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

Dingell Votes to Extend Protections for TPS Recipients, Dreamers

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dingell Votes to Extend Protections for TPS Recipients, Dreamers Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) voted in support of a bill passed by the House that will protect Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The American Dream and Promise Act provides Dreamers who came to the US as children and individuals with TPS a…

Government, News, Regional Midwest

Moraine Valley Speech Team earns national awards

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Moraine Valley Speech Team earns national awards The Moraine Valley Community College Speech Team earned five individual national titles and an overall team silver medal at the National Phi Rho Pi speech and debate tournament in Nevada. Awards were garnered by (back row from left) Natalie Jurcik, of Bridgeview, two gold medals; Jennifer Gutierrez, of…

Education, Features, News

Abele and Milwaukee County will make Bradford Beach “accessible.”

June 3, 2019June 4, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Abele and Milwaukee County will make Bradford Beach “accessible.” County Executive Chris Abele Monday June 3, 2019 joined Milwaukee County Parks, The Ability Center and community advocates to unveil plans to make Bradford Beach accessible for people with disabilities. Ramp Up, which is targeting a $100,000 fundraising goal, will increase accessibility to the beach through…

Environment, Government, News, Regional Midwest, Transportation, Travel

Charlotte Checkers beat Chicago Wolves in Game 2 of Calder Cup championship

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Charlotte Checkers beat Chicago Wolves in Game 2 of Calder Cup championship The Chicago Wolves erased a two-goal deficit in the second period, but fell to the Charlotte Checkers 5-3 in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals on Sunday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Center Gage Quinney scored two second-period goals while forward Keegan Kolesar…

News, Sports

Wolves take first game of Calder Cup Championship

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves take first game of Calder Cup Championship Chicago Wolves forward Stefan Matteau scored two goals, including the overtime game-winner, to lift the Wolves 4-3 over the Charlotte Checkers in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals on Saturday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Defensemen Zac Leslie and Zach Whitecloud also scored goals for Chicago (12-6)…

News, Sports

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget Legislative report: The Illinois General Assembly approved a bi-partisan budget on Saturday that Speaker Michael J. Madigan predicted will off-set much of the state’s outstanding deficits and shortfalls “Two years ago at this time, Illinois stood on the edge of a cliff. Billions of dollars in debt…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House The Illinois House approved the legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis, sale of recreational Marijuana (Cannabis), a vote appaluded by Gov. JB Pritzker. “The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation. This will have a transformational impact on our state,…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois New taxes will be disastrous for gas stations and convenience stores, particularly along border As lawmakers prepare to head home for the summer, one of their final acts before leaving the Capitol includes potentially doubling the state’s motor fuel tax and raising…