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

Social Security to increase slightly over 2018

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Social Security to increase slightly over 2018 Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2019 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 67 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2019, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more…

Baby Boomers, Health, National, News, Seniors, Taxes

Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21 Dozens of Democratic candidates running in the November 6, 2018 General election will be showcased at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast & Brunch on Sunday, October 21 hosted by The Arab American Democratic Club. The keynote speakers at the event are Illinois House Speaker Michael J….

breaking news, Editors Pick, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

WMAQ TV Reporter Warner Saunders passes away at 83

October 10, 2018October 10, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

WMAQ TV Reporter Warner Saunders passes away at 83 Iconic African American television journalist Warner Saunders dies. Saunders was a brilliant reporter who fairly covered the news and sympathized with those who were oppressed. By Ray Hanania Warner Saunders was almost one-of-a-kind. Not only was he a true journalist, he was also a genuine human…

breaking news, Chicago, Media Bias, News, Obituary, Television

District 103 administration excels in politics, name-calling and lies

October 8, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

District 103 administration excels in politics, name-calling and lies Officials who have taken over the administration of the District 103 schools in Chicagoland’s west suburbs have turned the schools into a base of political activity. And its superintendent has made no bones about how he plans to use his “educational” position through biased reporting at…

Blogger, Commentary, Education, elections, General Topics, Government, Media Bias, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Media spins politics in state government issues

October 7, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Media spins politics in state government issues The Daily Herald has been doing a lot of stories critical of the Illinois Tollway Authority. Some think it has less to do with good journalism and more to do with the friendship between the newspaper’s reporter and a controversial member of the Tollway Authority board who has…

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

Facebook and worthless knock-offs like Classmates.com

October 6, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Facebook and worthless knock-offs like Classmates.com I always wondered what happened to my old friends back in Hgh school so I opened an account at Classmates.com thinking it would help me answer that question. But it didn’t work. Classmates is nothing like Facebook, where it is far easier to connect with old high school friends,…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Business, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania, Technology

LaGrange-based social services agency, Pillars, receives Lipinski grant

October 4, 2018October 4, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

LaGrange-based social services agency, Pillars, receives Lipinski grant Lipinski Announces Grant for Pillars Community Health in La Grange Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is announcing that the Pillars Community Health Center in La Grange has been awarded a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The organization will receive $243,200 to help expand…

General Topics, Health, National, News

Roseanne Barr should spin-off her own new series

October 3, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Roseanne Barr should spin-off her own new series Just because ABC TV Network doesn’t want Roseanne Barr in the newly re-engineered Roseanne TV series called “The Conners,” doesn’t mean she can’t be the star of her own re-engineered Roseanne TV series with its own premise, starring Roseanne Barr. By Ray Hanania I really enjoyed the…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Government, Media Bias, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Television

Republican Kelly urges Mayor Emanuel to stepdown

October 2, 2018October 2, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Republican Kelly urges Mayor Emanuel to stepdown During a recent appearance on the PBS show, “Chicago Tonight,” William J. Kelly, the only Republican candidate for Chicago mayor, blasted the Chicago media and national Democrats for giving Rahm a pass on the Chicago Public Schools sex abuse and rape scandal – a sharp contrast to their…

News

Democrat Underwood features new Ads in Illinois 14th Congressional District race

October 2, 2018January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Democrat Underwood features new Ads in Illinois 14th Congressional District race With just 35 days until Election Day and early voting underway, Lauren Underwood has unveiled her second campaign commercial of the general election. The ad, “It’s On”, tells the story of how the campaign came to be––with a broken health care promise from her…

elections, Government, National, News, Politics

In need of a “voter carwash” after governors’ debate

September 27, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

In need of a “voter carwash” after governors’ debate The personal attacks in the first debate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and three challengers including J.B. Pritzker is disheartening for the future for the state of Illinois. Isn’t there anyone out there who has a great idea to save this state? Wake up people! When it…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Cicero honors firefighters who saved lives at 50th Court Apartment fire

September 26, 2018September 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero honors firefighters who saved lives at 50th Court Apartment fire Town President Larry Dominick and Cicero Fire Chief Dominick Buscemi this week honored the firefighters who successfully put out a fire that severely damaged a large apartment building at 1637 50th Court on August 19, 2018 saving the lives of dozens of residents and…

Fire, Government, News

Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment

September 26, 2018September 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, released the following statement Wednesday: “Addressing harassment, increasing access and ensuring equality of all forms are issues of great importance to the Democratic Party of Illinois, and the time and commitment that Comptroller Mendoza, Senator Bush and Representative…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Politics, women

Orland Fire District hosts citizen training for emergency preparedness

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

Orland Fire District hosts citizen training for emergency preparedness The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) will host an eight-week program to train residents to be able to assist in responding to public emergencies and offer basic emergency services. Enrollment for the free participation is still open to the public. Participants receive a certification and become members…

Education, Features, Fire, General Topics, Government, News, Orland Park

Lyons Police seeking witnesses in truck-bicycle fatality

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

Lyons Police seeking witnesses in truck-bicycle fatality Village of Lyons police are investigating a traffic accident that resulted in a fatality Tuesday morning Sept. 25, 2018 between 4:45 am and 5:10 am on First Avenue near 43rd Street, just south of Plainfield Road. Lyons Police Chief James M. Keating said that the cyclist was riding his…

breaking news, Briefs, Crime, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Munger named interim DCEO director

September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Munger named interim DCEO director Takes business development role as McCarthy leaves for private sector Gov. Bruce Rauner today said that Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger would be taking on the new role of acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). She replaces Director Sean McCarthy, who has accepted a position…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Releases

Race leverages next election for Chicago mayor

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

Race leverages next election for Chicago mayor Who will be Chicago’s next mayor? The decision will be made by Chicago’s racially divided voters, Blacks, Whites and Hispanics. The first run will see all of the racial blocks divided and the two candidates who receive the most votes — no one will win the 50 percent…

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

Killing of Laquan McDonald plays into race more than facts

September 18, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Killing of Laquan McDonald plays into race more than facts What might Laquan McDonald have done had police not stopped him on that October evening in 2014 near 41st and Pulaski Road in Chicago? McDonald, who was menacingly waving a knife in the air as he walked in the middle of the street late at…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, Opinion, rayhanania