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

State Fire Marshal Reminds Illinoisans to “Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries”

October 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

State Fire Marshal Reminds Illinoisans to “Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries” Daylight saving time a reminder to test and change batteries in smoke alarms The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) reminds Illinoisans to test and replace the batteries in their smoke alarms as daylight saving time ends this weekend and they turn…

Government, News

Chicago Wolves beat Tucson Roadrunners 3 to 0

October 31, 2019October 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves beat Tucson Roadrunners 3 to 0 Garret Sparks stopped all 32 shots he faced to lead the Chicago Wolves to a 3-0 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners on Wednesday night at Tucson Convention Center Arena. Rookie forward Lucas Elvenes — the American Hockey League’s scoring leader with 15 points — Reid Duke and…

Entertainment, News, Sports

Arrogance and racism in Michelle Obama’s lecture on White Flight

October 30, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arrogance and racism in Michelle Obama’s lecture on White Flight Former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed an audience at the 3rd Annual Obama Summit this week and one of her topics was Chicago’s history of “White Flight.” But instead of speaking about it with knowledge, she addressed it with a subtle anger blaming White people…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania

Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park offers Chef-Made Thanksgiving Dinner at Home Menu

October 30, 2019December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park offers Chef-Made Thanksgiving Dinner at Home Menu FAIRMONT CHICAGO, MILLENNIUM PARK ANNOUNCES RETURN OF ANNUAL CHEF-MADE THANKSGIVING DINNER AT HOME MENU From a full Thanksgiving dinner, to a la carte holiday dishes, Fairmont Chicago’s chefs share fully prepared, gourmet Thanksgiving menu this year Allowing holiday hosts to hang up their apron…

Entertainment, Features, food, Regional Midwest, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Travel

DCFS launches program on domestic violence in Winnebago and Lake counties

October 30, 2019October 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

DCFS launches program on domestic violence in Winnebago and Lake counties Illinois DCFS kicks off The Domestic Violence Co-Location Program in Lake and Winnebago counties in partnership with the Quality Improvement Center on Domestic Violence in Child Welfare Today the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) joined forces with domestic violence agencies and…

Health, News

Chicago Sun-Times slanders Rush Darwish in 3rd District race

October 29, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago Sun-Times slanders Rush Darwish in 3rd District race The hotly contested 3rd Congressional District draws anti-Arab media attention from a historically racist anti-Arab Chicago Sun-Times because one of the candidates is Palestinian. The newspaper twisted around the words of Rush Darwish in a clear effort to take out a candidate who is both considered…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Lyons Mayor Getty given tour of President’s helicopter, “Marine One”

October 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lyons Mayor Getty given tour of President’s helicopter, “Marine One” Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty was given a tour of the President’s Helicopter Unit, Marine One at Midway Airport on Saturday (Oct. 26, 2019). The tour invited was extended to thank the Mayor for his strong support of the Military and its veterans. “Mayor Getty was…

Government, News, Veterans

Offshore Restaurant offers Halloween fun

October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Offshore Restaurant offers Halloween fun OFFSHORE, CHICAGO’S HOTTEST ROOFTOP DESTINATION, GETS SPOOKY ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT One of Chicago’s hottest venues on the nightlife scene brings the screams on Halloween Night with live thrills, frightening cocktails, spooky décor, and a costume contest with over $2,000 in prizes! Offshore, Chicago’s most buzzed about venue featured in Thrillist…

Business, Chicago, Entertainment, Features, food, restaurants

Allgauer’s on the Riverfront offers Thanksgiving alternative with specialty brunch

October 25, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Allgauer’s on the Riverfront offers Thanksgiving alternative with specialty brunch ALLGAUER’S ON THE RIVERFRONT WELCOMES THANKSGIVING DINERS WITH A SPECIALTY BRUNCH BUFFET AND HOLIDAY DINNER MENU. From Roasted Turkey to Chef-Made Pies, the North Shore Dining Favorite is Offering Something Scrumptious for Every Member of the Family to Enjoy. Gobble ‘til you Wobble! The North Shore…

