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

Opinion: Edgar County Watchdogs continue to exaggerate and lie for political pals

June 8, 2025December 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Edgar County Watchdogs continue to exaggerate and lie for political pals The so-called “newspaper” the “Edgar County Watchdogs” (Illinois Leaks) continue to publish misleading and distorted information pimping for their political pals and cronies to attack anyone they disagree with. The website can’t get its facts right, and it twists and distorts FOIA information…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Orland Fire Protection District, Politics

Federal Jury in Chicago convicts man of robbing bank in Lake County, Ill.

June 8, 2025June 8, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Federal Jury in Chicago convicts man of robbing bank in Lake County, Ill. Francisco Martinez entered a First Midwest Bank branch in Round Lake, Ill., on Dec. 20, 2021, and handed the teller a folded piece of paper that read, “40k, 30 seconds, no tricks, go now.” Martinez then raised his shirt, showing what appeared…

Crime, Federal, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House June 28

June 6, 2025July 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House June 28 The Orland Fire Protection District will host its annual Open House on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 11 am at the Fire District Training Center, 10728 W 163rd St, Orland Park. The event features live demonstrations of situations firefighters often face, from fighting fires to rescues…

Education, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Gay Community endorses Robin Kelly for the U.S. Senate

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gay Community endorses Robin Kelly for the U.S. Senate Nearly 70 leaders in the state’s LGBTQIA+ community today announced their endorsement of Robin Kelly for United States Senate. A champion of the LGBTQIA+ community, Kelly is committed to advancing legislation in Congress that ensures all Illinoisans receive the same rights no matter who they are…

Civil Rights, elections, Federal, National, News, NewsWire, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Level Up your Reading Game with the Oak Lawn Public Library

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Level Up your Reading Game with the Oak Lawn Public Library The Oak Lawn Public Library began its youth and adult summer reading programs on Sunday, June 1 under iRead’s “Level Up at Your Library” theme. Patrons can sign up at olpl.beanstack.org to earn prizes by logging their reading through Friday, August 1 and partake…

Education, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Subject Arrested in Connection with Fatal Orland Park Traffic Crash

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Subject Arrested in Connection with Fatal Orland Park Traffic Crash The Orland Park Police Department Thursday, June 5, 2025, announced the arrest of Robert Barajar of Tinley Park in connection with the fatal collision that occurred in the early morning hours of May 31, 2025, at 15900 S. Harlem Avenue, Orland Park. At approximately 3:13…

Crime, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Police, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Dad’s victory protected son’s academic future

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad’s victory protected son’s academic future By Laura Reichel A concerned father found himself in a stressful situation after he discovered that his ex didn’t enroll their son back in school. Worried about his son’s future, dad called the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. for help. They fought for dad and his son…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Quick News

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas plans to postpone the Annual Tax Sale for seven months, during which time she hopes to work with legislators on comprehensive property tax foreclosure reform measures. At Pappas’s urging, the Illinois General Assembly last week passed legislation that allows…

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez blindly defends Israel at expense of truth

June 3, 2025June 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez blindly defends Israel at expense of truth Once a champion of the victims of racism, defending Arab American and Muslim store owners against the discriminatory policies of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez has since flipped, replacing morality with political exploitation, blindly defending Israel’s government violence in Gaza to…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania

Roseland Ceasefire Holds First Fundraiser to Kickoff National Anti-Violence Prevention Month

June 2, 2025June 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Roseland Ceasefire Holds First Fundraiser to Kickoff National Anti-Violence Prevention Month Even though this weekend saw the murder of one person and 15 others wounded, gun violence is down overall. Just last week, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was touting the good news this year’s Memorial Day weekend saw in gun violence reduction. According to Chicago…

Chicago, Crime, Culture, News, Police, Racism

Goodman Theatre announces a Summer 2025 line-up for all ages and interests

June 2, 2025June 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Goodman Theatre announces a Summer 2025 line-up for all ages and interests Book up! Theater for the very young (ages 0-5) in 12 Chicago parks (july 23 – aug.10); TJ and Dave improv sensation returns (july 24-26); 4th annual sweetest season gathering of indigenous creativity (august 1-2); and free readings of new plays by Satya Jnani Chávez…

Entertainment, Features, News, Theater

Hastings supports organ donation leave for working people

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings supports organ donation leave for working people State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a measure through the Illinois Senate to ensure taking time off work to donate an organ doesn’t put workers’ livelihoods at risk. “Donating an organ is a beautiful and selfless act,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Workers need to be treated with respect,…

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! By Maria Pappas Since I first stepped into my office 27 years ago, one question has repeatedly come up: “Why do my property taxes always go up?” It’s a valid concern. At…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting two significant pharmacy bills aimed at protecting patient access to pharmacies and health care services by hospitals engaged in the federal 340B program. “Excessive and flat-out unfair prices are being set on prescription drugs with no accountability,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort)….

Baby Boomers, Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Seniors

Chicago dad’s court victory protected sons from danger

May 29, 2025May 29, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago dad’s court victory protected sons from danger By Laura Reichel A terrified Chicago dad feared for his children’s safety after it was reported his ex threatened to take his children away from him and kill him. Feeling compelled to protect his little boys, dad immediately called attorney Jeffery Leving for help in keeping his…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, News

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026 President Obama visited Chicago for the past couple of days to discuss planning and details for the Obama Presidential Center, ranging from the dining experience to testing various museum exhibits to touring the museum site. As part…

construction, Culture, Federal, National, News, NewsWire, Politics

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed the House of Representatives with the unwavering support of Illinois Republicans. A big thank you to Congressman Darin LaHood, Congressman Mike Bost, and Congresswoman Mary Miller for their leadership. This landmark legislation locks in key provisions of the Tax Cuts…

Democrat, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Republican, Taxes

Chicago dad’s court victory kept sons safe at home

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago dad’s court victory kept sons safe at home By Laura Reichel A terrified Chicago dad feared losing his children forever after their mother threatened to take them from him. Dad was horrified at possibly losing his boys forever. The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. fought for them in court and won, safeguarding…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News