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

Arab groups divided on Illinois 3rd Congressional District battle

March 17, 2020March 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab groups divided on Illinois 3rd Congressional District battle Three of Illinois’ leading political organizations released endorsements in key elections in Illinois’ March 17, 2020 Democratic Primary races. Although all three endorsed the same candidates, they differed on one key contest, the closely contested battle for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District held by incumbent…

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

Radio Show: Illinois prepares to celebrate April Arab Heritage month

March 13, 2020March 13, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Radio Show: Illinois prepares to celebrate April Arab Heritage month Media professional Warren David joins The Arab street Radio and podcast on WNZK AM 690 Radio Friday March 13, 2020 to discuss Arab American Heritage month activities in April, and the politics of Senator Bernie Sanders. By Ray Hanania Arab Americans will be pushing to…

Chicago, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, News, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois identifies 25 patients with Coronavirus

March 11, 2020March 11, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois identifies 25 patients with Coronavirus The World Health Organization (WHO) declares COVID-19 a “Pandemic” The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today is announcing six additional individuals have tested positive at the IDPH laboratory for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “More cases in more places in Illinois means we are seeing growing transmission of the virus in…

Chicago, Cook County, General Topics, Health, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

IL Department of Human Services Announces First Day to Complete the 2020 Census Online

March 11, 2020March 11, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

IL Department of Human Services Announces First Day to Complete the 2020 Census Online Illinois residents can complete the census online starting tomorrow March 12, 2020, at my2020census.gov. IDHS refuses to provide information, however, to Arab American organizations on how the state’s $20 million funding is being appropriated and which ethnic and racial groups are being prioritized or ignored…

Chicago, Federal, General Topics, News, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Are Census funds to improve count or politics?

March 9, 2020March 9, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Are Census funds to improve count or politics? Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has allocated $20 million for the Census count in Illinois, monies additional to funds allocated by the U.S. Census. But how much of that money is going to count the most undercounted constituency in Illinois and Cook County, the Arab American community?…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Replay Lincoln Park invites Shrek Fans to “Welcome to me Swamp” Pop-Up beginning March 13

March 5, 2020March 5, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Replay Lincoln Park invites Shrek Fans to “Welcome to me Swamp” Pop-Up beginning March 13 “Oh, and it is LOVELY. You know, you’re really quite a decorator. It’s amazing what you’ve done with such a modest budget. I like that boulder. That is a NICE boulder.” – Donkey As Smash Mouth says: “somebody once told…

Chicago, Entertainment, Features

Election news items from President to Congress

March 4, 2020March 5, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Election news items from President to Congress A roundup of election news in politics in Illinois and nationally including in the hotly contested 3rd Congressional District and in the presidential contest. The Illinois Democratic Primary election is Tuesday March 17, 2020. Lots of news in election contests across the country from Biden vs Sanders to…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, Politics

I feel better just whining about it all

March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

I feel better just whining about it all A look at the increasing hassles of life for baby boomers as they move from technology to the grocery deli islands, handicapped parking spaces and cramped airline seats. Life isn’t easy so why shouldn’t we complain about it? By Ray Hanania I’m not sure why I am…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, Health, Humor, Opinion, restaurants, Seniors, Taxes, Technology, Travel

It’s never about who’s best in national elections

March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

It’s never about who’s best in national elections You can pretty much tell how strong Michael Bloomberg is as a candidate against Donald Trump by all the efforts that democrats, and local liberal news media, are making to disparage him. They definitely don’t want Bloomberg to win the Democratic nomination, just like the news media doesn’t…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics

Lipinski introduces the job-creating MADE HERE Act to strengthen American Manufacturing

February 26, 2020February 26, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski introduces the job-creating MADE HERE Act to strengthen American Manufacturing Lipinski introduces legislation to protect American jobs in manufacturing to the U.S. Congress this week arguing it will create more jobs for American workers Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) today introduced the MADE HERE Act to strengthen American manufacturing and protect defense supply chains that…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, elections, Federal, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas joins officials urging more time for payment of delinquent property taxes

February 24, 2020February 24, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas joins officials urging more time for payment of delinquent property taxes Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and other Chicago-area elected officials urged the State of Illinois to give people more time to pay delinquent Cook County property taxes. More than 58,000 property owners must pay $188 million before May 8 Tax Sale, Pappas said….

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

Review: I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce

February 19, 2020February 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Review: I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce Lenny Bruce may be a name many people today don’t know but they should know him because his critical thinking is still very refreshing and relevant to today’s world. He was a satirist and standup comedian who got into trouble over the use of banned swear…

Blogger, Chicago, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, Opinion, Review, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

O’Grady proposes using vacant Andrew land for popular Pioneers Football league

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

O’Grady proposes using vacant Andrew land for popular Pioneers Football league Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady called on the Village of Orland Park, residents and local leaders to join in supporting a plan to convert land vacated by the Andrew Corporation to be used as fields for the popular Pioneer Football League. O’Grady noted that…

Cook County, Features, General Topics, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Welch to Lead Qualifications Challenge Committee

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch to Lead Qualifications Challenge Committee State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, a career attorney and certified administrative hearing officer, will lead the Qualifications Challenge Committee tasked with evaluating complaints against the appointment process of state Rep. Eva Dina Delgado. Welch released the following statement Tuesday: “As a practicing attorney for more than 20 years and…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Challenge to Congressman Bobby Rush fueled by uplifting story

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Challenge to Congressman Bobby Rush fueled by uplifting story A woman who was jailed for nonviolent prescription drug offenses years ago after being seriously injured when hit by a drunk driver, is challenging Congressman Bobby Rush in the March 17 Illinois Democratic Primary election for Congress in the 1st District. By Ray Hanania A woman who was…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Marie Newman launches very effective TV Ad Campaign

February 18, 2020February 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Marie Newman launches very effective TV Ad Campaign Marie Newman’s TV Ad campaign resonates with voters in Chicagoland’s 3rd Congressional District battle. Newman is facing-off with incumbent Dan Lipinski, who lacks the personal-touch personality that would normally save an incumbent from the election threats he faces every time he runs. Newman’s TV Ad resonates with…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Federal, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

NIU Huskies to take on BYU at SeatGeek Stadium this Fall

February 12, 2020February 12, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

NIU Huskies to take on BYU at SeatGeek Stadium this Fall 2020 Huskie Chi-Town Showdown Set for Saturday, October 24 at Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium. The Northern Illinois University Huskies will take on the BYU Cougars at SeatGeek Stadium in the 2020 Huskie Chi-Town Showdown on Saturday, October 24, NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean…

Cook County, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Disturbing use of racism to defend Kim Foxx in Smollett Fiasco

February 11, 2020July 12, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Disturbing use of racism to defend Kim Foxx in Smollett fiasco A special Prosecutor has determined that charges should be restored against Jussie Smollett who allegedly faked up a racist homophobic assault in order to build sympathy to bolster his sagging career. Smollett was given a pass when Cook County States Attorney Kim “The Fixx” Foxx…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Features, General Topics, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, Taxes