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

Goodman Theatre announces a Summer 2025 line-up for all ages and interests

June 2, 2025June 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Goodman Theatre announces a Summer 2025 line-up for all ages and interests Book up! Theater for the very young (ages 0-5) in 12 Chicago parks (july 23 – aug.10); TJ and Dave improv sensation returns (july 24-26); 4th annual sweetest season gathering of indigenous creativity (august 1-2); and free readings of new plays by Satya Jnani Chávez…

Entertainment, Features, News, Theater

Hastings supports organ donation leave for working people

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings supports organ donation leave for working people State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a measure through the Illinois Senate to ensure taking time off work to donate an organ doesn’t put workers’ livelihoods at risk. “Donating an organ is a beautiful and selfless act,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Workers need to be treated with respect,…

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! By Maria Pappas Since I first stepped into my office 27 years ago, one question has repeatedly come up: “Why do my property taxes always go up?” It’s a valid concern. At…

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

Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting two significant pharmacy bills aimed at protecting patient access to pharmacies and health care services by hospitals engaged in the federal 340B program. “Excessive and flat-out unfair prices are being set on prescription drugs with no accountability,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort)….

Baby Boomers, Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Seniors

Chicago dad’s court victory protected sons from danger

May 29, 2025May 29, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago dad’s court victory protected sons from danger By Laura Reichel A terrified Chicago dad feared for his children’s safety after it was reported his ex threatened to take his children away from him and kill him. Feeling compelled to protect his little boys, dad immediately called attorney Jeffery Leving for help in keeping his…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, News

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026 President Obama visited Chicago for the past couple of days to discuss planning and details for the Obama Presidential Center, ranging from the dining experience to testing various museum exhibits to touring the museum site. As part…

construction, Culture, Federal, National, News, NewsWire, Politics

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed the House of Representatives with the unwavering support of Illinois Republicans. A big thank you to Congressman Darin LaHood, Congressman Mike Bost, and Congresswoman Mary Miller for their leadership. This landmark legislation locks in key provisions of the Tax Cuts…

Democrat, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Republican, Taxes

Chicago dad’s court victory kept sons safe at home

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago dad’s court victory kept sons safe at home By Laura Reichel A terrified Chicago dad feared losing his children forever after their mother threatened to take them from him. Dad was horrified at possibly losing his boys forever. The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. fought for them in court and won, safeguarding…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort

May 22, 2025May 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced today that his advocacy efforts have led to the successful award of a $1.6 million grant to fund the construction of a new multi-use path in the Village of Frankfort. The grant was awarded under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement…

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings

Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations

May 21, 2025May 21, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office are working to improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations. “In missing persons cases, every second and small piece of information is paramount,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This legislation works to give law…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Police, Senator Michael Hastings

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Family Law Cases

May 20, 2025May 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Family Law Cases The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on May 21st at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 225 W. Wacker Drive in Chicago. The keynote CLE speaker, distinguished matrimonial Managing…

Jeffery Leving, Law, News

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

May 16, 2025May 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas After analyzing over 2 million Cook County property tax appeals filed between 2021 and 2023, researchers in my office uncovered a troubling trend: the system shifted nearly $2 billion in…

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Chicago dad reunited with missing daughters

May 16, 2025May 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago dad reunited with missing daughters By: Laura Reichel A father who was happily raising his teenage daughters faced his worst nightmare – his children were gone. Terrified for his daughters’ safety, dad called attorney Jeffery Leving for help. The Leving legal team fought for dad in and out of court and won, reuniting dad…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, News

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager

May 12, 2025May 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager Mayor Pro Tem announced, Downtown Orland Park development reviewed The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the appointment of George Koczwara as Orland Park Village Manager, following a special meeting held on May 12, 2025. Koczwara, who previously served as Orland Park’s Village…

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues

May 10, 2025May 10, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues We Won’t Go Back, the latest novel from award-winning author Charlene Wexler, has been published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Wexler’s Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb…

Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, Entertainment, News, NewsWire

Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024 Olivia and Liam are once again America’s most popular baby names of the year. 2024 marks the sixth consecutive year that families chose to stick with both familiar names. Also, for the sixth consecutive year, Emma took the second slot for girls, and Noah for…

Baby Boomers, Culture, News, NewsWire, women

Dad who feared losing son forever, won in court, keeping son in the U.S.

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad who feared losing son forever, won in court, keeping son in the U.S. By Laura Reichel An Illinois father wanted to keep his little boy from being ripped from his loving home and whisked out of the country, where he feared he’d never see his son again. Desperate, he called attorney Jeffery Leving for…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of Trump’s Targeted Cuts

May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of Trump’s Targeted Cuts Chicago is seeing some of its lowest homicide numbers since 1962, according to the City of Chicago. In April, 20 homicides were recorded. That brings the total number of people slain to 116, which are 35 people fewer than last year. One…

Chicago, Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Police