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

Brian Faulkner named 2026-2027 president of the Illinois Principals Association

June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Brian Faulkner named 2026-2027 president of the Illinois Principals Association New elected officers listed below Brian Faulkner, principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School in Sugar Grove, Illinois, will serve as president of the Illinois Principals Association for the 2026–2027 school year. Faulkner has selected IPA’s theme for the year as “Unlocking Potential,” which will be…

Education, News, NewsWire

Hanania interviews Burt Odelson the best election and municipal attorney in America

June 27, 2026June 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hanania interviews Burt Odelson the best election and municipal attorney in America 06-27-26 Ray Hanania conducts a profile Interview of Attorney Burt Odelson interview Burton S. Odelson, a prominent Illinois attorney who has spent more than five decades specializing in municipal law, election law, school law, and local government representation. Video podcast below Burt Odelson…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Democrat, elections, Government, Law, National, News, NewsWire, Podcast, Politics, Republican, Suburban Chicagoland

Leving Team Recovered Missing Boy in Distant State

June 26, 2026June 26, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Recovered Missing Boy in Distant State By Laura Reichel A desperate dad called Attorney Jeffery M. Leving in a panic because his son was missing. Dad was terrified that he would never see his son again. It was alleged that the young boy had been whisked out of Illinois, and taken to an…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, News, news release, NewsWire, Radio

Libreria Cristiana Vida Nueva announces their Grand Re-Opening and Expansion Open House

June 25, 2026June 25, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Libreria Cristiana Vida Nueva announces their Grand Re-Opening and Expansion Open House “After almost 30 years of serving Chicago and for nearly 14 years in Belmont Cragin, this new chapter represents growth, faith, and gratitude. What began as a small Christian bookstore has continued to expand through God’s grace and the support of our community….

Books & Films, Business, Chicago, Events, Hispanics, News, NewsWire, Religion

The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know!

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! 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 the heart of the answer is something called the tax levy. Simply…

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

Leving Team Reunited Florida Dad with Young Daughter After Mother’s Tragic Death

June 18, 2026June 18, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Reunited Florida Dad with Young Daughter After Mother’s Tragic Death By Laura Reichel The Leving team was victorious in court, winning a very complex, tough and emotional case for dad. After their client’s young daughter’s mother tragically passed away and while the little girl was still grieving, the mother’s family members reportedly tried…

News

Village of Orland Park to Host Summer of Free Concerts at Centennial Park West

June 17, 2026June 17, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park to Host Summer of Free Concerts at Centennial Park West The Village of Orland Park invites residents and visitors to enjoy a summer filled with free live music at Centennial Park West (15609 Park Station Blvd). Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment at one of the…

Entertainment, Festival, News, NewsWire, Orland Park

Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Arab News columnist/writer Ray Hanania

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Arab News columnist/writer Ray Hanania Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Ray Hanania, columnist and writer with Arab News newspaper, the leading English language newspaper in the Gulf, and the Southwest Regional Press newspaper chain on Chicago’s Southwest and West side and suburbs. Hanania and Sims discusses politics and the issue of the…

Chicago, Commentary, Government, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Religion

Chicago Father Reunited with Son After Fierce Legal Battle

June 12, 2026June 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Father Reunited with Son After Fierce Legal Battle Chicago, IL – June 12, 2026 — A Chicago father has been reunited with his young son following a court order requiring the child’s return after he was taken across state lines. The case involved a married couple whose relationship separated several months earlier when the mother…

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

Orland Fire Officially Promotes new Fire Chief John Purtill and Command Staff

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Officially Promotes new Fire Chief John Purtill and Command Staff Deputy Chief John Purtill was sworn in Tuesday (June 9, 2026) as the new Fire Chief/Administrator for the Orland Fire Protection District at a ceremony held at the Orland Civic Center. OFPD Board President Beth Damas Kaspar opened the meeting, and she and…

Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District

Treasurer Maria Pappas to Unveil Indonesian Language Property Tax Guide

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas to Unveil Indonesian Language Property Tax Guide Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is inviting the public to the unveiling of her office’s newest multilingual property tax brochure. The tax guide has been translated into Indonesian and will be showcased during a special ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 11. The event will…

News

Treasurer Pappas to Host Philippine Independence Celebration Featuring Traditional Dance Following Daley Plaza Flag Raising Ceremony

June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Pappas to Host Philippine Independence Celebration Featuring Traditional Dance Following Daley Plaza Flag Raising Ceremony Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the Philippine Independence Week Committee will commemorate Philippine Independence with a reception on June 10 to honor distinguished Filipino American civic, business, cultural and community leaders whose contributions have strengthened Cook County and…

Cook County, Culture, Events, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Windy City Boat & Yacht Show Debuts June 12–14, 2026

June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Windy City Boat & Yacht Show Debuts June 12–14, 2026 Seasoned Boaters to Casual Cruisers are Invited to Celebrate the Boating Lifestyle at the Great Lakes’ Premier In-Water Boat Show in Downtown Chicago’s Burnham Harbor Tickets for the inaugural Windy City Boat & Yacht Show are on sale at WindyCityBYS.com. Produced by Informa, the world’s…

Events, News, NewsWire, Sports, Travel

Speaker Welch says keeping Bears Stadium in Illinois important

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Welch says keeping Bears Stadium in Illinois important The Illinois General Assembly, House and Senate, did not pass the key stadium bill before adjourning last week as public concern focused on proposals to pass tax breaks for the Bears organization which is extremely profitable and earned more than $600 million last year, according to…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Leving Team Restored Dad’s Place in Daughters’ Lives and Saved Him from Jail

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Restored Dad’s Place in Daughters’ Lives and Saved Him from Jail By Laura Reichel The Leving team secured a hard-fought court victory for a devoted dad who risked losing his freedom to fight for his two daughters after his ex filed a Petition for an Order of Protection against him. Desperate but unwilling…

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

More Than 100,000 Rideshare Drivers Win Union Rights in Illinois, Rideshare Drivers’ Union Bill

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

More Than 100,000 Rideshare Drivers Win Union Rights in Illinois, Rideshare Drivers’ Union Bill In final hours of 2026 Illinois Legislative Session…History Made as More Than 100,000 Rideshare Drivers Win Union Rights in Illinois, Rideshare Drivers’ Union Bill Heads to Governor Pritzker’s Desk. Landmark Illinois legislation builds on the momentum from the Massachusetts rideshare union…

Illinois Legislature, Law, News, NewsWire, Transportation, Union

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026 Audiences are Invited To Travel “Over the Rainbow” for this Timeless Journey with Familiar Characters and Oscar-Winning Music Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is…

Entertainment, Events, Features, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

Top Things to See and Experience at the Windy City Boat & Yacht Show

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Top Things to See and Experience at the Windy City Boat & Yacht Show New Premier In-Water Boat Show Launches This June 12–14, 2026 in Downtown Chicago’s Burnham Harbor The inaugural Windy City Boat & Yacht Show celebrates the boating lifestyle of the Great Lakes with an in-water showcase of cutting edge powerboats and elegant sailboats,…

Chicago, Entertainment, Events, Festival, News, NewsWire