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

Cicero Chaplain returns after volunteering to help residents in Puerto Rico

November 15, 2017November 15, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero Chaplain returns after volunteering to help residents in Puerto Rico Cicero Chaplain Ismail Vargas returned from a week long volunteer trip to Puerto Rico where he worked with communities there to help cleanup and restore properties for residents following the devastation caused by hurricane Maria. Cicero officials donated funds to help cover the costs…

National, News

Lincolnshire Republican Sukovic announces bid to run for 59th State Rep District

November 15, 2017November 15, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lincolnshire Republican Sukovic announces bid to run for 59th State Rep District Marko Sukovic, a Stevenson High School alum and graduating senior from the University of Illinois, has announced he is circulating petitions to run for state representative in Illinois’ 59th District. Sukovic has worked his way through college and has been a tireless…

elections, news release, Releases

Chicago releases its 2018 Special Events Schedule

November 15, 2017September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago releases its 2018 Special Events Schedule Year of Creative Youth January–December 2018 Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events have designated 2018 as the “Year of Creative Youth.” The $2 million investment by the City of Chicago will include a Creative Youth Festival across the Millennium Park Campus, performance…

Entertainment, Events, Festival, Government, News, restaurants

Tinley Park educates teens against drinking

November 15, 2017September 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tinley Park educates teens against drinking Tinley Park Says It LOUDly and Proudly: “Know the NO”. Ambitious student & parents campaign aims to reduce incidence of underage drinking “Know the NO” is the theme of an ambitious year-long campaign aimed at students and parents in the Tinley Park community to reduce the incidence of underage drinking….

Education, General Topics, Health, News

New TV Sitcom “The Mayor” gives politics a funny edge

November 13, 2017November 13, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

New TV Sitcom “The Mayor” gives politics a funny edge Bernard David Jones brings his comedic acting chops – perfected during his time spent at CollegeHumor – to primetime TV in one of Fall TV’s new comedy series The Mayor (TUESDAYs (9:30|8:30c) on ABC). The new ABC comedy revolves around young rapper ‘Courtney Rose’ (Brandon Michael…

Books & Films, Comedy, Entertainment, Humor, News, Television

Christmas holidays shoved down our throats

November 9, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Christmas holidays shoved down our throats It’s not even three weeks till Thanksgiving and stores are already pushing and promoting Christmas. Don’t you think it’s just too soon? Maybe we should enjoy the Fall and also Thanksgiving before we start focusing on the Christmas holidays. By Ray Hanania You don’t have to be Christian to…

Blogger, Commentary, Festival, Opinion, rayhanania

Tulsi Gabbard video argues DNC rigged presidential primary, damaged Party

November 7, 2017November 7, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tulsi Gabbard video argues DNC rigged presidential primary, damaged Party Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) released a video last night again calling for major reform to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in response to an account written by Donna Brazile, the interim DNC chair who stepped in after Debbie Wasserman-Schultz was removed. Brazile’s account describes a rigged Democratic presidential nomination process. Earlier in the…

breaking news, Editors Pick, Government, National, News, Politics, Releases

Illinois Democrats push bill to combat sexual harassment

November 7, 2017November 7, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Democrats push bill to combat sexual harassment House Democrats Advance Measures to Combat Harassment, Commit to Continuing Effort to Change Culture As part of an ongoing effort to change the culture at the State Capitol and beyond, Speaker Michael J. Madigan and House Democrats are advancing a series of measures to further crack down…

breaking news, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

DNAInfo.com shuts its doors this week

November 3, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

DNAInfo.com shuts its doors this week Community news organizations including those online must do better job of fairly reporting the the news than the biased and racist major mainstream news media. Chicagoland journalism is plagued by bias and racism in the news media and its not an easy thing to fix. The demise of DNAInfo.com…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Rauner promises to provide names of Americans against Israel

November 2, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rauner promises to provide names of Americans against Israel Racist Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner promises to provide Israel, a foreign country, with intelligence information on American citizens living in Illinois as a part of anti-Terrorism security measures. The Governor made the promises during a weeklong visit to Israel this week. By Ray Hanania Illinois Governor…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Chicago unveils Millennium Park Holiday activities

November 2, 2017November 2, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago unveils Millennium Park Holiday activities CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT MILLENNIUM PARK CAMPUS, WITH HOLIDAY TRADITIONS INCLUDING THE CITY OF CHICAGO CHRISTMAS TREE, ICE SKATING AND MORE. The holiday season kicks off November 17 with the 104th Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting and the openings of McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and the Maggie Daley Park Ice…

Events, Features, Festival, News

Questions in the Kenneka Jenkins death mystery

October 30, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Questions in the Kenneka Jenkins death mystery Too often in many tragedies, the focus is always on the role of police or government. Not enough attention is placed on the responsibilities of the parents By Ray Hanania Published in the Southwest News Newspaper group — When does an investigation turn to the responsibilities of the…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Opinion, rayhanania

A better way to fight cancer and taxes

October 30, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

A better way to fight cancer and taxes “Don’t go into the light”, and other healthcare stories including how to fight cancer and use our taxes wisely By Ray Hanania I was sitting in the hospital last week after having successful cancer-removal surgery and I was thinking about what causes cancer. Basically, the National Cancer…

Blogger, Commentary, Health, Opinion, rayhanania

Emanuel unveils Chicago’s first public arts plan

October 27, 2017October 27, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Emanuel unveils Chicago’s first public arts plan MAYOR EMANUEL AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO UNVEILS THE FIRST PUBLIC ART PLAN Recommendations serve to advance public art throughout the city Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced Chicago’s first Public Art Plan. The plan lays out recommendations that…

Chicago, Entertainment, News

Video: Sandburg inducts National Honor Society students

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video: Sandburg inducts National Honor Society students Full video of the ceremony is presented below. Carl Sandburg High school inducted 87 Juniors and Seniors into the National Honor Society at ceremonies on Tuesday Oct. 24, 2017 at Sandburg High school at 131st Street and LaGrange Road in the Performing Arts Center. The program included remarks…

Education, Features, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Chicago boat show launches Jan. 10-14

October 24, 2017February 14, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago boat show launches Jan. 10-14 PROGRESSIVE® INSURANCE CHICAGO BOAT, RV & SAIL SHOW® ANNOUNCES 2018 DATES: JANUARY 10-14 With over 600 power and sailboats and 100 RVs on display, plus educational opportunities and hands-on activities for all ages, the Midwest’s premier boat show brings a taste of paradise to Chicago this January CHICAGO (October,…

Chicago, Events, News

Legislature takes steps to crackdown on sexual harassment

October 24, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Legislature takes steps to crackdown on sexual harassment Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan releases statement detailing steps to be taken by the Illinois House of Representatives on sexual harassment issues Statement from Speaker Madigan SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday “Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace….

breaking news, Government, Politics

Madigan blames Rauner for blocking bipartisan budget process

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan blames Rauner for blocking bipartisan budget process Statement from Speaker Madigan on Rauner and state budget SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday: “Illinois’ balanced budget is a bipartisan compromise between Republicans and Democrats who worked together to move beyond the governor’s political games and end his 732-day budget…

breaking news