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

POLICE ALERT: Lyons Police seeking to locate lost family member Paresh Jhobalia

November 16, 2018November 16, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

POLICE ALERT: Lyons Police seeking to locate lost family member Paresh Jhobalia The Lyons Police Department are working with the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT), a suburban-focused police Task Force to find a man reported missing by their family on November 10, 2018. Family members report that Paresh Jhobalia, 62, was last seen in Downers Grove. The Lyons Police Department is asking members of the…

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

Mayoral candidate Gery Chico releases first Ad

November 15, 2018November 15, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayoral candidate Gery Chico releases first Ad We released our first digital ad last week, “Getting It Done On Education,” and we can’t wait for you to see it! Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have been struggling for too long, but with Gery’s experience as board president of CPS, he has a plan to strengthen and…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics

Sketch Comedy Festival Jan. 10-19, 2019

November 13, 2018November 13, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sketch Comedy Festival Jan. 10-19, 2019 SketchFest Executive Producer Jill Valentine is thrilled to announce the official line-up for the 18th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, taking place January 10 through January 20, 2019 at Stage 773. Since its inception in 2002, the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has grown to be the largest festival of…

Chicago, Comedy, Entertainment, Events, Festival, Humor, News, Theater

Lyons Township Democrats salute all American Veterans on November 11

November 11, 2018November 11, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lyons Township Democrats salute all American Veterans on November 11 On Veterans Day, put out your flags, cheer the marchers at parades, and go to tributes. But when you wake up the next day, Nov. 12, remember that it’s still Veterans Day for our veterans – and it will be every day of their lives….

National, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Bob Bong on Business: Sal’s Philly Steaks opens in Hickory Hills

November 10, 2018November 10, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sal’s Philly Steaks now open in Hickory Hills Bridgeview resident Sal Bal is the man behind the scripted Sal’s sign that adorns four different Philly cheesesteak restaurants throughout the southwest suburbs. Bal opened his first shop at 78th Street and Cicero Avenue near Ford City Mall around 2005. In 2015, he made his first move to…

Business, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Ugliness in national politics won’t stop, especially against veterans

November 9, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ugliness in national politics won’t stop, especially against veterans When President Trump says something negative about veterans or “Gold Star” families, he is crucified. But when the left says something negative about veterans, it’s considered an acceptable form of humor, a joke, and free speech. The disrespect of our veterans has intensified and become a…

Baby Boomers, Commentary, Media Bias, National, Opinion, rayhanania, Veterans

Bob Bong on Business: Hobo stores closing

November 8, 2018January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bob Bong on Business: Hobo stores closing By Bob Bong In 1996, Home Owners Bargain Outlet rose out of the ashes of the Handy Andy bankruptcy. The chain of discount home improvement stores eventually grew to seven including locations at 8716 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn and 1693 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill. Other…

Business, Suburban Chicagoland

Video: Chicago Newsroom on CAN TV analyzes elections

November 8, 2018November 8, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video: Chicago Newsroom on CAN TV analyzes elections Veteran journalists Del Marie Cobb and Ray Hanania join guest host Bruce DuMont on this week’s episode of “Chicago Newsroom” hosted by Ken Davis. Cobb, Hanania and DuMont analyze results of the Nov. 6, 2018 General Elections on President Trump, the Democrats and Republicans. The panel also look at…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Television, Videos

Hubacek board scuttles voices of parents and public

November 6, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hubacek board scuttles voices of parents and public The outrageous indifference to the needs of School District 103 by the dictatorial board majority led by Marge Hubacek prevented parents and taxpayers from expressing their concerns about the board majority’s poor decisions. Hubacek illegally blocked the parents from speaking limiting to only five the number who…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Education, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes, Village of Lyons

Orland Veterans host care package collection

November 5, 2018November 5, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Vets host Care Package Collection Nov. 4 The Orland Park Veteran’s Commission hosted a “Care Package Collection” event for current U.S. Military Personnel. In addition to the Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission, the event was co-sponsored by Stone Church, Park View Christian Church, and Kruse’s Krew. Veteran’s Commission Director Tom Dubelbeis explained it…

News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Downers Grove man pleads guilty to drug-induced homicide in death of 15-year-old exchange student

November 5, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Downers Grove man pleads guilty to drug-induced homicide in death of 15-year-old exchange student DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that a Downers Grove man has entered a plea of guilty to supplying a fatal dose of methadone to a fifteen-year-old foreign exchange student from Spain. Francis Emanuele, 38 (d.o.b. 3/20/1980) of…

breaking news, Crime, Movies, News

Friends of Park opposes private use of park for Obama library

October 31, 2018October 31, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Friends of Park opposes private use of public land for Obama library Friends of the Parks responds to the Chicago City Council adoption of an ordinance authorizing construction of the Obama Presidential Center on park land in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side. Public Pressure Ensures Movement Toward a “Park Positive” Outcome for Jackson Park Friends…

Chicago, Education, Entertainment, Government, News, Politics

Thank a Veteran this week and every week

October 29, 2018November 8, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Thank a Veteran this week and every week Thank a Veteran this week and every week along with our Constitution that gives us the right to vote and enjoy freedom By Jerry Field All this week there are many events you can attend for Veterans week. Most are free in almost every community in the…

Veterans

Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community

October 28, 2018October 29, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community Local activist fought for the rights of Arabs and Muslims in the Chicagoland area and also for the rights of all in mainstream American politics. Miriam Zayed was among one of the first two Arab Americans in Chicagoland to run for public elective office in the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Features, National, News, Obituary, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes

October 28, 2018October 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes Jackie Haddad worked behind-the-scenes on behalf of the influential Lebanese and Arab American communities to raise funds for the needy, helped to lead and organize the annual conferences of the Midwest Federation of American Syrian & Lebanese Clubs, and was active in her local community in Elmhurst where…

Editors Pick, Features, News, Obituary, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Preckwinkle supports Cook County’s Arab American community

October 26, 2018May 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Preckwinkle supports Cook County’s Arab American community Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has worked hard to be a friend of the Arab American community. Despite a few stumbles, Preckwinkle has turned the page to realign support for Arab American rights. By Ray Hanania Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has worked hard to reverse…

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

America’s increasingly ugly political landscape

October 19, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

America’s increasingly ugly political landscape Much of the national mainstream American news media and the entertainment news media have gone off the deep end turning political criticism into political hate and becoming advocates for partisan politics rather than factual news or appropriate entertainment and humor By Ray Hanania I don’t watch Saturday Night Live (SNL)…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Media Bias, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Orland Park Mayor endorses Morrison, Dodge, Harold & Rauner in Nov. 6 election

October 18, 2018March 30, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Mayor endorses Morrison, Dodge, Harold & Rauner in Nov. 6 election Keith Pekau, the mayor of Orland Park, one of the largest suburban communities in Cook County, released his endorsements for the upcoming Nov. 6, 2018 statewide and local elections. Pekau, who unseated a popular former Mayor Dan McLaughlin nearly two years ago,…

Briefs, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes