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

President Dominick announces Amazon to open two fulfillment centers in Cicero

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

President Dominick announces Amazon to open two fulfillment centers in Cicero New warehouse will reduce tax burden on Cicero residents by generating business real estate tax revenues and create hundreds of new job opportunities for Cicero residents The Town of Cicero has been selected as the newest location in the expansion of the mega-retailer Amazon…

Business, Cook County, Government, News, news release, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center Earns Top Safety Rating

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center Earns Top Safety Rating StarGuard Elite Rates Orland Park Staff 5 Stars Throughout the summer season, auditors from StarGuard Elite randomly visit the Village of Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC) to evaluate staff and facility operations. On Sunday, August 9, the organization awarded CPAC staff a 5-star safety…

Briefs, Government, News, Orland Park, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Lottery Lawyer, three co-conspirators indicted in $107 million scheme to defraud lottery-winning clients

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

“Lottery Lawyer,” three co-conspirators indicted in $107 million scheme to defraud lottery-winning clients Two Defendants Also Charged with Threatening to Kill Recipient of Usurious Loan The U.S. Justice Department announced on Tuesday August 18, 2020 that an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging attorney Jason Kurland, Christopher Chierchio, Francis Smookler, a former…

Crime, National

Apple bullies sue company for using a fruit as its logo

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Apple bullies sue company for using a fruit as its logo Apple is suing a small food business of 5 employees named Prepear. Why? Because Prepear’s logo is fruit-shaped, but it’s clearly a pear. That’s outrageous to Prepear. They say they’re being bullied by Apple. “It is a very terrifying experience to be legally attacked…

Business, food, News, news release, Technology

Pritzker Administration Extends Deadline to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Administration Extends Deadline to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Applications for Rental Assistance now Available until August 28th at era.ihda.org Today Tuesday August 18, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has extended the deadline for Illinois renters to apply for aid by one week to 12:00 p.m. on August 28th…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

O’Brien calls on Kim Foxx to resign as Cook County States Attorney

August 17, 2020August 17, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

O’Brien calls on Kim Foxx to resign as Cook County States Attorney State’s Attorney Candidate Judge Pat O’Brien Calls for Kim Foxx’s Resignation in Wake of Special Prosecutor Report Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Judge Pat O’Brien will hold a press conference at 4 pm today at the Daley Center to discuss the results of…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, elections, Government, News, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Political Pundit: Mayor Pekau’s strategy to lower the rising COVID-19 infections

August 16, 2020August 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Political Pundit: Mayor Pekau’s strategy to lower the rising COVID-19 infections Mayor Keith Pekau in his Village of Orland Park Youtube Channel video assault on truth, the facts and his critics, argues that the driving force behind rising COVID-19 numbers is “testing.” He says testing is inconsistent and that we should not be misled by…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Political Pundit, Politics

Dist 230 Supt Dr. James M. Gay announces intent to retire

August 13, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dist 230 Supt Dr. James M. Gay announces intent to retire District 230 Superintendent Dr. James M. Gay shared with staff on Monday his intent to retire at the end of the 2020-21 school year. Dr. Gay joined District 230 as Assistant Principal at Andrew High School and then was Principal there for four years. In…

Education, Features, Government, News, Orland Park, Releases

Orland Park Centennial Aquatic Center closed August 13th for “Sanitation and Disinfection”

August 13, 2020August 13, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Centennial Aquatic Center closed August 13th for “Sanitation and Disinfection” The Village was notified that a Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC) lifeguard, through exposure outside of the CPAC, has tested positive for COVID-19. In response, the Village of Orland Park is implementing the following measures: Following the guidelines set forth by the CDC, the…

breaking news, Cook County, coronavirus, News, Orland Park, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Pekau’s fake concern for Orland Park taxpayers

August 13, 2020December 27, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Opinion: Pekau’s fake concern for Orland Park taxpayers Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau says he wants to help the taxpayers but his record in office has put more burdens on taxpayers contradicting his concerns and exposing them as purely politically motivated to boost his re-election chances in the Spring By Ray Hanania Last week, Orland…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Lightfoot’s pandemic hypocrisy, and a Drive-In Theater revival

August 13, 2020August 13, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Lightfoot’s pandemic hypocrisy, and a Drive-In Theater revival Ray Hanania writes about Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s troubles addressing violence in Chicago and the COVID-19 pandemic, and reminisces about the enjoyment of Drive-In Theaters and the opening of one at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois By Ray Hanania Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on her Twitter account criticized…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Hanania joins podcaster Marc Sims on Chicago and National politics

August 13, 2020August 13, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hanania joins podcaster Marc Sims on Chicago and National politics Podcaster Marc Sims discusses the challenges facing Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in fighting rising crime and how the gun violence can be addressed effectively during his podcast, “Just a Few Questions.” Hanania and Sims also talk about the battle between President Donald Trump and Joe…

Commentary, Government, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

ComEd reports wide outages in wake of wind storm

August 11, 2020August 11, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

ComEd reports wide outages in wake of wind storm ComEd Restores Power to more than 260,000 customers following severe storm. Customers should prepare for a multi-day restoration. Damage ranges from broken tree limbs to damage to homes, vehicles and property ComEd crews have restored power to more than 260,000 customers throughout northern Illinois after a derecho…

Chicago, Cook County, News, Orland Park, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Weather

Political Pundit: Mayor Lightfoot face masks vs looters

August 9, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Political Pundit: Mayor Lightfoot face masks vs looters By Ray Hanania We’re having some fun with politics in Chicagoland, the State of Illinois, the Nation and the Middle East. I hope you enjoy this satirical look at political events, issues and the antics of some of our elected officials. (Each comic might have a different…

Blogger, Chicago, Comic Strip, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Government, Humor, Opinion, Political Pundit, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Upside down morality plunges America into anarchy

August 9, 2020May 3, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Upside down morality plunges America into anarchy Using Confederate Flag as a beach towel apparently is more offensive and upsetting to some than the actual violence and destruction of White-owned businesses, vehicles and individuals in our upside down world of skewered morality By Ray Hanania Last week, a bunch of the bully protestors got upset…

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

Taking down the Columbus Statue is an act of racism

August 2, 2020July 12, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Taking down the Columbus Statue is an act of racism Removing the statue of Christopher Columbus us an act of outright racism by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, surrendering to the bullying of a mob of protestors whose members often become violent, looting, burning down stores and destroying vehicles and other property. This column was published…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Police, Racism

The Political Pundit Comic Strip: The Wrath of Keith

August 2, 2020August 2, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Political Pundit Comic Strip: The Wrath of Keith By all measures including those of Klingons, or any of the Star Trek characters, the Nemesis of Truth, Mayor Keith “Khan Noonien Singh” Pekau, seems to go where no insane politician has gone before. The needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. Enjoy…

Blogger, Comic Strip, Commentary, Government, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Political Pundit, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

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