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

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

Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing practice management software

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing practice management software
Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing practice management software

Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Utilizing practice management software 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 September 19th at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 19 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago. Experienced matrimonial Managing Attorney Jeffrey Paustian will be the…

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Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Suspect arrested in connection with aggravated vehicular hijacking, carjacking, in Orland Park

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Suspect arrested in connection with aggravated vehicular hijacking, carjacking, in Orland Park

Suspect arrested in connection with aggravated vehicular hijacking, carjacking, in Orland Park On June 6, 2024, the Orland Park Police Department responded to a call of an aggravated vehicular hijacking at the Mercedes-Benz of Orland located at 8430 W. 159th St. The victim, a vehicle transporter, was preparing to load a black 2021 Mercedes-Benz onto…

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Cook County, Crime, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Judge grants struggling father relief from ‘unconscionable’ pre-nuptial agreement

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Judge grants struggling father relief from ‘unconscionable’ pre-nuptial agreement

Judge grants struggling father relief from ‘unconscionable’ pre-nuptial agreement By: Laura Reichel Prenuptial agreements are meant to lay out how individuals entering a marriage will divide their assets in case of divorce. While the main goal is to protect an individual’s assets in case of divorce, there are times when they are used to take…

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Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities

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Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities By Maria Pappas State lawmakers have made it easier for people with disabilities to continue receiving property tax relief on an annual basis. Cook County homeowners who receive the Persons with Disabilities Exemption no longer have to reapply for the benefit every year….

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

Katsenes and Pekau are angry that I blew the whistle on their TIF district threat to taxpayers

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Katsenes and Pekau are angry that I blew the whistle on their TIF district threat to taxpayers

Katsenes and Pekau are angry that I blew the whistle on their TIF district threat to taxpayers By Ray Hanania 09-04-24 The dangers of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s secretive TIF district proposals I am not surprised Orland Park Trustee Cindy Katsenes, a local realtor with Village Realty, attacked me personally at the Village Board…

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

Orland Fire District hosts Open House Saturday 11 AM to 2 PM with live emergency/life saving demonstrations

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Orland Fire District hosts Open House Saturday 11 AM to 2 PM with live emergency/life saving demonstrations

Orland Fire District hosts Open House Saturday 11 AM to 2 PM with live emergency/life saving demonstrations The Orland Fire Protection District will host its annual Open House on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 AM until 2 PM featuring live demonstrations in fighting fires and engaging in life-saving rescues. The Open House is one of…

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Cook County, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

New school year challenges also provide a chance for parents and children to start fresh

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New school year challenges also provide a chance for parents and children to start fresh

New school year challenges also provide a chance for parents and children to start fresh By Jeffery M. Leving SM The start of the new school year comes with anxiety for too many parents and children, so it’s essential to take preemptive action to address the things that cause stress and seize opportunities. Like the…

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Union leader says former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody lied to union, public and can’t be trusted

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Union leader says former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody lied to union, public and can’t be trusted

Union leader says former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody lied to union, public and can’t be trusted By Ray Hanania Former Cook County Commissioner Ed Moody had a bad habit of lying about how he would act on controversial policies from the prevailing wage to the one-cent per-ounce tax on soda pop. Published in The…

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Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Ex-wife used daughter’s therapy to cut dad’s court ordered parenting time

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Ex-wife used daughter’s therapy to cut dad’s court ordered parenting time

Ex-wife used daughter’s therapy to cut dad’s court ordered parenting time By Laura Reichel The time a father spends with his child can be incredibly important to maintaining a strong relationship between father and child. However, in the case of a Chicago father, he feared his relationship with his young daughter was at risk.  Chicago…

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion, Radio

Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits 

Posted on By Ray Hanania 4 Comments on Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits 
Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits 

Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits  Orland Park, IL — Plans by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau to create three TIF districts to address “blighted land developments” should be put on hold until after he releases two delinquent financial audits detailing the true nature of the…

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Education, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival opens Oct. 11

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7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival opens Oct. 11

7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival opens Oct. 11 Subtext Studio Theatre Company’s Que Te Vaya Bien, Part of   Destinos: 7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival  Opens October 11th at Greenhouse Theater Center  Subtext Studio Theatre Company (SSTC) announces the first production of Season Two: Generations featuring the world premiere play Que Te Vaya Bienby Artistic…

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Chicago, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, News, Theater

Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move

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Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move

Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move Residents of Unincorporated Orland Township blast Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau for trying to grab their land and violate their rights. Residents say Mayor Pekau failed to properly notify them of his plans that began quietly in 2022 and continued to 2023 before residents could address the board…

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Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Videos

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

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Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These amendments, effective for the 2024 tax year, underscore our commitment to supporting our veteran…

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Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Leving legal team won appeal defending falsely accused Chicago dad

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Leving legal team won appeal defending falsely accused Chicago dad

Leving legal team won appeal defending falsely accused Chicago dad By Laura Reichel The Leving legal team won a critical decision from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in favor of an accused father they defended. It is terrifying for any father to be faced with the allegation that he neglected his…

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Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Why you need to read Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns

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Why you need to read Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns

Why you need to read Ray Hanania’s syndicated columns Ray Hanania is an award winning columnist but he needs your support. His columns reflects an honesty in political coverage that you don’t often find in American journalism. Watch this promotion on Ray’s commitment to objective journalism and commentary, “even when it hurts.” He needs your…

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Blogger, Commentary, Culture, journalism, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Enhancing Attorney-Client Relationships in High Conflict Litigation to Win

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Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Enhancing Attorney-Client Relationships in High Conflict Litigation to Win

Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Enhancing Attorney-Client Relationships in High Conflict Litigation to Win 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 August 21st at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 19 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago. The keynote CLE…

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Chicago, Events, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire

Congressional District 6 Challenger Niki Conforti, denounces Sean Casten for helping to drive prices higher

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Congressional District 6 Challenger Niki Conforti, denounces Sean Casten for helping to drive prices higher

Congressional District 6 challenger Niki Conforti, denounces Sean Casten for helping to drive prices higher Last week’s inflation report brought more bad news for all Americans, 6th District Candidate for Congress Niki Conforti said Monday, August 19, 2024.  Prices continued to increase in July and went up again, close to 3% over a year ago….

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Economy, elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland