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

Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19

May 24, 2020May 24, 2020 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19 Maintaining social distancing and meeting at the Bank of Springfield Building, a multi-purpose arena that holds 80,000, the Illinois House approved a $42.6 billion budget to provide support to victims of the coronavirus and ensuring that statewide services to residents continues, ending an 11-week recess forced by…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

“Sweet Home Chicago” Telethon to feature Mike Ditka, Chicago “Superfans” Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel

May 22, 2020May 22, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

“Sweet Home Chicago” Telethon to feature Mike Ditka, Chicago “Superfans” Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel Joining host Deon Cole and a list of celebrities, the telethon will feature appearances by Zach LaVine and Patrick Kane along with sports legends Horace Grant, Joe Maddon, Ryne Sandberg, Brian Urlacher And other members of the Bulls,…

coronavirus, Entertainment, News, Television

Gov. Pritzker authorizes restaurants to operate open air seating beginning May 29

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker authorizes restaurants to operate open-air seating beginning May 29 Restaurants and bars will be permitted beginning May 29 to provide open-air seating to customers as long as tables are at least six feet apart. The idea has been circulating among legislators who have been working to find ways to ease the burden that…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Travel

Illinois House adopts COVID-19 guidelines in advance of meeting

May 19, 2020May 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois House adopts COVID-19 guidelines in advance of meeting House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Tuesday: “Last week when I announced the House would return to Springfield, I asked all members to commit to safety precautions approved and guided by the Illinois Department of Public Health to help prevent the spread of…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park

May 19, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is a nasty bully who can’t take any criticism but has one quality: he can turn friends into enemies faster than any politician I have met in 45 years. Monday (May 18, 2020), Pekau threatened to take Pritzker to court after bashing…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Treasurer Maria Pappas postpones collections to help coronavirus victims

May 18, 2020July 5, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas postpones collections to help coronavirus victims Video Interview Below: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has launched an initiative to help taxpayer san property owners who have been economically impacted negatively by the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Treasurer’s office will extend the period by two months in which property owners can pay their…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Editors Pick, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Videos

Coronavirus testing site opens in Orland Park

May 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Coronavirus testing site opens in Orland Park UChicago Medicine opens third drive-up testing clinic for COVID-19. Orland Park testing launches; Appointment-only services available to the public The University of Chicago Medicine is expanded its curbside COVID-19 testing to its Orland Park outpatient location, adding a third drive-up clinic for the Chicagoland community. The health system’s Orland…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Orland Park

Orland home fire on Beacon Tuesday, May 12th

May 16, 2020May 16, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland home fire on Beacon Tuesday, May 12th The Orland Fire District responded to the 143 block of Beacon in the Old Orland Historic District for a reported structure fire on Tuesday, May 12. Upon arrival, Battalion 6 found a two-story wood frame building with smoke coming from the rear of the structure. The alarm…