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

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

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