Author: Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning 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

Lipinski presents check for $123,810 to Cicero Fire Dept

September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski presents check for $123,810 to Cicero Fire Dept Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is announcing that the Cicero Fire Department has been awarded $123,810 through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grant will help purchase 2,600 combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. “These simple, relatively inexpensive devices have the potential…

Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Commission to salute Veterans

September 22, 2017January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Commission to salute Veterans The Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission has three important dates for the community to remember — October 6, November 5 and November 10. Friday, October 6 is the last day to add a veteran’s name to the village’s memorial in time for this year’s Veterans Day observances. Veterans…

Baby Boomers, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Brannigan reaches out to Arabs and Muslims

September 20, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Brannigan reaches out to Arabs and Muslims Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan offended Arabs and Muslims with broad stroke comments about immigration that pointed a finger at their race and religion. But Brannigan apologized this week, reiterating apologies she issued twice before saying that she is not anti-Arab, anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant. I understand her concerns…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Beverage Tax Repeal Vote set for October 10

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Beverage Tax Repeal Vote set for October 10 A meeting of the Cook County Board’s Finance Committee has been called for Tuesday, October 10 at 10:00am to take up the ordinance to repeal the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax. At the request of Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, the lead sponsor of the…

Editors Pick, food, Government, News, Politics, Taxes

Tech Review: Don’t buy Studio Beats headset

September 16, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Tech Review: Don’t buy Studio Beats headset Beats by Dr Dre are inconsistent and poorly constructed. You almost think that they are made to intentionally break to force users to go out and buy another set at the over-priced price tag of $299. The sound is poor quality and they are just not worth it….

Blogger, Commentary, Features, Opinion, rayhanania, Technology

Kennedy will respect Arabs, Muslims as Illinois governor

September 16, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 6 Comments

Kennedy will respect Arabs, Muslims as Illinois governor Illinois gubernatorial candidate Christopher Kennedy told a gathering of influential Arab and Muslim community activists Saturday that he would defend their rights as Americans and respect their cultural and religious identities. Kennedy said when his family immigrated to America, they faced the same racism and discrimination now…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, elections, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Flanagan’s Wake returns to Chicago at new location

September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Flanagan’s Wake returns to Chicago at new location Chicago Theater Works adds second production to venue line-up CHICAGO – The producers behind Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding are pleased to announce the long-running improv/comedy, Flanagan’s Wake, will return to Chicago Saturday, September 23 through Thursday, November 9. Flanagan’s Wake, which has played in the Chicagoland area…

Entertainment, Features, News

Cruise industry responds to Hurricane Irma, Harvey destruction

September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cruise industry responds to Hurricane Irma, Harvey destruction The Cruise Industry responded to the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey by cancelling dozens of cruises and coming together to help collect supplies and food for the victims. This update is provided by Alan Fox, Chairman & CEO of Vacations To Go which helps guests…

Features, News, Travel

CTA, Chicago merge Ventra and Library Cards into ID

September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

CTA, Chicago merge Ventra and Library Cards into ID CTA, City of Chicago, and Chicago Public Library to Integrate Ventra and Library Cards into City’s Municipal ID Card Innovative pact provides a “3-in-1” benefit to municipal ID cardholders; Will allow Chicagoans to use their city-issued ID card to load fares and ride CTA and also…

Government, News, Travel

Sanders proposes to expand Medicare

September 13, 2017October 13, 2018 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and 16 of his Democratic colleagues introduced legislation Wednesday Sept. 13, 2017 to guarantee health care to every American by expanding and improving Medicare.

“Today, we begin the long and difficult struggle to end the international embarrassment of the United States being the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care to all its people,” Sanders said.

“At a time when millions of Americans do not have access to affordable health care, the Republicans, funded by the Koch brothers, are trying to take away health care from up to 32 million more. We have a better idea: guarantee health care to all people as a right, not a privilege, through a Medicare-for-all, single-payer health care program.”

Baby Boomers, Government, Health, News, Politics

57% of Americans Have Less Than $1,000 in Savings

September 12, 2017September 12, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

57% of Americans Have Less Than $1,000 in Savings Millennials are more likely than other generations to have nothing saved, while adults 65 and older are more likely to have $10,000 or more in a savings account. In Illinois, 39 percent of residents have no savings, the GoBanking Survey shows More than half of Americans…

Baby Boomers, Business, News

Video: Orland Fire commemorates 9/11 victims

September 11, 2017September 11, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video: Orland Fire commemorates 9/11 victims The Orland Fire Protection District held a Memorial Service Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 to commemorate and remember first responders and Americans who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks 16 years ago. The service was held at the OFPD’s Firefighter Memorial at its headquarters in Orland Park, 9790 West…

Editors Pick, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

National Magazine names Ziyad Tahini “Best” Tasting

September 8, 2017September 8, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

National Magazine names Ziyad Tahini “Best” Tasting Cook’s Illustrated crowns the Mediterranean food company’s Tahini as their favorite among leading brands. Cooks Illustrated, the iconic magazine that investigates how and why recipes work, named Ziyad brand All Natural Tahini as the best tasting sesame seed paste on the market. The recognition is the result of…

Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, food, News, Recipes

Honeywell’s Lyric Round temperature control fails on all levels

September 7, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Honeywell’s Lyric Round temperature control fails on all levels Who doesn’t want to travel and yet maintain control of your home? Advances in technology have offered opportunities for the computer and cell phone industries to develop technology that can be controlled remotely. The problem is that most computer technicians are not normal people and have…

Opinion, rayhanania, Technology, Travel

Getty hosts forum against Soda Tax Thursday Sept. 7

September 7, 2017September 13, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lyons Mayor Getty urges repeal of Soda Tax Lyons, Illinois – Lyons President Christopher Getty urged residents to attend a public hearing Thursday at Village Hall to voice their opposition to Cook County’s Soda Tax. Getty said several officials including Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski and State Representatives Silvana Tabares and Mike Zalewski will also…

Government, News

ISO awards Orland Fire District with highest safety rating

September 6, 2017September 6, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

ISO awards Orland Fire District with highest safety rating New elevated ranking will help reduce insurance costs for district residents The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has raised the rating for the Orland Fire Protection District from Class 2 to Class 1, the highest evaluation rating which assesses the response effectiveness of fire departments around the…

Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Painful to watch news reports on flooding

September 3, 2017January 21, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Painful to watch news reports on flooding The reports of the massive flooding in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey are depressing and remind me of floods that slammed Illinois in 1996. Flooding is so much more damaging to regional populations and governments are not equipped to handle it. By Ray Hanania Flooding isn’t like a…

Baby Boomers, Editors Pick, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Western Digital hard drives are so unreliable

August 31, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Western Digital hard drives are so unreliable Western Digital has been making flawed hard drives for years. They promise much but deliver very little. Worse is that they are unreliable and easily crash, after giving you a difficult time to use By Ray Hanania Maybe it’s the hope that possibly someone at Western Digital will…

Editors Pick, News, Opinion, rayhanania, Technology