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

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

Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park

May 19, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is a nasty bully who can’t take any criticism but has one quality: he can turn friends into enemies faster than any politician I have met in 45 years. Monday (May 18, 2020), Pekau threatened to take Pritzker to court after bashing…

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

Treasurer Maria Pappas postpones collections to help coronavirus victims

May 18, 2020July 5, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas postpones collections to help coronavirus victims Video Interview Below: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has launched an initiative to help taxpayer san property owners who have been economically impacted negatively by the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Treasurer’s office will extend the period by two months in which property owners can pay their…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Editors Pick, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Videos

Coronavirus testing site opens in Orland Park

May 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Coronavirus testing site opens in Orland Park UChicago Medicine opens third drive-up testing clinic for COVID-19. Orland Park testing launches; Appointment-only services available to the public The University of Chicago Medicine is expanded its curbside COVID-19 testing to its Orland Park outpatient location, adding a third drive-up clinic for the Chicagoland community. The health system’s Orland…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Orland Park

Orland home fire on Beacon Tuesday, May 12th

May 16, 2020May 16, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland home fire on Beacon Tuesday, May 12th The Orland Fire District responded to the 143 block of Beacon in the Old Orland Historic District for a reported structure fire on Tuesday, May 12. Upon arrival, Battalion 6 found a two-story wood frame building with smoke coming from the rear of the structure. The alarm…

Cook County, Fire, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Opinion: Easing restrictions in coronavirus wake is irresponsible

May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Easing restrictions in coronavirus wake is irresponsible Some political leaders, especially those on the extreme far right, are calling for coronavirus restrictions to be lifted, even though the number of infections continues to increase. These officials are being irresponsible. With them on the far right extreme, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker on the far left…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania

Pritzker Announces New “All in Illinois” Kids Content Series Featuring Illinois Museums and Attractions

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pritzker Announces New “All in Illinois” Kids Content Series Featuring Illinois Museums and Attractions Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the All In Illinois website will now offer a kid-friendly content series to connect children and families with educational resources from Illinois museums and attractions. The content series features videos and activities to inspire, educate…

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

Marie Newman endorses Mara Candelaria Reardon for Congress in Indiana’s 1st Congressional District

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Marie Newman endorses Mara Candelaria Reardon for Congress in Indiana’s 1st Congressional District Marie Newman, who won the Democratic Party nomination to replace Congress Dan Lipinski in the 3rd Congressional District, announced her support on Tuesday May 12, 2020, for Mara Candelaria Reardon for Congress in the Indiana 1st District Congressional race. Reardon is a…

elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics, Regional Midwest

Chicago Wolves 2019-20 Season cancelled because of Pandemic

May 11, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago Wolves 2019-20 Season cancelled because of Pandemic The American Hockey League announced Monday it has canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season and the Calder Cup Playoffs. This represents the first time in the AHL’s 84-year history a season has concluded without determining a champion. “After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey…

Chicago, Entertainment, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

O’Grady urges Orland Township residents to salute student graduates during virus restrictions

May 9, 2020May 10, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

O’Grady urges Orland Township residents to salute student graduates during virus restrictions Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady steps up to recognize the 2020 students whose graduations have been disrupted because of restrictions intended to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. O’Grady, one of the most praised officials in the Orland region, said…

breaking news, Briefs, Cook County, coronavirus, Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire’s popular Coffee & Conversation resumes with virtual online meetings

May 8, 2020May 8, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire’s popular Coffee & Conversation resumes with virtual online meetings The Orland Fire Protection District will resume the popular and monthly Coffee & Conversation monthly meetings for residents and especially seniors in the Fire District. The event is co-hosted by Aishling Companion Home Care and participation does require downloading an App to permit your…

Briefs, Features, Fire, Government, News, Orland Park

Mile Long Bridge beam delivery continues in May on Central Tri-State (I-294) project

May 6, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Mile Long Bridge beam delivery continues in May on Central Tri-State (I-294) project Beam deliveries escorted by State Police will impact travel on I-90, I-290, I-355, I-80, I-57 and I-294 Transport and delivery of bridge beams will continue in May for the Illinois Tollway’s new northbound Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294)…

Business, construction, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Orland Park opens recreational services as state modifies coronavirus restrictions

May 6, 2020May 6, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park opens recreational services as state modifies coronavirus restrictions As Illinois’ modified stay-at-home takes effect, Recreation and Parks provides an update regarding programs and services Tennis and Pickleball Courts Open For Singles Play Frisbee Golf and Dog Park Open with Restrictions Governor Pritzker’s modified stay-at-home order took effect May 1 and runs through the…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Orland Park, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker acts recklessly, jeopardizes first responders

May 2, 2020July 5, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pritzker acts recklessly, jeopardizes first responders Gov. J.B. Pritzker spent $17 million to purchase face masks but it turns out they were fake and useless, another example of his poor leadership as Illinois governor. That wasted money and his excessive taxes that he imposed on Illinois taxpayers has created an unjustified burden on the state’s…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

O’Brien slams Foxx policy of dismissing drug cases promotes open-air illegal drug market

April 29, 2020April 29, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

O’Brien slams Foxx policy of dismissing drug cases promotes open-air illegal drug market How can Cook County survive the lack of judgment and misguided social agenda of Kim Foxx? First, in response to an office employee contracting COVID-19 at the Domestic Violence Courthouse in March, Foxx shut down the building, leaving victims of domestic abuse…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, elections, Government, News, Politics