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

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

Exclusive Garth Brooks concert to be performed at SeatGeek Stadium and 300 venues across America

June 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exclusive Garth Brooks concert to be performed at SeatGeek Stadium and 300 venues across America Garth Brooks will perform a virtual show that will be broadcast on big screen drive in theaters around the country including on a “drive in” screen to be set up at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview The exclusive one night performance will…

Cook County, Entertainment, Festival, National, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Dr. Wilson donates face masks to Chicagoland’s Arab American Community

June 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dr. Wilson donates face masks to Chicagoland’s Arab American Community The Willie Wilson Foundation donated thousands of face masks and gloves to members of the Chicagoland Arab American and Muslim Community on Monday during a meeting at the Palestine Club Center in Bridgeview. Wilson has been supporting all of the ethnic communities and the Chicagoland…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Editors Pick, General Topics, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Venturing out of the Coronavirus Pandemic

June 14, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Venturing out of the Coronavirus Pandemic Everyone needs a moment to get out of the house and enjoy a great meal. The coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic has made that almost impossible for the past three months, but recent precautions being taken by local restaurants to allow outdoor seating with proper social distancing and the mandatory wearing…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, food, News, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Fire damages home in Orland Park June 12

June 13, 2020June 13, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fire damages home in Orland Park June 12 The Orland Fire District received multiple 911 calls at approximately 9 PM on Friday June 12, 2020 for a fire in the garage in the 15200 block of Woodmar Drive. Garage Fire on the 15200 block of Woodmar Drive. Video courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District…

Fire, News, Orland Park, Photos, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Ford Encourages Governor to Hold Moment of Silence against Hate and Racism

June 10, 2020June 10, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ford Encourages Governor to Hold Moment of Silence against Hate and Racism With residents across the state coming together to stand against racism and police brutality, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to lower the state’s flags and to call for an 8 minute and 46 second moment…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, General Topics, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

DVR-based Security camera systems need to be replaced

June 6, 2020June 6, 2020 Ray Hanania 5 Comments

DVR-based Security camera systems need to be replaced There are a lot of security camera systems to chose from but you should avoid the DVR-based systems like Swann, Q-See or Shadow because of the technical problems of “port forwarding” so that you can actually see your cameras remotely. Instead, select a cloud-based system like Blink…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, General Topics, Opinion, Police, Technology

For Pekau, it is always about him, even in closing Secretary of State’s Office

June 5, 2020July 12, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: For Pekau, it is always about him, even in closing Secretary of State’s Office Once again, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau puts his own political interests above the interests of the residents of Orland Park in his ultimatum that forced the closure of the Secretary of State’s Satellite Office that was located in the…

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

Radio host files lawsuit against Governor Pritzker

June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Radio host files lawsuit against Governor Pritzker Chicago radio talkshow host Amy Jacobson, a popular former Chicago TV reporter, has been banned by Gov. J.B. Pritzker from attending his daily and political coronavirus briefings. Jacobson co-hosts the conservative weekday morning radio show “The Answer” with political activists Dan Proft and the show is among the…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Features, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, Radio, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Maywood man charged with aggravated battery to a child after incident May 23 at Super Target in Tinley Park

May 27, 2020May 27, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Maywood man charged with aggravated battery to a child after incident May 23 at Super Target in Tinley Park A 31-year-old Maywood man was charged with aggravated battery to a child, endangering the life or health of a child, domestic battery, criminal damage to property and two counts of fleeing and eluding police after an…

Cook County, Crime, General Topics, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker issues guidelines for businesses/workplaces to reopen in Phase 3

May 25, 2020May 25, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pritzker issues guidelines for businesses/workplaces to reopen in Phase 3 Governor J.B. Pritzker released guidelines that will allow businesses to reopen under Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan, expected to begin May 29, 2020 in the wake of the deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Guidance Developed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, food, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, restaurants

Coronavirus has changed our lives forever

May 24, 2020July 12, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Coronavirus has changed our lives forever The coronavirus has changed how we will live forever. Social distancing is here to stay. Concern about viruses and pandemics will not go away anytime soon. Things we should have learned from the politics of the 1918 “Spanish Flu” which wasn’t Spanish at all. And why we need to…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Government, Health, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Travel

Tara Reade reminds us how hypocritical the DNC really is

May 24, 2020May 24, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tara Reade reminds us how hypocritical the DNC really is Sexual harassment claims by Tara Reade against Democratic Presidential contender Joe Biden are not being taken as seriously as sexual harassment claims made by women against President Donald Trump. That’s because no one is really concerned about sexual harassment. They are more concerned about how…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19

May 24, 2020May 24, 2020 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19 Maintaining social distancing and meeting at the Bank of Springfield Building, a multi-purpose arena that holds 80,000, the Illinois House approved a $42.6 billion budget to provide support to victims of the coronavirus and ensuring that statewide services to residents continues, ending an 11-week recess forced by…

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

“Sweet Home Chicago” Telethon to feature Mike Ditka, Chicago “Superfans” Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel

May 22, 2020May 22, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

“Sweet Home Chicago” Telethon to feature Mike Ditka, Chicago “Superfans” Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel Joining host Deon Cole and a list of celebrities, the telethon will feature appearances by Zach LaVine and Patrick Kane along with sports legends Horace Grant, Joe Maddon, Ryne Sandberg, Brian Urlacher And other members of the Bulls,…

coronavirus, Entertainment, News, Television

Gov. Pritzker authorizes restaurants to operate open air seating beginning May 29

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker authorizes restaurants to operate open-air seating beginning May 29 Restaurants and bars will be permitted beginning May 29 to provide open-air seating to customers as long as tables are at least six feet apart. The idea has been circulating among legislators who have been working to find ways to ease the burden that…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Travel

Illinois House adopts COVID-19 guidelines in advance of meeting

May 19, 2020May 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois House adopts COVID-19 guidelines in advance of meeting House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Tuesday: “Last week when I announced the House would return to Springfield, I asked all members to commit to safety precautions approved and guided by the Illinois Department of Public Health to help prevent the spread of…

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