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

“The Dinner Detective” is an audience-interactive phenomenal entertainment option

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

“The Dinner Detective” is an audience-interactive phenomenal entertainment option If you are looking for entertainment that is unusual, fun, and immersive, The Dinner Detective is a perfect choice to enjoy. Dinner, a murder mystery, and audience involvement, it offers everything. Check it out at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lisle Naperville By Ray Hanania A…

Comedy, Crime, Entertainment, Features, News, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow

April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow Journalist and columnist Ray Hanania looks back at 72 years and the ups and downs of life from school to journalism, politics, cancer, legionnaires’ disease, standup comedy, and music By Ray Hanania 72 years around the sun today .., thank you everyone for the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, General Topics, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago By Maria Pappas My office is managing about $122 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s entitled to a refund isn’t simple. Most overpayments…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Leving team reunited father and son after little boy kidnapped

April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving team reunited father and son after little boy kidnapped By Laura Reichel A Chicago dad was desperate for help after his ex reportedly kidnapped his son and fled to an unknown location in Arizona. Frightened of losing his son forever and concerned about his safety, dad turned to attorney Jeffery M. Leving for help….

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio

Fourth Member of Alleged Chicago Robbery Crew Ordered Detained in Federal Custody Pending Trial

April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fourth Member of Alleged Chicago Robbery Crew Ordered Detained in Federal Custody Pending Trial The fourth member of a robbery crew allegedly responsible for violently robbing multiple liquor stores, convenience stores, and bars in Chicago has been ordered detained in federal custody pending trial. Xavier Harris, 26, of Chicago, conspired with his brother and two…

Chicago, Crime, News, Police

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Essential Practice Strategies to Best Represent Clients in Complex Family Law Cases

April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Essential Practice Strategies to Best Represent Clients in Complex Family Law Cases The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on April 15th at 6:30 p.m. CST at 225 W. Wacker Drive in Chicago.The Law Offices…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Out-of-state divorced dad feared for his kids’ safety, won court order to protect them

April 11, 2025April 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Out-of-state divorced dad feared for his kids’ safety, won court order to protect them By Laura Reichel A concerned divorced father was horrified to discover that his children were living in a reported dangerous home in life-threatening conditions. Fearing for his children’s safety, this dad immediately called attorney Jeffery M. Leving for help in protecting…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire

Getty Celebrates Successful Re-Election and Local Victory Sweep

April 9, 2025April 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Getty Celebrates Successful Re-Election and Local Victory Sweep Voters in the Village of Lyons and across Lyons Township sent a strong message of confidence and support on April 1st, re-electing Mayor Chris Getty and many other public officials in a sweeping election victory. Mayor Getty, who also serves as Lyons Township Supervisor, expressed his gratitude…

elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

Illinois State Fair to Host 100 Days Out Celebration

April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois State Fair to Host 100 Days Out Celebration The countdown is on! The Illinois State Fair is marking 100 days until the opening of the 2025 Fair with a special “100 Days Out” Celebration on Tuesday, April 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Reisch Pavilion on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. State…

Entertainment, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Weather

Men can be Victims of Domestic Abuse Too

April 6, 2025April 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Men can be Victims of Domestic Abuse Too By Jeffery M. Leving and Arthur S. Kallow The conviction of a former ballerina who had been charged with second-degree murder and convicted by a jury of manslaughter in the shooting death of her estranged husband in Florida has generated a lot of interest, playing out like a typical…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Blogger, Commentary, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Federal Indictment Charges Two Men with Assaulting and Robbing U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier in Chicago

April 5, 2025April 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Indictment Charges Two Men with Assaulting and Robbing U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier in Chicago A federal grand jury has indicted two men for allegedly assaulting and robbing a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in Chicago. Kyler Reese and Chaun Allen robbed the mail carrier on Nov. 16, 2022, according to an indictment unsealed…

Crime, Federal, Government, Law, News, Police

Vehicles crash in Orland Park and one careens into a nearby home Friday April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Vehicles crash in Orland Park and one careens into a nearby home Friday April 4, 2025 Two vehicles crashed at 151st and just east of 80th Avenue in Orland Park (at Meadow Lane), about a half block east of 80th Avenue and near the Orland Fire Protection District Station #2, on Friday morning April 4,…

accident, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025 Join State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid and State Senator Mike Porfirio to discuss legislative updates, the impact of federal changes on Illinois, and the continued efforts to fight for working families. The Town Hall meeting will be held on April, 19 2025 beginning at 12 NOON. It…

Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Record Number of Property Tax Appeals Filed for 2024 Tax Year

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Record Number of Property Tax Appeals Filed for 2024 Tax Year The Cook County Board of Review (CCBOR) has received a record number of property tax appeals, involving a nearly 41% increase in the total of Property Index Numbers (PINs) compared to the 2023 tax year. Appeals filed for tax year 2024 increased by 11%…

Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Frankfort hosts community cleanup in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, April 26, 2025

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Frankfort hosts community cleanup in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, April 26, 2025 In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, the Village of Frankfort is inviting residents, businesses, and organizations to take part in a community-wide cleanup event on April 26, 2025, to help spruce up neighborhoods, parks, roadways, and the Old…

Events, Frankfort, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Bernie Sanders’ Fighting Oligarchy Tour Announces New Stops in Western U.S.

April 4, 2025April 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bernie Sanders’ Fighting Oligarchy Tour Announces New Stops in Western U.S. Neil Young, Maggie Rogers, and Joan Baez to Headline Los Angeles Rally Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today announced new stops on the fourth swing of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which kicks off next weekend. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) will join the senator for all…

Civil Rights, Entertainment, Events, Government, National, News, NewsWire, Politics

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears?

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears? Column: Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas One of the most common questions I get in my office, is, “Why do we collect taxes for the previous year?” Here’s the backstory. Cook County’s property tax system has changed dramatically since The Treasurer’s…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Dad reunited with disabled daughter after long separation

April 3, 2025April 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad reunited with disabled daughter after long separation By Laura Reichel A loving father was prevented from seeing his daughter, a young woman with a disability, for far too long. Desperate to see his daughter and unwilling to lose her, dad called attorney Jeffery M. Leving for help to fight for them. The Leving legal…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, News, NewsWire, Radio