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

Coronavirus cases in Orland Park increase nearly 50 percent in past month

August 1, 2020August 2, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Coronavirus cases in Orland Park increase nearly 50 percent in past month The popular Taste of Orland Park opened this weekend despite rising cases of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported for Orland Park by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The confirmed cases of Coronavirus have increased 47.4 percent in the past 30 days. Orland Park Mayor…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Wisconsin orders statewide requirement to wear face masks

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wisconsin orders statewide requirement to wear face masks Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Statement on Governor Tony Evers Issuing A Statewide Mask Mandate Effective Saturday, August 1 Today, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced an official statewide mask mandate requiring Wisconsin residents, with notable exceptions to wear masks or face coverings when indoors and not in a private…

coronavirus, Government, News, Regional Midwest, Travel

Drone video of fire that seriously damaged Don’s Hot Dogs in Orland Park

July 30, 2020July 5, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Drone video of fire that seriously damaged Don’s Hot Dogs in Orland Park A fire seriously damaged the very popular fast food restaurant Don’s Hot Dogs early Wednesday Morning (July 29, 2020 at around 12: 45 AM). The Orland Fire Protection District responded quickly and fought the blaze that caused serious damage to the building….

Business, Cook County, Fire, General Topics, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Releases, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Podcast: The assault of John Kass and the hypocrisy of the Left

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Podcast: The assault of John Kass and the hypocrisy of the Left Chicago Tribune columnist comes under attack from his journalism peers and Left wing extremists who can’t argue facts and can only argue personalities and lies, calling critics of George Soros, the billionaire liberal political funder, “anti-Semitic” July 29, 2020, Season 2, Episode 7…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Media Bias, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Bond Set at $20,000 for Wheaton Man Accused of Criminal Sexual Assault/Illegal Videotaping of Women

July 29, 2020November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bond Set at $20,000 for Wheaton Man Accused of Criminal Sexual Assault/Illegal Videotaping of Women DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police Bill Murphy announced today that Felony Criminal Sexual Assault and Unauthorized Videotaping charges have been filed against a Wheaton man accused of secretly videotaping the sexual assault of female…

Crime, DuPage, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Popular hotdog restaurant, Don’s in Orland Park, destroyed by fire

July 29, 2020July 5, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Popular hot dog restaurant, Don’s in Orland Park, damaged by fire The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a 911 report of a structure fire at Don’s Hot Dogs located at 7245 W. 151st Street in Orland Park early Wednesday morning. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire that broke through the roof. Crews began an…

breaking news, Cook County, Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Photos, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Circuit Clerk Brown hosts virtual expungement summit

July 28, 2020July 28, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown hosts virtual expungement summit Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown Makes Popular Expungement Summit Virtual, with Kick-Off on Zoom on Saturday, Aug. 1, 9:00 a.m. Expungement Services Webinar to feature Panel of Criminal Justice Stakeholders, Elected Officials, Support Services Groups, and Community Organizations Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Aguilar helps secure $8 million in coronavirus funding for West suburbs

July 27, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Aguilar helps secure $8 million in coronavirus funding for West suburbs Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar joins County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in detailing COVID-19 relief funds Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in announcing millions of dollars available for suburban communities facing unexpected expenses due to COVID-19….

Business, Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Walgreens chooses to fight Cicero Face Mask order

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Walgreens chooses to fight Cicero Face Mask order Walgreens, which operates three retail store locations in the Town of Cicero, has decided to fight a Cicero Executive Order requiring essential businesses to require employees and customers to wear face masks. Town President Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero Board issued the face mask requirement…

Business, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas: Pay Cook County property taxes through October 1 with no penalty

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Pay Cook County property taxes through October 1 with no penalty Second Installment Cook County property tax bills are due August 3, 2020, but property owners have two extra months to pay without a late fee, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today. “In my nearly 22 years as Treasurer, I’ve never told people not to…

Cook County, Government, Releases, Taxes

The Political Pundit Comic Strip lampoons Mayor Lightfoot

July 27, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Political Pundit Comic Strip lampoons Mayor Lightfoot You can view all of The Political Pundit Comic Strips here at Suburban Chicagoland by selecting Comic Strip from the drop down menu. Here is the latest The Political Pundit Comic Strip for July 27, 2020. The Political Pundit Comic Strip by Ray Hanania, 07-27-20 — Chicago…

Blogger, Chicago, Comedy, Comic Strip, Commentary, Government, Humor, News, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Reflecting on the past week’s violence

July 24, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Reflecting on the past week’s violence The Black Lives Matter protestors should be held accountable for the violence of many of those who participated. Although supporting Black Lives is a just cause, the organizers failed to take responsibility for the widespread violence, looting, arson and shootings that took place in the midsts of their protests….

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Government, News, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Defending the statue of Christopher Columbus

July 23, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Defending the statue of Christopher Columbus Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot continues to turn her back on the rule of law and defending all of the city’s ethnic and racial groups, taking no action to punish ands identify individuals engaged in the destruction of statues including an attempted destruction of the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

COVID-19 infections at Orland Park Village Hall continue to rise

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

COVID-19 infections at Orland Park Village Hall continue to rise Confirmed cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 continue to increase in Orland Park with the latest numbers showing a rise of more than 30 percent over the past three weeks since July 1, 2020. Despite the increase, the Mayor continues to assert that the wearing of face…

coronavirus, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Law introduced to protect seniors from scams

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Law introduced to protect seniors from scams “Stop Con Artists Preying on the Fears of Older Americans,” Says Congresswoman Robin Kelly upon Introducing the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act Congresswoman Robin Kelly has introduced the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act (H.R. 7699), legislation that directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report…

Baby Boomers, breaking news, Crime, Federal, Government, News

Naval Aviators team with U.S. Coast Guard to safeguard Mariners

July 22, 2020July 22, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Naval Aviators team with U.S. Coast Guard to safeguard Mariners On Wednesday, June 24 as a five-person crew aboard VAW-124’s E-2C Hawkeye were manning the skies above Hampton Roads they heard a potential Search and Rescue (SAR) distress call announced on the Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and took action. By Jennifer Cragg Commander, Naval Air…

Briefs, General Topics, National, News, news release, Releases, Veterans, Veterans Column

Podcast: Overcoming the challenges facing Arab Americans

July 21, 2020July 21, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Podcast: Overcoming the challenges facing Arab Americans The Problem with the Arab American Community: Award winning journalist and communicator Ray Hanania talks about how the Arab American community can overcome the self-imposed failings to become successful. Many Arab Americans live here physically but are “mentally” still back home Podcast, July 21, 2020, Volume III, Episode. 11 Ray…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Podcast, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park COVID-19 cases continue steady rise

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

OPINION: Orland Park COVID-19 cases continue steady rise Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau asserts in a recent video that face masks are only a substitute for other measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, despite the fact that the village continues to show a troubling and ominous rise in infections which increased by…

Blogger, Business, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos