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

Illinois Tollway awards nearly $19.8 million in Construction Contracts in May 2026

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Tollway awards nearly $19.8 million in Construction Contracts in May 2026 Nearly $233.9 million invested in 2026 for Move Illinois and Bridging the Future projects The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved three new construction contracts totaling nearly $19.8 million at its May Board meeting including work advanced as part of the Bridging…

construction, News, NewsWire, Transportation

Treasurer Maria Pappas Honors AANHPI Heritage Month by Recognizing Community Leaders with Live Music and Dance Celebration

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas Honors AANHPI Heritage Month by Recognizing Community Leaders with Live Music and Dance Celebration Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by recognizing community leaders, cultural advocates and business owners whose contributions strengthen Cook County and the greater Chicagoland region. The event will…

Culture, Events, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Hastings school safety measure “Alyssa’s Law” passes Senate

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings school safety measure “Alyssa’s Law” passes Senate State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on previous school safety legislation by passing a measure that would enable the use of mobile panic alert systems in Illinois schools. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of…

Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, safety, Senator Michael Hastings

Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital Expands Specialized Emergency Care for Older Adults

May 19, 2026May 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital Expands Specialized Emergency Care for Older Adults The Geriatric Emergency Department Initiative aims to improve care and outcomes for patients 65 years and older An initiative at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital is improving care and outcomes for older adults in the emergency department. The Geriatric Emergency Department Initiative (GEDI) program is designed…

Health, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Hosted Reception Following Haitian Flag Raising at Daley Plaza

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Hosted Reception Following Haitian Flag Raising at Daley Plaza Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted a reception Monday afternoon for Cook County’s Haitian community following the Flag Raising Ceremony in Daley Plaza. The celebration honored Haitian Heritage Month and Haitian Flag Day, observed annually on Monday, May 18, 2026. Haitian…

Culture, Events, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Centennial Park Aquatic Center Kicks Off Summer Season May 23

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Centennial Park Aquatic Center Kicks Off Summer Season May 23 Get ready to make a splash this summer! The Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC), located at 15600 West Avenue in Orland Park, officially opens for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23. The facility will open at 10 a.m. for members and 11 a.m. for…

Entertainment, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, youth

Orland Fire Protection District Seniors to host Barbecue July 1, 2026

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District Seniors to host Barbecue July 1, 2026 The Orland Fire Protection District Seniors Club will host a Senior BBQ Luncheon on Wednesday, July 1, 2027 to celebrate the nation’s 250th Anniversary in conjunction with the 4th of July. The BBQ on July 1 is open to Orland Fire District residents and…

Baby Boomers, Events, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Seniors

Chris Getty becomes first Independent Congressional Candidate to file for IL-4th Congressional District race with nearly 20,000 signatures

May 18, 2026May 18, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chris Getty becomes first Independent Congressional Candidate to file for IL-4th Congressional District race with nearly 20,000 signatures Lyons mayor’s historic petition drive signals grassroots demand for real representation after Democratic machine bypassed voters Declaring that “democracy only works when voters are given a real choice,” Mayor Chris Getty officially filed petitions Monday morning May…

elections, Federal, News, NewsWire, Politics, Regional Midwest

Obama Foundation Announces Hope and Change Lobby Naming at Presidential Center in Honor of President Obama’s 2008 Campaign

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Obama Foundation Announces Hope and Change Lobby Naming at Presidential Center in Honor of President Obama’s 2008 Campaign The Obama Foundation today announced the Hope and Change Lobby at the Obama Presidential Center, honoring the foundational ideas of President Obama’s 2008 campaign. The Hope and Change Lobby is made possible through the generous contribution by…

Chicago, Culture, Federal, News, NewsWire, Racism

Hastings leads effort to expand virtual dental care

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings leads effort to expand virtual dental care To expand access to dental care, State Senator Michael E. Hastings is carrying legislation designed to ensure patients can access virtual dental care safely while maintaining strong professional standards. “Whether it is because of a disability or lack of access to transportation, people often struggle to make…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Technology

Rainbow PUSH to Host National Forum on Voting Rights, Redistricting, and the Future of American Democracy

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rainbow PUSH to Host National Forum on Voting Rights, Redistricting, and the Future of American Democracy Congressman Cleo Fields, IL House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, and national leaders to convene in Chicago following landmark Supreme Court decision As national attention intensifies around the future of voting rights and…

Civil Rights, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Racism

Cardenas Urges Full Passage of 2026 Tax Relief for Families of Fallen Heroes, Calls on Eligible Spouses to Apply

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cardenas Urges Full Passage of 2026 Tax Relief for Families of Fallen Heroes, Calls on Eligible Spouses to Apply Chairman George Cardenas of the Cook County Board of Review today presented the Surviving Spouse Tax Abatement Recommendations for Tax Year 2026 to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, urging full passage and encouraging eligible families…

Cook County, News, NewsWire, Taxes, Veterans, Veterans Column

Leving Team Reunited Dad and Son After Cross-State Abduction

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Reunited Dad and Son After Cross-State Abduction By Laura Reichel The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. secured a powerful victory for a Chicago father and his young son—bringing a little boy home after he was reported to have been taken and hidden from his dad hundreds of miles away in Tennessee….

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire

Illegal Alien Sentenced to a Year in Federal Prison for Feloniously Assaulting Law Enforcement Officers During Arrest

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illegal Alien Sentenced to a Year in Federal Prison for Feloniously Assaulting Law Enforcement Officers During Arrest CHICAGO — An illegal alien residing in Aurora, Ill., has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for feloniously assaulting law enforcement officers during the execution of an arrest warrant. The assaults occurred on the afternoon of…

Crime, Federal, immigrant, Law, News, NewsWire, Police

Hastings landmark insurance reform passes Senate

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings landmark insurance reform passes Senate SPRINGFIELD — Capping off years of advocacy and negotiations, State Senator Michael E. Hastings carried legislation that would protect Illinois homeowners from unfair rate hikes similar to those endured in the last few years. “On behalf of my neighbors back home, I have made it my mission to get…

Insurance, News, NewsWire

Distributors and industry buyers of Middle Eastern and Arab foods to be featured at unique New Jersey convention

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Distributors and industry buyers of Middle Eastern and Arab foods to be featured at unique New Jersey convention Chicago, IL — The Global Products Expo will host its annual Middle East food specialty expo in New Jersey from June 22 through June 24, showcasing more than 360 sponsor booths and Arabian displays. Founder Issam Abdellatif…

Business, Culture, Events, food, General Topics, National, News, NewsWire, Recipes, Restaurant Review

United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros Hosts First-of-Its-Kind All Fed-Head Summit in Chicago

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros Hosts First-of-Its-Kind All Fed-Head Summit in Chicago Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today assembled the highest law enforcement leadership from the entire federal apparatus in the Chicagoland region for a historic, first-of-its-kind summit to discuss collaborative efforts to oversee important federal enforcement…

Crime, Law, News, NewsWire, U.S. Attorney

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Honors Mothers from Around the World in Downtown Office Celebration with Live Music and Awards

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Honors Mothers from Around the World in Downtown Office Celebration with Live Music and Awards Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted a special celebration honoring the enduring impact of mothers on Monday, May 11 at 2:00 p.m., in the Treasurer’s Office at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 112. Pappas recognized…

Cook County, Events, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Taxes, women