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

Orland Park native supports “Silent Service” at Pearl Harbor Sub Training Center

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park native supports “Silent Service” at Pearl Harbor Sub Training Center By Erica R. Gardner Chief Mass Communication Specialist, Navy Office of Community Outreach. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang An Orland Park, Illinois, native and 2007 Carl Sandburg High School graduate is serving at the U.S. Naval Submarine Training Center…

Features, General Topics, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Moraine Valley students perform in original theatrical production

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Moraine Valley students perform in original theatrical production Moraine Valley Community College will present “American Griot,” an original play exploring Muslim influence on the American music genre known as the blues. The Academic Theater production will run Feb. 21 to March 3, in the John and Angeline Oremus Theater, inside the Fine and Performing Arts…

Education, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, News, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

What Chicago mayor candidates are really saying about themselves

February 9, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

What Chicago mayor candidates are really saying about themselves Comparing the campaign TV ads of the various mayoral candidates says a lot about who they really are and what their priorities are, or are not. The candidates for Chicago mayor define themselves in their TV campaign ads. Here’s what it looks like. Published in the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Wolves Hockey: Lagace rejoins the Wolves team

February 8, 2019February 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves Hockey: Lagace rejoins the Wolves team The Chicago Wolves announced Friday that goaltender Max Lagace has been returned on loan by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. The 26-year-old Lagace spent most of the last month with Vegas and appeared in one game — rejecting 27 of 31 shots in a 5-2 loss on Feb….

News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland residents call for Mehalek and Fenton to step down

February 7, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland residents call for Mehalek and Fenton to step down Voters call foul after a decision by Orland Park Village Clerk John Mehalek and Trustee Kathy Fenton is thrown out by a Cook County Circuit Court Judge. Mehalek and Fenton ruled that a slate of candidates for Orland Park trustee could not appear on the ballot…

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

Gov. Pritzker Names Col. Richard Neely to Lead Illinois National Guard

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker Names Col. Richard Neely to Lead Illinois National Guard Governor JB Pritzker has named Illinois Air National Guard Col. Richard R. Neely of Springfield, Ill., as the 40th Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard replacing Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes, who is retiring from the military after more than…

Veterans, Veterans Column

Joint Venture to energize Burr Ridge Village Center following purchase

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Joint Venture to energize Burr Ridge Village Center following purchase Orland Park, IL/Feb. 4, 2019 – Edwards Realty Company, which owns several popular outdoor lifestyle and mixed-use centers, and Core Acquisitions, which has a successful track record of acquiring and repositioning commercial real estate assets in the retail, office, industrial and multi-family property sectors, have…

Business, News, news release

Wolves track down Moose, winning 5-2

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves track down Moose, winning 5-2 The Chicago Wolves hockey team pulled away with a pair of goals in the third period, topping the Manitoba Moose 5-2 on Saturday night before 11,108 at Allstate Arena. Forwards Tomas Hyka, Daniel Carr, Keegan Kolesar and Gage Quinney and defenseman Zach Whitecloud all scored for Chicago (25-15-5-1) while…

News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Harper to host Community Health Fair to on trauma and gun violence

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper to host Community Health Fair to on trauma and gun violence Community residents will have the chance to learn how to respond to incidents of gun violence and assist trauma victims during a Community Health Fair that state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, will host on Saturday, March 23. “For our community, we have to…

Crime, Education, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Service Restored to ComEd Customers Impacted by Polar Vortex

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Service Restored to ComEd Customers Impacted by Polar Vortex ComEd restores service to 61,000 customers within first 24 hours ComEd crews and contractors restored electrical service this week to 64,000 customers affected by the polar vortex that plunged the temperature to negative 23 degrees, the second coldest in recorded history for the Chicago area. Power…

Chicago, Environment, General Topics, News, news release, Suburban Chicagoland, Weather

Orland Park mall shooting: When does safety become a form of racism?

January 31, 2019October 14, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park mall shooting: When does safety become a form of racism? A teenager brought a gun into the Orland Park Mall and shot and killed a fellow student. But instead of talking about measures to protect innocent shoppers, some want to focus on racism. It’s time to consider metal detectors and restrictions on clothing…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, General Topics, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Ald. Quinn Reminds Seniors to call Ward Office for Help with Snow Removal

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ald. Quinn Reminds Seniors to call Ward Office for Help with Snow Removal Ald. Marty Quinn today reminded seniors in the 13th Ward to call his office for help with snow and ice removal. In light of this week’s extreme weather conditions and more snow predicted for tomorrow, Quinn wants people to be sure they have…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, News, Releases

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment Legislative leaders release statements detailing steps to be taken in response to allegations of sexual harassment. Statements released by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, former legislator Barbara Flynn Curry, and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Releases, women

In Chicago mayoral election, other issues are important, too

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

In Chicago mayoral election, other issues are important, too With all the usual issues being skirted and glossed over in the Chicago Mayoral election, voters should take notice of the undercurrent of issues on the sidelines that have as much impact on their lives as the rest. Conspiracies are a part of Chicago politics, so…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Hockey News: Wolves Rally nearly unseats Cleveland Monsters

January 27, 2019January 27, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hockey News: Wolves Rally nearly unseats Cleveland Monsters The Chicago Wolves pitched a three-goal rally in the third period to force overtime, but fell to the Cleveland Monsters 4-3 in the extra session on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena. Defensemen Erik Brännström and Jack Bischoff and forward Tomas Hyka all scored goals for Chicago…

Chicago, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Gariepy: Protect Taxpayers from Frivolous Petition Challenges

January 25, 2019January 25, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gariepy: Protect Taxpayers from Frivolous Petition Challenges This week, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners dismissed a challenge filed against the nominating petitions of Peter Gariepy’s campaign for Chicago City Treasurer. The Gariepy campaign filed with more than 30,000 signatures and despite the time and resources expended, easily survived the challenge. “To call the challenge…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics

Relief over Van Dyke sentencing

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

Relief over Van Dyke sentencing The unfairness of the public’a assault of Police Officer Jason Van Dyke and the glorification of Laquan Mcdonald is sickening. It’s not something too many people want to hear, but McDonald’s defenders should be ashamed of themselves Originally Published in The Regional/Reporter Newspapers 1-23-19 By Ray Hanania How do you explain…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Police, Politics, rayhanania

Mayor Getty and community mourn Trustee Greg Ramirez passing

January 24, 2019January 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Getty and community mourn Trustee Greg Ramirez passing Mayor Christopher Getty has Closed the Lyons Village Hall and suspended Garbage Service for Monday, January 28th in a Call for Mourning of Trustee Greg Ramirez “It is with deep regret that we share the news of the passing of Village of Lyons Trustee Gregory F….

breaking news, Government, News, Obituary, Suburban Chicagoland