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

House Speaker Mike Madigan to keynote Arab American Democratic Club candidates brunch

December 11, 2019December 11, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

House Speaker Mike Madigan to keynote Arab American Democratic Club candidates brunch The Arab American Democratic Club, Illinois’ largest and most responsive Democratic Arab political organization, is prod to host Illinois Speaker Michael J. Madigan as its keynote speaker at its annual Feb. 16, 2020 Candidates Forum and Brunch. Get info at www.AADCIL.com The Arab…

elections, Events, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Alorica fires Wisconsin workers and hires 9,000 workers in the Philipines

December 11, 2019February 26, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Alorica fires Wisconsin workers and hires 9,000 workers in the Philipines Press release: Alorica to Close Green Bay Call Center and Lay Off 143 Wisconsin Workers After Announcing 9,000 New Hires in the Philippines. Call center layoffs of American workers replaced by foreign hires Washington, D.C. – Customer service outsourcing vendor Alorica announced this week…

Business, National, News, Releases, Technology

Man body slammed by Chicago Police deserved it

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Man body slammed by Chicago Police deserved it Too often the media and public focus on the actions of police rather than on the actions of criminals. Recently, a man who allegedly was drinking spit in the face of a police officer who tried to detain him. He licked the officer’s face and spit in…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, Health, Opinion, Police

Town of Cicero commemorates sacrifice of veteran who died at Pearl Harbor

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Town of Cicero commemorates sacrifice of veteran who died at Pearl Harbor The Town of Cicero placed a Wreath at the Memorial Stone set up to honor the service of Cicero resident Joseph Philip Steffan, 32, who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 while serving on the U.S.S. Arizona,…

Features, Government, National, News, Obituary, Veterans, Veterans Column

Town President Larry Dominick decorates Town hall for Christmas

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Town President Larry Dominick decorates Town hall for Christmas By Alejandra Hererra Santa’s elves have been busy working in Cicero. They just finished putting up the many Christmas trees at Town Hall. Today if you drive by or visit us you can admire all the decorated trees, lights, deer and all the many decorations. The…

Entertainment, Features, Government

Congressman Lipinski co-sponsors bill to block illegal robocalls

December 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congressman Lipinski co-sponsors bill to block illegal robocalls Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) today helped the House pass the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act (S. 151) to bring much needed relief to Americans from abusive robocall practices. The bipartisan, bicameral bill will now be sent to President Trump for his signature. Last year, an estimated 47.8 billion robocalls were placed…

elections, Federal, Government, National, News, Politics, Technology

Ald. Quinn Looks to Extend Ban of Airbnb in 13th Ward

December 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ald. Quinn Looks to Extend Ban of Airbnb in 13th Ward Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn of the 13th Ward today (Wednesday Dec. 4, 2019) requested the Chicago City Council’s Committee on License and Consumer Protection ban Airbnb and other home-sharing services from the 25th and 36th precincts of the 13th ward, bringing the total number…

Business, Chicago, Government, News, Travel

Twentieth Anniversary of Shop with a Cop – December 14, 2019

December 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Twentieth Anniversary of Shop with a Cop – December 14, 2019 Twenty years ago, a group of Hoffman Estates Police Officers started a project to bring gifts and food to families in need during the Holiday Season. Seeing the faces of these children and their families change from despair to joy, the Officers pledged to…

Business, Crime, Features, Government, News, Police

Bob Fioretti enters race to oust beleaguered States Attorney Kim Foxx

December 3, 2019December 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bob Fioretti enters race to oust beleaguered States Attorney Kim Foxx Robert “Bob” Fioretti announced Monday his candidacy to challenge controversy-plagued Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx for the office in the March 17, 2020 Democratic Primary election. Foxx is best known for bending to political favors to drop charges in the Jussie Smollett hoax,…

Chicago, Crime, elections, Government, News, Police, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Press Release: Cicero Chamber of Commerces Launches new chapter

December 2, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Press Release: Cicero Chamber of Commerces Launches new chapter More than 44 businesses, and 20 leaders from the Town of Cicero and community groups launched the new Cicero Chamber of Commerce during a dinner meeting at Langostinos Restaurant on Laramie Avenue in Cicero on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. The effort was led by Town President…

Business, Features, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving

November 28, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving One of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, has a lot to be thankful for and to also think about. Happy Thanksgiving everyone By Ray Hanania Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, next to election day of course. I don’t like to think about what we did to the Native Americans, though. I’ve…

Blogger, Commentary, food, Opinion, rayhanania

NAS Whiting Field Milestone: 35,000th Helicopter Pilot winged

November 28, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

NAS Whiting Field Milestone: 35,000th Helicopter Pilot winged Northlake Naval Aviator Lt. Robert Woods among recipients of Gold Wings at Whiting Unit and will be reassigned to fly the MH-60R with the Airwolves of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Forty, Jacksonville, Fla. By Lt. Kaila Millis Naval Air Station Whiting Field Training Air Wing (TRAWING) 5 celebrated a…

News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Tammy Wendt to challenge Patlak at Cook County Board of Review

November 27, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tammy Wendt to challenge Patlak at Cook County Board of Review Palos Heights Attorney Tammy Wendt announced this week that she is running for the Democratic nomination for the 1st District Cook County Board of Review, a seat held by controversial Republican incumbent Dan Patlak. Wendt is a former Cook County State’s Attorney who has…

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

Pekau clamps down on democracy, plays victim card again

November 24, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pekau clamps down on democracy, plays victim card again Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is accusing others of personal and vicious attacks, but the truth is Pekau doesn’t shy away from name-calling, attacking others personally when it benefits his political agenda. His latest effort to stifle Democracy in the village by eliminating critical voices is a…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

The rancor of anti-Trump impeachment mob justice

November 24, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

The rancor of anti-Trump impeachment mob justice The news media and the Left and doing everything possible to undermine President Trump, but their efforts will only help him get re-elected. Rather than using logic and reason, and allowing a full analysis of Trump’s actions, the media and Left are using hate to attack him and…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Police, rayhanania

E. Coli Outbreak Possibly Linked to Romaine Lettuce

November 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

E. Coli Outbreak Possibly Linked to Romaine Lettuce Do not buy or eat romaine lettuce from the Salinas growing region The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as public…

food, Government, Health, news release, Releases

Lipinski introduces bill to end prescription price gouging

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski introduces bill to end prescription price gouging Lipinski Introduces Legislation to End Price Gouging on Life-Sustaining Prescription Drugs Congressman Lipinski speaks on the House floor on H.R. 5039, his legislation to end price gouging on life-sustaining prescription drugs for seniors. As seen in The Hill Congressman Lipinski recently introduced the Life-Sustaining Prescription Drug Relief…

Baby Boomers, Federal, Government, Health, News, Seniors

Pritzker joins Federal, State and Local Leaders to break ground on next phase of Springfield Rail

November 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker joins Federal, State and Local Leaders to break ground on next phase of Springfield Rail Rebuild Illinois Invests $122 Million to Complete Springfield Rail Improvement Project Governor JB Pritzker was joined by federal, state and local leaders to announce the next phase of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project and break ground on the construction…

Business, Government, News, Transportation