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

Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging all eligible residents to apply for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help them pay high utility bills. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024. “Families should not be forced to choose…

Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Mokena, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Many Cook County homeowners are losing thousands of dollars in savings because they are not taking advantage of property tax breaks. My office recently helped an older couple on Chicago’s North Side receive…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Guest Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels Nine hotels in the 19th District are set to receive more than $700,000 in Back to Business grants, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Our hospitality industry helps generate revenue and contribute to the economic and social development of our communities,”…

Business, construction, Cook County, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Mokena, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, restaurants, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Ray Lopez leads and champions rights of Chicago residents

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Ray Lopez leads and champions rights of Chicago residents Statement on Mayor Johnson’s Next Steps with the City’s Migrant Crisis Today, I and many of my City Council colleagues attended a briefing about the ever-growing border crisis that has reached a boiling point in our neighborhoods. Mayor Johnson and I share the belief that avoiding…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Federal, Government, immigrant, News, Politics

Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare

September 9, 2023September 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare By Ray Hanania A tip is supposed to be an expression of how much a customer appreciates the efforts of employees of a business, usually the wait staff at restaurants. You expect someone you are paying to provide the best possible service to actually provide…

Blogger, Commentary, Employment, Opinion, restaurants

SeatGeek features competition between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Leon on Saturday Sept. 9

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

SeatGeek features competition between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Leon on Saturday Sept. 9 PRIMETIME Sports proudly announced today that Tour Rebaño’s international friendly between Liga MX giant Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club León is sold out. The game will take place on Saturday, September 9th at 6:00 p.m. at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Chivas…

News, news release, NewsWire, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor

September 6, 2023September 6, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor By Ray Hanania Most people have come to know Orland Park Village Board meetings as a distasteful bully pulpit where Mayor Keith Pekau belittles his critics, lies and portrays himself as the victim of a vast conspiracy. Pekau claims everyone who criticizes his government actions defames…

Blogger, censorship, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column, women

Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece By Jeffery M. Leving A 3-year-old girl tragically became an orphan when both of her parents died. She has aunts who are still living – and we had to fight for one of them to see her own niece. I’ll talk…