Business, Chicago, Entertainment, Features, food, restaurants

Lightfoot follows Emanuel failure on mental health services

October 25, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lightfoot follows Emanuel failure on mental health services Mental Health Advocates: Mayor Lightfoot’s budget breaks her promise to increase support for public mental health services and to re-open closed clinics The Collaborative for Community Wellness, a coalition of Mental Health Advocates, says Mayor Lightfoot’s budget betrayed them because it does not meaningfully increase funding for…

Chicago, Health, News, rayhanania

Second Illinois Resident Dies After Vaping Related Lung Injury

October 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Second Illinois Resident Dies After Vaping Related Lung Injury The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the death of a second Illinois individual who had recently vaped and been hospitalized with a severe lung injury. At this time, a total of 153 people in Illinois, ranging in age from 13 to 66 years…

Business, Health, News

Rehearsals are Underway for Steppenwolf’s World Premiere of Lindiwe

October 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rehearsals are Underway for Steppenwolf’s World Premiere of Lindiwe By Ensemble Member Eric Simonson. Featuring Music Written and Performed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Directed by Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry. November 7, 2019 – January 5, 2020. A Love Story that Marries Traditional South African Sounds from Zulu Culture with Chicago’s Iconic Blues Rehearsals are underway for Lindiwe, Steppenwolf’s highly…

Entertainment, Features, Theater

Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire presents Oliver for the Holidays

October 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire presents Oliver for the Holidays Celebrate the holidays with one of the most beloved family musicals of all time, featuring favorites “Food, Glorious Food,” “As Long as He Needs Me,” and more! The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr. in Lincolnshire, is proud to bring the Victorian streets of London live to Lincolnshire…

Entertainment, Features, Theater

Teamsters back Lightfoot tax on Lyft and Uber

October 23, 2019 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Teamsters Local 727 Supports Mayor Lightfoot’s Congestion Tax on Uber, Lyft Rides Teamsters Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. today announced the union’s support of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to apply a new congestion tax to ride-hailing companies, including Uber and Lyft. According to a recent press release from the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Lightfoot’s plan seeks to…

Business, Chicago, Government, News, Taxes

Chicago Wolves Hockey add Hague and Whitecloud to lineup

October 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves Hockey add Hague and Whitecloud to lineup The Chicago Wolves announced Wednesday that defensemen Nic Hague and Zach Whitecloud have been loaned to the team by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. The Wolves’ top defensive pair from the 2019 Calder Cup Finals squad arrive in time for today’s 11 a.m. home game against…

News, Sports

U.S. Commerce Department Announces $13 Million to Support U.S. Manufacturers

October 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

U.S. Commerce Department Announces $13 Million to Support U.S. Manufacturers Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced $13 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to support 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) that help manufacturers affected by imports adjust to increasing global competition and to create jobs. The TAACs, which each service…

Business, News

Max & Benny’s Comedy Night Nov. 14

October 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Max & Benny’s Comedy Night Nov. 14 LIVE COMEDY FEATURING PROFESSIONAL,CHICAGO AREA and TOURING STAND-UP COMEDIANS Comedy show and Delicious Full Service Dinner from Special, Limited Menu [Soup or Salad, Entrée, Dessert and One Alcoholic Beverage (Red or White Wine, or Craft Beer)] $35.00 per person or $60.00 for two Dinner served at 7 pm, Show begins…

Comedy, Entertainment, Events

Wolves rally for shoot-out win over Milwaukee Admirals

October 21, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves rally for shoot-out win over Milwaukee Admirals Gage Quinney and Patrick Brown converted in the shootout to lead the Chicago Wolves to a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena. Brown scored twice in regulation for the Wolves (2-3-1-0) while 21-year-old goaltender Dylan Ferguson (1-0-0) earned the victory in…

News, Sports