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

CAIR Condemns Rahm Emanuel for Anti-Muslim ‘Sunnis and Shiites’ Trope

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

CAIR Condemns Rahm Emanuel for Anti-Muslim ‘Sunnis and Shiites’ Trope CAIR Condemns Rahm Emanuel for Anti-Muslim ‘Sunnis and Shiites’ Trope, Says He is Unfit to Serve in Biden-Harris Administration The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Rahm Emanuel for “demeaning and Islamophobic comments” the former…

Government, National, News, Politics, Racism

Orland Township Offers Scholarship Opportunities

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Offers Scholarship Opportunities High school seniors seeking financial assistance for college encouraged to apply The Orland Township Scholarship Foundation will be awarding more than $15,000 in scholarships to Orland Township high school seniors from the 2021 graduating class, announced Paul O’Grady, Orland Township Supervisor and President of the Scholarship Foundation. The Orland Township…

Education, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

At-risk populations need to be priority beyond vaccine

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

At-risk populations need to be priority beyond vaccine By Patrick J. Kennedy An end to the pandemic is finally in sight. Both Pfizer and Moderna reported that their vaccine candidates are 95 percent effective, and subsequently received emergency use authorization from the FDA. Prioritizing the delivery of vaccines to people most at risk — including…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Government, Health, Opinion, Politics

Pritzker Announces the Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan, Lowers Vaccine Age to 65

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Announces the Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan, Lowers Vaccine Age to 65 Phase 1B Follows ACIP Guidelines, But Prioritizes Equity and Protects Most Vulnerable Illinoisans by Lowering Vaccine Age to 65 from 75; Vaccinations for Expanded Phase Will Begin When Phase 1A is Substantially Complete Building on guidance by the Centers for…

coronavirus, Government, Health, News

Pappas: Which properties have the biggest property tax increases since 2000? If you didn’t vote … Don’t complain

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Which properties have the biggest property tax increases since 2000? If you didn’t vote … Don’t complain Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas today released a study which reveals the properties in Chicago and the suburbs with the largest property tax increases since 2000, dramatic examples of how the tax burden has soared on homeowners…

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

Marie Newman sworn in as Congresswoman for 3rd District

January 3, 2021January 3, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Marie Newman sworn in as Congresswoman for 3rd District Congresswoman Newman becomes first woman in history to represent Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District Marie Newman (IL-03) was sworn in as Congresswoman to the 117th Congress proudly representing Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, which covers the Southwest Side of Chicago as well as its surrounding suburbs. A lifelong…

Chicago, Cook County, Federal, Orland Park, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Coronavirus COVID-19 infections continue to surge in Orland Park: Opinion

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Coronavirus COVID-19 infections continue to surge in Orland Park: Opinion The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase, not dissipate in Orland Park in part because of the failure of the Mayor to serve as a role model for strong anti-infection practices including the wearing of face masks. Pekau has opposed efforts to require the wearing…

Blogger, Business, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Redbox lists top movie rentals and streams for 2020

December 31, 2020December 31, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Redbox lists top movie rentals and streams for 2020 With the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic suppressing entertainment and public activities during most of 2020, Redbox lists the movies that were most popular for their customers, through Redbox rentals and also through Redbox Streaming. Here are the lists of the Top 10 films of 2020 including rentals…

Entertainment, Features, General Topics, Movies, Technology

Facebook censors video of fight at Orland Park Mall

December 28, 2020December 28, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Facebook censors video of fight at Orland Park Mall A fight at the Orland Park Mall in southwest Suburban Chicagoland has become the focus of a debate over censorship by social media giant Facebook and its subsidiary Instagram. The video attracted many comments including some that turned the video into a symbol of racism and…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Features, General Topics, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

The courage of standing up for our Police

December 25, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

The courage of standing up for our Police A student athlete at the University of Illinois stood tall and proud recently while all of her teammates and coaches took a knee during the singing of the National Anthem. That student, who I know but won’t identify, has true courage and is the symbol of what…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Education, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township Provides Gifts and Meals for Over 200 Families

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Provides Gifts and Meals for Over 200 Families Generous community supports Holiday Program. Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Township board distributed food and toys to more than 200 needy families during the Township’s annual Holiday Program Through many acts of kindness and generosity, the holidays were made a little brighter for…

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

Marie Newman Appointed to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

December 19, 2020December 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Marie Newman Appointed to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure On Friday, Dec. 17, 2020, Congresswoman-elect Marie Newman (D-IL) announced her appointment to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Committee has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation, critical aspects of our nation’s infrastructure system, as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation, Amtrak…

Chicago, Cook County, Federal, Government, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Abir Othman named next Principal at Andrew High School

December 17, 2020December 17, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Abir Othman named next Principal at Andrew High School The High School District 230 School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Abir Othman as Principal of Andrew High School, in light of the promotion of Dr. Robert Nolting to the role of Superintendent beginning on July 1, 2021. “Abir is a strong and compassionate leader…

Education, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Reckoning over media’s biased coverage of Trump is due

December 17, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Reckoning over media’s biased coverage of Trump is due Whether you supported or opposed President Trump or President-elect Joe Biden is irrelevant to the problems that this country faced int he recent elections. The real challenge was the failure of the mainstream news media is maintain is professionalism and to denigrate into a partisan organization…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Former Mayor Dan McLaughlin announces bid in Orland Park

December 16, 2020December 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Former Mayor Dan McLaughlin announces bid in Orland Park After consulting with thousands of Orland Park residents, business owners, and community leaders, former Mayor, Dan McLaughlin, will be challenging incumbent mayor, Keith Pekau, in the April 6, 2021 election by continuing his commitment to serve the working families of Orland Park. McLaughlin’s priorities will…

Cook County, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township Strike Force ready to oversee COVID-19 vaccine

December 16, 2020November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Strike Force ready to oversee COVID-19 vaccine Team on board and ready to administer COVID-19 vaccine Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady announced at the Township’s December Board meeting that the Township has a plan in place to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents, if called upon to do so by state and local…

coronavirus, DuPage, Government, Health, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township Helping Protect Residents During the Holidays

December 15, 2020December 15, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Helping Protect Residents During the Holidays 500 bags of PPE/cleaning supplies to be distributed at Dec. 22 drive-thru Orland Township will hold a drive-thru to distribute bags of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to Township residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the office of…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Media must change its focus from Chicago to the suburbs

December 11, 2020December 13, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Media must change its focus from Chicago to the suburbs The news media needs a reboot, especially in Chicagoland. I’m tired of seeing Chicago news dominate the TV stations in Chicago when the real news stories are out in the neighborhoods and in the suburbs. The TV News Media needs to change its focus on…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, General Topics, Media Bias, Opinion, Racism, Radio, Suburban Chicagoland, Television