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

Suburban Chicago event brings national experts on Russian influence, Washington ethics, media future

February 13, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Suburban Chicago event brings national experts on Russian influence, Washington ethics, media future Unify Our Voices, a year-old grass-roots Chicago-area group, is sponsoring a 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 event featuring nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations dedicated to protecting American democracy by bolstering the government’s adherence to ethics, analyzing Russian influence in our country, and promoting an…

Events, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Town of Cicero honored for Financial Excellence, 7th year

February 13, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Town of Cicero honored for Financial Excellence, 7th Year On January 19th, 2018 the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced that a panel of independent reviewers has completed its examination of the Town’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) and has awarded the Town with the GFOA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting…

Business, Editors Pick, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Illinois Prisons accused of censoring prisoner news

February 13, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Prisons accused of censoring prisoner news Newsletter Publisher Files Censorship Suit Against Illinois Dept. of Corrections (IDOC). Prisoners denied newsletter providing vital legal information The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC), a non-profit organization based in Lake Worth, Florida, will file a federal lawsuit Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2018) against the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) that alleges…

Crime, News

Madigan dismisses aide accused of sexual harassment

February 12, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan dismisses aide accused of sexual harassment By Ray Hanania [UPDATED Tuesday Feb. 13, 2018] Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan announced the dismissal of a longtime aide after charges he “made unwanted advances” and sent a woman “inappropriate text messages.” Madigan praised the woman for speaking out and instructed his attorney to “conduct a…

Chicago, Government, News, Politics

Illinois Candidates showcase Arab American breakfast event Sunday Feb 18

February 12, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Candidates showcase Arab American breakfast event Sunday Feb 18 More than a dozen Democratic candidates vying for contested races in the March 20 Illinois primary election have confirmed their appearances at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast hosted by the state’s largest Arab American political organization. The Arab American Democratic Club will host candidates running for…

elections, Events, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicagoland communities prepare for snow storm impact

February 8, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicagoland communities prepare for snow storm impact The National Weather Service has issued a major storm alert for the Chicagoland area and suburbs. Schools, governments and many public agencies are closing, urging residents to be cautious while driving, to do welfare checks on neighbors who are disabled or seniors, and identifying warming centers in the…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, National, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons, Weather

Pritzker, Brannigan and the “politics” of apologies

February 8, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pritzker, Brannigan and the “politics” of apologies Some Arab American and Muslim activists have launched a vicious campaign against Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan who expressed opinions critical of the “Middle Eastern” community that they claimed were racist. Brannigan apologized three times but they refused to accept her apology. However, J.B. Pritzker slammed Muslims as…

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

Anti-Drug Industry Media Firestorm: Unscientific, Dishonest, Dangerous

February 7, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Anti-Drug Industry Media Firestorm: Unscientific, Dishonest, Dangerous Guest columnists Sandip Shah and Helen Shao argue that drug companies are being unfairly criticized, that development of drugs costs far more than media claims. Drug research is expensive By Sandip Shah and Helen Shao Have drug companies been lying about their development costs to justify high prices?…

Blogger, Commentary, Guest Commentary, Health, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Rejecting the Cloudy Logic of EPA Ozone Rules

February 7, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rejecting the Cloudy Logic of EPA Ozone Rules Businesses should not be strapped with over-burdensome Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations set by the Obama administration regarding ozone levels. Guest columnist Merrill Matthews argues that Ozone levels have dropped and restrictions should be eased. By Merrill Matthews The Environmental Protection Agency just missed a court-ordered deadline…

Blogger, Commentary, Environment, General Topics, Government, Guest Commentary, National, Opinion, rayhanania

Super Bowl was fun, but could have been better

February 5, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Super Bowl was fun, but could have been better I’ve been watching Super Bowl games since the very first one and I’d like to say they haven’t changed, but they have. The half-time show has become a major attraction but the music just isn’t up to par for the audience. And worse is the growing…

Blogger, Commentary, Media Bias, Opinion, rayhanania, Sports

Obit: Illinois legislator George Shadid, 1929 – 2018

February 4, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Obit: Illinois legislator George Shadid, 1929 – 2018 Lebanese American legislator based in Peoria, Illinois dies, February 3, 2018. George P. Shadid ( born on May 15, 1929) died on Saturday February 3, 2018 according to friends and family. Shadid, 88, was a pioneer in American and Illinois politics, the inspiration of the growing and…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, Politics

Rod Blagojevich getting revenge against political foes

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

Rod Blagojevich getting revenge against political foes Most people believe former Governor Rod Blagojevich is guilty of misconduct in office, but there are just as many who believe that the punishment was excessive and driven by the hatred that Illinois’ Democratic establishment had against him. Blagojevich was arrested in 2008, prosecuted and convicted. The judge,…

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

Image compression plugins for WordPress sites

February 2, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Compression software for WordPress sites How fast does your WordPress blog load? If it is too slow, it can discourage people from visiting your site. They won’t wait. But there are some plugins that can help that you should try and a few won’t take your bank account to the cleaners and are very affordable….

plugins, Technology

Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election

February 2, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election Cook County Republican Party Chairman Sean M. Morrison announced his personal endorsement of Governor Bruce Rauner for re-election this morning. Citing Governor Rauner’s tireless efforts to rebuild the Republican Party in Illinois and fight one party rule in Springfield as the two central reasons for Chairman…

Government, News, Politics

Super Bowl rejects AMVETs Ad urging players to stand during anthem

January 31, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Super Bowl rejects AMVETs Ad urging players to stand during anthem AMVETS follows up rejected #PleaseStand ad with PSA the NFL doesn’t want you to see. AMVETS (American Veterans) is a non-partisan, volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans of the United States military. It advocates for its members as well as for causes…

News, Sports, Veterans

Less booze at SoxFest 2018 than at CubsFest

January 31, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Less booze at SoxFest 2018 than at CubsFest We skipped the CubsFest this year because the Cubs went from Lovable Losers to difficult to speak with World Series ego maniacs. I hope they keep winning, cuz maybe they’ll start to get back to their lovable selves one day. In the meantime, we decided to go…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Events, Opinion, rayhanania, Sports

Exelon, ComEd Crews Assist in Puerto Rico Recovery

January 29, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exelon, ComEd Crews Assist in Puerto Rico Recovery Employees to work in Puerto Rico over 60 days as part of a larger Exelon response As Puerto Rico continues to restore its energy system following the devastation of Hurricane Maria, ComEd is sending crews and equipment to assist in the restoration of power. ComEd is part…

National, News

WordPress Plugin problems (Updated regularly)

January 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

WordPress Plugin problems (Updated regularly) WordPress has the worst support forums. They’re very difficult to use. They are exclusive and they don’t like criticism at all. You can get booted off, if you can figure out how to post a question. It’s one of the downsides of using WordPress for your website. Usually, you don’t…

plugins, Technology