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

Orland Park Announces Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort

August 30, 2017September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park Announces Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort The Village of Orland Park, Illinois is collecting to help Texas residents affected by Hurricane Harvey with its Orland Park Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort. Three village facilities have been designated to accept donations from area residents including Orland Park’s Frederick T. Owens Village Hall at 14700 South…

Government, News

Is the school year starting too soon?

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

Is the school year starting too soon? It’s the beginning of August and my son is already consumed with figuring out his high school schedule and buying his books and schools supplies. Isn’t that too early for young people to stop enjoying summer vacation and worry about school? By Ray Hanania When I was a…

Baby Boomers, Education, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania

Rauner protects suburban schools against Chicago fund grab

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

Rauner protects suburban schools against Chicago fund grab Gov. Bruce Rauner won his battle against the bloated and failed Chicago public schools forcing the legislature to significantly cut-back additional funding to bailout Chicago and redistribute those monies to needy suburban and state school systems that had been ignored. The plan also allows a 75 percent…

Editors Pick, Education, Government, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

RTA approves projects for Seniors and disabled

August 24, 2017October 30, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

RTA approves projects for Seniors and disabled RTA Board Approves Projects to Benefit Seniors and People with Disabilities The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board has approved funding for twelve projects through the federally-funded Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program. The RTA will administer a total of $14,936,856 million, including $8,756,052 in federal…

Baby Boomers, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Travel

On Medicare, Democrats Shouldn’t Trust Trump

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

On Medicare, Democrats Shouldn’t Trust Trump Guest Op-Ed. Former Congressman cautions Democrats who plan to support changes to Medicare not to do so By Ron Klink President Trump doesn’t understand or care about healthcare policy. He recently suggested that health insurance costs just $12 a year. And he fervently supported the GOP’s Obamacare repeal plan,…

Baby Boomers, Editors Pick, Government, Guest Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania

Orland Fire Protection District presents lifesaving commendations

August 23, 2017August 23, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District presents lifesaving commendations Good samaritans and Lifetime Fitness employees among those recognized by Orland Fire District Tuesday OFPD Fire Chief Mike Schofield and the Board of Trustees set aside time at the beginning of the August 22nd Board of Trustee’s meeting to receive the following awards: Firefighter Doug DePersia brought up…

News, Orland Park, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Chicago trade center recipient of Trump administration grant

August 22, 2017August 22, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago trade center recipient of Trump administration grant ‪U.S. Commerce Department Announces $13.3 Million to Boost Competitiveness of U.S. Manufacturers U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced $13.3 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to support 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York,…

Government, Releases

Seniors need to be treated better

August 20, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Seniors need to be treated better Despite all the expressed concern for senior citizens from the business community, the truth is they are not treated very well. Every time a business claims to give a benefit to a senior, it is often just a slick manipulation that actually costs more. From food to cruises, seniors…

Books & Films, Opinion, rayhanania, Travel

Under-appreciated Kirstie Alley deserves better

August 20, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 9 Comments

Under-appreciated Kirstie Alley deserves better Actress Kirstie Alley has had fame and controversy, but the one thing she isn’t without is talent. Jettisoned to fame with a great character performance in the TV Sitcom “Cheers,” she has meandered through acting opportunities since. But one of her best efforts, Fat Actress, deserves a second chance. By…

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

Witnessing the total Solar Eclipse in 1963

August 19, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Witnessing the total Solar Eclipse in 1963 I have great eyesight in part because on July 20, 1963, my father showed me the proper way to view the total eclipse of the sun that took place that afternoon. By Ray Hanania My eyesight is great, in a large part because I didn’t look up at…

Baby Boomers, Events, News, Opinion, rayhanania

Bridgeview police search for armed suspect

August 17, 2017August 17, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bridgeview police search for armed suspect Suspect sought in Bridgeview assault. On Aug 17, 2017 at approximately 11:05 AM, Officers of the Bridgeview Police Department responded to an armed robbery, which had just occurred at the Salvation Army store located at 9000 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, Illinois. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a 31-year-old female victim [name withheld]…

Crime, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicagoland auto dealers raise $147,000 for USO

August 17, 2017August 17, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicagoland auto dealers raise $147,000 for USO Record One-hundred Chicagoland New-car Dealers Raise $147,000 for the USO of Illinois in Fifth-annual Barbecue for the Troops Program. 2018 USO Barbecue for the Troops Date Announced: Sat., July 14 The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), Chicagoland’s new-car dealer association, partnered with the USO of Illinois for the fifth…

Business, News, Releases

Charlottesville group “Unite the Right” blame government for violence

August 16, 2017 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Charlottesville group “Unite the Right” blame government for violence Charlottesville, Virginia – Jason Kessler, the organizer of the “Unite the Right” rally, has disavowed the political violence that resulted in the death of at least one person and the injuries of many others. “The blame for today’s violence lies primarily with Charlottesville government officials and…

Politics, Releases

Some symbols of hate are acceptable to anti-hate protestors

August 15, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Some symbols of hate are acceptable to anti-hate protestors Statues of Confederate General Robert E. Lee were torn down during mob-led protests in Durham, North Carolina and in Charlottesville, Virginia this week as the media turned the events into protests against their hated President Donald Trump. But there was silence about statues with even more…

Crime, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Chicago Sketch Comedy festival accepting applications

August 15, 2017August 16, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Sketch Comedy festival accepting applications Sketch comedy artists around the world are invited to apply for the 17th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival “Chicago SketchFest seizes the comedy moment…you need to hop to it.” – Chicago Tribune Stage 773 is excited to announce that applications are now open for The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. The…

Events, Festival, News

Retail Merchants Association deserves our support

August 15, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Retail Merchants Association deserves our support In the fight for taxpayer rights, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) deserves our support By Ray Hanania When it comes to the rights of taxpayers, no one, it seems, has the courage to fight for taxpayer rights more than the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) which is now…

Business, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

A letter from a reader on the Brannigan controversy

August 13, 2017September 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

A letter from a reader on the Brannigan controversy A reader writes asking about the protests by Muslims in suburban Chicagoland against Republican Palos Township trustee Sharon Brannigan and comments she has made in the past criticizing Muslims. By Ray Hanania Sharon Brannigan has published views and opinions that have angered many Muslims in the…

Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland

Best place to find Mediterranean food on Facebook

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

Best place to find Mediterranean food on Facebook There are a lot of misleading places on Facebook to get information on the Mediterranean Diet and Middle Eastern foods and recipes, but one of the best Facebook pages is called “Mediterranean Foods & Recipes.” You can click here to go to the Facebook Page and join…

Editors Pick, Features, food, Opinion, rayhanania, Recipes