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

Tomasulo’s Man of the People offers refreshing chuckles in mad, mad, mad, mad world

January 22, 2018August 20, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tomasulo’s Man of the People offers refreshing chuckles in mad, mad, mad, mad world “Common sense perspective” returns to American TV late night comedy in Pat Tomasulo’s “Man of the People” on Saturday nights at 10 pm on WGN TV. Tomasulo is the only host on TV offering original comedy that isn’t driven by the…

Blogger, Comedy, Commentary, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Opinion

Woman legislators join in endorsing Marie Newman for Congress

January 22, 2018January 22, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Woman legislators join in endorsing Marie Newman for Congress Chicago’s Top Progressive Female Legislators Back Marie Newman for Congress. Newman Kicks Off the ‘Year of The Woman’ With Support from Chicago’s Powerhouse Female Legislators This week, nine of the top female legislators in the Chicago area joined together to endorse Marie Newman in her bid…

elections, Government, News, Politics, women

Sandoval wins major woman’s endorsement for County Board

January 20, 2018January 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sandoval wins major woman’s endorsement for County Board City, county and state-wide elected officials join forces to elect more women. City Clerk Anna Valencia, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and State Senator Toi Hutchinson Endorse Slate of Women for Cook County Board including Angela Sandoval, Donna Miller, and Charise Williams. Heading into another powerful weekend of sisterhood…

elections, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Cicero Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday

January 18, 2018January 18, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday Unlike other communities that mark the birthday of civil rights leaders the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., only with a day off from work, The Town of Cicero also hosts a community-wide celebration at its Community Center. This year marked the 10th Anniversary of Cicero’s King Commemoration…

Events, Government, National, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Stoking the fears of nuclear war

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

Stoking the fears of nuclear war Residents of Hawaii woke up one morning last week to an alarming text message and emergency broadcast alerts warning of an impending ballistic missile attack and emphasizing “This is not a drill.” Many Hawaiian residents believed it might be the end of life and that nuclear holocaust was impending….

Blogger, Commentary, Government, National, Opinion, rayhanania, Technology

Rauner’s Blago Ad shows he fears Pritzker most

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

Rauner’s Blago Ad shows he fears Pritzker most Gov. Bruce Rauner launched a new series of ads attacking J.B. Pritzker, associating Pritzker with disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich. But the ads are premature and come during the March 20 Democratic Primary rather than in the November General Election campaign. It suggests that Rauner fears Pritzker…

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

Rauner’s Blago Ad shows he fears Pritzker most

January 18, 2018January 18, 2018 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Trump releases winners of 2017 “Fake News” Awards

January 18, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Trump releases winners of 2017 “Fake News” Awards 2017 was a year of unrelenting bias, unfair news coverage, and even downright fake news. Studies have shown that over 90% of the media’s coverage of President Trump is negative. Below are the winners of the 2017 Fake News Awards. 1. The New York Times’ Paul Krugman…

Editors Pick, Government, Media Bias, National, News, Politics

War heats up between Lipinski and challenger Newman

January 17, 2018November 30, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

War heats up between Lipinski and challenger Newman Congressman Dan Lipinski is facing a stiff challenge from popular newcomer Marie Newman in the March 20, 2018 Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District. Both candidates released lists of endorsements on Wednesday with Lipinski receiving support from 30 mayors in the district and Newman receiving the…

Chicago, elections, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Tyrrell named Principal at Sandburg High School

January 17, 2018January 17, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tyrrell named Principal at Sandburg High School The High School District 230 School Board approved the hiring of Jennifer Tyrrell as Principal of Sandburg High School, in light of the retirement of Deb Baker at the end of this 2017-2018 school year. “District 230 is incredibly grateful for the leadership Deb Baker has provided at…

Education, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Still time to register for Jan. 22 OFPD CERT emergency training class

January 16, 2018January 17, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Still time to register for Jan. 22 OFPD CERT emergency training class Several times each year, the Orland Fire Protection District hosts a free training program to help everyday citizens learn the basics of emergency response to help family, friends or members of the public during emergencies. The effort often gives victims of heart attacks,…

Editors Pick, Health, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo Jan. 25 – 28

January 16, 2018January 16, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo Jan. 25 – 28 CHICAGOLAND FISHING, TRAVEL & OUTDOOR EXPO ANNOUNCES 2018 FEATURES AND SEMINARS Chicagoland’s Ultimate Winter Fishing Event Brings “The World of Sportfishing” Indoors to Schaumburg January 25-28 Returning to the Midwest this month, the Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo, is taking over the Schaumburg Convention…

Entertainment, News, Travel

Movie Review: “The Post” when newspapers had more respect

January 12, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Movie Review: “The Post” when newspapers had more respect The new movie “The Post” is a powerful film that takes Americans back to 1971 when journalism was a profession dominated mostly by principle. Truth outweighed political partisanship. But in watching the movie this week, it only made me sad. Because it reminded me how badly…

Blogger, Books & Films, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Lisle Journal publishes essays from Middle East writers

January 9, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lisle Journal publishes essays from Middle East writers Fifth Wednesday Journal, a twice yearly publication, released its latest issue which focuses on the experiences and writings of authors whose origins trace to the Middle East and North Africa. The Journal features the submissions of 33 authors and photographers and is now available for purchase. Issue…

Books & Films, Editors Pick, Features, News, Photos

Cicero Police charge suspect with impersonating a police officer

January 9, 2018January 9, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero Police charge suspect with impersonating a police officer Suspect stopped vehicle and conducted field sobriety test on victim On January 7, 2018 at approximately 2:40 AM, suspect/offender Donato Valdez, 28, drove behind a victim’s vehicle and used an unknown flashing light to stop vehicle. The suspect pulled the victim’s car over as it was…

breaking news, Crime, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Double dipping tipping is getting out of hand

January 9, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Double dipping tipping is getting out of hand Service industry businesses like restaurants, limousines, hotels and cruise lines are getting into the habit of imposing a 20 percent “tip” for services rendered to customers. But they are still asking for an additional “tip” when the bill arrives. A “tip” is supposed to reflect a customers…

Blogger, Business, Commentary, Entertainment, Opinion, rayhanania, restaurants

Holidays today are not like holidays of the past

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

Holidays today are not like holidays of the past It was so much better in the “old days.” Movie theaters were more enjoyable and traveling on airlines and even cruises were simpler. We knew what we were getting upfront for the single cost we paid. Today, traveling is a gamble, and going to the movie…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Movies, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Technology, Television, Travel

Finding the best Sunday Brunch restaurants

December 24, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Finding the best Sunday Brunch restaurants It seems like the Sunday Brunch has gone out of style or something. A lot of the great restaurants that once offered wide variety brunch menus seem to have disappeared. But if you look hard enough, there are a few worth the effort on a late Sunday morning By…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, food, Opinion, rayhanania, restaurants