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

Full-day kindergarten now mandated by new law supported by Senator Michael Hastings

August 9, 2023August 9, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Full-day kindergarten now mandated by new law supported by Senator Michael Hastings Children across the south suburbs will soon have access to full-day kindergarten, thanks to a law supported by State Senator Michael E. Hastings that was signed into law this week. “Early education is crucial to setting our children on a path to be…

Education, News, Senator Michael Hastings

Dad wins in court vs. relatives to recover his children and bring them home

August 8, 2023August 8, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad wins in court vs. relatives to recover his children and bring them home By Kate Davis A loving father whose relatives turned against him needed legal help to prevent his children from being taken away from him. Renowned Fathers’ Rights attorney Jeffery M. Leving, whose firm won in court on behalf of this father,…

Jeffery Leving, Law, News

New alimony reforms in Florida should be an example for other states

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

New alimony reforms in Florida should be an example for other states By Jeffery M. Leving The reasons couples get divorced are usually complex and have a lot of nuance, yet too many states have a simple, one-size-fits all mentality when it comes to alimony. However, the State of Florida just signed into law an…

Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Bond Set for Cook County Man Charged with Leading Police on 100 MPH High-Speed Chase

August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Bond Set for Cook County Man Charged with Leading Police on 100 MPH High-Speed Chase Defendant allegedly on probation out of Indiana for vehicle theft DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that bond has been set for a Cook County man accused of leading police…

Crime, DuPage, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Dolton to host Back to School event August 5

August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dolton to host Back to School event August 5 The Dolton Park District is excited to announce its annual Back to School event, taking place this Saturday, August 5th, from 12 noon until 3pm. This year’s event is proudly powered by Rucker and Rucker, in partnership with Power 92, and promises to be a day…

Education, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Senator Michael Hasting bipartisan-backed proposal to crack down on crime now law

August 1, 2023August 2, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hasting bipartisan-backed proposal to crack down on crime now law State Senator Michael E. Hastings’ measure to help police and sheriffs quickly track stolen vehicles is now law. “This measure helps us evolve by better utilizing the latest technology to track criminal actions,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We already know that there is technology…

Cook County, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

McConnell and Biden show Seniors and aging are never addressed properly

August 1, 2023August 1, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

McConnell and Biden show Seniors and aging are never addressed properly By Ray Hanania This past week, we saw how getting older is handled by American politics. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had a “senior moment” while speaking to the news media. He’s 81 years old. McConnell’s aides escorted him to his office, after the…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Media Bias, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors

Blind compassion allowing problems to fester among migrant asylum seekers Chicago alderman warns

July 27, 2023July 27, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Blind compassion allowing problems to fester among migrant asylum seekers Chicago alderman warns By Ray Hanania Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez has always been on the cutting edge in the battle for truth. He was a courageous voice exposing the failings of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and remains one of a handful of aldermen who believe…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Culture, Government, immigrant, News, Politics

Bond Set for Two Women Charged with Robbing Bloomingdale Verizon Wireless Store

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bond Set for Two Women Charged with Robbing Bloomingdale Verizon Wireless Store Two female suspects arrested. Juvenile allegedly involved will be detained DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bloomingdale Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese announced today that bond has been set for two women accused of robbing a Bloomingdale Verizon Wireless store. Alisa…

Crime, DuPage, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

Des Plaines Man Charged with Gun Felonies

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Des Plaines Man Charged with Gun Felonies A 29-year-old man has been charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he allegedly fired a handgun into the air multiple times in unincorporated Des Plaines, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Wednesday July 26, 2023. At approximately 10:29…

Cook County, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Coin collecting: The re-release of the popular Morgan Silver Dollar

July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Coin collecting: The re-release of the popular Morgan Silver Dollar By Ray Hanania To celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the last issue of the Morgan Silver dollar, the U.S. Mint announced it would re-mint the Morgan Silver Dollar beginning in 2021. I am a big coin collector and my favor coins are the Indian…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, rayhanania

Senator Michael Hastings and Frankfort Park District invite residents to Ninja Park grand opening

July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings and Frankfort Park District invite residents to Ninja Park grand opening State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Frankfort Park District invite families and neighbors to attend the grand opening of the new Ninja Park on Tuesday, July 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Meadows Ninja Park located at…

Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Egyptian Flag to be raised in Celebration of Egypt’s Independence by America’s only Egyptian American Mayor Mary Basta

July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Egyptian Flag to be raised in Celebration of Egypt’s Independence by America’s only Egyptian American Mayor Mary Basta The vibrant community of Bolingbrook is set to witness a historic moment as Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta, the first female Egyptian mayor in the U.S., announces her plans to raise the Egyptian flag in honor of Egypt’s Independence…

Culture, Events, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital Achieves Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification

July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital Achieves Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification Palos Hospital also receives American Heart Association national recognition Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital has achieved Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification by The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Offered in collaboration with the American Stroke Association, The Joint…

Baby Boomers, Health, News, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Senator Michael Hastings announces Matteson set to receive nearly $27 million to improve local roads and highways

July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings announces Matteson set to receive nearly $27 million to improve local roads and highways State Senator Michael E. Hastings is excited to announce that the Village of Matteson is set to receive $26.6 million in investments to improve local roads and highways. “Our highways and roads serve as a lifeline,” said Hastings…

construction, Government, News, Transportation

Orland Hills to host “Shred and E-Recycling Day” Saturday August 26, 2023

July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Hills to host “Shred and E-Recycling Day” Saturday August 26, 2023 The Village of Orland Hills, Mayor Kyle Hastings, State Senator Michael Hastings and Orland Township Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino are partnering to host a Free “Shred and E-Recycling” day for families to be held Saturday August 26, 2023. With the abundance of aging…

Events, Government, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

Why is the government refusing to release all JFK investigation documents?

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Why is the government refusing to release all JFK investigation documents? By Ray Hanania For my generation, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 was one of the most traumatic moments for my generation. It wasn’t just because of the shock of seeing the leader of the most powerful country in…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Government, Opinion, rayhanania

Orland Fire Protection District annual Open House showcases its emergency response services

July 16, 2023July 16, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Fire Protection District annual Open House showcases its emergency response services The Orland Fire Protection District hosted its annual Open House for district residents which showcased an array of emergency response services to educate residents on best practices for ensuring public safety Thursday, July 13, 2023. This year’s Open House was held during evening…

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