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 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, 2017December 19, 2025 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, Restaurant Review, restaurants

Suspect charged in killing of 16 year old at a Cicero park

December 22, 2017December 22, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Suspect charged in killing of 16 year old at a Cicero park Cicero Police have formally charged a suspect in the August 22, 2017 killing of a 16-year-old boy who was playing basketball with friends at a local Cicero Park when assailants confronted them and began shooting. The victim, Irving Estrada, 16, was taken to…

breaking news, Crime, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Merry Christmas, and clean up that garbage mess!

December 22, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Merry Christmas, and clean up that garbage mess! I live my life by certain principles and conduct and I think that everyone should respect some basic commonsense and acts of respect in our society. These are mine. By Ray Hanania I live my life by certain concepts. Don’t move next door to an airport and…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

23-year-old Berwyn man charged in DUI related deaths Oct. 9

December 21, 2017December 21, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

23-year-old Berwyn man charged in DUI related deaths Oct. 9 Charges were filed against Jordan Michalak, 23, of Berwyn, who on Oct. 9, 2017 struck another vehicle in Lyons at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 44th Street. The accident occurred at around 6:20 pm. Michalak will appear at Bridgeview today at 1:30 pm in…

breaking news, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Angeles Sandoval announces bid for 7th Dist. Cook County seat

December 15, 2017December 15, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Angeles Sandoval announces bid for 7th Dist. Cook County seat CHICAGO, IL — Surrounded by community leaders from the Southwest Side of Chicago, Democrat Angeles “Angie” Sandoval, formally announced her bid to become the next Cook County Commissioner of the 7th District. She will become the newest and only “Latina” on the Cook County Board….

News

Arab American Democratic Club urges Pritzker to apologize

December 13, 2017August 23, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab American Democratic Club urges Pritzker to apologize Arab Americans in Illinois called on gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker Wednesday to publicly apologize for insensitive comments he made in which he accused a Muslim American group of being “terrorists” when he ran for Congress in 1998. Arab American Democratic Club President Samir Khalil said the comment…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Breaking: Fatality in accident on 87th Street in Bridgeview

December 12, 2017December 13, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Breaking: Fatality in accident on 87th Street in Bridgeview An accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on the 87th Street Bridge between Oketo Avenue (about 7400 West) and 78th Avenue (7800 West) has closed off the street to all traffic, Bridgeview Police announced. The pedestrian (either walking or on a bicycle – it hasn’t…

breaking news, Crime, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Video Interview with veteran journalist Bruce DuMont

December 12, 2017September 8, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Interview with veteran journalist Bruce DuMont By Aaron Hanania Bruce DuMont was hooked by broadcast journalism when he was just 10 years old. His uncle Allen B. DuMont founded the DuMont Television Network and in 1968 became a producer for WGN 720 AM Radio. DuMont quickly rose to become a well known TV and radio…

Aaron Hanania, Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Lipinski Honors 2017 Senior Citizens of the Year

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski Honors 2017 Senior Citizens of the Year Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) announced the winners of the 2017 Senior Citizen of the Year Award during a special program yesterday in Hickory Hills. The winners were chosen based on their contributions to their communities in the Third Congressional District. “These individuals demonstrate on a daily basis…

Baby Boomers, Events, Government, News, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Five Southwest and West suburban communities named among state’s safest

December 11, 2017December 11, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Five Southwest and West suburban communities named among state’s safest Five Southwest and West suburban communities were named as being among the safest communities to live in the State of Illinois in a new survey released by SafeHome. The five communities listed in the state’s top 20 are Des Plaines (#6), Tinley Park (#8), Oak…

Crime, Government, National, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Severe limitations on Blue Tooth usage

December 10, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Severe limitations on Blue Tooth usage The computer industry is driven by greed rather than by a conscience of serving consumers the best quality products. Shortcomings are reflected in computer design, Blue Tooth ease of use, and even in the release of new iPhones. The old iPhones are being abandoned and users are experiencing delays,…

Blogger, Business, Commentary, Editors Pick, Opinion, rayhanania, Technology

Who are the Arabs of the Southwest Suburbs?

December 9, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Who are the Arabs of the Southwest Suburbs? The recent personal attacks against a trustee in Palos Township has sparked a discussion about who are the Arabs of Chicagoland. I have spent most of my life studying and writing about the American Arab community, authoring dissertations and studies on them at Northern Illinois and the…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Features, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

Prairie Fire in Orland Park put out by OFPD

December 8, 2017December 8, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Prairie Fire in Orland Park put out by OFPD The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a reported brush fire at 135th and Wolf Road on Friday. The fire call was reported at around 1:30 pm. On arrival, firefighters found an area of tall grass and brush burning. Fire response crews worked about 45 minutes…

breaking news, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

The bullying of Sharon Brannigan

December 7, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 6 Comments

The bullying of Sharon Brannigan Sharon Brannigan, a suburban Township politician who made some improper comparisons while arguing about immigration policy has suddenly become the target of the protesters against anti-Muslim, anti-Arab racism. But in their protests, they have turned into bullies who yell, scream, and disrespect the image of what Arabs are all about. And…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Exorbitant Hamilton tickets reflect founding father’s life

December 5, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exorbitant Hamilton tickets reflect founding father’s life “Hamilton: The Satirical.” More tickets were announced available this week to the politically partisan Broadway musical “Hamilton: An American Musical.” But only the super rich will be able to afford seats that allows them to see the whole stage and even the cheap, obstructed seats will still cost…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, National, Opinion, rayhanania, Theater