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

Court Victory: Grandson Safeguarded From Danger after Mother’s Tragic Death

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Court Victory: Grandson Safeguarded From Danger after Mother’s Tragic Death

Court Victory: Grandson Safeguarded From Danger after Mother’s Tragic Death By Jeffery M. Leving Following the shooting death of his mother, a young boy was placed in the care of his uncle—what should have been a safe and stable arrangement. Instead, it quickly became a reported source of fear for his grandfather. He was alarmed…

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

Leving Team Fought and Brought Dad’s Twin Boys Home

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Leving Team Fought and Brought Dad’s Twin Boys Home

Leving Team Fought and Brought Dad’s Twin Boys Home By Laura Reichel No father should have to wonder if he will ever see his children again. Unfortunately for this father, he was forced to face that reality after his twin sons were suddenly pulled out of his life and taken out of Illinois without his…

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

Steppenwolf announces new ensemble member, Laura D. Glenn

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Steppenwolf announces new ensemble member, Laura D. Glenn

Steppenwolf announces new ensemble member, Laura D. Glenn “Steppenwold has been  my life’s work. I’m excited for this next step” Laura D. Glenn, was named as the latest ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theater. Glenn whose journey with Steppenwolf began as a summer intern in 1988, has worked on more than 100 Steppenwolf productions over 38…

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Chicago, Entertainment, News, NewsWire, Theater

Cook County Board of Review Opens 2026 Property Tax Appeal Season on Monday, July 27

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Cook County Board of Review Opens 2026 Property Tax Appeal Season on Monday, July 27

Cook County Board of Review Opens 2026 Property Tax Appeal Season on Monday, July 27 Chicago, IL – Tuesday, July 21, 2026 – The Cook County Board of Review (CCBOR) will officially open the 2026 property tax appeal season on Monday, July 27, providing homeowners, businesses, and property owners across Cook County the opportunity to…

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Cook County, News, news release, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Member of 10-Person Robbery Crew Targeting Chicago Suburbs Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

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Member of 10-Person Robbery Crew Targeting Chicago Suburbs Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

Member of 10-Person Robbery Crew Targeting Chicago Suburbs Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison CHICAGO — A member of a crew that conspired to commit 11 brazen daytime robberies in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Between January 2022 and March 2023, Perry Maple, 23, participated directly in three…

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Crime, Federal, Law, News, NewsWire, Orland Park

Northbrook West/Citation Lake Stormwater Project earns highest-priority ranking from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

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Northbrook West/Citation Lake Stormwater Project earns highest-priority ranking from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Northbrook West/Citation Lake Stormwater Project earns highest-priority ranking from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027 NORTHBROOK, Illinois (July 21, 2026) — The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)…

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Flooding, Government, News, news release, NewsWire

Former Summit Police Chief John Kosmowski sentenced for corruption

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Former Summit Police Chief John Kosmowski sentenced for corruption

Former Summit Police Chief John Kosmowski sentenced for corruption Former Suburban Chicago Police Chief Sentenced to Three Years in Federal prison for Bribery and Obstruction of Justice CHICAGO — The former Chief of Police in the village of Summit, Ill., has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for corruptly accepting money from a…

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Crime, News, news release, NewsWire, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, U.S. Attorney

Hastings hosts Summer Soiree Thursday August 6, 2026 Old Plank Trail Frankfort

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Hastings hosts Summer Soiree Thursday August 6, 2026 Old Plank Trail Frankfort

Hastings hosts Summer Soiree Thursday August 6, 2026 Old Plank Trail Frankfort Please join Senator Michael E. Hastings for a Summer Soirée on Thursday, August 6, at Old Plank Trail Tavern in Frankfort. Throw on your summer attire and enjoy an evening with friends and supporters as we gather to support Senator Hastings and his…

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Entertainment, Events, Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Your Property Index Number or PIN; What You Need to Know

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Your Property Index Number or PIN; What You Need to Know

Your Property Index Number or PIN; What You Need to Know By Maria Pappas If you own property in Cook County, there’s one number you should always know: your PIN. That’s short for Property Index Number—a 14-digit code assigned to every piece of real estate in the county. It’s tied to the legal description of…

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Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Historic Property Tax Reforms Championed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas signed into Law

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Historic Property Tax Reforms Championed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas signed into Law

Historic Property Tax Reforms Championed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas signed into Law Gov. JB Pritzker today signed into law landmark legislation pushed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to protect homeowners from losing their equity through property tax foreclosure. The new law marks the most significant overhaul of Illinois’ property tax foreclosure system…

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Cook County, Illinois Legislature, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Hastings encourages municipalities, park districts to apply for IDNR grant

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Hastings encourages municipalities, park districts to apply for IDNR grant

Hastings encourages municipalities, park districts to apply for IDNR grant State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging park districts and municipalities in the 19th District to apply for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant. “Some places become more than parks, they become gathering places where memories are made,…

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Cook County, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Leving Team Challenged the Narrative and Protected Client’s Future

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Leving Team Challenged the Narrative and Protected Client’s Future

Leving Team Challenged the Narrative and Protected Client’s Future By Laura Reichel A panicked Chicago man was terrified about his future. He was in the middle of a tough divorce and he feared a narrative was being built to financially destroy him, one that portrayed his wife as being unable to function and incapable of…

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

Bolingbrook hosts International Festival Saturday July 11, 2026

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Bolingbrook hosts International Festival Saturday July 11, 2026

Bolingbrook hosts International Festival Saturday July 11, 2026 DON’T MISS the iFest 2026 Saturday July 11, 2026. Grab your family, invite your friends, and join us Saturday, July 11, for iFest 2026—Bolingbrook’s biggest celebration of cultures from around the world! From incredible live entertainment and authentic international cuisine to cultural exhibits, artisan vendors and family…

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Bolingbrook, Business, Culture, DuPage, Entertainment, Events, Festival, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Support Muslim Radio show 820 AM fundraiser on July 29 in Bolingbrook

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Support Muslim Radio show 820 AM fundraiser on July 29 in Bolingbrook

Support Muslim Radio show 820 AM fundraiser on July 29 in Bolingbrook Radio talkshow host Mohammed Faheem is hosting a fundraiser dinner banquet on Wednesday evening, July 29, 2026 at the Bolingbrook Community Center, 201 Canterbury Lane to support the Lightning Strike Radio Show broadcast every Sunday morning at 8 AM in WCPT 820 AM…

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Civil Rights, Cook County, DuPage, elections, Events, Illinois Legislature, Kane County, Media Bias, News, NewsWire, Politics, rayhanania, Regional Midwest, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Will County

Orland Fire hosts Independence Day celebration for Seniors

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Orland Fire hosts Independence Day celebration for Seniors

Orland Fire hosts Independence Day celebration for Seniors Orland Fire Protection District, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District Senior Club hosted an Independence celebration for the district’s Senior citizens on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 to celebrate the nation’s 250th Anniversary. The celebration included a barbecue luncheon prepared by Fire District firefighters and was held…

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Baby Boomers, Events, Fire, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Seniors

Dad Won Return of Son from Out of State

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Dad Won Return of Son from Out of State

Dad Won Return of Son from Out of State By Laura Reichel The father of an eight-year-old boy was in the middle of a tough divorce when his son was reported to have been taken away from him. Terrified of losing his son forever, dad came to Attorney Jeffery M. Leving for help bringing his little boy…

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

Fatal Four-Vehicle Crash Closes Lagrange Road for Several Hours

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Fatal Four-Vehicle Crash Closes Lagrange Road for Several Hours

Fatal Four-Vehicle Crash Closes Lagrange Road for Several Hours A fatal four-vehicle traffic accident occurred in the area of 149th street and Lagrange Road today resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries on Monday morning, June 29, 2026. Orland emergency crews responded to the scene and found four vehicles involved, with three sustaining heavy damage….

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Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Police