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

Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act

November 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, issued the following statement Wednesday after the Legislature adjourned the fall legislative session without the Senate passing House Bill 3904, the Student Athlete Endorsement Act: “I’m very disappointed that we were not able to get this reform that brings equity and fairness…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Sports

Fourth Illinois resident dies after vaping related lung injury

November 14, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Fourth Illinois resident dies after vaping related lung injury The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the death of a fourth Illinois resident who had recently been hospitalized with lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products (EVALI). At this time, a total of 179 people in Illinois, ranging in…

Health, News

Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs

November 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs Springfield, Ill. — Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement after both chambers of the General Assembly passed legislation to cap insulin costs for Illinois families. “Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are an enormous burden for too many Illinois families, and this legislation will significantly lower out-of-pocket…

Illinois Legislature, Releases

Lipinski Introduces Legislation to Combat Price-Gouging on Life-Sustaining Drugs

November 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski Introduces Legislation to Combat Price-Gouging on Life-Sustaining Drugs Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has introduced legislation to lower the cost of life-sustaining prescription drugs for seniors and others on Medicare. It allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to leverage the purchasing power of the federal government along with prescription drug pricing data…

elections, Government, Health, National, News

Focus needs to return to crime not politics in Chicago

November 14, 2019December 3, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Focus needs to return to crime not politics in Chicago How can you fight street gang violence that is killing hundreds of innocent people in Chicago neighborhoods if the focus remains on politics instead on finding a solution to the crime? That’s the problem Chicago faces as politics envelopes everything from the appointment to a…

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

Difference between O’Grady and Pekau is night and day

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

Difference between O’Grady and Pekau is night and day Opinion: A battle over whether or not Orland Park can close a once-a-week homeless shelter at a local church has pitted Orland Park’s Mayor Keith Pekau against Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. Pekau is trying to prevent Hope Covenant Church from hosting the weekly homeless shelter…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania

Matthew withdraws from 3rd Congressional race, endorses Newman

November 12, 2019November 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Matthew withdraws from 3rd Congressional race, endorses Newman By Ray Hanania Abe Matthew will announce today that he will withdraw from the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Primary race and endorse Marie Newman, pressure is mounting on another candidate to withdraw, Rush Darwish. Matthew will hold a press conference with Newman this morning (Tuesday, Nov. 12,…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, News, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

O’Grady slams Pekau over homeless shelter

November 11, 2019December 3, 2019 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

O’Grady slams Pekau over homeless shelter By Ray Hanania Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady criticized Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau Monday over the mayor’s refusal to permit Hope Covenant Church to operate a one-day each week shelter for homeless. O’Grady, who oversees Township services that assist families and individuals in need as well as senior…

Government, Health, News, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Wolves end five-game road trip overwhelming Iowa Wild

November 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves end five-game road trip overwhelming Iowa Wild The Chicago Wolves wrapped up their five-game road trip with a 3-0 victory over the division-leading Iowa Wild on Thursday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. Garret Sparks earned his second shutout in as many starts for the Wolves (7-5-1-0) as he rejected all 35 shots he faced….

News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Lipinski leads effort to memorialize victims of Communism

November 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski leads effort to memorialize victims of Communism Lipinski and Other Co-Chairs of Congressional Victims of Communism Caucus Introduce Resolution Designating Nov. 7 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), along with Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), today introduced a resolution to designate Nov. 7 as Victims of…

elections, Government, News

Replay Lincoln Parkfeatures three”pop-ups” performances

November 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Replay Lincoln Parkfeatures three”pop-ups” performances Catering to a wide variety of audiences, Replay Lincoln Park will host three distinct, concurrent pop-ups throughout the month Looking to create three spaces of unique fun for Chicagoans and visitors, alike, Replay Lincoln Park, 2833 N. Sheffield Ave. will host various pop-ups beginning Thursday, November 7 and lasting throughout…

Business, Chicago, Entertainment, Features, food, Theater, Travel

Michelle Obama uses stereotypes to rip “White people”

November 6, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Michelle Obama uses stereotypes to rip “White people” Michelle Obama criticized “White folks” (White people) accusing them of racism. But isn’t the use of broad stroke descriptions a form of stereotyping, too. And when you make them negative, isn’t that racism? Obama didn’t talk about the African Americans who participated and profited from White Flight…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Ald. Quinn bans Airbnb in 38 of 48 13th Ward precincts

November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ald. Quinn bans Airbnb in 38 of 48 13th Ward precincts At Urging of Residents, Ald. Quinn Seeks to Further Ban Airbnb in 13th Ward, precinct by precinct in the 13th Ward. AirBnB has been criticized for a variety of reasons including for discriminating against renters, and for operating in oppressive countries. Quinn’s action comes…

Government, News, Racism, Travel

Marie Newman Endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

November 5, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Marie Newman Endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky By Ray Hanania Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky announced Tuesday (Nov. 5, 2019) that she is endorsing Marie Newman, the leading Democratic candidate challenging Congressman Dan Lipinski for the 3rd District seat. Schakowsky is a leading moderate voice in the Democratic Organization and an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump….

elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Schaumburg resident embodies Veterans Day values as member of U.S. Navy Reserve

November 5, 2019November 5, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Navy Salutes service members on Veteran’s Day Two features spotlighted: Schaumburg resident embodies Veterans Day values as member of U.S. Navy Reserve By Theodore Quintana Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class , Navy Office of Community Outreach As Americans reflect on the service of military men and women this Veterans Day, some may not realize that…

Features, News, Veterans

USS Gabrielle Giffords sailors prepare food

November 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

USS Gabrielle Giffords sailors prepare food SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 31, 2019) Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Cristian Reyes, from Hanover Park, Ill., prepares food in the galley aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10). Gabrielle Giffords is on a rotational deployment to INDOPACOM, conducting operations, exercises and port visits throughout the region…

Features, Veterans

Reactions to the U.S. House Impeachment legislation

October 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Reactions to the U.S. House Impeachment legislation Here is a range of responses from candidates and elected officials on the progress of the impeachment drive against President Donald Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.Res.660 establishes next phase of impeachment inquiry Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement today, Oct. 31, 2019: “The…

Federal, News, Politics

Third Illinois Resident dies after Vaping related lung injury

October 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Third Illinois Resident dies after Vaping related lung injury The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the death of a third Illinois resident who had recently vaped and been hospitalized with a severe lung injury. At this time, a total of 166 people in Illinois, ranging in age from 13 to 75 years…

Health, News