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

Dingell Votes to Extend Protections for TPS Recipients, Dreamers

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dingell Votes to Extend Protections for TPS Recipients, Dreamers Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) voted in support of a bill passed by the House that will protect Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The American Dream and Promise Act provides Dreamers who came to the US as children and individuals with TPS a…

Government, News, Regional Midwest

Moraine Valley Speech Team earns national awards

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Moraine Valley Speech Team earns national awards The Moraine Valley Community College Speech Team earned five individual national titles and an overall team silver medal at the National Phi Rho Pi speech and debate tournament in Nevada. Awards were garnered by (back row from left) Natalie Jurcik, of Bridgeview, two gold medals; Jennifer Gutierrez, of…

Education, Features, News

Abele and Milwaukee County will make Bradford Beach “accessible.”

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

Abele and Milwaukee County will make Bradford Beach “accessible.” County Executive Chris Abele Monday June 3, 2019 joined Milwaukee County Parks, The Ability Center and community advocates to unveil plans to make Bradford Beach accessible for people with disabilities. Ramp Up, which is targeting a $100,000 fundraising goal, will increase accessibility to the beach through…

Environment, Government, News, Regional Midwest, Transportation, Travel

Charlotte Checkers beat Chicago Wolves in Game 2 of Calder Cup championship

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Charlotte Checkers beat Chicago Wolves in Game 2 of Calder Cup championship The Chicago Wolves erased a two-goal deficit in the second period, but fell to the Charlotte Checkers 5-3 in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals on Sunday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Center Gage Quinney scored two second-period goals while forward Keegan Kolesar…

News, Sports

Wolves take first game of Calder Cup Championship

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves take first game of Calder Cup Championship Chicago Wolves forward Stefan Matteau scored two goals, including the overtime game-winner, to lift the Wolves 4-3 over the Charlotte Checkers in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals on Saturday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Defensemen Zac Leslie and Zach Whitecloud also scored goals for Chicago (12-6)…

News, Sports

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget Legislative report: The Illinois General Assembly approved a bi-partisan budget on Saturday that Speaker Michael J. Madigan predicted will off-set much of the state’s outstanding deficits and shortfalls “Two years ago at this time, Illinois stood on the edge of a cliff. Billions of dollars in debt…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House The Illinois House approved the legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis, sale of recreational Marijuana (Cannabis), a vote appaluded by Gov. JB Pritzker. “The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation. This will have a transformational impact on our state,…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois New taxes will be disastrous for gas stations and convenience stores, particularly along border As lawmakers prepare to head home for the summer, one of their final acts before leaving the Capitol includes potentially doubling the state’s motor fuel tax and raising…

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Weigel Broadcasting to Televise all Chicago Wolves Calder Cup Finals games

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Weigel Broadcasting to Televise all Chicago Wolves Calder Cup Finals games The Chicago Wolves and Weigel Broadcasting Co. announced Thursday that the 2019 Calder Cup Finals will be televised on WCIU, The U and The U Too. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series between the Wolves and the Charlotte Checkers will be televised on The…

News, Sports, Television

Sandoval cosponsors legislation to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sandoval cosponsors legislation to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois Proposal includes provisions for expungement, equitable participation in the industry. The Illinois Senate on Thursday May 30, 2019 voted 38-17 to approve the legislation after about 40 minutes of debate. It must still pass the Illinois House. Recreational cannabis could soon be legal in Illinois under…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News

Gov. Pritzker Activates Illinois National Guard for Flood Relief and urges caution in flood areas

May 30, 2019November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker Activates Illinois National Guard for Flood Relief and urges caution in flood areas Gov. JB Pritzker activated the Illinois National Guard to help respond to flooding caused by this past week’s devastating tornadoes and heavy rain storms, and launched a program called “Don’t Wait, Evacuate” to urge residents in flood-slammed communities to leavew…

DuPage, Environment, Government, News, Weather

The psychology of JB’s massive tax hike plan

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

The psychology of JB’s massive tax hike plan JB Pritzker has been lobbying hard to get the legislature to adopt his “Fair Tax” plan, but that plan is just a cover for 18 other big tax hikes that are waiting to slam your pocket book. The Pritzker “Fair Tax” will replace the Flat Tax with…

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

“Fair Tax” approved by Illinois House, now goes to voters

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

“Fair Tax” approved by Illinois House, now goes to voters Leaders Also Announce Property Tax Relief Task Force As Part of Fair Tax; Bipartisan, Bicameral Task Force to Make Recommendations for Property Tax Relief. The “Fair Tax” law will be presented to Illinois Voters in a binding referendum in the November 2020 elections Governor JB…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Wolves win Western Finals, advance to Calder Cup championship round

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves win Western Finals, advance to Calder Cup championship round The Chicago Wolves defeated the San Diego Gulls on Monday taking Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, and will advance to the Calder Cup Championship against the Charlotte Checkers hockey team with th efirst game on Saturday at Bojangles Coliseum. This is the CHicago…

National, News, Sports

Wolves take Game 5, one Game from winning Calder Cup Finals

May 26, 2019May 26, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves take Game 5, one Game from winning Calder Cup Finals Max Lagace scored the first goal by a goaltender in AHL postseason and Chicago Wolves history to help the Wolves to a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Gulls in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday night at Pechanga Arena. Forwards…

Entertainment, News, Sports

Carr gives Wolves double-overtime Play-off win

May 25, 2019May 25, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Carr gives Wolves double-overtime Play-off win American Hockey League MVP Daniel Carr scored 6:01 into double-overtime to lift the Wolves over the San Diego Gulls 2-1 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday night at Pechanga Arena. The Wolves pulled into a 2-2 tie in this best-of-seven series as defenseman Griffin Reinhart…

Entertainment, General Topics, News, Sports

Lipinski introduces bill to help taxpayers hurt by SALT deduction

May 24, 2019May 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski introduces bill to help taxpayers hurt by SALT deduction Lipinski Introduces Tax Relief Legislation That Will Help Families Hurt by SALT Deduction Cap Without Adding to Federal Debt Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) this week introduced legislation to provide tax relief to families in Illinois and across the country who saw their tax burden increase…

Government, News, Politics, Taxes

Joliet native serves on advanced U.S. Navy Warship in Pacific

May 23, 2019May 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Joliet native serves on advanced U.S. Navy Warship in Pacific By Robert Zahn Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class , Navy Office of Community Outreach Petty Officer 3rd Class Mike Kremske, a native of Joliet, Illinois, wanted to join the Navy to travel and see the world. Now, three years later and half a world away,…

General Topics, News, Veterans, Veterans Column