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

Gang member arrested in shooting of Cicero Police Officer Saturday

December 9, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gang member arrested in shooting of Cicero Police Officer Saturday Second non-random assault still under investigation Cicero, IL — A 19-year-old known street gang member has been arrested and charged in the shooting and injuring of a Cicero Police Officer in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 7. Suspect Giovanni A. Saldivar, 19, has…

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

Andrew High School makes Unified Sports history…again

December 9, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Andrew High School makes Unified Sports history…again Batman and Robin, Bert and Ernie, Buzz, and Woody have nothing on an incredible pair of students at Victor J. Andrew High School. T-Bolt seniors Scott Oftedahl and Montrell Sippel were recently selected to represent Special Olympic Illinois at Lobby Day in Washington D.C. It’s a known fact…

Cook County, Crime, Education, Festival, News, Sports, Tinley Park

Pekau Allies Removed from Electoral Board by Cook County Judge

December 7, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pekau Allies Removed from Electoral Board by Cook County Judge Two of the most vicious and controversial members of the Orland Park Village Board, Cindy Katsenes and Bill Healy, were ordered removed by a Cook County Judge from serving on the Village Election Board named by Mayor Keith Pekau to oversee a faulty challenge to…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Crime, elections, Festival, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Dad wins custody of child after defending false child abuse allegations

December 7, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad wins custody of child after defending false child abuse allegations By: Laura Reichel There are few feelings more painful in the world for a father than being falsely accused of abusing his own child – but that is indeed what happened to this loving dad. Chicago matrimonial attorney and Litigation Director Arthur Kallow of…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Crime, Festival, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio, Veterans

County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language

December 6, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language By Maria Pappas The property tax system can confound lifelong Cook County residents. Assessments, appeals, exemptions and other parts of the process can be difficult to understand. Now imagine you immigrated from a place that didn’t have property taxes. Many countries…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Culture, Festival, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Park Police Department Releases Thanksgiving Enforcement Numbers

December 5, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Police Department Releases Thanksgiving Enforcement Numbers The Orland Park Police Department conducted a traffic safety campaign from Nov. 22 to Dec. 2 aimed at reminding motorists to buckle up and drive sober. The “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization was carried out by the Orland Park Police…

Crime, Festival, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Veterans

Illinois Attorney General slams Orland Park for withholding critical information on unfiled annual audits

December 4, 2024April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois Attorney General slams Orland Park for withholding critical information on unfiled annual audits By Ray Hanania In another major setback for Keith Pekau, the besieged MAYOR of Orland Park in suburban Chicagoland, the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul ordered the village to release the correspondence between the village and its auditors. The issue surfaced…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Law, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Jaber urges Village Board to stop undermining the Orland Park Public Library system

December 4, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Jaber urges Village Board to stop undermining the Orland Park Public Library system Mohammed Jaber, Candidate for Orland Park Trustee in the Feb 25 and April 1 elections, steps up to defend the Orland Library from attacks by the Orland Park Village Board and Mayor Pekau. Orland Park, IL — Orland Park Trustee candidate Mohammed…

Crime, elections, Festival, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Leving legal team reunites father and son after rescuing boy

November 27, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving legal team reunites father and son after rescuing boy By Laura Reichel A distressed father in dire need turned to the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. for emergency help, after discovering that his ex had disappeared with his son. Dad had a twelve-year-old son with his child’s mother,…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Crime, Dads' Rights, Festival, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio, Veterans

Orland School District 135 turns sex abuse case involving 2 female students into victim shaming

November 23, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland School District 135 turns sex abuse case involving 2 female students into victim shaming By Ray Hanania Everyone remembers in January 2015 when an Elementary School District 135 teacher, Cara Labus, was arrested on charges of sexually abusing two young school girls, aged 14, beginning in 2008 in suburban Orland Park. The case was…

Blogger, Commentary, Education, Law, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, women

Video Podcast: Two Guys on Politics: JFK, Ukraine and ICC Arrest Warrants for Putin and Netanyahu

November 22, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Podcast: Two Guys on Politics: JFK, Ukraine and ICC Arrest Warrants for Putin and Netanyahu Co-Hosts Ray Hanania joins former Congressman Bill Lipinski on Two Guys on Politics to discuss Trump’s cabinet appointments and the decision by Matt Gaetz to withdraw as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney and to be replaced by…

Bill Lipinski, Comedy, Crime, Festival, Humor, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Ukraine, Videos

Leving team wins in court for dad and his daughters

November 22, 2024November 22, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving team wins in court for dad and his daughters By Laura Reichel The time a father spends with his children is both precious and important. It gives fathers the opportunity to bond with their children, show how much they care about them, create lifelong memories, and more importantly, protect them as only a father…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow

Comptroller’s Office comments on Pekau Administration’s “resolution”

November 21, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Comptroller’s Office comments on Pekau Administration’s “resolution” Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza responds to lies and exaggerations made by beleaguered Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and his rubber stamp board which has mishandled the village’s finances distinguishing themselves by being among only a few governments that have failed to file two annual financial audits in…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Serafin Power Poll shows anxiety over state economy, the issue that drove presidential election

November 20, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Serafin Power Poll shows anxiety over state economy, the issue that drove presidential election Monthly “Serafin Power Poll” puts finger on the issues driving elections, politics and public perceptions. Latest polls shows it was and is the economy, but how do influencers feel about it all. By Ray Hanania Political guru and veteran media consultant…

Chicago, Cook County, Economy, Features, National, News, Politics

Matrimonial Law Seminar: Protecting Marital Property in Retirement Plans

November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Matrimonial Law Seminar: Protecting Marital Property in Retirement Plans CHICAGO – 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 November 20th at 6:30 p.m. CST at 19 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago. This CLE seminar will focus on the…

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

Taxpayer advocate Mohammed Jaber files for Orland Park Village Trustee in 2025 elections

November 18, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taxpayer advocate Mohammed Jaber files for Orland Park Village Trustee in 2025 elections Orland Park, IL — Education leader Mohammed Jaber Friday announced he is running for Orland Park Village Trustee to break the “rubber stamp” that has driven increased village fees and property taxes and to restore the publics participation in local government that…

elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Candidate for Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge and slate file 4,236 petition signatures for April election

November 18, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Candidate for Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge and slate file 4,236 petition signatures for April election ORLAND PARK, IL – Mayoral candidate Jim Dodge and his slate filed 4,236 petition signatures today to nominate their new Orland Park for All Party for the April 1, 2025, municipal elections. This total significantly exceeds the required minimum…

elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Arab Americans honored by Treasurer Pappas as part of program recognizing all ethnic groups

November 16, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Arab Americans honored by Treasurer Pappas as part of program recognizing all ethnic groups By Ray Hanania Chicago, IL — Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, honored a dozen Arab Americans for their leadership and positive contributions to the community as a part of an overall commitment on her part to…

Chicago, Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes