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

Northwestern Medicine Hospitals Recognized by U.S. News & World Report in Annual Best Hospital Rankings

July 29, 2025July 29, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Northwestern Medicine Hospitals Recognized by U.S. News & World Report in Annual Best Hospital Rankings Northwestern Medicine hospitals have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report annual Best Hospital rankings. For the 14th consecutive year, Northwestern Memorial Hospital has been named to the Best Hospital Honor Roll. Additionally, Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the only Illinois…

Baby Boomers, Chicago, Health, News, Seniors

Author Charlene Wexler Earns Apex Award for Farewell to South Shore

July 26, 2025July 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Charlene Wexler Earns Apex Award for Farewell to South Shore Author Charlene Wexler recently won a 2025 Communications Concepts Award of Excellence for her book Farewell to South Shore, published by Speaking Volumes. “Farewell to South Shore taps into and articulates a woman’s emotions related to dealing with a changing society, particularly its expectations of…

Books & Films, Chicago, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire

Orland Park Mayor Dodge explores options to save Secretary of State services

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Mayor Dodge explores options to save Secretary of State services Village of Orland Park Addresses Orland Township’s Decision to Remove DMV Facility. Village issues letter on status of critical Secretary of States services Dear Orland Park Residents, Thank you for sharing your concerns about the recent cancelation of the lease for the DMV…

News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Orland Township

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny

July 25, 2025July 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny By Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer Two times a year, my office mails nearly 1.8 million property tax bills and collects over $18 billion. That’s not a typo — $18 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Dad won in court for his daughter

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad won in court for his daughter By Laura Reichel When a child’s future hangs in the balance, every moment counts. This was the dilemma faced by a dedicated dad who, after learning that his eleven-year-old daughter was struggling academically, called the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. for help protecting his daughter’s future….

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio

Man Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Five Suburban Chicago Banks and Financial Institutions

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Man Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Robbing Suburban Chicago Banks and Financial Institutions A man who robbed four banks and a credit unions in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to more than seven and a half years in federal prison, the Illinois U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced Monday….

Cook County, Crime, DuPage, Law, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, U.S. Attorney

Video Podcast on Trump’s problems with Jeffrey Epstein, Netanyahu’s coalition in jeopardy

July 19, 2025July 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Podcast on Trump’s problems with Jeffrey Epstein, Netanyahu’s coalition in jeopardy In the Video podcast, political columnist Ray Hanania and former Congressman Bill Lipinski discuss the Jeffrey Epstein controversy and its impact on President Trump; open rebellion among some MAGA Republicans including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene over foreign aid and Epstein, the issue of…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, elections, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Republican, Taxes

Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry

July 17, 2025July 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh, who was elected to her position with the largest vote turnout in the April 1 elections, is off to an amazing start promoting the needs of the Orland Township community. Even though Orland Township has had a…

food, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Township, Photos, Suburban Chicagoland

Leving team court victory protected dad from crushing debt

July 17, 2025July 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving team court victory protected dad from crushing debt By Laura Reichel A distraught father was horrified to learn that his ex was trying to saddle him with many thousands of dollars in her attorney’s fees—money he simply didn’t have, and that would have devastated him financially and more. Desperate and overwhelmed, he turned to…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio

In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run

July 15, 2025July 15, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run In response to an effort by retired U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush and a growing number of political and community leaders to draft him into the race for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District seat, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr….

Chicago, elections, Federal, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar – Defending Orders of Protection

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar – Defending Orders of Protection By: Laura Reichel The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on July 17th at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 225 W. Wacker Drive in Chicago. The keynote CLE speakers, prominent family…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire

Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run The Orland Park Police Department is actively investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on July 11, 2025, at approximately 11:40 pm, in the vicinity of the 18400 block of LaGrange Rd. Officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of a traffic crash wherein a pedestrian was…

accident, Crime, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Northwestern Medicine sponsors Aug 1-3 event packed with music, food and entertainment The Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, will return to the Village Center from Aug. 1-3. “We are thrilled to bring the Taste of Orland Park back to…

Events, Festival, food, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt Newly elected Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge detailed the problems that former Mayor Keith Pekau left to the taxpayers of the village he controlled for the past six years including an impending financial debt of $200 million. You can read the entire…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Republican, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule The Chicago Wolves announced their 2025-26 American Hockey League schedule on Thursday. The franchise’s 32nd season will feature a 72-game slate beginning with the Season Opener on Oct. 11 vs. the Wild in Iowa. The Wolves’ Home Opener will be Oct. 18 against the rival Rockford IceHogs at…

Chicago, Events, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN By Maria Pappas If you own property in Cook County, there’s one number you should always know: your PIN. That’s short for Property Index Number—a 14-digit code assigned to every piece of real estate in the county. It’s tied to the legal description…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago Primtetime Sports is set to host the international friendly match between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club León on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Chivas de Guadalajara is the only Liga MX club that plays exclusively with Mexican players and it’s one…

Bridgeview, Chicago, Events, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Frozen with an Orland Firefighter at McDonald’s

July 9, 2025July 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Frozen with an Orland Firefighter at McDonald’s Orland Park, IL – About 100 children and their parents participated in an exploration of an Orland Fire Protection District Fire Truck at a “Frozen with a Firefighter” event hosted by McDonald’s in Orland Park. Each child and parent attending the event received a free Frozen drink, courtesy…

Events, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland