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

Bolingbrook to host International Festival of Culture July 15

June 14, 2023June 14, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bolingbrook to host International Festival of Culture July 15 Bolingbrook announced it would host its annual International Festival of Cultures on July 15, 2023, a one-day event celebrating the cultural diversity of its residents and the cultures from all over the world. The event highlights many countries showcasing ethnic food, handmade goods and merchandise, international…

Culture, Events, Features, Festival, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly hosts property assessment workshop June 15

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly hosts property assessment workshop June 15 Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly will host a workshop for homeowners concerned about skyrocketing property assessments that will be held on June 15, 2023 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. The workshop will be held in cooperation with Cook County Assessor…

Cook County, Events, News, NewsWire, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Senator Hastings-backed law will help protect consumers

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Hastings-backed law will help protect consumers Residents across the Southland will have a new law in place to protect them from annoying auto-renewal fees, thanks to the support of State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “We have all fallen victim to unclear auto-renewal fees,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This new law will now require companies to…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

While science grapples with the cause of the life expectancy gap between sexes, men need to make better health choices

June 6, 2023June 6, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

While science grapples with the cause of the life expectancy gap between sexes, men need to make better health choices By Jeffery M. Leving While it’s well known that women live longer than men, in the age of modern medicine it is shocking that the gap has grown instead of closed. The reason is debatable,…

Health, Jeffery Leving, News, news release, NewsWire, Seniors

Hastings pleased to see plan to support people with developmental disabilities, Tinley Park

June 5, 2023June 13, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings pleased to see plan to support people with developmental disabilities, Tinley Park State Senator Michael E. Hastings is pleased to see the Fiscal Year 2024 budget signed into law on Wednesday will prioritize support for direct service providers, Tinley Park remediation efforts and historic levels of funding for area higher education facilities. “Next fiscal…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Bolingbrook Town Center Mosaic Ribbon Cutting Scheduled June 7

June 3, 2023June 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bolingbrook Town Center Mosaic Ribbon Cutting Scheduled June 7 The public is invited to the official ribbon cutting and celebration of the new mosaic at Town Center entitled “A Reflection of Bolingbrook” on June 7 at 6:45 PM The Village of Bolingbrook and the Bolingbrook Arts Council would like to welcome the public to the…

Culture, Entertainment, Events, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Will Moses ever come down from the mountain top and save America?

June 3, 2023June 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Will Moses ever come down from the mountain top and save America? By Ray Hanania America is in a mess. Americans don’t realize they are the frog in the pot of water that is slowly rising to a boil. By the time it happens, it will be too late. Former President Trump has some good…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is “off the rails on a crazy train”

June 2, 2023April 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is “off the rails on a crazy train” Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau went on a name calling rant filled with lies and falsehoods, attacking critics who have demanded that he be accountable in his 2023 State of the Village Speech. It was hosted by the Orland Park Chamber of…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Funding for mental health and education in Tinley Park secured by Senator Hastings

May 26, 2023May 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Funding for mental health and education in Tinley Park secured by Senator Hastings State Senator Michael E. Hastings joined members of the Illinois State Senate to support a Fiscal Year 2024 budget to promote fiscal responsibility, funding to promote mental health services and support our children’s education opportunities.Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement in response:“The…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Artist Patrick Girondi lends support to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Accessible Healthcare for Americans

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Artist Patrick Girondi lends support to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Accessible Healthcare for Americans Patrick Girondi is CEO of San Rocco Therapeutics (SRT) met Wednesday, May 17, 2023 with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is running for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S.A. President. They were brought together in an intimate strategy gathering by Skyhorse…

Books & Films, elections, Health, News, NewsWire, Politics

Senator Michael Hastings urges local businesses to apply for Blue Collar Jobs Act Construction Tax Credits

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings urges local businesses to apply for Blue Collar Jobs Act Construction Tax Credits State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) urges local, eligible businesses to apply for the Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) Tax Credit. The program supports large-scale economic development activities by providing corporate income tax credits to companies that make substantial…

Business, construction, Employment, Government, Jobs, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Star Wars Day is back in Joliet, Illinois

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Star Wars Day is back in Joliet, Illinois Returning for the 12th year, Star Wars Day is back! Join the fun Saturday, June 3rd from 11am – 4pm at the Joliet Public Library – Ottawa Street Branch. This year will feature a parade of costumed characters, games, food vendors, Artist and Author Alley, and merch vendors. This event is…

Business, Culture, Events, Features, Festival, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker Administration Announces Chicago Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Administration Announces Chicago Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit The unit will focus on preventing violence and addressing conflict in Chicago via community Peacekeepers Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services are launching a Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit (CPRU), a highly mobile team that…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation Sponsor Park Redevelopment

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation Sponsor Park Redevelopment The Village of Orland Park is proud to partner with the Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation in the improvement and redevelopment of the Village’s Schussler Park. Michael Schofield III and Kendall Coyne Schofield were in attendance at the May 15th Village of Orland Park Board…

Entertainment, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Crystal Tree homeowner frustrated Pekau won’t address his concerns

May 22, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Crystal Tree homeowner frustrated Pekau won’t address his concerns Dr. Robert Peiss, a homeowner in Crystal Tree, who has been complaining about dead trees near his home for years, says Crystal Tree has cut down some of the trees but refuses to remove all of them, including those near his home. Worse, the Village of…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township Youth Commission Summer Picnic

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Youth Commission Summer Picnic Orland Township’s Youth Commission offers food trucks, games, and fun at upcoming Summer Picnic. Are you in 6th grade or higher? Earn community service hours while having fun by attending the Orland Township Youth Commission Summer Picnic! The Orland Township Youth Commission (OTYC) is a “community service group” that…

Education, Entertainment, Events, Festival, Government, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Senator Hastings shepherds law readying South Suburban Airport opening

May 21, 2023May 21, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Hastings shepherds law readying South Suburban Airport opening HB2531 South Suburban Airport legislation passed the Illinois Senate by a 33-20 vote on Wednesday May 17, 2023 Legislation that brings the building of the South Suburban Airport one step closer to reality was approved this week by the Illinois General Assembly, co-sponsored by State Senators…

Federal, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Opens Satellite Office in Leyden Township

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Opens Satellite Office in Leyden Township The office, which will be staffed on the first Tuesday of each month, will allow for Commissioner Aguilar and his office to increase constituent services for Leyden Township residents On Tuesday, May 16th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined Leyden Township officials…

Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland