Author: Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning 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

International Education Delegation Visits Ukraine to Stand with Country’s Children, Teachers

May 10, 2023May 10, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

International Education Delegation Visits Ukraine to Stand with Country’s Children, Teachers Ukrainian schools devastated by Russia’s War need support and a plan to rebuild An international delegation of education officials, led by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Education International General Secretary David Edwards, traveled to Ukraine today for visits and meetings with…

Civil Rights, Crime, General Topics, Law, National, News, NewsWire, Politics, Racism, Ukraine

Social Security should be guaranteed to all citizens Amnesty International declares

May 10, 2023May 10, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Social Security should be guaranteed to all citizens Amnesty International declares Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster Amnesty International is today calling for social security to be made available to everyone worldwide after a series of crises exposed huge gaps in state support and…

Baby Boomers, Civil Rights, Federal, National, News, Seniors, Taxes

National Association for Gun Rights Calls Out Illinois’ Semi-Auto Ban Lies

May 10, 2023May 10, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

National Association for Gun Rights Calls Out Illinois’ Semi-Auto Ban Lies Representatives from the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) on Wednesday May 10, 2023 filed a rebuttal to the State of Illinois to the United States Supreme Court. On May 1, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett requested further information from the State of…

Cook County, Crime, Federal, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Politics

Alds Quinn, Tabares, Lopez & Curtis encourage residents to speak out on new Chicago Police Superintendent

May 8, 2023May 8, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Alds Quinn, Tabares, Lopez & Curtis encourage residents to speak out on new Chicago Police Superintendent Public hearing will be held Wednesday, May 10, 2023 beginning at 6 PM Alds. Marty Quinn (13), Silvana Tabares (23) Ray Lopez (15) and Derrick Curtis (18) are encouraging residents to attend the upcoming forum hosted by the Community…

Chicago, Crime, Events, News, NewsWire, Police

Proposed Chicago School District map is a “gerrymandered disgrace” Chicago GOP officials say

May 7, 2023May 7, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Proposed Chicago School District map is a “gerrymandered disgrace” Chicago GOP officials say The Chicago Republican Party today decried the proposed map of the Chicago School Board Districts released by Illinois Senate Democrats, as well as the provision of the current bill establishing the new “temporarily hybrid” school board in Chicago. “This map is a…

Chicago, Education, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

State Fire Marshal to Honor Firefighters for their Heroic Efforts and Remember those Lost in the Line-Of-Duty

May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

State Fire Marshal to Honor Firefighters for their Heroic Efforts and Remember those Lost in the Line-Of-Duty The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is hosting the 30th Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service and Medal of Honor Ceremony. Members from the fire service will gather at the fallen firefighter memorial to honor those who…

Events, Fire, Health, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District

Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read, pushes law prohibiting libraries from banning books

May 4, 2023May 4, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read, pushes law prohibiting libraries from banning books State Senator Michael E. Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read. New law would ban the banning of books by local libraries A measure requiring libraries or library systems to adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights…

Books & Films, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Palos Heights veteran volunteers more than 11,000 hours at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital

April 30, 2023April 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Palos Heights veteran volunteers more than 11,000 hours at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital Palos Hospital celebrates volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 16-22 As 89-year-old Jack Heafey pushes a cart through the hallways of Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital he is quick with a joke, a pleasantry or a pat on the back to every person…

Baby Boomers, Cook County, Features, Health, NewsWire, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Fire District fills Trustee vacancy with experienced Fire Commissioner

April 30, 2023April 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fire District fills Trustee vacancy with experienced Fire Commissioner Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) board unanimously votes to name Dr. Beth Damas Kaspar Fire Commissioner to fill vacancy as Fire District Trustee following the resignation of longtime Orland Fire Protection District Trustee James Hickey. Board President John Brudnak showcases the district’s many achievements that have…

Cook County, Features, Fire, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Township, Releases, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Lipinski Foundation All American Eagles presents Patriotism Awards

April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski Foundation All American Eagles presents Patriotism Awards The All American Eagles program is extremely proud and very happy to present to Jeffery J. Kranig the Eagle Head Award for countless acts of patriotic community involvement and unlimited devotion to our land of liberty and fortress of freedom. The following are some of Mr. Kranig’s…

Bill Lipinski, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Incarcerated dad wins court order banning mother from relocating daughter to Georgia

April 29, 2023April 30, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Incarcerated dad wins court order banning mother from relocating daughter to Georgia A father who’s in prison in Illinois has a 9-year-old daughter, whom he raised with the girl’s mother until he was locked up. He recently learned that his daughter’s mother planned to move, with the girl, to Georgia. This was jarring news to…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Fire FC to Face St. Louis CITY SC in 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 at SeatGeek Stadium

April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Fire FC to Face St. Louis CITY SC in 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 at SeatGeek Stadium Chicago Fire FC will continue its 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign against St. Louis CITY SC in the Round of 32 at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 9 at SeatGeek…

Chicago, Entertainment, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Was Cleopatra Black or White and why it matters

April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Was Cleopatra Black or White and why it matters By Ray Hanania It was bad enough when White racists would lie about the physical attributes of African Americans to justify maintaining the dual system of segregation. Just as bad is the reverse racism that grew from the suffering many African Americans faced as a consequence…

Blogger, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, Movies, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Theater

Orland Fire District salutes outgoing board trustees

April 27, 2023April 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire District salutes outgoing board trustees Board of Trustees honors the late Attorney James J. Roche naming the board room in his honor The Orland Fire Protection District on Tuesday April 25, 2023 saluted trustees Chris Evoy, former board chairman, and Craig Schmidt, whose terms expire in May. The board approved resolutions commending them…

Features, Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Ramadan Essential recipes and ingredients from Ziyad Brothers

April 26, 2023April 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ramadan Essential recipes and ingredients from Ziyad Brothers Ramadan is an important month-long religious observance for Muslims who observe it by fasting, prayer, reflection, and community engagement. The 30 day period of fasting begins at sunrise and ends as sunset and observant Muslims eat only before sunrise for the “Suhoor” and after sunset for the “Iftar.” The…

Culture, Features, food, News, Recipes

Boy rescued from ‘toxic’ home, reunited with dad

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Boy rescued from ‘toxic’ home, reunited with dad Renowned matrimonial attorney Jeffery M. Leving and his legal team won a case that took extensive, persistent work, along with patience and strength from their client and his son. Leving will speak about this hard-fought victory on his weekly radio show, the Dads’ Rights Legal Hour, 9-10…

Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Giannoulias Issues First 100-Days Report Outlining Major Accomplishments

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Giannoulias Issues First 100-Days Report Outlining Major Accomplishments “Getting it Done” Report Features Achievements to Modernize the Office Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released his First 100 Days report today, highlighting his administration’s accomplishments since taking office in January. The 16-page report reflects how the new Secretary has pursued an aggressive agenda to improve…

Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Hastings advances measure to fight crime, track stolen vehicles

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings advances measure to fight crime, track stolen vehicles Illinois may soon have a law on the books to help law enforcement quickly track stolen vehicles, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. Hastings (D-Frankfort) advanced House Bill 2245, which requires Cook County to establish a vehicle theft hotline to facilitate the location of a…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, DuPage, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation