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

Madigan urges extension of bill to protect women

July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan urges extension of bill to protect women Illinois Democrats Say Violence Against Women Act Must be Reauthorized Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, released the following statement supporting the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). “Twenty-four years ago, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act, a landmark piece…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, women

New lottery game would benefit families of fallen police officers

July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

New lottery game to benefit families of fallen police officers Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed a bill to create a new Illinois Lottery scratch-off game from which proceeds will fund police memorials, support for the families of officers killed or severely injured in the line of duty, and protective vest replacements for officers. “Our police…

Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News

The Israeli Palestinian Comedy Tour overview

July 30, 2018April 13, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Israeli Palestinian Comedy Tour overview The Israeli Palestinian Comedy Tour was co-founded by Palestinian Ray Hanania and Israeli Charley Warady. It included Jewish American comedian Aaron Freeman and Israeli comedian Yisrael Campbell. The group performed comedy shows before live audiences throughout Israel in 2007 including in West Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, Jaffa, Hebron, Tel Aviv,…

Entertainment, Features

Roger Stone releases new book, “Stone’s Rules”

July 26, 2018July 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Roger Stone releases new book, “Stone’s Rules” At long last, America’s most notorious political operative has released his operating manual! A freedom fighter to his admirers, a dirty trickster to his detractors, the flamboyant, outrageous, articulate, and extraordinarily well-dressed Roger Stone lays out Stone’s Rules―the maxims that have governed his legendary career as a campaign operative…

Books & Films, elections, Features, Government, National, Politics

Criticism of Trump is just another form of hate

July 26, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Criticism of Trump is just another form of hate President Donald Trump’s critics are so angry and emotional about him their criticism has deteriorated into pure hatred. Many on the Left admit it is hate, but won’t admit that their hatred is a symptom of their own hypocrisies. Donald Trump is the President of the…

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

Walmart Truck Fire Wednesday morning, July 25, 2018

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Walmart Truck Fire Wednesday morning, July 25, 2018 On Wednesday, July 25 (2018), the Orland Fire Protection District received a 911 emergency call regarding a fire at the Walmart SuperCenter store at 9265 159th Street in Orland Hills. Upon arrival, Firefighters found a fully involved box-truck parked against the store building on the east side…

Fire, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Villanueva named successor to Tabares in 21st Illinois House District

July 24, 2018July 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Villanueva named successor to Tabares in 21st Illinois House District Community activist Celina Villanueva was named Monday night as the new State Representative for the 21st Illinois House district to fill the vacancy created when State Rep. Silvana Tabares who resigned to accept appointment as alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Villanueva, a youth engagement activist…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Cicero Fire Department receives excellent ISO rating

July 24, 2018July 24, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero Fire Department receives excellent ISO rating The Town of Cicero Fire Department has received an ISO (Insurance Services Office) Public Protection Classification rating of 2, which is recognized as one of the nation’s top performance ratings. Fire Chief Dominick Buscemi said the Cicero Fire Department said the rating classification is a result of the…

Government, News, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Pretend interview with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

July 21, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pretend interview with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel I’ve covered six Chicago Mayors since 1976 including Mayors Richard J. Daley, Michael A. Bilandic, Jane M. Byrne, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer and Richard M. Daley. But I have yet to get Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to allow me to interview him, despite numerous requests. What’s the excuse…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Illinois job growth surges upward

July 19, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois job growth surges upward by 18,100 new jobs Unemployment Rate Steady at 4.3% The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in June and nonfarm payrolls increased by +18,100 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)…

Business, Government, News

36 Illinois Nursing Homes cited by state for safety concerns

July 18, 2018July 18, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

36 Illinois Nursing Homes cited by state for safety concerns Nursing Home Violations for Second Quarter 2018 The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the 2018 Second Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators is now posted on IDPH’s website. The report contains additional information about the violations. The facilities listed below were cited…

Government, Health, News, Releases

Activists Vow to Continue Fight Against Illinois Voter Suppression

July 17, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Activists Vow to Continue Fight Against Illinois Voter Suppression Governor’s Veto Yet Another Reminder: Elections Matter Attention is now focused on the November elections and future legislation to secure elections and fight voter suppression, after Governor Rauner’s veto of SB 2273. The bill would have modified existing law to stop Illinois from sharing voter data…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, Politics

Harlem Avenue closed because of large bakery fire at 84th Street

July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harlem Avenue closed because of large bakery fire at 84th Street 5:10 pm Tuesday July 17, 2018 The Bridgeview Police Department has ordered Harlem Avenue closed in both directions around 84th Street at the scene of a major fire. Police officials urged motorists not to approach the intersection and suggested that they detour along 79th…

breaking news, Fire

Governor vetos bill that would restrict interstate voting checks

July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Governor vetos bill that would restrict interstate voting checks Veto of Bill No.: SB 2273. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner released the following statement in vetoing SB 2273 which would prohibit interstate checking of voter registration Today I veto Senate Bill 2273 from the 100th General Assembly, which would limit the State of Illinois to participation in…

breaking news, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Politics

Rauner vetos bill to reorganize Metro East Sanitary District

July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rauner vetos bill to reorganize Metro East Sanitary District Gov. Rauner vetoes SB 2368. Stops manipulation of local government balance of power, in St. Louis region. Gov. Bruce Rauner today vetoed Senate Bill 2368, saying it was a politically motivated attempt to undercut the good work of the Metro East Sanitary District (MESD) Board of Commissioners….

breaking news, Government, Illinois Legislature

McCarthy Statement on Recent Police-Involved Shooting

July 16, 2018March 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

McCarthy Statement on Recent Police-Involved Shooting Former Chicago Police Superintendent and Candidate for Mayor of Chicago Garry McCarthy issued this statement on rising violence in the City of Chicago: “These kinds of shooting incidents are a tragedy. As a city, we all lose when they occur. I offer my condolence to the victim’s family. At…

breaking news, Chicago, elections, General Topics, Government, News, Police

Cicero hosts day of prayer to fight street gangs

July 13, 2018July 13, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero hosts Day of Prayer to fight street gangs This is the 7th year of what has become an annual summer tradition for this “Day of Prayer in Cicero” which has helped bring the community together and succeed in overcoming the violence of street gangs. Local church leaders and community members joined with the Town…

Editors Pick, Events, Government, News, Police, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

Pfleger publicity stunts do nothing to stop violence

July 13, 2018February 20, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pfleger publicity stunts do nothing to stop violence Father Pfleger organized a protest of community residents and activists to block traffic on the Dan Ryan Expressway recently to protest increasing gang violence. But are the protests good for the community or his own personal interests. What he should be doing is helping residents to stand…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Police, Racism, rayhanania