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

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

Amy Morton to open new restaurant in Aurora

April 24, 2019April 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Amy Morton to open new restaurant in Aurora Chicago restauranteur Amy Morton will open a new upscale restaurant in downtown Aurora adjacent to the Paramount Theater The city of Aurora will soon have a new, fine dining restaurant to boast about, right next to Paramount Theatre in Aurora’s downtown theater district, just in time for…

Business, Entertainment, food, News, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Native Protects U.S. Navy Forces in the Middle East

April 24, 2019April 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Native Protects U.S. Navy Forces in the Middle East By Erica R. Gardner Chief Mass Communication Specialist , Navy Office of Community Outreach Lieutenant Dennis Wright, a Chicago, Illinois, native, joined the Navy due to a timely call from a Navy recruiter. “I was shopping for colleges and had completed an Army Reserve application,”…

News, Veterans, Veterans Column

The racism of the people screaming racism

April 18, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

The racism of the people screaming racism Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx claimed that she recused herself from the offensive hoax perpetrated by Jussie Smollett for his own personal benefit. But in truth, she ordered her staff to drop the charges. And when she came under fire from three reputable organizations of police chiefs,…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Government, Opinion, Police, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Student at District 103 school dies of self-inflicted gunshot

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Student at District 103 school dies of self-inflicted gunshot On Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at around 1:30 pm, a 7th-grade student at Washington Middle School, 8101 Ogden Avenue in Lyons at School District 103, shot himself on school property in an area away from other students. The male student was taken to Loyola Hospital were…

breaking news, Education, News

Steppenwolf Theatre to host Gala featuring Armie Hammer and James Franco

April 16, 2019April 16, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Steppenwolf Theatre to host Gala featuring Armie Hammer and James Franco Armie Hammer to Emcee Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s 2019 Gala Saturday, May 11, 2019. James Franco Guest Auctioneer at This Unforgettable Event Celebrating 43 Years of Extraordinary Theatre CHICAGO (April 16, 2019) – The acclaimed Steppenwolf ensemble and Board of Trustees host Gala 2019, an…

Entertainment, Features, Movies, News, Theater

Celebrate Earth Day with the Forest Preserves of Cook County

April 16, 2019April 16, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Celebrate Earth Day with the Forest Preserves of Cook County Join the Forest Preserves of Cook County as we celebrate Earth Day with volunteer opportunities, educational programs and fun events. Celebrating Earth Day is a great way to explore the Forest Preserves while renewing our commitment to the natural environment. It’s also an opportunity to…

News

Milwaukee County Executive Abele and Milwaukee County Parks announce new concessions

April 16, 2019April 16, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Milwaukee County Executive Abele and Milwaukee County Parks announce new concessions The Dock will operate food and beverage options at Bradford Beach Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Milwaukee County Parks today announced a new food and beverage partnership at Bradford Beach this summer with CCH Management LLC (The Dock). Pending approval from the Milwaukee County…

Entertainment, Events, Features, Festival, Government, News

A Comment on Past and Present Veteran Behavior

April 16, 2019April 16, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

A comment on Past and Present Veteran behavior By Jerry Field On occasion there are stories and articles that are in keeping with a special day. Memorial Day is one Day that is a special day for all Military and Veterans, and their families and friends. Heidi Anderson of the Novo Group, Inc. in Milwaukee…

Chicago, General Topics, Government, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Stagg High School Selected to Participate in teen Mental Health First Aid Pilot Program

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Stagg High School Selected to Participate in teen Mental Health First Aid Pilot Program Stagg High School will train more than 500 high school students in Palos Hills, Illinois Stagg High School is participating in the country’s first teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) pilot program the week of April 22 in Palos Hills, Illinois….

Education, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Fire soccer makes changes

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Fire soccer makes changes Chicago Fire soccer made several announcements involving players recently. Here is an updated on what they are: The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that the Club has loaned midfielder Mo Adams to USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC. The Fire retains the right to recall Adams at any point…

General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland