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

Fake car-jacking with child report made to get faster police response

March 4, 2018March 4, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fake car-jacking with child report made to get faster police response Vehicle owner and friend charged in false car-jacking report Saturday (Car-Jacking suspect, Chicago, Mugshots: Male: Jeremy L. Ingram, DOB Nov 19, 1992, and female: Zada Williams DOB Jan. 1, 1997) Two Chicago residents were charged Sunday with making false car-jacking and child abduction claims…

breaking news, Chicago, Crime, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Rauner gets it right naming Gorman as Tollway chief

March 1, 2018February 25, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rauner gets it right naming Gorman as Tollway chief Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner taps Liz Gorman to had the Illinois Tollway, a brilliant move that both helps the State of Illinois and his administration. Gorman, a former Cook County Commissioner, is a champion for fighting excessive tax increases and fighting for the rights of taxpayers….

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

House Democrats Pass Sweeping Gun Safety Measures, Answering Nationwide Call from Student Activists

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

House Democrats pass sweeping Gun Safety Measures, answering nationwide call from student activists Responding to a nationwide call from students and parents for immediate action on gun safety in the wake of another tragic mass shooting, Illinois House Democrats passed critical legislation reducing access to assault rifles, banning the sale of ‘bump stock’ modifications, and…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, National, News, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s

February 25, 2018November 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s Looking back at Chicago in the 1960s and the racial tensions that divided Blacks and Whites, I decided to write a book about that experience. White Flight, which I titled “Midnight Flight: One family’s experience of White Flight and the racial transformation of Chicago’s South Side (an online…

Blogger, Books & Films, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

I should have dropped Acid before watching Annihilation

February 24, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Should have dropped Acid before watching Annihilation Movie review: The movie theater was packed with people for the premiere of Annihilation, the Science Fiction story about an alien life form that slams into Earth and expands into what scientists call a “shimmer”. The movie not only had some great stars like Natalie Portman and Jennifer…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, Movies, Opinion, rayhanania, Technology

Love Never Dies continues Phantom of the Opera tale

February 24, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Love Never Dies continues Phantom of the Opera tale The sequel to the phenomenal play The Phantom of the Opera, called appropriately, Love Never Dies, continues the thrilling tale of love on stage at the start of the 20th Century. Playing at the Cadillac Palace Theater in Chicago’s Loop, it’s well worth the time and…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, Opinion, rayhanania, Theater

Arab American empowerment continues to grow

February 23, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Arab American empowerment continues to grow Arab Americans have been fighting for a place at the American table from the day they set foot in America. But in recent years, their empowerment has increased despite the increased discrimination in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In recently years, Arab Americans have…

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

Adult entertainment growing with women, Pornhub says

February 23, 2018February 23, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Adult entertainment growing with women, Pornhub says Pornhub announces new ‘Popular with Women’ category featuring Videos women most often watch and favorite. As the number of women enjoying Adult Content increases, leading Adult Entertainment Platform unveils specific category that automatically curates content growing specific interests Demographics Pornhub, the premiere online destination for adult entertainment, today announced the official launch of…

Entertainment, Features, News, Videos

Liz Gorman named as new Illinois Tollway director

February 22, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Liz Gorman named as new Illinois Tollway director Former Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman was appointed by Governor Bruce Rauner Thursday (Feb. 22, 2018) as the new executive director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), replacing Greg Bedalov who Rauner appointed in 2015. Bedalov will move to the Illinois Sports Facility…

breaking news, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Car fire at Orland Park Mall damages nearby vehicles

February 22, 2018February 24, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Car fire at Orland Park Mall damages nearby vehicles A vehicle fire at Orland Square Mall caused damage to three other vehicles Wednesday night, Feb. 21, 2018. Orland Firefighters were called to the Orland Square Mall to the lower-level Sears parking lot at about 8:30 pm following a report of a vehicle on fire. Firefighters…

Crime, Fire, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Remembering Billy Graham and Christian Arabs

February 21, 2018December 25, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering Billy Graham and Christian Arabs The Rev. William “Billy” Franklin Graham Jr. died this week at the age of 99. During his life, Graham once held the Palestinian Christians of Bethlehem in the highest esteem. And when my mother passed through one of his evangelical conventions one day, Graham held her hand high up…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Religion

Fioretti reaches out to suburban voters

February 20, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fioretti reaches out to suburban voters Bob Fioretti, candidate for Cook County Board president, will hold a fundraiser and meet-and-greet with residents of the suburbs on Tuesday Feb. 27, 2018. The reception will be held from 7 pm until 9 pm at the Brookfield Ale House 8900 Fairview in Brookfield, Illinois. Fioretti was an outspoken…

elections, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Green Party blasts County Clerk David Orr for impeding Water Reclamation District election

February 20, 2018 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Green Party blasts County Clerk David Orr for impeding Water Reclamation District election COOK COUNTY’S SECRET PRIMARY ELECTION There’s an office on March 20th ballots with no candidates listed—and election authorities aren’t trying to inform anyone about it. [Correction: This release was distributed by the Illinois Green Party not the Illinois GOP Republican Party. It lacked…

elections, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

League of Women Voters hosts 4th Congressional Dist forum Feb. 26

February 20, 2018April 13, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

League of Women Voters hosts 4th Congressional Dist forum Feb. 26 The League of Women Voters will host a forum for voters in the Illinois 4th Congressional District Candidate featuring candidates in the March 20, 2018 Democratic Primary election. All three candidates have been invited and two have so far confirmed, Richard Gonzalez and Sol Flores….

elections, Events, Government, News

Goodman Theater features Henrik Ibsen’s play, “An Enemy of the People”

February 19, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Goodman Theater features Henrik Ibsen’s play, “An Enemy of the People” ROBERT FALLS DIRECTS A NEW ADAPTATION OF AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, HENRIK IBSEN’S TIMELESS MASTERPIECE, APPEARING MARCH 10 – APRIL 15 AT GOODMAN THEATRE ***PHILIP EARL JOHNSON AND SCOTT JAECK LEAD THE 14-MEMBER CAST ALONG WITH CHICAGO FAVORITES DAVID DARLOW, ALLEN GILMORE, LARRY NEUMANN, JR.,…

Entertainment, News, Theater

No injuries in fire that caused major damage to Red Robin in Orland Park

February 18, 2018February 23, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

No injuries in fire that caused major damage to Red Robin in Orland Park The Orland Fire Protection District responded to an automatic fire alarm at the Red Robin Gourmet Burgers restaurant at 15503 South La Grange Road in Orland Park on Saturday at approximately 4:30 pm. Advance information from witnesses reported a blazing roof…

breaking news, Business, Fire, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Snow isn’t only thing making the week rough

February 17, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Snow isn’t only thing making the week rough Chicagoland was slammed by a few days of compressed heavy snowfall. But clearing the nearly 18 inches of snow wasn’t the only problem we had. Politics in Illinois has made the experience even worse. Maybe we should have a GroundHog that predicts whether we will have good…

Blogger, Books & Films, Commentary, elections, Government, Media Bias, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, women

Lipinski-Newman Congressional fight has nation’s attention

February 15, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski-Newman Congressional fight has nation’s attention Six term Congressman Dan Lipinski is no stranger to controversy. Appointed to succeed his father Bill, Dan Lipinski has faced criticism from Day One. He’s no media darling and his conservative Democratic beliefs often pit him against more liberal and “progressive” colleagues. This year’s election challenge from Marie Newman…

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