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

Hurley Supports Sale of Cruelty-Free Cosmetics in Illinois

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Supports Sale of Cruelty-Free Cosmetics in Illinois Cosmetics companies would be encouraged to find alternatives to testing new products on animals under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago. “Safety testing by the cosmetics industry is often painful and distressing to animals,” Hurley said. “While many brands have taken it upon themselves to…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Landscape Structures Provide Function and Beauty

May 8, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Landscape Structures Provide Function and Beauty By Melinda Myers Incorporate arbors, trellises and other structures into your designs when planning new or updating existing gardens and landscapes. These structures help form the framework of any garden, add year-round interest and provide years of beauty and function. Utilize arbors to define and connect distinct areas of…

Blogger, Commentary, Environment, Features, General Topics, Obituary, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Sailor Serves Aboard a Floating Airport at Sea

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Sailor Serves Aboard a Floating Airport at Sea By Kayla Turnbow Navy Office of Community Outreach A Chicago native and 2016 Marine Leadership Academy graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. Petty Officer 2nd Class Adoni Hughes is an aviation ordnanceman aboard the carrier stationed in Newport…

Chicago, Government, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast: Pritzker’s “unFair Tax”

May 6, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast: Pritzker’s “unFair Tax” In his latest podcast, Ray Hanania on Politics, former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania digs deep into the problems that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “Fair tax’ poses for Illinois taxpayers. Hanania explores the problems caused when the state replaces the Flat Tax on incomes with a “graduated…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Veteran News & Events

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veteran News & Events By Jerry Field [email protected] During the coming week, there are scheduled several Vietnam events. Try and attend the riverside at State street walk in Chicago. It’s an all Chicago Presentation. There are more than 31 events throughout Chicago and the suburbs. The conflict that was not lost by our armed forces…

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Government, Veterans, Veterans Column

Oak Lawn native protects U.S. Navy Forces in Middle East

May 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Oak Lawn native protects U.S. Navy Forces in Middle East By Erica R. Gardner Chief Mass Communication Specialist, Navy Office of Community Outreach Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown Lt. Cmdr. Erich Grawunder, an Oak Lawn, Illinois, native, joined the Navy to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. “My…

National, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Flooding concerns force closure of Illinois River

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

IDNR Announces River Closures Due to Flooding Illinois River from Marshall County to the confluence of the Mississippi River closed to recreational traffic The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced the closure of the Illinois River due to flooding. Conservation Police are reporting flooding, dangerous currents and floating debris has created hazardous conditions…

breaking news, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Weather

Gov. Pritzker, legislators move to legalize Adult-Use cannabis

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker, legislators move to legalize Adult-Use cannabis Sen. Heather Steans, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Sen. Hutchinson, Rep. Gordon-Booth, Rep. Villanueva, Lt. Gov. Stratton Join Numerous Stakeholders Support Measure to Legalize Cannabis for Adult Use on Jan. 1, 2020 Gov. JB Pritzker, key lawmakers and stakeholders from around the state announced that they have agreed on…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News

Wolves lose Game 3 of Playoffs but still lead 2 to 1

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves lose Game 3 of Playoffs but still lead 2 to 1 Andrew Hammond stopped all 26 shots he saw to lead the Iowa Wild to a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Wolves in Game 3 of the Central Division Finals on Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena. Chicago (5-3) had four power-play opportunities but…

News, Sports

Wolves take hockey series lead in play-offs

May 3, 2019May 3, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves take hockey series lead in play-offs The Chicago Wolves seized a 2-0 series lead in the Central Division Finals with a 4-3 Game 2 victory over the Iowa Wild on Thursday night at Allstate Arena. Forwards Brooks Macek, Matt Weis and Tobias Lindberg and rookie defenseman Zach Whitecloud scored for Chicago (5-2) while forward…

Entertainment, News, Sports

Offshore, largest rooftop deck in country opens at Navy Pier

May 3, 2019May 3, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Offshore, largest rooftop deck in country opens at Navy Pier Boasting over 36,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, this spectacular year-round rooftop destination will elevate the Chicago skyline to another level, offering locals a truly unique perspective of The Windy City and Lake Michigan Prepare for brand new views of Chicago’s magnificent…

Chicago, Entertainment, General Topics, News

WalletHub releases study of the Best Airlines for 2019

May 2, 2019May 2, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

WalletHub releases study of the Best Airlines for 2019 Traveling by plane costs an average of $363 per trip. And choosing the wrong airline has the potential to take even more from us. For instance, 10 animals died during air transportation in 2018, and four major U.S. airlines had at least one pet fatality. While…

National, News, Transportation, Travel

Duckworth introduces law to crack down on illegal robocalls

May 2, 2019May 2, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Duckworth introduces law to crack down on illegal robocalls U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth Thursday (May 2, 2019) introduced legislation that would crackdown on illegal robocalls, which she said have increased by more than 57 percent over the past year. Duckworth is proposing a petition to help get the legislation passed and she is asking members…

Briefs, elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics

Wolves seize Game 1 in Overtime over Iowa

May 2, 2019May 2, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Wolves won the first game in the playoffs against the Iowa Wild, winning 3 to 2 on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at the Allstate Arena. This year the Wolves have been fighting hard to take the lead in the American Hockey League.

breaking news, Entertainment, General Topics, News, Sports

J.B. Pritzker’s income tax shell game

May 1, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

J.B. Pritzker’s income tax shell game Once again, Pritzker thinks money will not only buy him into statewide office but it will also pull the wool over the eyes of Illinois taxpayers. Pritzker’s new income tax plan changes the flat tax to a graduated tax that would open the door to significant tax increases on…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, Obituary, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Pappas: Last chance for homeowners to pay delinquent taxes

May 1, 2019May 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Last chance for homeowners to pay delinquent taxes Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas reminded property owners who have delinquent or outstanding property taxes due to avoid having their properties sold. Pappas said there are 45,000 property owners who are at risk and need to take immediate action. The total outstanding is $145 million The clock…

Briefs, Chicago, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Chicago Wolves face Iowa Wild in second-round finals

April 30, 2019April 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves face Iowa Wild in second-round finals The Central Division champion Chicago Wolves will meet the third-seeded Iowa Wild in the second round of the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs. The best-of-seven Central Division Finals begins Wednesday, May 1, at Allstate Arena. Head coach Rocky Thompson‘s Wolves, who dispatched the Grand Rapids Griffins during the…

breaking news, Entertainment, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

An (Orthodox) Easter blessing to all

April 25, 2019April 24, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

An (Orthodox) Easter blessing to all Egg fighting, coloring eggs and the commercial benefits of being Orthodox at Easter. A look at one of my favorite holidays By Ray Hanania I always wondered, why would anyone use the fat side of an egg in shackling? You know, the Easter celebration of “egg fights.” It’s only…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania, Religion