Author: 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

React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders

January 3, 2026January 3, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders By Ray Hanania We will run statements as they are released by various American officials on President Donald Trump’s illegal invasion of Venezuela and his bombastic assertions of his greatness and plans to take over the Venezuelan Oil Field after his detention of Venezuelan President…

Crime, Economy, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Politics

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes By Maria Pappas Illinois offers senior citizens a property tax relief program that works like a loan. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program allows qualifying seniors to defer or postpone the payment of up to $7,500 a year in property…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Seniors

Father Transferred Overseas by Government Gains Time with Son

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Father Transferred Overseas by Government Gains Time with Son By Laura Reichel A panicked, divorced dad who works for the U.S. government found himself in a tough situation. He was being assigned overseas for a long period of time, and his ex reportedly denied his request to be with his son before his departure. Dad…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio

Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts

December 26, 2025January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts People have asked how to access all of my writings, radio shows, and audio/video podcasts, which include Ray Hanania on Politics, Two Guys on Politics with Bill Lipinski, The Ray Hanania Radio Show sponsored by Arab News on WNZK AM 690 Radio in Michigan, and Ray Hanania’s Syndicated column. Hanania takes…

Bill Lipinski, Books & Films, Commentary, elections, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, National, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Orland Park, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Travel

After Mother’s Death, Child Finds Safety in Dad’s Home

December 24, 2025December 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

After Mother’s Death, Child Finds Safety in Dad’s Home By Laura Reichel A desperate father called the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. for help after his late ex’s relatives refused to return his son to him after the mother’s tragic death. The Leving legal team fought to reunite dad and his son and…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, News, NewsWire

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back Author Charlene Wexler recently won a 2025 International Impact Book Award in the Contemporary Fiction category for her book We Won’t Go Back, published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life…

Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Uniejewski Campaign Knocks 50,000 Doors in the 6th District

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Uniejewski Campaign Knocks 50,000 Doors in the 6th District Grassroots organizing effort spans every ward, showing unprecedented organizing strength. Nick Uniejewski’s campaign announced today that it has knocked on more than 50,000 doors in all 10 wards across Illinois’ 6th State Senate District, demonstrating the scale of an organizing-first campaign focused on building lasting community…

elections, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics

Local restaurants and amateur cooks invited to compete in Frankfort Fire & Ice Winter Social Chili Cook-off

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Local restaurants and amateur cooks invited to compete in Frankfort Fire & Ice Winter Social Chili Cook-off The Village of Frankfort is inviting chili enthusiasts and local restaurants to turn up the heat this winter at the Fire & Ice Winter Social Chili Cook-Off, taking place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00…

Entertainment, Events, food, Frankfort, News, NewsWire, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Members and Associates of Violent Chicago Street Gang for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving 13 Murders

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Members and Associates of Violent Chicago Street Gang for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving 13 Murders A federal grand jury has indicted six alleged members and associates of a Chicago street gang for participating in a criminal organization that murdered rivals, committed armed robberies and carjackings, and violently protected their perceived territory on…

Chicago, Crime, Federal, Law, News, NewsWire, U.S. Attorney

Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh announced today that she will no longer use X, formerly known as Twitter, citing the platform’s transformation into a tool for right-wing radicalization, misinformation, and surveillance under Elon Musk’s ownership. Abughazaleh also called on other candidates to stop…

Chicago, Civil Rights, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Sullivan’s Steakhouse makes every night special with family and friends

December 19, 2025December 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sullivan’s Steakhouse makes every night special with family and friends Restaurant review: Sullivan’s Steakhouse features a Holiday Menu with quality care in preparing their expansive menu of fresh meats, seafood, and appetizers. The restaurant in Naperville is part of a national chain in 14 cities. The combination of food quality, presentation, freshness, and preparation, and…

Business, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man on Terrorism and Arson Charges for Lighting Train Passenger on Fire and Setting Chicago City Hall Ablaze Days Earlier

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man on Terrorism and Arson Charges for Lighting Train Passenger on Fire and Setting Chicago City Hall Ablaze Days Earlier A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a man on terrorism and arson charges for allegedly lighting a passenger on fire on a Chicago Transit Authority train and setting fire…

Crime, Federal, Fire, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Transportation

Former Congresswoman Marie Newman endorses Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich for Congress in the Illinois 6th Congressional District

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Former Congresswoman Marie Newman endorses Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich for Congress in the Illinois 6th Congressional District Former Congresswoman of IL-3, Marie Newman, has formally endorsed Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich, Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. Marie Newman also confirmed her attendance as the keynote speaker at Joey Ruzevich’s fundraising dinner on Friday, December 19, 2025,…

Bridgeview, elections, Federal, News, news release, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Disabled Dad United with Daughter for First Christmas Together

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Disabled Dad United with Daughter for First Christmas Together By Laura Reichel The time a father shares with his children is a precious gift. Yet, for too many fathers, that gift is taken away — leaving them isolated from their children. In one of the most moving victories the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information

December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information On December 12, 2025, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland denied former Mayor Keith Pekau’s motion to dismiss, allowing the Village’s lawsuit to proceed. The court determined that the Village’s allegations regarding the improper retention and use of…

Crime, Law, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1 According to the Department of Justice’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Illinois has 461 open missing persons cases. Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement will take a new approach to these cases, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “I teamed…

Crime, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Releases, Senator Michael Hastings

Walter Adamczyk statement proposes Honoring Illinois Veterans with “Real Service”

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Walter Adamczyk statement proposes Honoring Illinois Veterans with “Real Service” Veterans should receive free Illinois Driver’s Licenses and/or Illinois State ID “The honorable men and women who served our great nation deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and efficiency,” Adamczyk said in a press release Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. “As Illinois Secretary of State,…

elections, News, Republican, Veterans, Veterans Column

Attorney Jeffery M. Leving to Discuss Fathers’ Rights on CBS Chicago Ch. 2

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Attorney Jeffery M. Leving to Discuss Fathers’ Rights on CBS Chicago Ch. 2 CHICAGO, IL, December 15, 2025 – Famed fathers’ rights advocate and family law attorney Jeffery M. Leving will appear on CBS Chicago (Ch. 2) Tuesday, December 16th at 10:00 PM CST with host Jane Clauss. Attorney Leving will discuss the importance of…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire, Television