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

Rashida Tlaib faces tough re-election challenge from Brenda Jones

July 10, 2020July 12, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rashida Tlaib faces tough re-election challenge from Brenda Jones (Radio Podcast) Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, who served a brief five week term representing the 13th Congressional District in Michigan, discusses her rematch with Rashida Tlaib who won the full 13th District Congressional term in 2018. The next Democratic Primary is August 4, 2020…

elections, Federal, Government, News, Podcast, Politics, Regional Midwest

Madigan directs removal of Stephen Douglas portrait from State House Building

July 9, 2020July 9, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan directs removal of Stephen Douglas portrait from State House Building Research reveals Stephen Douglas, the Democratic candidate for president against Republican Abraham Lincoln, was a slave owner. Madigan also directed the removal of statues of both Douglas and also Pierre Menard, also a slave owner. Madigan said he is directing the state to review…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Photos, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Stop focusing on guns, focus on the criminals

July 8, 2020July 8, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Stop focusing on guns, focus on the criminals If Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot would stop trying to be the icon of several “movements” and start acting like a leader who can recognize the real problems, maybe Chicago wouldn’t be making headlines every week with record shootings and a growing list of gun related fatalities. By…

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

Judge Pat O’Brien Urges Solutions to End Tragic Violence

July 7, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Judge Pat O’Brien Urges Solutions to End Tragic Violence Cook County States Attorney Candidate Judge Pat O’Brien criticizes incumbent Kim Foxx for failing to provide relief to the surge in violence in Cook County and especially in Chicago. After a violent Fourth of July weekend where 79 people were shot and 15 killed, including a…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Sims and County Board lead support for Black Lives Matter

July 7, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Sims and County Board lead support for Black Lives Matter Cook County commissioners urge passage of Justice for Black Lives resolution to shift resources from incarceration to human needs. Resolution would provide moral compass for County Commissioners in difficult budget decisions, ensure Black lives are protected and supported Cook County Commissioners Deborah Sims (D-5th), Stanley Moore (D-4th),…

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

Orland Township To Hold July Drive-Thru Grocery Distribution

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Township To Hold July Drive-Thru Grocery Distribution Free, pre-packaged food boxes available for residents on Friday, July 17 Orland Township will hold a free, drive-thru grocery distribution for Township residents who are experiencing financial hardship since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, according to the office of Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. The Township Food Pantry…

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

Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau

July 1, 2020April 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau Everything you need to know about Orland Park’s extremist and controversial Mayor, Keith Pekau, who attacked me, yet again, in his political newsletter, making the false assertion of “factual inaccuracy” in my opinion columns. Of course, if anyone has a problem with facts and accuracy, it is…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, News, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Orland Park challenge to Pritzker restrictions stumbles

July 1, 2020July 5, 2021 Ray Hanania 5 Comments

Opinion: Orland Park challenge to Pritzker restrictions stumbles Orland Park is stumbling because it is poorly led by an incompetent official who puts his personal interests above the interests of the public he was elected to represent. Mayor Keith Pekau’s fight against Gov. J.B. Pritzker isn’t about protecting the taxpayers, but rather about stirring up a political base he…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania

Taco Village in Des Plaines offers free face masks with purchases

June 29, 2020June 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taco Village in Des Plaines offers free face masks with purchases A restaurant in Des Plaines is giving away face masks to customers for use against the coronavirus. Taco Village owners Maria Marquez says many customers have saids they can’t get masks because of hoarding during the pandemic and wants to help the public be…

Business, Cook County, coronavirus, Features, food, General Topics, News, news release, Releases, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Remembering our fathers and the past

June 29, 2020June 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering our fathers and the past The story about my father, a proud immigrant from Palestine who came to America in 1926 to get away from the religious hatred that plagued Christians, Muslims and Jews. He loved America. Fought to defend America enlisting right after Pearl Harbor with his brother, and taught his children to…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Features, General Topics, Opinion, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government

June 27, 2020June 27, 2020 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Opinion: 2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government Two days after revealing the first case of coronavirus to infect an employee in the beleaguered administration of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, a second confirmed Coronavirus case has been confirmed in the Village’s Recreation Department. The two cases are a political embarrassment for Pekau who is vacationing during…

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

Orland Township to House New Secretary of State Facility

June 26, 2020June 26, 2020 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Orland Township to House New Secretary of State Facility Popular Secretary of State Driver services to remain in south suburbs in Orland Park Orland Township has reached an agreement with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to have a Driver’s Service facility in the Township building located at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, according to…

breaking news, Briefs, Cook County, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Transportation

Coronavirus hits Orland Village Hall as Pekau challenges virus restrictions

June 25, 2020June 27, 2020 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

OPINION: Coronavirus hits Orland Village Hall as Pekau challenges virus restrictions After championing the fight to ease coronavirus restrictions, and suing Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is dealing with the news that an employee who works with him has been diagnosed with coronavirus. An employee in the Village Manager’s Office has been diagnosed…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, elections, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township Receives Donation from Lions Club

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Receives Donation from Lions Club Orland Township was honored to accept a substantial donation from the Orland Park Lions Club for the Food Pantry’s Grocery Distribution to assist residents experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the office of Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. The Orland Park Lions Club donated $5,000…

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

The hatred and reverse racism of the protests

June 17, 2020July 12, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

The hatred and reverse racism of the protests Mayor Lori Lightfoot has again taken the side of injustice, marginalizing the violence of the looters, arsonists and even killers who attacked business and police in order to play politics with the emotions and violence of the Black Lives Matter protests following in the wake of the…

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

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lets everyone down

June 17, 2020June 17, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lets everyone down Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot puts her own personal agenda ahead of the safety of not only the citizens of Chicago but all of Cook County in a selfish political display that jeopardizes the safety of everyone who doesn’t embrace violence. Lightfoot has done nothing to prosecute the looters…

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

Pappas: See Your New Property Tax Bill at cookcountytreasurer.com

June 17, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: See Your New Property Tax Bill at CookCountyTreasurer.com Second Installment Cook County property tax bills have been posted to cookcountytreasurer.com, where property owners can see how much they owe two weeks before the bills are received in the mail in early July, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today. The Second Installment is due August 3,…

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

Orland Township seeking high school students for “Service Hours”

June 17, 2020June 17, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township seeking high school students for “Service Hours” Volunteers needed for Orland Township Drive-In Concert Orland Township is looking for energetic high school students who want to earn service hours by assisting local seniors and listening to live music at an upcoming event, according to the office of Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. Orland Township…

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