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

Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment

May 4, 2026May 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment State Senator Michael E. Hastings called on the Illinois Commerce Commission to ensure fairness and balance in a proposed $200 million infrastructure plan filed by Illinois American Water ─ raising concerns about how those investments are distributed across the state. During a hearing in Springfield, Hastings…

Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Alliance of Polish Clubs President Mirowska-Kopec recognize Polish population by honoring local leaders ahead of Polish Constitution Day

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Alliance of Polish Clubs President Mirowska-Kopec recognize Polish population by honoring local leaders ahead of Polish Constitution Day Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will attend the raising of the Polish Flag over Daley Plaza on Friday, May 1 at noon. Afterwards, along with Alliance of Polish Clubs USA President Lucja…

Cook County, Culture, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Leving Team Reunited Grandparents with Grandchildren

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Reunited Grandparents with Grandchildren By Laura Reichel Tragically, a loving Chicago father died leaving behind his two children. Since birth and prior to their father’s passing, the children had lived in their paternal grandparents’ home with both parents. Their grandparents were deeply devoted to them, forming a close and loving bond that became…

News

OFPD extinguishes garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries reported

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

OFPD extinguishes garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries reported The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a reported structure fire Thursday evening in the 10800 block of Caribou Lane involving an attached residential garage. Upon arrival, all occupants had safely exited the home. First arriving companies forced entry to access the garage and encountered…

Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Northwestern Medicine Opens $15 Million Center Expanding Advanced Gastrointestinal Care to Suburban Chicago

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Northwestern Medicine Opens $15 Million Center Expanding Advanced Gastrointestinal Care to Suburban Chicago The Center for Advanced Endoscopy offers some of the most advanced endoscopic procedures available in the United States Northwestern Medicine is expanding access to highly specialized digestive health services with the opening of the new Center for Advanced Endoscopy at Northwestern Medicine Central…

Health, News, NewsWire

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

April 25, 2026April 25, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago By Maria Pappas My office is managing $105 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships Treasurer Michael Frerichs Hosts 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge. VIDEO is available CLICK HER A team of four students from Naperville Central High School will compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia,…

Education, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, youth

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and House Democrats are standing up to Washington’s attacks on voting rights by advancing a state constitutional amendment ensuring every person’s voice is heard—guaranteeing these rights in Illinois ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court ruling gutting the…

Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire

Armed illegal alien who re-entered country arrested and charged second time

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Armed illegal alien who re-entered country arrested and charged second time Illegal Alien Who Possessed a Dangerous Weapon in Cook County Jail and Committed an Attempted Vehicular Hijacking Indicted for Allegedly Unlawfully Re-Entering United States after Deportation An illegal alien who resided in a Chicago suburb has been indicted on a federal immigration charge for…

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

Leving Team’s Victory Safeguarded the Future of Two Young Girls

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team’s Victory Safeguarded the Future of Two Young Girls By Laura Reichel Every child deserves stability, security, and the financial support necessary to grow and thrive. Yet too often, that foundation is threatened. In this case, two young girls were at risk of being denied the support they deserved and needed until the Leving…

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

Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs The Orland Fire Protection District released the scheduled dates for the popular Kids Camp (Monday, June 15) and the Junior Cadet program (Tuesday, June 16), and urges interested parents to mark their calendars for the events and for the required registration….

Events, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Hills, Orland Park, youth

Leving Matrimonial Law Firm Seminar: Mental Health Experts and Client Communication Strategies in Divorce

April 22, 2026April 22, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Matrimonial Law Firm Seminar: Mental Health Experts and Client Communication Strategies in Divorce By Laura Reichel The nationally acclaimed Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on April 23rd at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 225 W. Wacker Drive…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Events, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Nothing Bundt Cakes® Celebrates Mother’s Day with #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes and $4,000 Grand Prize

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Nothing Bundt Cakes® Celebrates Mother’s Day with #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes and $4,000 Grand Prize ‘America’s No. 1 food brand’ gives fans the opportunity to win while Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl and new gifting options make Mom’s month even more special Nothing Bundt Cakes is honoring Mom all season long with the launch of its #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes*, offering fans the…

Business, food, News, NewsWire

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois State Senator Michael E. Hastings passed legislation through the Senate aimed at protecting Illinois homeowners from deceptive and high pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather and natural disasters. “In light of some tragic storms in the area, we need to protect Illinois’ residents,”…

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

Northwestern Medicine Volunteers Provide Compassion and Service, Impacting the Lives of those who Give and Receive Care

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Northwestern Medicine Volunteers Provide Compassion and Service, Impacting the Lives of those who Give and Receive Care For National Volunteers Week, Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Celebrates its Volunteers, Aims to Expand its Volunteer Network For 50 years, National Volunteer Week, held during the third week of April, has recognized the generosity and tireless dedication…

Health, News, NewsWire

Hastings supports updating online harassment law

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings supports updating online harassment law In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in the present day. “The world is…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Politics, Technology

Leving Team Saved Dad’s Relationship with Son

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Saved Dad’s Relationship with Son By Laura Reichel A devoted dad was horrified to discover that his ex had filed a Petition for an Order of Protection against him – seeking to cut him out of his son’s life. She accused him of stalking her, physically abusing her and so much more. The…

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

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: Thirty Years of Runaway Property Taxes Demand Action

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: Thirty Years of Runaway Property Taxes Demand Action By Maria Pappas Since I came into this office in 1998, there’s been one constant, the inexorable rise of property tax bills. To better understand why, my office conducted a 30-year analysis of property tax data. The findings…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes