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

Pritzker to give financial aid to illegal and undocumented students

January 6, 2020January 6, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker to give financial aid to illegal and undocumented students The governor’s directive will also provide state financial aid to transgender students. Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides qualifying students an opportunity to apply for MAP Grants For the first time in Illinois, eligible undocumented students and transgender students who are disqualified from federal financial…

Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Taxes

Chicago named “most welcoming city” for immigrants

January 5, 2020January 5, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago named “most welcoming city” for immigrants A study by the New American Economy, founded by corporate executives including Michael Bloomberg and Rupert Murdoch, shows that cities in the Midwest led in welcoming immigrants to their communities. The study focused on larger cities and Chicago was identified as the most welcoming. This year, according to…

Business, Chicago, General Topics, National, News

Movie remakes are always so disappointing

January 4, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Movie remakes are always so disappointing With all of the advances, instead of being creative, Hollywood is dumbing down, pandering to our old memories remaking movies instead of being creative with new concepts, new movies and new ideas. By Ray Hanania Imagine, they decided to do a remake-sequel of “Mary Poppins,” the memorable 1964 movie…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Movies, Opinion, Television, Theater

Hurley, Cunningham and O’Shea Host Local Seniors for New Year’s Eve at Noon Pizza Party

January 3, 2020January 3, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley, Cunningham and O’Shea Host Local Seniors for New Year’s Eve at Noon Pizza Party State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, recently partnered with Sen. Bill Cunningham and Ald. Matt O’Shea to host a New Year’s Eve at noon pizza party to give local seniors an opportunity to gather and celebrate New Year’s Eve safely. “My…

Chicago, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Chances of surviving heart attack the best in Orland Fire District

January 3, 2020August 29, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chances of surviving heart attack the best in Orland Fire District By Chief Michael Schofield Your chances of surviving a heart attack — cardiac arrest — in the region served by the Orland Fire Protection District are better than in most other regions in the country. This achievement has been recognized nationally and was the…

Editors Pick, Features, Fire, Government, National, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Tomasulo’s comedy show at Beverly Arts Center was hilarious

January 1, 2020July 12, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tomasulo’s comedy show at Beverly Arts Center was hilarious WGN TV Sports reporter Pat Tomasulo took his standup comedy to the Beverly Arts Center stage on New Year’s Eve entertaining two sold-out audiences with his unique and powerfully delivered with that I call hilarious sarcasm. Tomasulo had the audiences belly laughing without being able to…

Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, Humor, News, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Television

94 West one of the best restaurants in the Southwest Suburbs

December 31, 2019December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

94 West one of the best restaurants in the Southwest Suburbs If you are planning a celebration, there is no better place to do it over dinner than at one of the best restaurants in the Chicagoland suburbs, 94 West Restaurant, which is best known for its phenomenal steaks and seafood menus. 94 West boasts…

Blogger, Business, Commentary, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, food, Opinion, Orland Park, Recipes, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland, Travel

Tinley Park homes go all out with Christmas lighting

December 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tinley Park homes go all out with Christmas lighting I was never one to spend a lot of money or time decorating the outside of my home for Christmas like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but I envy the beauty and happiness decorations bring. This year, a home in Tinley Park, Illinois has…