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

Third-party notices tell you if a relative or anyone you know misses a tax payment

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Third-party notices tell you if a relative or anyone you know misses a tax payment By Maria Pappas Each year, thousands of property owners in Cook County are late paying their taxes, putting their homes in danger of being included in the annual state-mandated tax sale. That’s a problem we want to help you avoid. …

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

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting its annual Toy Drive for needy families and children. The Toy drive collections are located at all 6 of the OFPD Fire Stations and the Fire Administration Building, where toy donations can be dropped off. The OFPD Toy…

Features, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Kidnapped Son Reunited with Dedicated Dad

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Kidnapped Son Reunited with Dedicated Dad By: Laura Reichel A devoted young father’s world was shattered when, in the midst of a painful separation, his son was suddenly taken from him by the child’s mother, leaving him feeling discarded and dismissed. According to court documents, she moved their elementary school-age son far away and out…

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

Orland Fire Protection District promotes two firefighters Thursday Nov. 6, 2025

November 8, 2025November 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District promotes two firefighters Thursday Nov. 6, 2025 OFPD, IL – Two firefighters were promoted by the Orland Fire Protection District during ceremonies administered by the Orland Fire Commission at a meeting held on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Firefighter James Schultz was promoted to the rank of Engineer, and Eric Petravich was…

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

Emagine Theatres invite veterans and military to watch movies for free on Veteran’s Day

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Emagine Theatres invite veterans and military to watch movies for free on Veteran’s Day Emagine Theatres Honoring Veterans Day with FREE Admission Emagine Entertainment will once again be recognizing and honoring military service members by inviting them and a guest to see a movie of their choice for FREE on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. For…

Entertainment, Movies, News, NewsWire, Veterans, Veterans Column

Illinois sees 7th highest rise in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois sees 7th highest in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise With household debt reaching $18.59 trillion in Q3 2025, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its rankings of the States With the Largest & Smallest Debt Increases, based on new data from TransUnion and the Federal Reserve, to highlight where people may…

Economy, Illinois Legislature, National, News, NewsWire

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration Mamdani’s transition opens application process to receive applicants interested in serving in the Mamdani Administration Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team launched on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 the Transition 2025 resume portal for applicants of all experience levels to help build an administration of public…

Civil Rights, Culture, elections, Government, News, Politics

Leving Team Protected Dad’s Liberty and Preserved His Place in His Children’s Lives

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Protected Dad’s Liberty and Preserved His Place in His Children’s Lives By Laura Reichel A desperate Chicago dad found himself living a horrible nightmare. His ex had filed a Petition for an Emergency Order of Protection against him, taken his children away, and left him facing the terrifying possibility of incarceration. He didn’t…

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

Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week

November 5, 2025November 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week The Village of Orland Park is celebrating Thanksgiving with a week full of turkey-themed activities, including the Kids’ Turkey Trot and Diaper Dash, Turkey Shoot Free-Throw Contest and the 37th Annual Turkey Trot. “Thanksgiving week in Orland Park is all about community, family, and tradition,” said Mayor Jim…

Events, Features, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee The Orland Fire Protection District, at its regular meeting on Oct. 28, 2025, officially welcomed the newly appointed Fire Chief, Kevin Doyle. Doyle was welcomed to his first official meeting by Board President Beth Damas Kaspar and the Fire Trustees, and he…

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

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers in recent years have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These changes underscore our commitment to support veterans in Cook County and…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings’s insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in Illinois homeowners insurance. “With this legislation, we are putting fairness and accountability back into the system,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Here is what this means…

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Estimated 153,000 Federal Workers in Illinois to be impacted by government shutdown Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is committing $50 million to fund zero-interest and low-interest loans to unpaid federal workers during the government shutdown. The loans will be…

Economy, Federal, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics

Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Journalist and social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh responds to the indictments against her and others in protesting against ICE arrests in Chicagoland A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted six individuals for allegedly forcibly impeding…

Civil Rights, Crime, elections, Federal, Government, immigrant, News, NewsWire, Politics

Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad By Laura Reichel A frightened dad called Chicago attorney and fathers’ rights advocate Jeffery M. Leving for help after his worst fears came true: his ex took his eight-year-old daughter from him and vanished. Dad feared his little girl was at risk and that he…

News

Mayor Getty showcases “unity” in contrast to “deeply polarized” nation

October 30, 2025November 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Getty showcases “unity” in contrast to “deeply polarized” nation Lyons Mayor Chris Getty on Saturday, October 25th welcomed more than 500 people to a fundraiser and rally for the United Citizens Party, showcasing the community’s unity in contrast to the deep divisions of the nation’s political polarization. This is the 15th year of the breakfast…

elections, News, Politics, Village of Lyons

Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families

October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families State Senator Michael E. Hastings was joined at a press conference Wednesday by Senators Willie Preston, Paul Faraci, Meg Loughran Cappel, Christopher Belt, and Doris Turner to announce new legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency,…

Business, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat

October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat By Ray Hanania Mahnoor Ahmad, who challenged ineffective Congressman Sean Casten in 2024 for the Democratic nomination, announced this week that she has filed for the office of the DuPage County Board seat in the 2nd District. Ahmad has a long history of public service and working…

Democrat, DuPage, elections, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland