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

Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort

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Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort

Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced today that his advocacy efforts have led to the successful award of a $1.6 million grant to fund the construction of a new multi-use path in the Village of Frankfort. The grant was awarded under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement…

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

Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations

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Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations

Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office are working to improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations. “In missing persons cases, every second and small piece of information is paramount,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This legislation works to give law…

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Crime, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Police, Senator Michael Hastings

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Family Law Cases

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Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Family Law Cases

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Family Law Cases The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on May 21st at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 225 W. Wacker Drive in Chicago. The keynote CLE speaker, distinguished matrimonial Managing…

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Jeffery Leving, Law, News

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

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The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas After analyzing over 2 million Cook County property tax appeals filed between 2021 and 2023, researchers in my office uncovered a troubling trend: the system shifted nearly $2 billion in…

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

Chicago dad reunited with missing daughters

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Chicago dad reunited with missing daughters

Chicago dad reunited with missing daughters By: Laura Reichel A father who was happily raising his teenage daughters faced his worst nightmare – his children were gone. Terrified for his daughters’ safety, dad called attorney Jeffery Leving for help. The Leving legal team fought for dad in and out of court and won, reuniting dad…

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

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager

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Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager Mayor Pro Tem announced, Downtown Orland Park development reviewed The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the appointment of George Koczwara as Orland Park Village Manager, following a special meeting held on May 12, 2025. Koczwara, who previously served as Orland Park’s Village…

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Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues

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Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues We Won’t Go Back, the latest novel from award-winning author Charlene Wexler, has been published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Wexler’s Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb…

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Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, Entertainment, News, NewsWire

Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024

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Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024

Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024 Olivia and Liam are once again America’s most popular baby names of the year. 2024 marks the sixth consecutive year that families chose to stick with both familiar names. Also, for the sixth consecutive year, Emma took the second slot for girls, and Noah for…

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Baby Boomers, Culture, News, NewsWire, women

Dad who feared losing son forever, won in court, keeping son in the U.S. 

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Dad who feared losing son forever, won in court, keeping son in the U.S. 

Dad who feared losing son forever, won in court, keeping son in the U.S.  By Laura Reichel An Illinois father wanted to keep his little boy from being ripped from his loving home and whisked out of the country, where he feared he’d never see his son again. Desperate, he called attorney Jeffery Leving for…

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

Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of  Trump’s Targeted Cuts

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Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of  Trump’s Targeted Cuts

Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of  Trump’s Targeted Cuts Chicago is seeing some of its lowest homicide numbers since 1962, according to the City of Chicago. In April, 20 homicides were recorded. That brings the total number of people slain to 116, which are 35 people fewer than last year. One…

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Chicago, Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Police

​Orland Fire District elects woman Board President

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​Orland Fire District elects woman Board President

​Orland Fire District elects woman Board President Orland Fire Protection District Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, who recently won re-election to a six-year term as Trustee, was elected on Tuesday (May 5, 2025) to serve as the Fire District’s first woman Board President in the past two decades. Damas Kaspar was sworn into her second term along…

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breaking news, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Photos, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin

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Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin

Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin Congresswoman Robin Kelly announces her candidacy to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Kelly has one of the strongest public service records, introducing legislation to support not only her constituents in the 2nd Congressional District, but is viewed as a more popular candidate…

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Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, elections, News, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners

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The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners

The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners Nearly $2 billion in property taxes shifted onto homeowners from businesses over just three years, with a disproportionate share of the added burden falling on lower-income Black and Latino homeowners, a first-of-its-kind analysis by the Treasurer’s…

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breaking news, Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Lyons Township Democrats celebrate public support at annual fundraiser

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Lyons Township Democrats celebrate public support at annual fundraiser

Lyons Township Democrats celebrate public support at annual fundraiser Officials of the Lyons Township Democratic Organization celebrated their growing public support at a fundraiser Thursday at the American Legion Hall in La Grange. Lyons Township Democratic Committeeman Steve Landek and Township Supervisor Christopher Getty welcomed the attendees at the event, which was themed to celebrate…

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Bridgeview, Events, Mike Porfirio, News, NewsWire, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

Registration opens May 9 for Orland Fire Kids Camp and Jr Cadet Programs

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Registration opens May 9 for Orland Fire Kids Camp and Jr Cadet Programs

Registration opens May 9 for Orland Fire Kids Camp and Jr Cadet Programs Registration will open on May 9 for two programs designed to help young children and teenagers learn about the role of Fire Fights. The two programs include the Kids Fire and Life Safety Camp, where children aged 8 to 12 years old…

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Events, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

Cicero police arrest suspect in 2016 murder of Julio Servin

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Cicero police arrest suspect in 2016 murder of Julio Servin

Cicero police arrest suspect in 2016 murder of Julio Servin The Cicero Police Department announces an arrest in connection with the 2016 murder of Julio Servin. On August 21, 2016, officers responded to a report of shots fired near 5539 W. Cermak Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered 22-year-old Julio Servin lying in the roadway with…

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Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Town of Cicero

Fiscal Voices candidates to take Oath of Office for Trustee for Orland Fire District Monday

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Fiscal Voices candidates to take Oath of Office for Trustee for Orland Fire District Monday

Fiscal Voices candidates to take Oath of Office for Trustee for Orland Fire District Monday The Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety candidates will be sworn in to their seats as Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District at a special meeting of the Fire District on Monday, May 5, 2025, beginning at 5 PM. Taking…

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elections, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday

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Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday

Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined May Day Celebrations, May 1, 2025, and spoke at the rally in support of workers’ rights and immigration On Thursday, May 1st, Commissioner Aguilar attended the May Day celebrations in Chicago. Commissioner Aguilar spoke to attendees about…

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Civil Rights, Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland