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

World Music Festival celebrates cultural diversity Sept 8 – 24

June 30, 2017June 30, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

World Music Festival celebrates cultural diversity Sept 8 – 24 19th ANNUAL WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL CHICAGO ANNOUNCES HIGHLIGHT PERFORMANCES OF DIVERSE INTERNATIONAL MUSICIANS CELEBRATING THE RICH CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER 8–24 Headliners and highlights include Salif Keita, an all-night Ragamala featuring Anindo Chatterjee, Satish Vyas, Alam Khan and a special debut of the Bharath Symphony…

Entertainment, Features, News

Lipinski announces grants for two suburban Fire Districts

June 30, 2017September 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski announces grants for two suburban Fire Districts Congressman Dan Lipinski Announces $143,182 Grant for Orland Fire Protection District, and $861,280 Grant for Burbank Fire Department Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) announced that the Orland Fire Protection District has been awarded $143,182 andBurbank Fire Department has been awarded $861,280, both the through the Department of Homeland…

News

Media plays fast and loose with healthcare facts

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

Media plays fast and loose with healthcare facts It’s hard enough to understand America’s healthcare system without the mainstream news media abandoning a helpful role and instead using the issue to advance its own partisan political agendas. Healthcare is so important and yet the news media and both political parties are twisting facts to spin…

Editors Pick, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Illinois should loosen up its restrictions on fireworks

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

Illinois should loosen up its restrictions on fireworks I boiled eggs the other day on the stove, and when I was done, I was smart enough not to put my hand on the grill cover where the eggs were boiled. So, I didn’t get hurt. Why is lighting a sparkler or a few bottle rockets,…

Entertainment, Opinion, rayhanania

Troopathon to send care packages to our troops overseas

June 28, 2017June 28, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Troopathon to send care packages to our troops overseas 10th Annual Fundraiser Partners Join Pro-Troop Movie Stars, Athletes, Musicians, Radio and TV Personalities Move America Forward, the nation’s largest pro-troop grassroots organization, announces their 10th star-studded live fundraiser that sends care packages to American troops deployed in war zones overseas.Troopathon is proud to partner with NewsMaxTV, Wounded Warriors and Rogers Family Coffee to…

Events, News, Veterans

It’s our obligation, not politics, to support our Police

June 26, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

It’s our obligation, not politics, to support our Police The Village of Orland Park this year is distributing new vehicle stickers that salute the dedication and service of the nation’s Police. Police have come under attack because a few members have committed criminal, violent acts against civilians, unjustly killing suspects or asserting excessive violence in…

Crime, Editors Pick, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Owners of Remodeled Cicero Bar Commend Restore Construction

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Owners of Remodeled Cicero Bar Commend Restore Construction By Staff Contributors, News Wire The owners of a 100-year old bar that had been a center of nightlife in the Town of Cicero until it was damaged by fire last year indicated that Restore Construction not only saved their building but also gave their future new…

Features, News

Performances announced for 2nd annual Chicago Open Air Fest July 14 – 16

June 20, 2017August 20, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Performances announced for 2nd annual Chicago Open Air Fest July 14 – 16 Featuring KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn & More, ReverbNation Battle Of The Bands Contest Is Now Open, Allowing One Unsigned Band To Take The Festival Stage, Loudwire Premieres New Installment In “The Vikings Are Coming!” Animated Video Series Performance times have been announced for the 40-plus bands…

Entertainment, Events, Festival, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Movement to bring peace comes to Chicagoland July 2

June 20, 2017June 20, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Movement to bring peace comes to Chicagoland July 2 By Frank Aguilar (contributing writer) Mario Nieves was 28 when he set out on his motorcycle in 1977 to carry a message of peace, brotherhood and respect traveling through 23 nations including in North and South America, Europe and the Middle East. Now, 40 years later,…

Events, News, Travel

Mainstream news media does not run America

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

Mainstream news media does not run America The mainstream news media is an industry driven by hypocrisy, power and greed, but it does not and should not be the force that defines America. It is the symbol of the American foundation of free speech, but in recent years has become a driving force behind political…

Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Liberty Run, Music, Swimming & Fireworks highlight Orland Park July 4th Festivities

June 19, 2017September 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Liberty Run, Music, Swimming & Fireworks highlight Orland Park July 4th Festivities The Village of Orland Park will host a number of events to celebrate America’s birthday. “Orland Park coming together as a community to celebrate America’s birthday is a longstanding part of the village’s history,” said Mayor Keith Pekau. “Those of us who grew…

Events, Festival, News

Who is Rauner trying to fool?

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

Who is Rauner trying to fool? Failed Gov. Bruce Rauner is doing his best to mislead Illinois residents while making poor choices that put the interests of criminals above the interests of hardworking taxpayers, families and youth. By Ray Hanania Last week, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner plagiarized a bill proposed by Democratic Cook County Sheriff…

Editors Pick, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

DuPage accuses Muslim woman of forging election petitions

June 15, 2017November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

DuPage accuses Muslim woman of forging election petitions Lisle Woman Accused of Forging Petitions for Seat on COD Board of Trustees DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that Rafath Waheed, 61 (d.o.b. 7/21/1955) of 6193 Hickory Drive, Lisle, has been charged with submitting forged petitions to earn a seat on the College…

Crime, DuPage, News

Joliet man who killed mother pleads guilty to murder

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Joliet man who killed mother pleads guilty to murder Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that a Joliet man who choked his mother to death and dumped her body in the Des Plaines River near the Brandon Road Lock and Dam pleaded guilty Monday just as jury selection for his trial was scheduled to…

Crime, News, Releases

Stash of fireworks confiscated at Lemont Township home

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Stash of fireworks confiscated at Lemont Township home Thousands of pounds of fireworks recovered by Cook County Sheriff’s Police at Lemont Township residence More than 4,000 pounds of fireworks and materials to create fireworks were recovered at a residence in unincorporated Lemont, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Wednesday, June 14, 2017. At approximately…

News

Activist Mark Allen launches new internet radio show

June 14, 2017January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Activist Mark Allen launches new internet radio show The New Mark Allen Internet Talk Show ‘HEAR MY VOICE’ Broadcasts LIVE on Wednesday June 14th @ 1:00 PM (CST) on URBAN BROADCAST MEDIA NETWORK www.urbanbroadcastmedia.com ‘HEAR MY VOICE’ is now the title of a new commentary and talk show to be heard locally and nationally and…

News, Politics, Releases

O’Neill comedy “Ah, Wilderness” opens June 17 at Goodman Theater

June 13, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Eugene O’Neill’s comedy “Ah, Wilderness” opens June 17 at Goodman Theater AH, WILDERNESS!, EUGENE O’NEILL’S “WELCOME DOSE OF LOVE AND LAUGHTER” (LA TIMES), BEGINS SATURDAY, JUNE 17. STEVE SCOTT DIRECTS THE RARELY-PRODUCED COMING-OF-AGE COMEDY WITH A CAST OF CHICAGO FAVORITES, AND NIALL CUNNINGHAM AND AYSSETTE MUÑOZ AS THE LOVE-STRUCK YOUNG COUPLE. Experience the fireworks of love—first…

Entertainment, News, Releases

Vino & Vintage festival at Candlewick Lake

June 10, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Vino & Vintage festival at Candlewick Lake One of my favorite shows is American Pickers starring antique masters Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, but the next best thing is actually browsing through real vintage antiques and household items that are over 100 years old. So it was a lot of fun Saturday to inspect and peruse…

Features, Opinion, Photos, rayhanania