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

Morton College student charged with possessing weapons on school property

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Morton College student charged with possessing weapons on school property
Morton College student charged with possessing weapons on school property

Morton College student charged with possessing weapons on school property Anthony A. Guban, 24, was charged Friday with Felony unlawful use of a weapon in violation of the “Conceal Carry Act,” by bringing weapons onto school property while attending class. A witness notified police on Thursday, Nov. 14 around 3 pm, that weapons were visible…

Read More “Morton College student charged with possessing weapons on school property” »

Crime, Education, Government, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act
Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act

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…

Read More “Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act” »

Government, Illinois Legislature, Sports

Fourth Illinois resident dies after vaping related lung injury

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Fourth Illinois resident dies after vaping related lung injury
Fourth Illinois resident dies after vaping related lung injury

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…

Read More “Fourth Illinois resident dies after vaping related lung injury” »

Health, News

Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs
Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs

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…

Read More “Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs” »

Illinois Legislature, Releases

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

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Lipinski Introduces Legislation to Combat Price-Gouging on Life-Sustaining Drugs
Lipinski Introduces Legislation to Combat Price-Gouging on Life-Sustaining Drugs

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…

Read More “Lipinski Introduces Legislation to Combat Price-Gouging on Life-Sustaining Drugs” »

elections, Government, Health, National, News

Focus needs to return to crime not politics in Chicago

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Focus needs to return to crime not politics in Chicago
Focus needs to return to crime not politics in Chicago

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…

Read More “Focus needs to return to crime not politics in Chicago” »

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

Difference between O’Grady and Pekau is night and day

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Difference between O’Grady and Pekau is night and day

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…

Read More “Difference between O’Grady and Pekau is night and day” »

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

Matthew withdraws from 3rd Congressional race, endorses Newman

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Matthew withdraws from 3rd Congressional race, endorses Newman
Matthew withdraws from 3rd Congressional race, endorses Newman

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,…

Read More “Matthew withdraws from 3rd Congressional race, endorses Newman” »

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

O’Grady slams Pekau over homeless shelter

Posted on By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on O’Grady slams Pekau over homeless shelter

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…

Read More “O’Grady slams Pekau over homeless shelter” »

Government, Health, News, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Wolves end five-game road trip overwhelming Iowa Wild

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Wolves end five-game road trip overwhelming Iowa Wild
Wolves end five-game road trip overwhelming Iowa Wild

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….

Read More “Wolves end five-game road trip overwhelming Iowa Wild” »

News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Lipinski leads effort to memorialize victims of Communism

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Lipinski leads effort to memorialize victims of Communism
Lipinski leads effort to memorialize victims of Communism

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…

Read More “Lipinski leads effort to memorialize victims of Communism” »

elections, Government, News

Replay Lincoln Parkfeatures three”pop-ups” performances

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Replay Lincoln Parkfeatures three”pop-ups” performances
Replay Lincoln Parkfeatures three”pop-ups” performances

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…

Read More “Replay Lincoln Parkfeatures three”pop-ups” performances” »

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

Michelle Obama uses stereotypes to rip “White people”

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Michelle Obama uses stereotypes to rip “White people”
Michelle Obama uses stereotypes to rip “White people”

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…

Read More “Michelle Obama uses stereotypes to rip “White people”” »

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

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

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Ald. Quinn bans Airbnb in 38 of 48 13th Ward precincts
Ald. Quinn bans Airbnb in 38 of 48 13th Ward precincts

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…

Read More “Ald. Quinn bans Airbnb in 38 of 48 13th Ward precincts” »

Government, News, Racism, Travel

Marie Newman Endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Marie Newman Endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
Marie Newman Endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

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….

Read More “Marie Newman Endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky” »

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

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

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Schaumburg resident embodies Veterans Day values as member of U.S. Navy Reserve
Schaumburg resident embodies Veterans Day values as member of U.S. Navy Reserve

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…

Read More “Schaumburg resident embodies Veterans Day values as member of U.S. Navy Reserve” »

Features, News, Veterans

USS Gabrielle Giffords sailors prepare food

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on USS Gabrielle Giffords sailors prepare food
USS Gabrielle Giffords sailors prepare food

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…

Read More “USS Gabrielle Giffords sailors prepare food” »

Features, Veterans

Reactions to the U.S. House Impeachment legislation

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Reactions to the U.S. House Impeachment legislation

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…

Read More “Reactions to the U.S. House Impeachment legislation” »

Federal, News, Politics