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

Tim Ozinga announces for 37th District House seat Sept 25, 2019

September 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tim Ozinga announces for 37th District House seat Sept 25, 2019 On Wednesday, September 25, at 7:30pm, businessman and community leader, Tim Ozinga, will announce his candidacy for the office of Illinois State Representative in the 37th District. Mr. Ozinga will address the need to restore Illinois’ prosperity by restoring fiscal sanity and moral leadership…

elections, Events, Features, Government, Politics

Matthew urges impeachment inquiry into Trump

September 24, 2019September 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Matthew urges impeachment inquiry into Trump Abe Matthew (D-Ill.), candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District (D-Lipinski), issued the following statement regarding impeachment of President Trump and the recent events surrounding the Ukraine: “The public reports of the President’s call with a foreign leader indicate that a whistleblower has raised serious concern about the…

elections, Government, Politics, Releases

Orland Fire District hosts CERT Training for district residents on Oct. 7, 2019

September 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire District hosts CERT Training for district residents on Oct. 7, 2019 The Orland Fire District is hosting a new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class starting October 7th, 2019. The classes will be held 8 consecutive Mondays from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm each evening. The classes are held at the Orland Fire…

Events, Features, Government, Orland Park

OFPD Coffee & Conversation addresses power of Music in Alzheimers and dementia Sept. 26, 2019

September 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

OFPD Coffee & Conversation addresses power of Music in Alzheimers and dementia Sept. 26, 2019 The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) will focus on the challenges of Alzheimers at its next public “Coffee & Conversation” community meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Research has shown that Music has a powerful impact on memory and can…

Events, Features, Government, Orland Park

Cicero hosts Houby Festival Oct 3 – 6, 2019

September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero hosts Houby Festival Oct 3 – 6, 2019 The 51st Annual Houby Festival will kick off on Thursday, October 3, 2019 featuring a carnival with rides for family and children, a variety of Czech and other ethnic foods, a wide range of entertainment, and a parade on Sunday Oct. 6. Houby is the Czech/Slovak…

Entertainment, Events, Features, Suburban Chicagoland

Dansk and Sparks join the Chicago Wolves

September 22, 2019September 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dansk and Sparks join the Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves announced Sunday that goaltenders Oscar Dansk and Garret Sparks have been assigned to the team by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. They’ll join the Wolves in time for Monday’s official start to training camp. Dansk served as the workhorse for the Wolves’ run to the…

News, Sports

Presidential candidates have no idea what Americans need

September 21, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Presidential candidates have no idea what Americans need Few of the Democrats hoping to become President really know what the real issues are that face voters. During their recent debate, they spent more time arguing over generic media-driven issues than not he issues that voters really care about. Here are some of the issues the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Federal, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes, women

Chicago Wolves add nine players as training camp nears

September 21, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves add nine players as training camp nears The Chicago Wolves announced Friday that nine players, including three who helped the team reach the 2019 Calder Cup Finals, have been assigned to the organization by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. Forwards Paul Cotter, Lucas Elvenes, Ben Jones, Jake Leschyshyn, Jermaine Loewen, Tye McGinn, Gage…

News, Sports

Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence Day Parade

September 18, 2019September 18, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence Day Parade By Alejandra Herrera President Larry Dominick, the Cicero Board of Trustees together with The Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee, CMCC, hosted the annual Mexican Independence Day Parade. The parade took place Sunday, September 15th, starting at Cermak and Austin. As early as 11:30am all the floats and participants were ready…

Entertainment, Features, Government, news release, Suburban Chicagoland

Newman receives endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Newman receives endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez Update: Newman’s announcement of an endorsement sparked criticism from Congressman Dan Lipinski. His comments are posted at the end of this story Marie Newman, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ Third Congressional District, announced Tuesday, Sept 17, that she will be receiving the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “I…

Chicago, elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics

Lightfoot following in footsteps of “Machine” she loathes

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

Lightfoot following in footsteps of “Machine” she loathes Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants you to believe that she is a champion of justice and will fight to make Chicagoans safe, and end the “corruption” that has plagued her predecessors. But alas, Lightfoot is no different from many of the mayors who came before her. And her…

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

Illinois Joining Forces to Host Veteran’s Resource Fair as Part of Chicago Warrior Week

September 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Joining Forces to Host Veteran’s Resource Fair as Part of Chicago Warrior Week From September 14-21, Illinois Joining Forces (IJF), will join other state-wide and regional Veteran Service Organizations for the first annual Chicago Warrior Week, a week-long series of events designed for veterans that will highlight the programs and resources available to help…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Veterans, Veterans Column

Underwood Works to Improve Access to Quality Health Care for Veterans

September 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Underwood Works to Improve Access to Quality Health Care for Veterans Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced The ACE Veterans Act which expands veterans’ access to contraceptives, includes an option for full-year supply. The Post-9/11 Veteran Suicide Prevention Counseling Act would improve suicide prevention for post-9/11 veterans Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced the ACE Veterans Act and…

Government, Health, National, Veterans, Veterans Column

Amazon’s “Carnival Row” is a “Game of Thrones” hit

September 10, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Amazon’s “Carnival Row” is a “Game of Thrones” hit The fantasy series Carnival Row streaming on Amazon Prime is the perfect series to satisfies the cravings of Game of Thrones fans who were disappointed by GOT’s final season but who are craving for more. Carnival Row provides a complex and well-acted series about mythical creatures…

Books & Films, Entertainment, Features, Review, Television

Gov. Pritzker, 11 Governors Urge Federal Action to Address the Gun Violence Epidemic

September 10, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker, 11 Governors Urge Federal Action to Address the Gun Violence Epidemic Governor JB Pritzker and 11 governors from across the country are urging President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to enact sensible gun legislation to help protect the American public from the gun violence epidemic. Since the federal assault weapons ban…

Chicago, Crime, General Topics, News, Police

Presidential candidate Warren endorses Newman for Congress

September 10, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Presidential candidate Warren endorses Newman for Congress Democratic Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren announced Tuesday that she is endorsing Marie Newman in the March 2020 Democratic Primary election for The Illinois 3rd Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Congressman Dan Lipinski. Two other Democrats have also entered the Democratic Primary election contest that will…

elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics

Traveling on vacation used to be a lot of fun

September 9, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Traveling on vacation used to be a lot of fun The more our habits change as Americans, the more we are falling into an abyss controlled by the Chinese government and their financial grip on our spending habits and retail industry. The price to make it stop may be painful, but we have to do…

Blogger, Business, Commentary, Features, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Travel

Suspect sought in Cicero Bowling Alley assault

September 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Suspect sought in Cicero Bowling Alley assault Cicero Police are seeking a male suspect in his late 20s or early 30s, who is African American, who is seen in a social media video striking another individual with a bowling ball on his head during a bowling event that was held Wednesday night at Town Hall…

Chicago, Crime, Editors Pick, News, Police