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 Holds Business Attire Clothing Drive to Benefit Local Non-profit

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Holds Business Attire Clothing Drive to Benefit Local Non-profit State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is holding her 6th Annual Business Attire Clothing Drive this year for young adults from November 29 to December 14. Hurley is encouraging residents in the community to donate new and gently used business clothing attire to benefit the Mercy…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Suburban Chicagoland

Madigan was never the real issue in the last election

November 28, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan was never the real issue in the last election Republican leaders in Illinois were easily swept aside and out of office by Democrats in the November 6 General Elections mainly because too much effort was put into personal attacks including against Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Voters are far more intelligent than some…

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

GOP Chairman Schneider denounces State Rep. Kifowit’s remarks

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

GOP Chairman Schneider denounces State Rep. Kifowit’s remarks Today during floor debate in the Illinois House of Representatives, Democratic State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit wished death upon Republican State Rep. Peter Breen and his family. Kifowit later said her words were “misheard, misrepresented, misinterpreted and mischaracterized,” but an audio recording of her extreme rhetoric proves otherwise….

Government, Illinois Legislature, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Congresswoman Kelly applauds Senate intro of Health Equity and Accountability Act

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congresswoman Kelly applauds Senate intro of Health Equity and Accountability Act Congresswoman Robin Kelly, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, released this statement following the introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act in the U.S. Senate: “Today, we took another important step toward expanding access to healthcare with the Senate introduction of…

Government, Health, National

Pappas displays Christmas trees from around the world

November 26, 2018November 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas displays Christmas trees from around the world Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office is decorated with more than 90 Christmas trees and holiday displays for 15th year. “Christmas Trees from Around the World” highlights different traditions for the holiday season representing every ethnic and national group More than 90 Christmas trees and religious displays that…

Editors Pick, Features, Government, News

Jim Dodge announces for Orland Park Mayor

November 25, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Jim Dodge announces for Orland Park Mayor Can a perennial Republican candidate for public office like Jim Dodge win the office of Orland Park Mayor? His past elections outside of Orland Park suggest not, but his Republican base in Orland Park tells a different story. But that depends on what Republican Mayor Keith Pekau does. Pekau defeated…

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

Challenging racist laws that restrict free speech

November 25, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Challenging racist laws that restrict free speech By Ray Hanania Letter I wrote to Illinois Representative David Harris of Arlington Heights (Republican) who introduced a bill last year to expand the existing anti-BDS law that prohibits Americans from criticizing a specific foreign country, Israel. I criticize Israel’s government and will continue to criticize Israel’s government…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Murder charges filed for suspect described as armed and dangerous in Lyons murder

November 23, 2018November 23, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Murder charges filed for suspect described as armed and dangerous in Lyons murder Arrest warrant issued for Brian Cruz in Lyons homicide. Murder charges filed in killing of Paresh Jhobalia, 62, Lyons resident reported missing by his family on Nov. 10. The victim’s body was discovered on Saturday Nov. 17 Lyons Police working with the Major…

breaking news, Chicago, Crime, General Topics, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Year of JFK Truth, and because lies continue

November 22, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Year of JFK Truth, and because lies continue Originally published in the Southwest News-Herald Newspaper on March 22, 2013. Remembering as the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination approached the 50th year mark. All of the theories and conspiracies pushed down by the government, the FBI, the CIA, the Mafia and pro-government Historians who…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Editors Pick, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Sprinkler extinguishes early morning fire at Patio Restaurant in Orland Park

November 22, 2018November 22, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sprinkler extinguishes early morning fire at Patio Restaurant in Orland Park An early morning fire at the Patio Restaurant was controlled by a fire sprinkler minimizing damage and was quickly extinguished when firefighters arrived. At about 01:30 AM this morning, Thursday Nov. 22, 2018, Orland Fire Protection DIstrict was dispatched to the Patio Restaurant, 7830…

breaking news, Fire, News, Orland Park, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

E.coli Food Safety alert issued for romaine lettuce

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

E.coli Food Safety alert issued for romaine lettuce CDC and FDA investigating multistate E.coli outbreak The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coliO157:H7) infections linked to romaine lettuce. The CDC reports that 32 people…

General Topics, National, News, Releases

Harper Overrides Rauner’s Veto of Urban Agriculture Zones Bill

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper Overrides Rauner’s Veto of Urban Agriculture Zones Bill State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, helped override the governor’s veto of her legislation that creates local urban agricultural zones across communities in Illinois to help residents grow their own produce. “I have been fighting for access to healthy food options and to expand urban agriculture on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Politics

Person of Interest sought in Lyons homicide

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Person of Interest sought in Lyons homicide Lyons Police and the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) are asking for the public’s help in locating a “Person of Interest” in the slaying of Paresh Jhobalia, 62, who was found in his vehicle on Nov. 17 after being missing for more than a week. The person-of-interest is identified as Brian…

breaking news, Chicago, Crime, Editors Pick, General Topics, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

D230’s Rick Nogal named Illinois’ Outstanding School Board President

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

D230’s Rick Nogal named Illinois’ Outstanding School Board President It was an honor to be with members of our School Board and administration as President Rick Nogal was announced as Illinois’ Outstanding School Board President on Sunday morning at the Joint Annual Conference in Chicago, District 230 Supt. Dr. James Gay announced. Illinois State Board of…

Editors Pick, Education, General Topics, News, Videos

Steppenwolf’s Chicago Premiere Production of Familiar

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Steppenwolf’s Chicago Premiere Production of Familiar Written by Danai Gurira, Directed by Danya Taymor, Now Playing Through January 13, 2019 A Joy-Filled Comedy Featuring an All-Star Chicago Cast CHICAGO (November 20, 2018) – Now playing in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre is the widely acclaimed comedy, Familiar written by Danai Gurira, star of “The Walking Dead”, Marvel Studios’ Black…

Chicago, Editors Pick, Features, News, Theater

Chicago’s Top Holiday & Seasonal Events

November 20, 2018May 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago’s Top Holiday & Seasonal Events Happy Holidays! With a distinct chill in the Chicago air, we have officially made it to the most wonderful time of the year. From the city’s top shopping destinations, including a one-of-a-kind art show and a beloved antique market, to holiday entertainment opportunities, including a festive musical and elevated…

Briefs, Chicago, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festival, General Topics, News, Theater

Madigan accuses Trump of attacking sexual harassment survivors

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan accuses Trump of attacking sexual harassment survivors Madigan: Trump Administration’s Proposed Title IX Overhaul is an Attack on Sexual Assault Survivors Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, issued the following statement regarding Friday’s action by the Trump Administration’s Education Department that proposed new rules governing school sexual harassment and assault…

breaking news, Education, Illinois Legislature, National

Missing Lyons man identified as the victim of an apparent homicide

November 18, 2018November 18, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Missing Lyons man identified as the victim of an apparent homicide UPDATED: Lyons Police working with the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) have confirmed the identification of a body found Saturday morning is the man who was reported missing by his family last week. Lyons Police Chief James Keating said that Paresh Jhobalia, 62, had…

breaking news, Crime, Editors Pick, News