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

Foster introduces bipartisan legislation to stop financing of criminal organizations

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Foster introduces bipartisan legislation to stop financing of criminal organizations Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) on Wednesday introduced H.R. 1387, the Criminal Organizations’ Narcotics, Finances, Resources, Operations, and Networks Targeting (CONFRONT) Act. The CONFRONT Act would require the Treasury Department to develop a national strategy to combat the financial crimes of…

Business, Crime, Federal, Government, News, Police

Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois As part of her commitment to criminal justice reform, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is proposing a major overhaul of Illinois’ sentencing laws, easing reliance on unfair mandatory minimum sentences and providing judges with discretion to use alternative sentences. “We’ve seen how a so-called ‘tough on…

Chicago, Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Wolves Hockey take first place in AHL Central Division

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves Hockey take first place in AHL Central Division The Chicago Wolves took over first place in the AHL’s Central Division with a 1-0 victory over the Rockford IceHogs in Illinois Lottery Cup action on Tuesday night at Allstate Arena. Goaltender Max Lagace posted 27 saves for his first shutout of the season while forward…

Chicago, Entertainment, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Milwaukee County Parks reveals 2019 Traveling Beer Garden schedule

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Milwaukee County Parks reveals 2019 Traveling Beer Garden schedule For the past five years, the Traveling Beer Gardens have been an integral part of Milwaukee’s summer fun. The Traveling Beer Garden opens on May 8, the entire 2019 schedule includes new parks throughout Milwaukee County. It may not feel like it right now, but beer garden season is only six weeks…

Entertainment, Features, food, News

Great choices showcase Chicago’s mayoral election

February 26, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Great choices showcase Chicago’s mayoral election A quick look at all of the great Chicago mayoral contenders and their slogans. Suburbanites want Chicago to succeed. When the city goes down, it drags the suburbs with. Crime there creates crime in the suburbs. Drugs there brings drugs to the suburbs. And when Chicago suffers financially, the…

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

Milwaukee Film raises $10 million for Oriental Theatre restoration

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Milwaukee Film raises $10 million for Oriental Theatre restoration Milwaukee Film announces the organization’s success in surpassing a $10 million capital campaign goal to restore the historic Oriental Theatre and provide the non-profit with its first-ever operating reserve. In total, the campaign has raised $10,030,229. The campaign was initiated in 2017, lending support to the…

Environment, Movies, News, Theater

Veterans News & Information

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veterans News & Information By Jerry Field JESSEE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS ANOTHER Veterans Town Hall meeting 820 South Damen, 2ndFL Damen Bldg. Date: Monday, March 4, 2019 Time: 10:00am to 11:00am All Veterans are invited to a Department of Veterans Affairs Town Hall discussion on Veterans Health Care. This is an opportunity to voice your opinion,…

Events, Veterans, Veterans Column

Wolves defeat Stars at Allstate Arena Thursday

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves defeat Stars at Allstate Arena Thursday The Chicago Wolves scored three unanswered goals to topple the Texas Stars, 3-1, on Thursday afternoon in front of 15,432 fans at Allstate Arena. Forwards Curtis McKenzie, Gage Quinney and Daniel Carr scored for Chicago (29-17-5-1) while defenseman Nic Hague picked up two assists. Goaltender Max Lagace (12-7-3)…

News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Van Dyke deserves leniency not race persecution

February 21, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Van Dyke deserves leniency not race persecution The decision by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to pursue a more severe sentence for former Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in the shooting of drugged-up, armed thug Laquan McDonald is a travesty and a slap against not only families who seek safety and protection from criminals…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Editors Pick, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania

Veterans Profile, Photo: U.S. Navy Fireman Leo Mendez

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veterans Profile, Photo: U.S. Navy Fireman Leo Mendez U.S. Navy Fireman Leo Mendez, from Chicago, lifts a saltwater pump in the steam and heat shop aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 20, 2019. The John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of…

Photos, Veterans, Veterans Column

Emanuel names Alexandra Holt to RTA Board

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Emanuel names Alexandra Holt to RTA Board The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) announces the appointment of Alexandra Holt as its newest board member, representing the City of Chicago. Director Holt replaces Director Anthony Anderson, whose term had expired. “We are pleased that Mayor Emanuel has appointed Director Holt to the RTA Board,” said RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard. “Her…

News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Nasty robocalls only hurt Orland Park

February 17, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Nasty robocalls only hurt Orland Park Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is blaming others for a series of ugly and nasty robocalls that have been polluting the contested elections for Trustee in the Village of Orland Park. Instead of raising issues, illegal the robocalls are raising concerns about who should be running the village and…

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

The “Ricketts affair,” double standards and media hypocrisy

February 16, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

The “Ricketts affair,” double standards and media hypocrisy The criticism of Joe Ricketts and the attacks against the Chicago Cubs reflect the twisted, distorted form of public justice that has corrupted today’s society. It also displays the hypocrisy of some of the politicians like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel who have exploited the incident for personal…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Photo, Military Profile: Chicagoan aboard the USS Sergipo Gonzalez

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Photo, Military Profile: Chicagoan aboard the USS Sergipo Gonzalez Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Sergio Medina, from Chicago, Ill., sends signals to the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). Gonzalez is underway conducting composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with Carrier Strike…

Chicago, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Pritzker names Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head Veterans Affairs

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker names Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head Veterans Affairs Governor JB Pritzker announced a new appointment to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, nominating Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head the agency. “The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has faced numerous challenges, and it’s a priority for my administration to ensure that our…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Orland Trustee Carole Ruzich hosts self-defense program for women

February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Trustee Carole Ruzich hosts self-defense program for women Orland Park Trustee Carole Griffin Ruzich will co-host with One Light Self-Defense a free self-defense workshop for women and girls. The program is free and will address “self-defense, distraction and awareness” tactics. The program will be held on March 11, 2019 at the Orland Park Civic…

Crime, Education, News, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Richton Park collects blankets to help Sister City in Bahamas

February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Richton Park collects blankets to help Sister City in Bahamas Photo news Richton Park Village Manager Regan Stockstel, Facility Supervisor Geneen Robinson-Smith & Mayor Rick Reinbold were on hand when members of ComEd’s External Affairs Team Michael Fountian, Bonita Parker, and Lisa Aprati recently stopped by to drop off blankets for Richton Park’s sister City…

News, Photos, Suburban Chicagoland

Nitro Circus’ “You Got This” tour comes to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium in Spring

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

Nitro Circus’ “You Got This” tour comes to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium in Spring In 2018 Nitro Circus launched its all new You Got This show, performing in some of the world’s most famous arenas and wowed crowds all across the globe. Now the crew is ready to take 2019 by storm by bringing the adrenaline-charged…

Entertainment, Festival, News, Suburban Chicagoland