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

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

Rockford IceHogs stop Chicago Wolves in Friday Hockey competition

October 19, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rockford IceHogs stop Chicago Wolves in Friday Hockey competition The Rockford IceHogs scored three times in the first period and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Wolves in Illinois Lottery Cup action Friday night at the Rockford MetroCentre. Defenseman Jaycob Megna and center Gage Quinney scored for the Wolves (1-3-0-0), who outshot the…

Entertainment, News, Sports

Iris Martinez announces candidacy for Cook County Circuit Clerk

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Iris Martinez announces candidacy for Cook County Circuit Clerk Illinois Senator Iris Martinez announced Thursday (Oct. 17, 2019) that she will be a candidate in the Democratic Primary for the office of Cook County Circuit Court Clerk, succeeding Dorothy Brown who announced in August that she will not seek re-election. Martinez was elected to The…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Intercontinental Chicago offers Windy City Wonderland with holiday programs and packages

October 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Intercontinental Chicago offers Windy City Wonderland with holiday programs and packages INTERCONTINENTAL CHICAGO HOTEL TRANSFORMS INTO A WINDY CITY WONDERLAND WITH UNIQUE HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING AND PACKAGES. From a Milk & Cookie hotline that allows guests to text Santa Claus to a “Letters to Santa” station in the lobby, the iconic Chicago hotel is rolling out all…

Chicago, Entertainment, Features, Festival

Cast Call for Goodman Theater’s “A Christmas Carol”

October 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cast Call for Goodman Theater’s “A Christmas Carol” ALL-CHICAGO, 25-MEMBER CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE 42ND ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL, APPEARING NOVEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 29 AT GOODMAN THEATRE **CHICAGO FAVORITE LARRY YANDO APPEARS AS EBENEZER SCROOGE FOR HIS 12TH YEAR AND PARIS STRICKLAND RETURNS FOR HER 3rd YEAR AS TINY TIM** ***SPECIAL EVENTS…

Chicago, Entertainment, Features

When we care more about politics than murder

October 10, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

When we care more about politics than murder A man murders his wife and gets a 17 year jail sentence, but is released after serving only 7 years. Another man is accused of using his politics to give himself a political advantage, and he ends up being sentenced to 14 years in prison. How terrible…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, rayhanania

Pelosi is going to ensure Trump’s re-election

October 10, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pelosi is going to ensure Trump’s re-election President Donald Trump isn’t the greatest president and he has certainly embraced some controversial policies that have made him the focus of criticism from Democrats and the biased mainstream news media. But the more that Trump is attacked viciously and unfairly by the Democrats and the news media,…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Forest Preserves of Cook County Prepares for Fall 2019 Trout Fishing Season

September 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Forest Preserves of Cook County Prepares for Fall 2019 Trout Fishing Season Nearly 7,500 pounds of fish will be added to trout fishing lakes The 2019 fall inland trout fishing season opens on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Forest Preserves of Cook County trout fishing lakes: Axehead Lake and Belleau Lake in Park Ridge, Busse…

Features, General Topics, Government, Releases, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

11 Year-old Harvey resident in critical condition, victim of gun violence

September 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

11 Year-old Harvey resident in critical condition, victim of gun violence On the evening of Monday, September 23, an 11-year-old girl became the latest victim of gun violence in Chicago’s south suburban region. The young girl was in her Harvey home, near 158th and Paulina streets, when she was shot in the head by a…

Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland