March 22, 2023
  • Pekau campaign signs viol... Pekau campaign signs violate village ordinances Pekau and his endorsed cand... posted on March 13, 2023
  • NEWS
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols
    Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census
    March 25, 2023
  • Town President Larry Dominick and the Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts and Shamrocks luncheon. Cicero's senior services program is one of the most extensive in the Midwest offering an array of services including lawn cutting, snow shoveling, handiman assistance, transportation and a range of healthcare services. For more information visit www.TheTownofCicero.com
    The Town of Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts & Shamrocks dance
    March 25, 2023
  • Harlem Avenue closed from 86th and 87th pending investigation of pedestrian struck by vehicle
    March 24, 2023
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Court orders ex to provide transportation so Dad can see his daughter
    March 23, 2023
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign
    Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Repeat Gun Offenders At WGN Debate 
    March 22, 2023
  • Orland Fire Protection District extinguish fire in apartment building at 144th and Ravinia Sunday Jan. 30, 2022
    One fatality in Orland Hills Home fire
    March 22, 2023
  • 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
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges
    March 18, 2023
  • Wreaths Across America Radio logo
    Wreaths Across America Radio Announces New Strategic Partnerships with Veteran Radio Programs
    February 6, 2023
  • Dr. Helen Edwards Fermilab particle physicist
    Foster, Durbin, Duckworth introduce resolution to name Fermilab Research Center after renowned physicist Dr. Helen Edwards
    February 3, 2023

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.

First Installment of the Property Tax

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
  • Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    March 17, 2023
  • Chicago Wolves 2022-2023 season
    Chicago Wolves top Stars for second win in a row
    October 25, 2022
  • Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop! The team that does a lot of the work to help the Stagg High school band perform works behind the scenes like a NASCAR pit stop. The students are profiled in this feature
    Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop!
    August 31, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols
    Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census
    March 25, 2023
  • Town President Larry Dominick and the Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts and Shamrocks luncheon. Cicero's senior services program is one of the most extensive in the Midwest offering an array of services including lawn cutting, snow shoveling, handiman assistance, transportation and a range of healthcare services. For more information visit www.TheTownofCicero.com
    The Town of Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts & Shamrocks dance
    March 25, 2023
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Psychological support for divorcing dads topic of CLE at Leving firm
    March 14, 2023
  • Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of "The Cherry Orchard" Photo courtesy Goodman Theatre
    Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of “The Cherry Orchard”
    March 6, 2023
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Ziyad Brothers reports that the appeal of Mediterranean foods continues to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
John Kass Columns

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

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park
    March 14, 2023
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Ziyad Brothers reports that the appeal of Mediterranean foods continues to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications
    January 23, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job
    January 19, 2023

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

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