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

Orland Park withholds Finance and TIF audits and brings State censure

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Orland Park withholds Finance and TIF audits and brings State censure
Orland Park withholds Finance and TIF audits and brings State censure

Orland Park withholds Finance and TIF audits and brings State censure State Comptroller Susana Mendoza slaps the wrist of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau as TIFs, Taxes, and Audits continue to plague the Southwest suburban village, but is it enough? By Ray Hanania State Comptroller Susana Mendoza suspended the Village of Orland Park from the…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, construction, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Children rescued from abusive home, safe with dad

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Children rescued from abusive home, safe with dad

Children rescued from abusive home, safe with dad By Laura Reichel A father’s worst nightmare became reality after the mother of his two boys took his children from him to Oklahoma, where they were reportedly abused and neglected. The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd.’s legal team found them, brought them back home to…

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Arthur Kallow, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Law, News, NewsWire

Orland Park Police to Host Annual Seniors Luncheon

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Orland Park Police to Host Annual Seniors Luncheon

Orland Park Police to Host Annual Seniors Luncheon The Orland Park Police Department will host a complimentary luncheon for area seniors at noon on Monday, October 14 at the Orland Park Civic Center, located at 14750 S. Ravinia Avenue. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone again during this annual event,” said Chief of Police…

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Baby Boomers, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Collections fall after record south suburban property tax increases, Treasurer Pappas reports

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Collections fall after record south suburban property tax increases, Treasurer Pappas reports
Collections fall after record south suburban property tax increases, Treasurer Pappas reports

Collections fall after record south suburban property tax increases, Treasurer Pappas reports More property owners failed to pay their property taxes on time following record increases in south suburban residential tax bills this year, according to an analysis by the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. The spike in south suburban tax delinquencies, combined…

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

Senator Bernie Sanders praises  Vice President Harris’ Plan to Expand Medicare

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Senator Bernie Sanders praises  Vice President Harris’ Plan to Expand Medicare

Senator Bernie Sanders praises  Vice President Harris’ Plan to Expand Medicare Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders calls plan by Vice President Kamala Harris to expand Medicare a “bold vision” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday Oct 9, 2024, issued the following statement after Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a proposal to provide federal funding to…

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Health, National, News, NewsWire, Politics

Chicago City Council passes “Price Ordinance” protecting firefighters on rooftops

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Chicago City Council passes “Price Ordinance” protecting firefighters on rooftops
Chicago City Council passes “Price Ordinance” protecting firefighters on rooftops

Chicago City Council passes “Price Ordinance” protecting firefighters on rooftops The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance Wednesday Oct. 9, 2024 designed to protect Chicago firefighters when they battle blazes on the city’s rooftops and are confronted with potentially dangerous falling hazards like skylights and other roof openings.  Named the Price Ordinance, the legislation honors…

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Chicago, Fire, Government, News

Want to go paperless? eBilling lets you receive Cook County tax bills via email

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Want to go paperless? eBilling lets you receive Cook County tax bills via email

Want to go paperless? eBilling lets you receive Cook County tax bills via email By Maria Pappas Cook County property owners can sign up for eBilling for themselves or family members to receive property tax bills via email instead of print copies by snail mail. The eBilling option offers the convenience of allowing spouses to…

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Cook County, Environment, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Lipinski and Hanania analyze Vance-Walz VP Debate in video podcast

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Lipinski and Hanania analyze Vance-Walz VP Debate in video podcast

Lipinski and Hanania analyze Vance-Walz VP Debate in video podcast The vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday October 1, 2024 reminded people of a long past era in American politics where civility in discussion of issues overshadowed personal attacks that have polarized America pushing the country…

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Bill Lipinski, elections, Government, News, Opinion, rayhanania

School District 230 welcomes students to Board of Education Committees

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School District 230 welcomes students to Board of Education Committees

School District 230 welcomes students to Board of Education Committees Students from across Consolidated High School 230 are adding their voices to Board of Education committee meetings. Specifically, three students from each school have been selected to serve on each of the three Board of Education Committees – Education, Student Support & Development, and Building…

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Education, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

Orland Park mayor defends school district 230 chief who scolded colleague for raising TIF concerns

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Orland Park mayor defends school district 230 chief who scolded colleague for raising TIF concerns

Orland Park mayor defends school district 230 chief who scolded colleague for raising TIF concerns Mayor Keith Pekau used his eNewsletter to defend School District 230 President Lynn Zeder who attacked a school colleague for raising concerns about the impact Pekau’s 3 new TIFs will have on schools and property taxes By Ray Hanania Mayor…

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

Jiang Niu BBQ House in Orland Park, offers great food in a fun way

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Jiang Niu BBQ House in Orland Park, offers great food in a fun way

Jiang Niu BBQ House in Orland Park, offers great food in a fun way By Ray Hanania Jiang Niu BBQ House in Orland Park, 14651 S La Grange Road, has a fantastic menu with a great tasting Korean Chinese fusion food menu. But it goes one step further offering a fun way to enjoy it allowing…

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Blogger, Commentary, Features, food, Orland Park, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

Dad wins in court to protect daughter from dangerous household

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Dad wins in court to protect daughter from dangerous household

Dad wins in court to protect daughter from dangerous household By Laura Reichel One of the most important responsibilities a father has is protecting his children. It’s a powerful instinct. This week’s victory involves a father who took this responsibility very seriously when he and his daughter were presented with severe adversity. Chicago matrimonial attorney…

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Jeffery Leving, Law, News

High School District 230’s President Lynn Zeder should resign from the board

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High School District 230’s President Lynn Zeder should resign from the board

High School District 230’s President Lynn Zeder should resign from the board Opinion: District 230 President Lynn Zeder was aware of plans involving three TIF districts that will siphon hundreds of millions in property taxes from the district’s three high schools, but she has been publicly silent about it. Instead of addressing these TIFs, which…

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Blogger, Commentary, Education, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Inherit the Wind performance extended through Oct. 20 at The Goodman Theatre

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Inherit the Wind performance extended through Oct. 20 at The Goodman Theatre

Inherit the Wind performance extended through Oct. 20 at The Goodman Theatre It’s Opening Night and the verdict from Chicago audience is in: Inherit the Wind extended through Oct. 20 The jury of its peers finds Inherit the Wind at Goodman Theatre worthy of a one-week extension, adding six more performances of Henry Godinez’s major revival of Jerome Lawrence and Robert…

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Chicago, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Theater

Conforti Calls Out Congressman Sean Casten for Standing Against Women, Repeatedly

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Conforti Calls Out Congressman Sean Casten for Standing Against Women, Repeatedly

Conforti calls out Casten for standing against women, repeatedly Sean Casten votes NO on law to deport illegal aliens who engage in sex offense, especially against women, Casten regularly votes against women, putting them in harm’s way, candidate rival Niki Conforti alleges This week, Congressman Sean Casten voted ‘No’ on H.R. 7909, the “Violence Against…

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elections, Federal, Government, National, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, women

District 230 Board of Education appoints new member

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District 230 Board of Education appoints new member

District 230 Board of Education appoints new member The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education appointed Orland Park resident Chris Kasmer to serve out a vacant term of office until April 2025.  Kasmer serves as president of Carpenters Local 1027 and is in his 14th year as a trustee to the Chicago Transit…

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Education, News, NewsWire, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Bridgeview police arrest suspect in 2023 and 2024 Jewelry store heists

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Bridgeview police arrest suspect in 2023 and 2024 Jewelry store heists

Bridgeview police arrest suspect in 2023 and 2024 Jewelry store heists On July 13 2023, the Jawahir Jewelry store (8454 S. Harlem ) was the victim of an armed robbery.  On January 09 2024, the Jerusalem Jewelry store (9070 S. Harlem) was also robbed.  Both of these store suffered substantial losses.  Both of these occurrences…

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Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Releases

Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party
Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party

Apply for a refund yourself and keep the money you would have paid to a third party By Maria Pappas Some Cook County homeowners are bombarded with ads and solicitations from vendors offering help to obtain refunds on their property taxes. My office has about $93 million available in potential refunds for property tax overpayments…

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