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

Iris Martinez announces candidacy for Cook County Circuit Clerk

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Iris Martinez announces candidacy for Cook County Circuit Clerk Illinois Senator Iris Martinez announced Thursday (Oct. 17, 2019) that she will be a candidate in the Democratic Primary for the office of Cook County Circuit Court Clerk, succeeding Dorothy Brown who announced in August that she will not seek re-election. Martinez was elected to The…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Intercontinental Chicago offers Windy City Wonderland with holiday programs and packages

October 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Intercontinental Chicago offers Windy City Wonderland with holiday programs and packages INTERCONTINENTAL CHICAGO HOTEL TRANSFORMS INTO A WINDY CITY WONDERLAND WITH UNIQUE HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING AND PACKAGES. From a Milk & Cookie hotline that allows guests to text Santa Claus to a “Letters to Santa” station in the lobby, the iconic Chicago hotel is rolling out all…

Chicago, Entertainment, Features, Festival

Cast Call for Goodman Theater’s “A Christmas Carol”

October 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cast Call for Goodman Theater’s “A Christmas Carol” ALL-CHICAGO, 25-MEMBER CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE 42ND ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL, APPEARING NOVEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 29 AT GOODMAN THEATRE **CHICAGO FAVORITE LARRY YANDO APPEARS AS EBENEZER SCROOGE FOR HIS 12TH YEAR AND PARIS STRICKLAND RETURNS FOR HER 3rd YEAR AS TINY TIM** ***SPECIAL EVENTS…

Chicago, Entertainment, Features

When we care more about politics than murder

October 10, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

When we care more about politics than murder A man murders his wife and gets a 17 year jail sentence, but is released after serving only 7 years. Another man is accused of using his politics to give himself a political advantage, and he ends up being sentenced to 14 years in prison. How terrible…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, rayhanania

Pelosi is going to ensure Trump’s re-election

October 10, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pelosi is going to ensure Trump’s re-election President Donald Trump isn’t the greatest president and he has certainly embraced some controversial policies that have made him the focus of criticism from Democrats and the biased mainstream news media. But the more that Trump is attacked viciously and unfairly by the Democrats and the news media,…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Forest Preserves of Cook County Prepares for Fall 2019 Trout Fishing Season

September 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Forest Preserves of Cook County Prepares for Fall 2019 Trout Fishing Season Nearly 7,500 pounds of fish will be added to trout fishing lakes The 2019 fall inland trout fishing season opens on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Forest Preserves of Cook County trout fishing lakes: Axehead Lake and Belleau Lake in Park Ridge, Busse…

Features, General Topics, Government, Releases, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

11 Year-old Harvey resident in critical condition, victim of gun violence

September 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

11 Year-old Harvey resident in critical condition, victim of gun violence On the evening of Monday, September 23, an 11-year-old girl became the latest victim of gun violence in Chicago’s south suburban region. The young girl was in her Harvey home, near 158th and Paulina streets, when she was shot in the head by a…

Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Tim Ozinga announces for 37th District House seat Sept 25, 2019

September 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tim Ozinga announces for 37th District House seat Sept 25, 2019 On Wednesday, September 25, at 7:30pm, businessman and community leader, Tim Ozinga, will announce his candidacy for the office of Illinois State Representative in the 37th District. Mr. Ozinga will address the need to restore Illinois’ prosperity by restoring fiscal sanity and moral leadership…

elections, Events, Features, Government, Politics

Matthew urges impeachment inquiry into Trump

September 24, 2019September 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Matthew urges impeachment inquiry into Trump Abe Matthew (D-Ill.), candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District (D-Lipinski), issued the following statement regarding impeachment of President Trump and the recent events surrounding the Ukraine: “The public reports of the President’s call with a foreign leader indicate that a whistleblower has raised serious concern about the…

elections, Government, Politics, Releases

Orland Fire District hosts CERT Training for district residents on Oct. 7, 2019

September 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire District hosts CERT Training for district residents on Oct. 7, 2019 The Orland Fire District is hosting a new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class starting October 7th, 2019. The classes will be held 8 consecutive Mondays from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm each evening. The classes are held at the Orland Fire…

Events, Features, Government, Orland Park

OFPD Coffee & Conversation addresses power of Music in Alzheimers and dementia Sept. 26, 2019

September 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

OFPD Coffee & Conversation addresses power of Music in Alzheimers and dementia Sept. 26, 2019 The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) will focus on the challenges of Alzheimers at its next public “Coffee & Conversation” community meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Research has shown that Music has a powerful impact on memory and can…

Events, Features, Government, Orland Park

Cicero hosts Houby Festival Oct 3 – 6, 2019

September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero hosts Houby Festival Oct 3 – 6, 2019 The 51st Annual Houby Festival will kick off on Thursday, October 3, 2019 featuring a carnival with rides for family and children, a variety of Czech and other ethnic foods, a wide range of entertainment, and a parade on Sunday Oct. 6. Houby is the Czech/Slovak…

Entertainment, Events, Features, Suburban Chicagoland

Dansk and Sparks join the Chicago Wolves

September 22, 2019September 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dansk and Sparks join the Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves announced Sunday that goaltenders Oscar Dansk and Garret Sparks have been assigned to the team by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. They’ll join the Wolves in time for Monday’s official start to training camp. Dansk served as the workhorse for the Wolves’ run to the…

News, Sports

Presidential candidates have no idea what Americans need

September 21, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Presidential candidates have no idea what Americans need Few of the Democrats hoping to become President really know what the real issues are that face voters. During their recent debate, they spent more time arguing over generic media-driven issues than not he issues that voters really care about. Here are some of the issues the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Federal, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes, women

Chicago Wolves add nine players as training camp nears

September 21, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves add nine players as training camp nears The Chicago Wolves announced Friday that nine players, including three who helped the team reach the 2019 Calder Cup Finals, have been assigned to the organization by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. Forwards Paul Cotter, Lucas Elvenes, Ben Jones, Jake Leschyshyn, Jermaine Loewen, Tye McGinn, Gage…

News, Sports

Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence Day Parade

September 18, 2019September 18, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence Day Parade By Alejandra Herrera President Larry Dominick, the Cicero Board of Trustees together with The Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee, CMCC, hosted the annual Mexican Independence Day Parade. The parade took place Sunday, September 15th, starting at Cermak and Austin. As early as 11:30am all the floats and participants were ready…

Entertainment, Features, Government, news release, Suburban Chicagoland

Newman receives endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Newman receives endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez Update: Newman’s announcement of an endorsement sparked criticism from Congressman Dan Lipinski. His comments are posted at the end of this story Marie Newman, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ Third Congressional District, announced Tuesday, Sept 17, that she will be receiving the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “I…

Chicago, elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics

Lightfoot following in footsteps of “Machine” she loathes

September 13, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lightfoot following in footsteps of “Machine” she loathes Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants you to believe that she is a champion of justice and will fight to make Chicagoans safe, and end the “corruption” that has plagued her predecessors. But alas, Lightfoot is no different from many of the mayors who came before her. And her…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, Education, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Taxes