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

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

Illinois Tollway to host Construction Event for potential bidders

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

Illinois Tollway to host Construction Event for potential bidders Illinois Tollway to host construction event for firms interested in bidding on the mile long bridge project. February 14 pre-bid meeting and networking event scheduled for work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) The Illinois Tollway will host a pre-bid meeting and construction networking event on…

news release

Pawar gets endorsement of new Muslims group for Chicago Treasurer

February 13, 2019June 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pawar gets endorsement of new Muslims group for Chicago Treasurer New Muslim Political Organization makes its first endorsements in Chicago City-Wide Elections: Ameya Pawar for City Treasurer and Anna Valencia for City Clerk. The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition also released its list of Muslims running for office in Chicago and the Chicagoland suburbs Today, on the first…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

Coalition Calls for Added Funding of Brookfield Zoo in Capital Bill

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

Coalition Calls for Added Funding of Brookfield Zoo in Capital Bill Infrastructure investment will fix crumbling facilities and spur local economy while preventing cuts to conservation and education programs As negotiations over the state’s first major capital construction program in a decade get underway, the B-NICE Coalition (Brookfield Zoo: Needed Infrastructure for Compassionate Education) is calling…

Entertainment, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park native supports “Silent Service” at Pearl Harbor Sub Training Center

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

Orland Park native supports “Silent Service” at Pearl Harbor Sub Training Center By Erica R. Gardner Chief Mass Communication Specialist, Navy Office of Community Outreach. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang An Orland Park, Illinois, native and 2007 Carl Sandburg High School graduate is serving at the U.S. Naval Submarine Training Center…

Features, General Topics, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Moraine Valley students perform in original theatrical production

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

Moraine Valley students perform in original theatrical production Moraine Valley Community College will present “American Griot,” an original play exploring Muslim influence on the American music genre known as the blues. The Academic Theater production will run Feb. 21 to March 3, in the John and Angeline Oremus Theater, inside the Fine and Performing Arts…

Education, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, News, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

What Chicago mayor candidates are really saying about themselves

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

What Chicago mayor candidates are really saying about themselves Comparing the campaign TV ads of the various mayoral candidates says a lot about who they really are and what their priorities are, or are not. The candidates for Chicago mayor define themselves in their TV campaign ads. Here’s what it looks like. Published in the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Wolves Hockey: Lagace rejoins the Wolves team

February 8, 2019February 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves Hockey: Lagace rejoins the Wolves team The Chicago Wolves announced Friday that goaltender Max Lagace has been returned on loan by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. The 26-year-old Lagace spent most of the last month with Vegas and appeared in one game — rejecting 27 of 31 shots in a 5-2 loss on Feb….

News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland residents call for Mehalek and Fenton to step down

February 7, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland residents call for Mehalek and Fenton to step down Voters call foul after a decision by Orland Park Village Clerk John Mehalek and Trustee Kathy Fenton is thrown out by a Cook County Circuit Court Judge. Mehalek and Fenton ruled that a slate of candidates for Orland Park trustee could not appear on the ballot…

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

Gov. Pritzker Names Col. Richard Neely to Lead Illinois National Guard

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker Names Col. Richard Neely to Lead Illinois National Guard Governor JB Pritzker has named Illinois Air National Guard Col. Richard R. Neely of Springfield, Ill., as the 40th Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard replacing Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes, who is retiring from the military after more than…

Veterans, Veterans Column

Joint Venture to energize Burr Ridge Village Center following purchase

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Joint Venture to energize Burr Ridge Village Center following purchase Orland Park, IL/Feb. 4, 2019 – Edwards Realty Company, which owns several popular outdoor lifestyle and mixed-use centers, and Core Acquisitions, which has a successful track record of acquiring and repositioning commercial real estate assets in the retail, office, industrial and multi-family property sectors, have…

Business, News, news release

Wolves track down Moose, winning 5-2

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves track down Moose, winning 5-2 The Chicago Wolves hockey team pulled away with a pair of goals in the third period, topping the Manitoba Moose 5-2 on Saturday night before 11,108 at Allstate Arena. Forwards Tomas Hyka, Daniel Carr, Keegan Kolesar and Gage Quinney and defenseman Zach Whitecloud all scored for Chicago (25-15-5-1) while…

News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Harper to host Community Health Fair to on trauma and gun violence

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper to host Community Health Fair to on trauma and gun violence Community residents will have the chance to learn how to respond to incidents of gun violence and assist trauma victims during a Community Health Fair that state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, will host on Saturday, March 23. “For our community, we have to…

Crime, Education, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Service Restored to ComEd Customers Impacted by Polar Vortex

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Service Restored to ComEd Customers Impacted by Polar Vortex ComEd restores service to 61,000 customers within first 24 hours ComEd crews and contractors restored electrical service this week to 64,000 customers affected by the polar vortex that plunged the temperature to negative 23 degrees, the second coldest in recorded history for the Chicago area. Power…

Chicago, Environment, General Topics, News, news release, Suburban Chicagoland, Weather

Orland Park mall shooting: When does safety become a form of racism?

January 31, 2019October 14, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park mall shooting: When does safety become a form of racism? A teenager brought a gun into the Orland Park Mall and shot and killed a fellow student. But instead of talking about measures to protect innocent shoppers, some want to focus on racism. It’s time to consider metal detectors and restrictions on clothing…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, General Topics, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Ald. Quinn Reminds Seniors to call Ward Office for Help with Snow Removal

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ald. Quinn Reminds Seniors to call Ward Office for Help with Snow Removal Ald. Marty Quinn today reminded seniors in the 13th Ward to call his office for help with snow and ice removal. In light of this week’s extreme weather conditions and more snow predicted for tomorrow, Quinn wants people to be sure they have…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, News, Releases

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment Legislative leaders release statements detailing steps to be taken in response to allegations of sexual harassment. Statements released by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, former legislator Barbara Flynn Curry, and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Releases, women